diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15219-8.txt | 7650 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15219-8.zip | bin | 0 -> 93732 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15219-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 102160 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15219-h/15219-h.htm | 10727 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15219.txt | 7650 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15219.zip | bin | 0 -> 93707 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
9 files changed, 26043 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/15219-8.txt b/15219-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a2243e9 --- /dev/null +++ b/15219-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7650 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of If Only etc. +by Francis Clement Philips and Augustus Harris + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: If Only etc. + +Author: Francis Clement Philips and Augustus Harris + +Release Date: March 1, 2005 [EBook #15219] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IF ONLY ETC. *** + + + + +Produced by Martin Agren, Leonard Johnson and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. + + + + + + +IF ONLY + +ETC. + +BY + +F.C. PHILIPS + +AUTHOR OF "AS IN A LOOKING GLASS," ETC. ETC. + + + +LEIPZIG + +BERNHARD TAUCHNITZ + +1904. + + + + +TO + +MY OLD FRIEND AND COLLABORATOR, + +SYDNEY GRUNDY, + +I DEDICATE THESE PAGES. + +F.C. PHILIPS. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + +IF ONLY + +ONE CAN'T ALWAYS TELL + +SONGS. AFTER VICTOR HUGO, ARMAND SILVESTRE, +CHARLES ROUSSEAU AND THE VICOMTE DE BORELLI + +LOVE WENT OUT WHEN MONEY WAS INVENTED + +A PUZZLED PAINTER. (WRITTEN IN COLLABORATION +WITH THE LATE SIR AUGUSTUS HARRIS) + + * * * * * + + + + +IF ONLY. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +There is a vast deal talked in the present day about Freewill. We +like to feel that we are independent agents and are ready to overlook +the fact that our surroundings and circumstances and the hundred and +one subtle and mysterious workings of the fate we can none of us +escape, control our actions and are responsible for our movements, +and make us to a great extent what we are. + +A man is not even a free agent when he takes the most important step +of his whole life, and marries a wife. He is impelled to it by +considerations outside of himself; it affects not only his own +present and future, but that of others, very often, and he must be +guided accordingly. + +Emerson says; "The soul has inalienable rights, and the first of +these is love," but he does not say marriage. Love is the business of +the idle and the idleness of the busy, but marriage is quite another +affair--a grave matter, and not to be undertaken lightly, since it is +the one step that can never be retraced, save through the unsavoury +channels of shame and notoriety, or death itself. + +But perhaps Jack Chetwynd was hampered with fewer restraining +influences than most men, for he was alone in the world, without kith +or kin, and might be fairly allowed to please himself, and pleasing +himself in this case meant leading to the altar, or rather to the +Registry Office, Miss Bella Blackall, music-hall singer and step +dancer. + +It was unquestionably a case of love at first sight. The girl was +barely seventeen, and her girlishness attracted him quite as much as +her beauty, which was exceptional. There was nothing meretricious +about it, for as yet she owed nothing to art--brown hair, warm lips, +soft blue eyes, and a complexion like the leaf of a white rose--a +woman blossom. Then, too, she was a happy creature, full of life and +happiness and bubbling over with childish merriment--no one could +help liking her, he told himself, but it was something warmer than +that. What makes the difference between liking and love? It is so +little and yet so much. There was an air of refinement about her, +too, which to his fancy seemed to protest against the vulgarities of +her surroundings. He thought he could discern the stuff that meant an +actress in her, and prophesied that she would before long be playing +Juliet at the Haymarket. He was still at the age when the habit is to +discover geniuses in unlikely places, especially when the women are +pretty. He raved about her when he adjourned with his companions to +the bar, and they chaffed him a good deal to his face and sneered at +him behind his back. He was there the next night, and the night, +after and by-and-by he managed to get introduced to her. + +She was prettier off the stage than on, and her manner was charming, +and her voice delicious with its racy accent. + +She was an American, and had been in London only a few months; and he +was duly taken to a second-rate lodging in a side street near the +Waterloo Road, and presented to "Ma,"--a black satined and beaded +type of the race. There was also a sister, whom, truth to tell, he +objected to more than her maternal relative, for she was distinctly +professional, not to say loud, and the little mannerisms which were +so taking in his inamorata were very much the reverse in Miss Saidie +Blackall. + +Still, he told himself, he was not going to marry the whole family; +which might be true in a sense and yet might not mean the entire +independence it implied. Bella's relations must, if he made her his +wife, mean more or less to him. + +However, youth is sanguine, and Jack Chetwynd did not look too +closely at the thorns which hedged his dainty rose-bud round. She at +least was all he could wish her to be--unsophisticated as a child, +and pure and good at heart. + +After a month's acquaintance it began to be understood that he was +engaged to her. "Ma" wept copious tears, and reckoned her Bella was a +lucky girl to get such an "elegant" husband; and Saidie wished him +happiness in a voice like a corn-crake, and declared that her sister +was "just the sweetest and best girl out of N'York," which she was; +"and born to lead a private life," which she wasn't. + +Bella herself had very little to say. She blushed rosily when Jack +made fervent love to her; acquiesced confusedly when he told her she +must give up the music-hall stage, and seemed to take happily to the +idea of a quiet, uneventful life as Mrs. Jack Chetwynd. + +They took a small house in Camberwell New Road. Jack put up a brass +plate with his name on it, and M.D. in imposing letters, and invested +in a telephone for the accommodation of night callers; and Bella +began to busy herself about the furnishing. + +That was a delightful time. The little bride elect was so excited and +eager, and showed herself wonderfully capable, and with quite a +pretty taste in draping and ornamenting; but there was a terrible +hole in Jack's purse: chairs and tables seemed to cost a mint of +money; and the young man sighed and hoped fervently that it would not +be long before patients appeared, or he would be obliged to say No to +his darling when she turned her appealing eyes upon him and begged +him to give her money for that "duck of a screen," or something else +that was from her point of view the most extraordinary bargain, but +which, Jack reflected, privately, they could very well have done +without. + +He was giving up a certainty in settling in Camberwell, for as House +Surgeon at St. Mark's his income was assured; but then as a married +man he could no longer have lived at the hospital, and "one must risk +something" said Jack, hopefully. + +They were married in May, just three months from that eventful night +when our hero first saw pretty Bella Blackall, on the boards at the +"Band Box," and Mrs. John Chetwynd was altogether so sweet and +winsome in her simple white gown, that Saidie was right when she +hilariously remarked that Jack might well be forgiven for falling in +love with her "all over again." + +The wedding was just as quiet as it could be, for Jack did not care +to invite any of his friends. "Ma" and Saidie were altogether too +impossible; and unfortunately no one seemed to mind whether he did or +not. There was one unpleasantness connected with the day which +Chetwynd felt Bella might have had tact enough to avoid. Two or three +of Saidie's friends, in light and eminently professional attire, were +of the party, the women a good deal worse than the men; and they all +returned together to Holly Street, where a meal had been prepared in +the front parlours, the landlady having generously placed them at the +disposal of her lodgers for the occasion. There was a good deal of +banter and side jokes were bandied about from one to another; which +was galling to young Chetwynd, and made him devoutly thankful that +none of his own companions and friends were present. When at last +Bella rose from the table to change her gown for the pale grey he +himself had chosen, with the big hat and nodding plumes in which she +had looked such a dainty little mortal, he pushed his chair back with +a look of disgust on his face and left them to talk amongst +themselves. + +Saidie was distributing small pieces of wedding cake, laughing and +screaming at the top of her voice. + +"Saikes, man! you are not to eat it. Put it under your pillow and as +sure as I'm a Yank you'll see your intended," she cried. And then +followed an amount of vulgar chaff and coarse pleasantry which caused +the "happy man" to set his teeth hard and register a vow at the +bottom of his heart that this should be the last occasion on which +his wife should associate with her sister's friends. + +And then Bella came tripping down the narrow staircase, her cheeks +warm with a pale pink colour that made her inexpressibly lovely; and +the carriage which Mrs. Blackall had insisted upon ordering to take +the young couple to the station was at the door, and in the bustle +that ensued Jack lost sight of all annoyances and remembered only +that he had married the girl he loved and that he was the happiest +fellow in the universe; and amid a shower of rice and a white satin +slipper (one of Saidie's), which fell right into Bella's lap; the +last farewell was spoken, and they drove away. + +"Only to Brighton!" cried Nina Nankin, the celebrity famed for the +height to which she could raise one leg while standing upon the +other. "What a mean chap! He might have forked out enough for a trip +to Paris, I should have thought." + +"It wouldn't satisfy me," returned Saidie, turning up her nose +disdainfully; "but he isn't my style, anyway." + +"Bit of a prig, eh?" + +Saidie nodded. + +"I do detest a man who fancies himself a head and shoulders above the +rest of his kind," said that young lady vehemently; "you'll generally +find out he don't amount to a row of pins. My! ain't I glad I'm not +going to live with him. I would as lief go to Bible-class every day +of the week. I'll bet my bottom dollar Bella'll see the mistake she's +made before she's many weeks older. There's a chip of the old block +about that young woman, for all her baby ways and her innocent +know-nothing. He'll be a spry man, will Dr. Chetwynd, to come up to +her. It'll take him all he knows to get ahead, you bet". + +Saidie lay back in the chair and laughed till the tears ran down her +cheeks. + + + + +CHAPTER II + + +It was not long before Dr. Chetwynd's eyes were fully open to the +mistake he had made and that he realised the fact that you cannot +fashion a Dresden vase out of earthenware, and though pinchbeck may +pass muster for gold, it does not make it the real article. + +At first Bella did try her "level best" as Saidie put it, to be all +that Jack required of her. She took his lecturings humbly, held her +peace when he scolded her (and I am afraid he constantly did), and +acknowledged in the depths of her shallow little mind that she fell +far short of what his wife should be. But as time went on she grew +less solicitous about pleasing him. His standard was an almost +impossible one to the very second-rate little American girl, to whom +the atmosphere of the "Halls" was far more congenial than the +humdrum, quiet life she led in the Camberwell New Road, and she +slipped back little by little into the mire out of which he had +raised her. + +"I can never learn to be what he wants me to," she said a little +pathetically to Saidie--"It is like standing on tiptoe all the time +trying to reach up to his standard. I'm sick of it. If he loved me +well enough to marry me, the same love ought to be strong enough to +make him contented with me. After all, I'm the same Bella now that I +was then." + +A word of advice at this juncture might have quieted the poor little +wife, and brought her back into safe paths, for she really loved Jack +in her heart; but Saidie was not the person to give it. Privately she +considered her sister a fool to have put up with this ridiculous +nonsense of her husband's as long as she had done; and the line of +argument she took was about the worst she could have adopted for the +happiness and peace of the Camberwell household. + +She was a good deal older than Bella, and the girl had been wont to +rely upon her in a great measure, and to look up to her as a +practical, sensible person, which Bella was quite ready to admit she +herself was very far from being; so now, when Saidie spoke in a +resolute, determined way, she listened meekly, if she did not in so +many words acquiesce in the wisdom and justice of what she said. + +"As far as I can see, you don't get a bit of fun and happiness out of +your life," remarked Saidie, critically examining her features in the +glass. "What did you marry him for, I should like to know? You might +as well be Bella Blackall, on the boards again, and free, as the wife +of a stingy fellow like that." + +"Oh! Saidie, he doesn't grudge me anything." The young wife felt a +little compunction in her heart. + +"Yes he does." Saidie turned round and faced her sister. "He don't +like you to enjoy yourself, not a little bit. He would keep you +wrapped up in cotton wool if he could, and if you don't make a stand +now, once and for all, and let him see you have a mind of your own +and intend to do as you like, you'll regret it to the last day of +your life. Who is he, anyway? I guess our family's as good, if we +knew anything about them, which we don't, worse luck. Just you give +him back his own sauce, Bella, and next time he finds fault with you, +laugh in his face and tell him he has got to put up with what he +finds, for it ain't likely you can alter your nature to suit his high +mightiness. Pitch on a thing or two he does which you don't like, and +give him a sermon as long as your arm. You see; he will come off his +pedestal. Sakes alive! he ought to have me to deal with; I bet I'd +teach him a thing or two." + +And then Saidie whipped herself off to the "Rivolette," where she +sang a doubtful song and displayed her finely turned limbs in a style +that would have disgusted her brother-in-law, if he had been there to +see. + +But music halls were not to his liking under any circumstances. He +had never really cared for them, even in his bachelor days, and now +he would have cut his right hand off rather than be seen with his +young wife beside him, at such resorts. + +Then, too, Dr. Chetwynd felt that it behoved him to be circumspect in +all his actions, for his practice was steadily increasing and he was +becoming popular, and had serious thoughts of migrating westward. It +was a constant source of vexation to him that Bella was not liked as +much as her handsome, clever husband, and he began to be painfully +alive to the fact that she could not have been received in certain +houses whose doors would have been gradually opened to him. In a +social sense his wife was a failure, and with a sigh he realised that +it was almost an impossibility to show her where the fault lay; he +could not always be at her elbow to guard against little solecisms of +manner and speech which he knew must jar and grate on others even +more than on himself. + +It went terribly against the grain, for he loved her none the less +that his eyes were not blinded to her shortcomings. She was still the +same winsome girl he had made his own; large-hearted, gentle and +affectionate, but--and he sighed impatiently, for that something +lacking was for ever pulling him back and standing in the way of his +own social advancement. + +He became less demonstrative, less congenial, and his practice made +huge demands upon his time, and left but scant opportunity for +pleasure-seeking. Lines traced themselves upon his brow and lurked at +the corners of his mouth; he aged rapidly, and began to look like an +elderly man while Bella was still little more than a girl. + +On the night of Mrs. Chetwynd's return from the maternal roof (for +Mrs. Blackall still lived near the Waterloo Road, and her elder +daughter continued to make her home with her), she found her husband, +a good deal to her surprise, seated in the drawing-room, gay with +flowers and crowded with knick-nacks of every description. He had in +his hand a book which he flung down with an annoyed gesture as his +wife opened the door. + +It was perhaps no worse than others of its type, but it had not an +honest moral tone and was not therefore, John Chetwynd considered, a +desirable work for his young wife's perusal. + +"Have you read this?" he asked. + +"No; it is one of Saidie's. Is it interesting?" + +John Chetwynd's answer was to hurl the volume under the grate with an +angry word. + +Bella flushed. + +"Why did you do that? I want to read it." + +"I will not allow you to sully your mind with such filth. It only +goes to prove what I have so often told you, that your sister is not +a proper associate for any young woman. A book of that +description--faugh!" + +Bella picked up the offending volume and looked ruefully at its +battered condition. "I should have supposed that as a married woman I +might read anything," she said with an assumption of dignity. + +"Why should you be less pure because you have a husband, my child? +Don't run away with any such notion." + +"Well, I will read it and give you my opinion of it." + +"You will do no such thing. I forbid it, Bella." + +"In a matter like this I shall judge for myself." Her cheeks were +scarlet, and she kept her eyes downbent. + +"I will not--" + +"Bella!" + +It was the first time in their married life that she had defied him, +and he looked at her in utter astonishment. + +"Yes," she cried, turning on him like a small fury, with the book +tightly held in both hands; "I'm not a child to be dictated to and +ordered to do this and that. I'm perfectly well able to act for +myself and I intend to do so now and always. I'm sick of your eternal +fault-finding, and the sooner you know it the better. If it's not one +thing it's another. Nothing I do is right and I'm about tired of it." + +John Chetwynd sat perfectly silent under this tirade. He was a shrewd +man, and he knew that Bella had been spending the evening with her +own people, and jumped at once to the conclusion that in defying him +she was acting by their advice, and his brow grew black and lowering. + +Then he looked up at Bella, who, a little ashamed of her vehemence, +was slowly unbuttoning her gloves, having laid aside the unlucky +cause of the battle royal. + +"My wife," he said kindly, "if you will not act on my advice, let me +beg of you to think twice before accepting that of others, since I at +least may be credited with having your real good at heart." + +"And you think that--you mean to imply that--" + +"That your sister has her own ends to serve? Undoubtedly I do." + +"You are all wrong--all wrong." But the tell-tale blushes on Bella's +face showed him plainly enough that he had been right in his +conjecture, and had to thank his wife's relatives for her rebellion +and newly developed obstinacy and resentment. + +"Now, Bella, from to-night I cannot allow you to go to Holly Street: +stay," as Bella would have spoken, "you may see your mother here when +you please, but you must let your sister fully understand that she +will not be welcome. Something surely is due to me as your husband, +and that there is no great amount of sympathy between you and Saidie +you have said repeatedly; therefore I am asking no great sacrifice of +you. Do you hear me, Bella?" + +"Yes, I hear." + +"And you will respect my wishes in the matter?" + +"I don't know," she spoke uncertainly. + +She was not fond of her sister, as he had said; certainly not +sufficiently fond of her to allow her to come between herself and +Jack; and yet she felt that it would be unwise and undignified if she +were to give in and refuse Saidie admission to their house. She had +just declared that she would stand no coercion; and after all, what +had poor Saidie done? + +"I don't think you have any right to keep my people away," she said +at last, sullenly. "This is my house as well as yours, remember." + +"I am not going to argue over it, my dear girl." Dr. Chetwynd rose +determinedly from his chair with an expression on his face which his +wife had learned to know and dread. "I forbid you to ask your sister +here again. I am sorry to have to speak so decidedly; but your +conduct leaves me no alternative." + +And he walked quickly across the floor and the next moment the door +closed upon him. + +"I don't care what he says. I won't be ordered about," flashed out +Bella, all that was worst in her nature roused by Jack's resolution. +"Saidie is quite right; if I don't put my foot down I shall soon be +nothing better than a white slave." + +"Putting her foot down," certainly had one effect, namely, that of +making life anything but a bed of roses for the unfortunate doctor. + +Never had Bella shown herself so unamiable and unloveable as during +the next two days. She hardly addressed her husband and she flounced +about the room and tossed her head and hummed music-hall ditties +(which she had caught from Saidie) under her breath, and altogether +comported herself in the most exasperating fashion. + +John Chetwynd hardly knew how to act towards her. If he pretended to +be unconscious of anything unusual, it would probably provoke her to +stronger measures, and yet he was very loth to stir up strife between +them, and leant towards the hope that this spirit of fractiousness +would die out in time and that Bella would become her loving, +tractable self again. But he reckoned without his host. + +Saidie, who was duly apprised of the condition of things, urged upon +her sister to stick to her guns and on no account to yield an inch, +and although desperately miserable, Bella took her advice. + +Returning from seeing a patient a day or two later, Dr. Chetwynd ran +into the arms of an old friend, a man he had not seen since his +marriage. + +"Why, Meynell, old chap, where have you dropped from?" he exclaimed, +grasping the outstretched hand. + +"Where have _you_ hidden yourself? is more to the purpose. No one +ever sees you nowadays." + +Dr. Chetwynd smiled. + +"Perhaps you do not know I am a married man," he said. "Which +accounts for a good deal of my time, and as a matter of fact I have +but little leisure, for my practice keeps me always at the +grindstone." + +"Doing pretty well?" + +"Yes, I think I may say I am. Uphill work, of course, but still--" + +"And where are you living?" + +Chetwynd hesitated. + +"Close by here," he replied the next moment. "Come home with me now, +if you have nothing better to do, and allow me to present my wife to +you." + +And they walked on side by side. + +"You have dined? I am afraid--" + +"My dear fellow, I have this moment left the club." + +Dr. Chetwynd put his latch-key into the lock and ushered his friend +upstairs to his wife's pretty drawing-room. + +But Bella was not there; and finding that she was not in her bedroom, +or in fact in the house at all, he rang the bell and questioned the +maid as to when her mistress had gone out and if she knew when she +would be likely to return. + +"No, sir, that I'm sure I don't. My mistress never said anything to +me." + +"Well, she is not likely to be away long," remarked the doctor +philosophically. "Have a cigar, Meynell." + +"Thanks, no. Your wife spoils you, Jack, if she allows you to smoke +in her pretty little room." + +"Oh, she will not mind; but we will go down to my den shortly. You +see, Meynell, I'm a bit of a Bohemian, although I like to preserve +the customs of the civilised world all the same, to a certain extent. +But my little wife--well--she--she--I daresay you may have heard she +was on the stage before I married her." + +"No, indeed I hadn't." Gus Meynell looked a good deal surprised. + +"Well, I mention it because perhaps she is not quite like the +ordinary run of women." + +Meynell could no longer be blind to the want of ease in his host's +manner, and in his turn became proportionately uncomfortable. + +"Hang it all! A man marries to please himself," he said awkwardly. + +"She is just the dearest girl in the world," continued Jack Chetwynd, +with warmth. "I'm not only fond of her, but proud of her too, but you +know--" + +"I perfectly understand what you mean. To my idea unconventionality +is the most charming thing a woman can have. I hate the bride +manufactured out of the schoolgirl. The oppressive resemblance +between most of our friends' wives is one of the safe-guards of +society." + +"What is that?" Chetwynd broke in upon his friend's speech with a +nervous start and exclamation. The hall door opened with a loud bang +and a woman's noisy laugh could be heard as a pelter of high-heeled +shoes came along the tesselated hall and then the vision of a pretty +girl at the doorway, accompanied by a man and two women. + +"Hallo, Jack! You are home before me, then." + +"Bella, my dear, I must introduce you to an old friend of mine: +Meynell, my wife." + +Bella bowed a little coldly. + +"My sister, Mr. Meynell," she said, seeing that the doctor was +looking straight over Saidie's head. "My sister, Miss Saidie +Blackall; daresay you have seen her from the front before." Then, +looking towards the open door, "Come in, come in. Jack, I think you +have already met Mr. and Mrs. Doss." + +Chetwynd looked terribly annoyed; but there was no choice left for +him but to extend his hand and mutter something to the effect that he +had not had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of his wife's +friends before. + +"Glad to know you, sir--not one of us--not in the profession, I +think?" + +"No--er--no," responded Chetwynd feebly. + +"And the 'appier you, take my tip for it. The wear and tear of the +'alls, sir, no one but a pro can estimate." + +Here his wife, an over-dressed, showy individual a shade more of a +cockney than himself, interposed with a coarse laugh. + +"Get along, you jolly old humbug, you! You couldn't live away from +them--could he, dear?" addressing Saidie, who was maliciously +enjoying the effect that their sudden entrance had produced upon her +brother-in-law and his friend. + +"Ah; you think so, d'ye? that's all you know about it. Give me a nice +quiet 'public' with a hold-established trade and me and the missis +cosy-like in the private bar; that's the life for yours truly when he +can take the farewell ben." + +"How soon are your friends going to take their leave, Bella?" asked +Chetwynd in an undertone to his wife. + +But Bella turned her back upon him without deigning to give him so +much as a word. + +"I think I had the pleasure of seeing you perform the other night, +Mrs. Doss," remarked Mr. Meynell. + +"Don't she look a figger in tights? now tell the truth and shame the +old gentleman: a female as fat as my wife ought not never to leave +off her petticoats, that's what I says." + +"Samuel, fie! You make me blush." His wife coughed discreetly behind +her hand. "It's a new departure, I grant; but I've had a good many +compliments paid me since I took to the nautical style, I can tell +you." + +"Gammon!" grunted Mr. Doss, with a dissatisfied air. "Did you see her +as the 'Rabbit Queen,' sir? My! the patience that woman displayed in +the training of them little furry animals would have astonished you. +Struck the line, sir, out of her own 'ed! 'I'm going, Samuel,' she +said, 'to supply a want.' 'You!' I says. 'Me!' says she; 'they have +got their serpents,' she says, 'and their ducks, and their pigeons +and their kangaroos,' 'What's their void?' said I. 'Rabbits,' she +says, and there you are!" + +"Saidie, why don't you sit down? We will have some supper directly," +said Bella. + +"Oh, my dear, I'm dying for a drink!" cried Miss Blackall, flinging +herself in an attitude more easy than graceful into an armchair. + +Bella opened the chiffonier and produced glasses and a spirit stand. + +"Saves the trouble of ringing for the servant," she said archly to +Meynell. + +Chetwynd could fairly have groaned; and when his wife put the climax +upon everything by drinking out of her sister's glass he could +contain himself no longer. "I never saw you touch spirits before," he +said, determined that his friend should know that his wife was an +abstemious woman. + +"Ah," she said lightly, "there are lots of things you never saw me +do, Jack, which I am capable of, all the same." Whereupon Saidie +burst out laughing as at some prodigious joke. + +"Good for you, Bella! All right, dear! I'm not one to tell tales out +of school." + +"Are you a married man, sir, may I ask?" + +Doss put his thumbs under his arm-pits and looked scrutinisingly into +Meynell's face. "I should say not." + +"No, I'm a bachelor, and likely to continue one." + +"Well," remarked Mrs. Doss sentimentally, "I don't know nothing +jollier than courting time. Such little ordinary things seem sweet +like, then." + +"Hark at the old girl," chuckled Doss. + +"You can't kidd me, Doss. You know it, too. I think of our own +billing and cooing, sir--his and mine. I was not a draw in those +days; the last turn in the bill at the "Middlesex" was about my mark, +and Doss, he hadn't risen, neither. We used to walk 'ome that lovin' +up Drury Lane, and Doss, he would say, 'fish, Tilda,' and I would +say, 'if you could fancy a bit, Sam.' And in he would pop for two +penny slices and chips. And eat--lor', how we did eat. When I look +back on that fish, sometimes I could cry. Money and fame ain't +everythink in the world, believe me, they ain't. You may be 'appy in +your 'umbleness." + +All this was gall and wormwood to John Chetwynd, and he approached +his wife again and whispered. + +"It is getting late--are these people never going?" + +"Not until they have had supper, most certainly." + +"And do you expect my friend to join you?" + +"You can please yourselves. I don't think either of you would be much +acquisition in your present frame of mind. Mrs. Doss, somebody +interrupted you; you were talking about a kindred soul and an attic. +Money and position are not everything you were saying. I agree with +you. Give me an easy life and no stilts." + +John Chetwynd could stand it no longer. + +"Madam," he said, addressing Mrs. Doss; "I must really apologise, but +Mr. Meynell and I have important business to discuss, and--" + +Mrs. Doss might be vulgar, but she was not obtuse. Seeing she and her +husband were not wanted, she sprang to her feet. + +"Sam--right about face; we must be off 'ome." + +"Nonsense, you must have some supper before you go," said Bella. + +"Oh, I think we will be toddling, thanks. Are you coming with us, +Saidie?" + +"No, I'm not," returned that young woman, sturdily. "Since this house +is the joint property of Dr. John Chetwynd and his wife, I reckon I +shall stop awhile. Bella, you are not going to turn me out, are you?" + +"Not I. I can't imagine what Jack means by behaving so inhospitably. +I hope you will all stop." + +But Mr. Doss, exceedingly affronted at the slight offered him, had +tucked his wife's arm under his own and was already at the door. + +"Good night, gents. My best respects to you, Mrs. Chetwynd, but we +knows who wants us and who doesn't." + +Bella turned indignantly to her husband. "And you call yourself a +gentleman!" she cried. + +"For heaven's sake remember we are not alone!" whispered Chetwynd in +distress, "you have distinguished yourself quite enough." + +"I don't care--you have insulted my friends." + +"Friends!" + +"Yes, and as good as you or I. What did you marry me for if you are +ashamed of my connections?" + +"I did not marry the whole variety stage." + +At this juncture Meynell rose. + +"Awfully sorry, but I must be going old chap, promised to look in +again at the club." And Chetwynd did not press him to stay. +Humiliated to the last degree, he followed him downstairs. + +"I have given you a very enjoyable evening, Meynell," he said +bitterly. + +"My dear fellow, what ought I to say?" + +"I'm damned if I know; I've never visited a friend who made such a +marriage as mine. I should have pitied the poor devil profoundly if I +had. Good night, old chap." + +The hall door shut, and Chetwynd went slowly, sorrowfully back to the +drawing-room. + +"I hope you have disgraced me enough to-night," he said stormily. + +"Where's the disgrace, I should like to know, in inviting a couple of +old friends into one's own house?" demanded Saidie aggressively. + +Chetwynd promptly turned his back upon her. "I am addressing my +wife," he said frigidly. + +"Yes; I would like to see you talking to _me_ in that tone of voice," +returned his sister-in-law. + +"Bella, what have you to say for yourself? Have you no self-respect +whatever, and no consideration for your husband's position?" + +"Oh, I'm sick of hearing about your position," said his wife +pettishly. "In the days when you had not any, we were a lot happier. +You didn't turn up your nose at my associates when I was on the +boards at the Band Box! Everything was charming. You laughed then at +what you now call "vulgar," and you thought it good fun, and you +would have taken the property man to your heart if I had told you he +was my brother. But now I am your wife it is quite a different tale. +My friends are too common for you to mix with. By the Lord! I'm not +at all certain whether you think _me_ good enough for you, myself." + +"Bella, Bella!" + +"Oh! Yes, it is easy enough to look broken-hearted. How dare you turn +my friends out of the place? It is you, not I, who have brought +disgrace upon us by introducing a stranger here and mortifying and +humbling me in front of him. If the Dosses are good enough for me, +they are good enough for my husband." + +"My dear wife, they are not good enough for you. There is the whole +truth. Why are you so altered? Why will you not listen to me and take +my advice as you used to do? Have you forgotten how happy we once +were with each other?" + +There was a little break in his voice, but Bella was too incensed to +heed it. + +"You mean that you did not abuse me when you had it entirely your own +way! Wonderful! Perhaps you did not know that you bored me to death +the whole time. And now you have got it at last. I'm tired of your +cheap gentility and Brummagem pretensions; sick to death of hearing +that nothing I have been used to is "proper." If my world is a second +rate one, show me a better. Why don't you introduce me to your own, +if it is so vastly superior? Have you done it? Not you! You bury me +in this poky little hole and deliberately insult the only friends I +have who take the trouble to come and look me up." + +Chetwynd passed his hand over his brow dreamily. The whole thing was +such a shock to him, he could hardly realise it. + +"I hope you are saying much more than you mean," he said at last. +"God knows if you have been dull I never suspected it." + +"Because I have not grumbled--because I smiled instead of yawning, +and laughed when I felt like crying, you never suspected it! Did you +ever ask yourself what amusements you were providing for me while you +were out all day? Not for a moment. Men like you never do, when they +marry girls like us. You fancy you have been very noble and +chivalrous and plucky; but what you have really done is to get what +you want and leave me to pay the cost. Once your wife, there was an +end of the matter so far as you were concerned, and to marry you was +to complete my destiny! I was to sit all day long staring at the four +walls, and if I happened to feel lonely, take a look at my marriage +certificate to cheer myself up! well--" she drew a long breath and +suddenly left her seat and came quite close to him. "Well," she said +again, "I am not satisfied--do you hear? It may be the height of +ingratitude, but it is a fact all the same. I am not content and I +have made up my mind (you may as well know it now as at any other +time) to go back to the stage. The life suits me and I am going to do +it." And then she paused. + +If she expected her husband to storm and rave, insist and +expostulate, she was disappointed. He sat dumb and voiceless, his +face buried in his hands, and he did not even look up when, with the +air of a victor, Bella marched across the floor, beckoned to her +sister, and went up to her own room. + +"I never gave you credit for such real grit," began Saidie, +admiringly; but to her surprise Bella flung herself on the bed and +burst into uncontrollable sobs. + +"I wish I was dead," she cried. "I am a beast--an ungrateful beast; +and I have said what is not true. I have loved him always--always." + +"Well, you can't go back from your word now," said Saidie; "You said +you would do it." + +"Yes, and I will." Bella sat up and dried her eyes. "I will go back +to the stage; but I did not say I would stop there, and I shan't if +I'm not happy, and if it makes a break between me and Jack." + +"Don't talk like that," cried Saidie disdainfully, "You make me +tired!" + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +After this there was a lull; John Chetwynd observed that he had need +of more forbearance towards his wilful wife, and tried to exercise +it. He told himself that there was love enough and to spare; that +with the deep affection he was convinced Bella bore him there was +nothing really to fear. She was young and ill-advised, and it behoved +him to keep a careful watch over her, and above all things not to +draw too tight a rein. As for her threat of returning to her old life +and its meretricious attractions, after the first shock he dismissed +it from his mind. She had not really intended doing anything of the +sort; such a step was impossible. It was a wild idea, born of the +excitement of the moment, and unworthy of a further thought, and so +he put it aside. Had not the question been argued and threshed out +once and for all soon after marriage? He recalled with a curious lump +in his throat how she had put her hands into his and said; "Your +wishes are my wishes, now and always, Jack." And there had been an +end of the matter. + +"I will wait until the atmosphere has cleared a little," said John +Chetwynd, reflectively, "and then I'll tell her that at the end of +the year we will leave Camberwell and take a larger house in a better +neighbourhood." + +Thus, out of his love for his young wife, he made excuses for her and +took her back to his heart again. + +And Bella? Jack's conduct puzzled her. She had fully expected that he +would be exceedingly angry and displeased, and in her own mind had +prepared certain little set phrases which were to impress him with +the fact that she intended to do as she pleased and would not allow +herself to be dictated to or coerced. And thus it was that on the +following morning she came down to breakfast with it must be +confessed a forbidding look upon her pretty face and a defiant air +about her bearing. But all her newly formed resolves were put to +flight when Jack came towards her and deliberately kissed the lips +which she vainly tried to withhold. + +"Bella, you and I love each other too well to quarrel," he said +kindly; "let us forget all that happened last night." + +What could she say? In spite of herself she felt that she was +yielding; and though she did not meet him half way as he had fondly +anticipated she would do, still she allowed him to draw her into his +arms and did not repulse his caresses. + +She might have shown a more generous spirit, it is true. Since he had +tacitly acknowledged that they had been mutually to blame, she might +have offered something in the shape of an expression of regret; but +peace in any shape and at any cost Chetwynd felt he must have. + +But Bella had by no means surrendered her determination of going on +the stage again, and was already with Saidie's assistance on the +look-out for an engagement. It would be difficult to define her +feelings towards her husband at this juncture. That there was still a +veiled hostility John Chetwynd could not fail to see; but in his +newly formed resolution to be patient and forbearing, he simply +ignored it and diligently cultivated a kindly, gentle bearing, +interesting himself in her little domesticities and the general +routine of her everyday life. This amused Bella intensely, and +although she would not have acknowledged it, perhaps touched her a +little. + +Why had he not done this before? And having been careless and +indifferent once, why was he not so still? For this is how it was +with Bella; she was learning to compare her husband with her lover, +and be very sure the former suffered by comparison. + +"Les absents ont toujours tort" and Saidie found so much to say and +said it in such a contemptuous, scornful way to Howard Astley, about +her sister's husband, that perhaps there was some little excuse for +the young man's impression that Bella Chetwynd would be vastly better +off under his protection than amid her present surroundings. + +"The man was a brute," Miss Blackall declared. + +Poor John Chetwynd! Not only was he far removed from being a brute, +but he was also miles above the man whom Saidie delighted to honour, +and whose addresses and attentions she thrust upon Bella at every +turn. + +At first, to do her justice, the young wife shrank back dismayed. +Beyond his handsome face, Howard Astley had but little to recommend +him, and after listening to his commonplaces and enduring the fulsome +compliments it pleased him to pay, she would hurry home with tingling +pulses and a shamed heart to Jack--Jack, who had once been all the +world to her. + +Once! Oh, and such a little time ago! After all, how little she had +to complain of in the man who had made her his wife! + +He was "uninteresting," wrapped up in his profession, "dull." That +was all, but it meant a very great deal to Bella. It meant +everything; and the sluggish conscience which just at first had a +word or two to say in his defence, gradually went to sleep again and +troubled its owner no longer. + +Why should she not enjoy herself as other women of her age did? + +Why, indeed? She did not intend to do anything that was really wrong, +or even unbecoming in her position as Jack's wife; but still she was +resolved on extracting the utmost amount of amusement possible out of +life, and thus with slow, subtle drifting and unconscious eyes--eyes +that would not see their peril--she reached the point where +temptation steps in. + +It was his wealth that dazzled her. + +She did so long to be rich. John was apt to be mean about trifles, +but this man--the man she allowed to make love to her--was a very +prodigal in his liberality. He spent money like water. He rarely came +empty-handed. Probably he knew the manner of woman he had to deal +with, and Bella hid the trinkets away with a guilty blush; they were +not much good to her after all, for she did not dare to wear them, +lest Jack should ask awkward questions concerning the source from +whence they came. + +"I never can do anything I like," said Bella with a pout. + +And then there came a night when John Chetwynd found the pretty +drawing-room deserted and his wife flown. + +The hours went by and as she did not return he grew seriously uneasy. + +Where could she be? When eleven o'clock struck he put on his hat and, +terribly though it went against the grain, started for Holly +Street--she might be at her mother's. + +No, Mrs. Blackall had not seen her, she said; and she looked +searchingly into her son-in-law's face as she spoke. "Did Dr. +Chetwynd really not know where she was?" + +"No, madam, or assuredly I should not be here." + +The doctor spoke with some heat; that there was something behind all +this was very evident, and he naturally objected to being made a fool +of. + +"You don't know, then, that Bella is on at the Tivoli?" + +John Chetwynd sat down suddenly. This news literally took his breath +away. + +It was not possible that Bella had taken such a step without his +knowledge or sanction. He looked up with such hopeless misery written +in his white face that Mrs. Blackall could not help a certain pity +for her son-in-law, although in her opinion he had brought the thing +upon himself, and the very compassion she felt for his suffering had +the effect of making her more harsh and unsympathetic. + +"What did you expect?" she asked. "As a man of the world could you +really imagine that a young, high-spirited girl like my daughter +would content herself with the life you tried to chain her down to? +She had had just taste enough of the admiration and applause of a +public life to get a liking for it, and in an instant it is all taken +away and nothing given her in its place. It ain't commonsense, it--" + +"It may not be," said Chetwynd wearily; "but there are women +nevertheless to whom home and husband are all-sufficient and who ask +for nothing beyond." + +"You made a great mistake, Mr. Chetwynd, when you--" + +"I did," he interrupted quickly; "you are perfectly right; I did when +I believed my wife and your daughter to be one of these. Well," and +he rose wearily, "she has put a barrier between us to-night that can +never be broken down." + +"Tut, tut, man; you have got your duty to do by her, and I'll take +good care you do it. She is doing no wrong to join her profession +again." + +"Our ideas as to right and wrong probably differ. I am certainly not +going to argue the point, nor do I wish to shirk what responsibility +I took on my shoulders when I married. But if it is upon your advice +she has acted in this matter, ask God to forgive you for the cruel +wrong you have done us both!" + +Then he picked up his hat and went out of the house. It was long past +midnight when Bella returned; but late though it was, she knew by the +lights in the drawing room that her husband was waiting up for her, +and with an impatient sigh, determined to get her lecture over, she +ran lightly up-stairs. + +He was there, sitting in her own cosy armchair, and he looked round +expectantly as the door opened. + +"Well," she said nervously, stripping off her gloves, and avoiding +meeting his stern, sad gaze. "I daresay you wonder where I have been +and what has kept me so late; but, my dear old Jack, you will have to +give up the bad habit of sitting up to all hours for me, for I'm +likely to be late most nights now." + +She paused for a reply, but none came. Her easy assurance staggered +him; he could hardly believe that this self-composed, glib-spoken +young woman had been at one time his diffident, shy little love. The +unhappy man found it very hard to reconcile the two. "Why don't you +speak?" she asked impatiently, facing him in a defiant manner; and as +he looked up at her he noticed for the first time that she had grown +older and had lost all at once--at least, so it seemed to him--the +rounded, childish look from her sweet face and involuntarily a sigh +broke from him. + +"One would think I had committed a crime," cried she in disdain, and +then, catching her skirts up, she broke into a step dance, humming a +popular music-hall air. + +"Stop--do you hear me?--this instant stop!" the devil in him burst +out; he could restrain himself no longer. + +"Woman! What are you made of?" he cried in a voice of thunder, and +she, shrinking back a little, fell half frightened into a chair. He +never could quite remember afterwards what he did say. He tried with +rough eloquence, that might have moved a heart of stone, to show her +what it was she was doing, to appeal to her better, nobler self, to +her love for him; he implored and entreated her to give up this new +life--for his sake. + +He had nothing better to urge than that, poor fool! It weighed with +her as just so much chaff. The time had gone by when his words would +have touched her; they glided lightly over what she called her +"heart" now and left no impression there. + +And then he went on his knees beside her and prayed her to grant him +this one boon; he poured out a flood of feverish words, hardly +pausing to think; he tried to paint an alluring picture of their life +in the future: they would leave Camberwell, he said; she should go +where she liked if she would but listen to reason; it would ruin him +in his profession, he pleaded, if she persisted in returning to the +stage. As he talked the pretty face grew harder and older. Bella had +made up her mind, and the man beside her had not the faintest power +to sway her by his reproaches or entreaties. + +And then he stumbled to his feet and stood waiting for his answer. + +It came at last, clear and cold, falling like pellets of ice upon his +impatient fervour. + +"The thing is done now, and all the talking in the world will not +alter it." + +"And that is your last word to me--your husband?" + +Finding she did not speak, he walked across the floor, turning at the +door, hoping against hope, but she lay back as still as if she were +dead. + +When he had gone, Bella opened her eyes and held up her hand +curiously. It was wet with--what?--tears. + +Her eyes were bright and dry. + +For a moment something of the old feeling swept over her. + +Poor Jack! She half rose, then sank back again. + +It was too late, she was thinking; as if it were ever too late to +make amends, to atone, while we have still breath and life! + +"It is all for the best, anyhow," she murmured after awhile, and when +philosophy is well to the fore, love hides its diminished head. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +Six months wore themselves away; six months in every day of which +John Chetwynd lived a year, measured by the anxiety and misery it +held for him. He could no longer delude himself into the belief that +Bella loved him, for all her actions went to prove the contrary. But +her end just once gained, there were no more bickerings and +disputes--she even condescended to consider her husband's wishes, +when they did not clash or interfere with her own. But night after +night he sat alone with the hateful consciousness that the woman who +bore his name was parading her charms to Dick, Tom and Harry; in +fact, to anybody who chose to pay his shilling for the privilege of +contemplating them. It was in moments such as these that the iron +entered his soul and there was no escape from it; he must bear his +burden as many a better man had borne it before him. And thus it was +he buried himself in his profession, working with a will and vigour +that astonished no one so much as himself. He was rapidly becoming a +popular man. Through sheer good luck (as he really believed it to be) +he had diagnosed one or two cases with an ease and accuracy which not +only filled his purse beyond his utmost expectations, but helped him +up the ladder of fame at an amazing rate. But when emboldened by +success, and always remembering the fact that however wilful and +oblivious she might be, she was still to all intents and purposes the +wife of his bosom and equally interested with himself in all his +undertakings, he recounted his triumphs and declared his intention of +leaving Camberwell forthwith and settling in Camelot Square, Bella +smiled, yet proved in no way elated at the intelligence. + +"So, my dear, you can go as soon as you like and fix upon a house," +he said. + +Bella yawned and stretched her arms above her head. + +"Oh, you will know much better than I what is required," she replied. + +"Have you, then, no interest in our new home?" he asked, more hurt +than he could well have expressed. + +"Do you ever show the slightest interest in what concerns me?" she +retorted. + +He winced. "This is a mutual interest, surely, since we must occupy +it together." + +"Must?" she echoed dreamily. + +"What do you mean?" he asked sharply. + +"Nothing, except that 'must' is the word I have banished from my +vocabulary," and she smiled at him--actually smiled, though she must +have known she was stabbing him to the very heart. + +He said no more; and indeed, words seemed to be useless. + +So he chose the house himself,--one that could not fail to please +Bella, he felt exultantly. She would be less than woman if she were +not glad to exchange the second-rate little dwelling in the +Camberwell New Road for the substantial residence, with its modern +improvements and embellishments in such a neighbourhood as Camelot +Square. + +It was not perhaps a palace, but it was a very great deal more +imposing than anything they had dreamt of in the early days of their +married life, and yet John Chetwynd told himself with a sigh that he +would gladly give up fame and prosperity to win back the old +love-light in his wife's eyes. + +And there are some among us who cannot love for so little--"Of man's +love a thing apart." Perhaps John Chetwynd would have been a happier +man had he been one of these. + +Even the task of furnishing fell to the doctor's lot. Bella did not +refuse, nor did she object to accompany him on what he might have +naturally supposed would be a congenial task for her, but she showed +herself so indifferent throughout that, after an effort or two to +make her contented, he gave it up, and it ended in his carrying the +whole thing through himself. + +And he was not sorry when at length it was completed. On the morrow +he would bring Bella to her new home. + +He stood under the bright lighted chandelier and looked round him. +The carpet was thick and soft. Bella liked carpets her feet could +sink into, she had once said. There by the fireplace was the most +luxurious easy chair he could purchase, upholstered in her favourite +colour, pale blue. He pictured the dainty figure nestling in it, and +a little glow stirred at his heart. After all, she was his wife, his +fondly loved wife, and who could tell? Perhaps with the old life, old +feuds would die out and with the new, joy and happiness dawn for them +both once more. + +John Chetwynd was not a religious man; he rarely went to church and +he never prayed; but now he covered his face with his hands, and his +lips moved inaudibly. + +He was asking for a blessing on the new life, and there was something +like a tear in his eye and a suspicious huskiness in his voice as he +called out "Come in" in answer to a hurried knock at the door and +flung open the lid of a grand piano which was littered with music and +songs, running his hands over the keys and smiling a little. + +The piano was to be a surprise: Bella knew nothing about it. + +Perhaps it would keep her more at home, for she was very fond of +music. + +It had cost more than he ought to have paid, but still it was for +her. + +"Come in, Mrs. Brewer--what is it? I'm just off. You will have us +both here to-morrow at this time for good and all, I hope." + +"Indeed, sir, and I'm glad to hear it. Things do look most beautiful, +and no mistake." + +The good soul shambled across the floor and held out a letter wrapped +in the corner of her apron. + +"A boy brought it, sir, half an hour ago, but I clean forgot it, and +that's a fact." + +"Never mind. It is probably of no importance." + +But it was. By-and-by his eyes fell on it as it lay where Mrs. +Brewer's hard-working fingers had placed it, on the edge of a little +gaily-lined work table destined to hold Bella Chetwynd's cotton and +needles, and to his astonishment he observed it was in his wife's +handwriting. + +Ah! written just before she started for the----.He caught it up and +tore it open. The next instant it fluttered from his hold. + +For fully ten seconds John Chetwynd sat spell-bound, and then he +broke into a laugh--mirthless, hollow. + +"And I prayed to my God to send his blessing on--our--future," he +said in a dull, mechanical manner. "Well, the last act is played out +and they may ring the curtain down. From to-night I believe neither +in woman, Heaven, nor hell, save that which each man makes for +himself." + +Bella had turned her shapely back on the apotheosis of respectability +for a life of excitement and the protection of another man. Nobody +was surprised but John himself. + +Everybody had predicted it months ago. The only astonishing feature +of the scandal was, that it had not occurred before. + +The one other thing people found surprising was the callousness with +which the injured husband took it. + +It had always been believed that what love there was, was on his +side, but now-- + +Well, it is indeed an ill wind that blows us no good. If notoriety +was what John Chetwynd desired, he got it in full measure, well +pressed down and brimming over; his waiting room was besieged, for +many patients flocked there, wide eyed in scrutiny, martyrs to +symptoms discovered or invented for the occasion. + +Of course he would divorce her. And he did. + +In due course he obtained his decree _nisi_, which later on was made +absolute. + +Bella's picture no longer stared him in the face from every hoarding, +and the newspaper advertisements knew her no more. She had gone back +to the States, and by-and-by was forgotten on this side the Atlantic. + +Now and then he was disagreeably reminded of her existence. + +Once in the Club a young fellow to whom Chetwynd was personally +unknown stretched himself behind a newspaper and muttered, "Bella +Blackall Wasn't that the name of Dr. Somebody's wife who ran away +with another fellow?" + +"Yes, Bella Blackall was my wife," John Chetwynd answered with +unruffled equanimity, picking up the paper which the other had thrown +down. "She used to be rather a clever dancer, too." + +And he calmly perused the line which included her name among some +well known American stars touring in the provinces. + +"And he never turned a grizzled hair! I give you my word I felt more +over the thing than he did," remarked Captain Hetherington +afterwards; "without exception the most cold-blooded individual ever +met." + +But John Chetwynd was far from being this. He had felt his wife's +desertion far too deeply to show his scars, nor was he a man to wear +his heart upon his sleeve; but as time went by and the utter +callousness of Bella's conduct came home to him, he realised to the +full that she was unworthy of a single pang, and he became reconciled +to the inevitable. His profession claimed every spare moment, and for +a man ill at ease there is no specific like hard work. By-and-by as +the years rolled on, another distraction presented itself. He became +interested in one of his patients, the only daughter of the Duke of +Huddersfield, Lady Ethel Claremont, and this interest blossomed into +something stronger and warmer--something that at last he dignified by +the name of love, though he was by no means without misgivings as to +whether it could ever really lay claim to the title. + +Certain it was that there was no more of the old exultation about his +heart that had formed so large a part of his former courtship; there +were no extravagances, no quickened pulses--rapture's warmth had +yielded to the mildest of after-glows; but there was no reason that +it should not prove as satisfactory in the long run. It is an open +question whether the doctor, popular though he undoubtedly was, would +have been considered an eligible suitor from the maternal point of +view, had it not been that just about this time fortune elected to +bestow another favour upon him; his career had reached its apex, and +(again through sheer good luck, as John Chetwynd modestly declared) +he was offered a baronetcy. + +Now, every man is flattered and gratified that his merits should be +recognised, and Chetwynd was no exception to the general rule, but +there were a good many bitters mingled with the sweets, and the +hidden thorn among the rose-leaves had a nasty trick of obtruding +itself. This step in social advancement materially helped his cause +with Lady Ethel, and the Duchess of Huddersfield deigned to smile +graciously upon her future son-in-law. + +Ethel Claremont was an excellent girl, precisely the type he ought to +marry. Decorous, with an ease and repose about her manner that were +eminently patrician, she would be even more admirable as a wife than +as a _fiancée_, but he could have found it in him to wish that she +were just a little less faultless, a little more "human," he would +have said, only that the word has not a pleasant ring; yet it was not +easy to substitute another unless it were "womanly." + +"Pshaw!" he cried angrily, "who am I that I should be exacting, with +such a past, such a history? and yet I am ready to quarrel with +perfection, I who can never be grateful enough! A little wealth and +the love of a charming woman--what more can I possibly desire? It is +strange how soon one becomes accustomed to changes in life, and how +quickly an emotion fades into a memory. If I could but feel as I felt +when I was struggling along battling with the hundred and one +difficulties which beset the path of a poor man, instead of having to +remind myself perpetually what my emotions were then, there would be +some excitement in the contrast. I--I wonder--what she is doing? Is +she alive or is she dead? What does it matter? But at times the doubt +will come whether--no, no; it is wicked--I was always good to her. I +loved her, and she dishonoured me. The book is closed for ever, and I +am weak when I reopen it." + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +Since the thing was to be, there was nothing to be gained by +postponement. So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her +own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on +ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection. She was +perfectly willing that her marriage with Sir John Chetwynd should +take place at once. Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the +plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess +had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the +approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered +word. + +"She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I +am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; +she is not like other girls. It will be a huge responsibility shifted +from my shoulders when she is married." + +And everybody had wondered what the girl had seen in Sir John, that +he should have taken her fancy. To the outside world and to those who +had not come within the immediate charm of his manner and bearing, it +did offer food for speculation, and since his engagement he had grown +greyer and stiffer and more professionally precise than ever. + +But he suited Lady Ethel, or she fancied he did; which answered the +purpose quite as well. She had always detested very young men; she +liked a man whom she could look up to and lean upon, and certainly +this she could do with perfect faith as regarded her _fiancé_. Now +Duchesses are no more exempt from the weary ills which weak flesh is +heir to than their less favoured brothers and sisters, and in the +early summer the Duchess began to complain of certain aches and pains +and to bethink her that Sir John's advice might be worth following; +so she drove over to Camelot Square and was shown into the waiting +room with the rest of his patients. She had some little time to wait, +and while the Duchess sat tapping her foot impatiently at the delay, +Ethel looked round the spacious apartment and decided on certain +improvements she would effect when she should preside over John's +establishment. + +And then the door was flung open, and Soames, the eminently correct +footman, ushered them into his master's presence. + +The Duchess advanced gushing a little. + +"So good of you to see us so soon! I was positively timid at coming +without an appointment, even with Ethel." + +"It is you who are good, Duchess, to give me such an unexpected +pleasure." + +Sir John touched Ethel's cheek lightly with his lips and motioned his +visitors to be seated. + +"Now is not that a pretty speech from a professional man! Ah, you +lovers, you are all alike, and when you are married--Ah! then you are +all the same." + +"What an accusation! I hope Ethel does not credit it, or I shall +never be permitted an opportunity of refuting such a calumny." + +"I know too well how highly Mamma thinks of you, John," said Ethel, +prettily. + +"Well, I admit it--I do admire you immensely--I admire your power, +your position, your ability to make an income--a large income, +sitting comfortably in an arm chair. And then there is such solidity +in a doctor's profession--people are always ill." + +"Mamma is ill herself," broke in Lady Ethel, "and that is why we have +intruded to-day." + +"I hope it is nothing serious, my dear Duchess." + +"How sweet of you! Ah, I am a martyr! I have hay fever to such a +distressing extent that I am positively ashamed to go into society." + +Her daughter laughed. + +"We were at the Opera last night, and Mamma's sneezes were most +_mal-à-propos._ It was very embarrassing." + +"Yes, I am convinced that Romeo glowered at me, and at church on +Sunday it was such a charming sermon, so encouraging and tactful, I +sneezed violently in the man's best moments. At my age I cannot +consent to become a public infliction, yet I feel I am a nuisance." + +"Mamma said, as soon as we got home--'I shall go and consult Sir +John,'" cooed Ethel. + +"And now you can cure me?" The Duchess looked anxiously into the +grave face opposite. + +"I have not the slightest doubt you will be entirely recovered in a +few days at most," said Sir John reassuringly; "you have caught a +severe cold." + +"Nothing of the sort, I assure you. I have had colds before, and I +know better." + +"What, better than your doctor?" The stern face relaxed, and Sir John +laughed. + +"Well, better than my future son-in-law. Now I beg you not to be +obstinate. Give me something potent--one of those drugs that work +such instantaneous wonders." + +"I fear they are not in the Pharmacopoeia." + +"I don't think it is kind of you to discourage me." + +"But if I make you well in a week, will not that satisfy your Grace?" + +"I shall be radiant." + +"I will write you a prescription." + +"Thanks! What an invaluable husband you will make with all that +knowledge at your finger ends! I need have no misgivings as to +Ethel's health, and she has always been so subject to chills. The +risk of entrusting one's daughter to an unobservant man is shocking, +but to a physician! To have for one's daily companion a great and +renowned doctor, what an advantage--what a security!" + +"Really, mamma, to hear you talk one would suppose that I was an +invalid, and I never remember to have suffered from anything worse +than the measles." + +"When Ethel comes to me she will be guarded as sacredly as a girl can +be." + +Sir John smiled kindly at his betrothed. + +"I have made but a few protestations of what I feel for her; perhaps +I am more reserved than I should be, but I am no longer a boy. I +doubt whether I ever was very romantic, even in my younger days, but +I think that she and I understand each other, and if we don't tiff +and 'make it up,' if we have been engaged three months and have never +had a quarrel, that does not mean that my affection is not most +sincere and deep." + +"I should hope we like each other too well to quarrel," said Lady +Ethel haughtily. + +Like! After all, was it love on either side? Sir John asked himself. + +"My dear Sir John," broke in the Duchess pompously. "A few words from +such a man as yourself impress me more profoundly than rhapsodies +from another. Ethel, just look out of the window and see if the +carriage is waiting. We are going to take the Lancaster girls to the +Academy, and Payne has driven round to fetch them while we had our +consultation with you." + +"Yes, mamma, it is there." + +"I will follow you in a minute, Ethel; say good-bye to John--," and +when the door had closed upon her daughter, she began hurriedly: + +"It is hardly the time and place perhaps, but you will pardon that. +I--really, it is very awkward. Can you not help me, Sir John? The +weeks are slipping by, and I should, I confess, like to make my +arrangements for leaving home, but until I know definitely what yours +are--." + +"Mine?" + +"Yes; yours and Ethel's." + +A light broke in upon Sir John's somewhat obtuse mind. He had no +desire to expedite matters, but then he was not the principal person +to be consulted, and it certainly was not for him to raise any +objection, so he acted immediately on the hint given him. + +"My dear Duchess, what can I say? The matter rests entirely in your +hands. Let it be when you please. In another month I shall be +comparatively free, and we can visit Switzerland if Ethel wishes." + +The Duchess smiled. "That you must arrange with Ethel herself, and +perhaps you had better broach the subject yourself to her. Girls are +apt to be a little curious on these points." + +"Then I will ask her to fix the day for our marriage." He bowed with +old-fashioned gallantry over the pearl-grey suede, held out in +farewell, and the Duchess rustled away with Soames, the deferential, +in close attendance. + +Soames did not like the idea of a mistress, but these "accidents" he +was well aware, would happen in the best regulated families, so he +was now bent on making friends with the Mammon of Unrighteousness in +the shape of the Duchess of Huddersfield and the bride elect. + +Left alone, Sir John stood upright, his hand on the back of his chair +and his brows tightly drawn together. + +Well, why not? What possible excuse could he make to his own heart +for the delay? + +None, none. And yet he felt a good deal as if a thunderbolt had +fallen from the skies at his feet, and it was more or less of a shock +to him. + +Presently he rang his bell. + +"Who comes next, Soames?" + +"Lady Rutherven, Sir John, but--but a lady who has no appointment has +been waiting for more than an hour, and I thought perhaps you would +see her first. She seems very ill." + +"Show her in!" + +A second later the door swung open again and Soames announced: + +"Miss Blackall!" + +Sir John started, but recovered himself in the next instant. + +"Take a seat, madam." + +He waved her to a chair and for several minutes they looked at each +other without speaking. The woman was the first to break the silence. + +"I have come back," she said with a nervous laugh. "I am ill; I +thought you might try to cure me." + +She had seated herself, but he remained standing. + +What a handsome woman she had become, he was thinking, and how +expensively dressed! There was something strange in the very +familiarity of the countenance presented to him. It had altered much +from what he remembered it, but curiously enough he remembered it the +more vividly because of that very alteration. + +"What is your trouble?" he asked huskily--"Why have you +consulted--me?" + +"It is my lungs. I don't know--let us call it a whim. I thought you +would do me good if anyone could." She paused a second: "You used to +be my husband once." + +"Once! Well, I am willing to be your doctor." + +"I suppose you would do your best for a dog if it were dying, +wouldn't you? though you might not care if it recovered." + +"I have a very faithful dog," he said significantly. + +Bella winced. + +"Dogs ask so little for their love. Oh, I didn't come here without a +struggle. And I knew you would speak like this. But I have been +abroad so long, and on the voyage home I got worse, and women--women +of your sort who had taken no notice of me, suddenly grew kind. I +said to myself, 'Bella, it looks bad for you when ladies forget how +common you are,' and then the thought struck me, London meant you! As +a patient I might come to your house and be let in. You are clever +and you are great; if I had any self-respect I could not ask you; but +I have not, you know; I never had any and'--and--I am--frightened! It +keeps me awake at nights, the fear. I--I am not going to--die?" + +"I have said I will do what I can for you." + +"You will sound me?" + +"Loosen your dress." + +As he bent over her she raised her hand as if to smoothe his hair, +and the colour came into her face, but she did not touch him. + +Her fingers, from which she had drawn her gloves, were laden with +rings--rings which he had not given her. His breath came a little +faster as he stooped over her neck. + +"Don't be scared to tell me the truth," she said; "I guess I'm pretty +bad. You need not take the trouble to lie about it." + +He examined her thoroughly and replaced the stethoscope before he +spoke. + +"Your lungs are not right. They used to be." + +"Oh," she replied bitterly, "I used to be. I have come too late--is +that what you mean?" + +"I mean that you must exercise great care and avoid excitement. Don't +brood--don't worry yourself by misgivings, which will only do you +harm. Go away from England when the summer is over; go where the sun +shines and the air is mild. Lead a life of ease and indolence. I can +say no more." + +"And then?" + +"And then I see no reason why you should not live for years to come." + +Bella flung her hands out with a sort of despair. + +"Your prescription is impossible," she said dully. + +"Impossible?" + +"I have only just come over from the States. I have an engagement at +the Empire for six months. I have got to stay." + +"You will be very unwise. The laws of health demand that you should +cancel any such contract." + +"Beggars can't be choosers. I must sing to live. It is my trade now." + +He sighed. "You do not look as if you were in pecuniary +difficulties." + +"Well, I make money easily enough, but it melts like ice cream; +everything is so beastly dear." + +"Are you not with--him?" + +"Him? Oh no; he left me years ago. I am alone--very much alone. It +seems sometimes as if I had spent the best part of my life alone. I +am so dull I--I wonder why I dread to die. There! I can follow your +advice so far as this; I'll take the greatest care of myself--in +London. I am glad I came to you, though it does not seem to have +delighted you much. I suppose if--if I had run straight and stayed +with you, I might have been quite well, eh?" + +"That is difficult to say. Bella, have you--it is a foolish question, +but--have you ever regretted?" + +She laughed recklessly. + +"Oh, as to that--what is the good of looking back, anyhow? I have and +I haven't--when I have been sick it has been awful lonesome. You +didn't grieve much, that's certain. And you got your title soon after +I went. It was lucky for you. Scot! I should have been Lady Chetwynd +if I had stopped with you, wouldn't I?" + +"You would have been an honest woman." + +"Ah!" She rose from her chair and looked curiously round the room. "I +remember those bronzes," she said; "they used to hang in your little +library in the old house. You are a good deal changed in the face; +your manner is just the same. You were always a good fellow, I will +say that. I know it better than I used to now I have had so--since I +have been--" + +"Hush--the past is dead. I was not so patient and tender with you as +I should have been." + +"You saw that--you had made a mistake, but you tried to hide how +sorry you were--I know you did that and I--well, I didn't marry you +to make you sorry. Do you know how we lived--he and I, when I left +you? He took me to Paris; and didn't we make the dollars spin, the +pair of us--rather; and then one fine morning we heard a beastly bank +had gone smash and he had lost pretty well all he had got." + +"And you left him?" + +A smile curled the corners of her mouth. + +"No," she said, slowly; "I didn't. We took two little rooms over a +baker's shop in the High Street, Islington, and I stuck to him. I +used to go out in an evening and do the marketing with a hand basket, +to get it cheap. When we wanted a change we would take a bus to the +Park and look at the swells across the railings; and sometimes Saidie +gave us tickets for the theatres. Seems odd, don't it? but it's a +fact. I was livelier then than ever I've been in my life. While he +was fond of me--he showed me he was fond of me, you see." + +"You were capable of love, then, after all?" he said bitterly. + +"I don't know. I loved the freedom I think, anyway, and perhaps I +took him with it. I don't know! what does it matter? It was a release +for you and you are glad that it happened, eh? now that the shame of +it is forgotten? We were never suited to each other, were we?" + +"Why speak of what is past?" + +"You see, if I had remained with you I should have been no happier," +said Bella, reflectively; "you expected too much from me." + +"I did my best to make you happy." + +"Yes, perhaps! then if I had been more grateful and different, would +you be glad if I was with you still?" + +"I cannot answer that question. I loved you--I had no thought for any +human being outside yourself." + +"But now," she persisted, "now that the wound is old, do you not say +to yourself, 'it was better so'? Suppose that you and I were still +what we were once to each other, would you be happy to know that I +was your wife to-day?" + +"I beg you to be silent. It is impossible that we can discuss such a +question." + +She came close to his chair. + +"I am," she said with a sort of feverish eagerness, "no more of a +lady now than I was then. I am just what I used to be when I made you +ashamed of my ignorance and my mistakes. But if I were pure, if I had +never been divorced, if I were standing here your faithful wife, +would you be glad?" + +"Hush! You are paining yourself and me." + +"Jack!" + +"For God's sake be still!" + +She fell on her knees beside him. + +"Jack, say you would be glad." + +"If you had never left me, if you had remained my faithful wife, +heaven knows that I should be a happier man!" + +Bella burst into tears and sobbed convulsively, then pressed her +handkerchief to her mouth. It was bright with blood when she withdrew +it. + +"Oh, be careful of yourself," said John Chetwynd, terribly moved; +"you must do what I advise." + +"I'll try. I wonder why you should care one way or the other. It is +more than I deserve--you make me so sorry and ashamed. I shall never +see you any more, shall I?" + +"I cannot." + +"No; I understand, I ought not to ask you. Well, good-bye. There is +my address if you should take a notion to come. It is only a six +months' engagement over here, and if I'm not long for this wicked +world, I may not live to finish it. Keep my card. If one day you +should feel that you could come--just once. You don't hate me?" + +"Hate you? No." + +"I dare not ask you to forgive; but I begin to know and feel what my +action towards you really meant. Jack, see I am on my knees. Forgive +me!" + +"I do. I forgive. If I was hard to you; if, as you say, I expected +and exacted too much from you, may God forgive me." + +The tears were still raining down Bella's cheeks. + +"Kiss me, Jack." + +He shrank back. "You must not ask me that. I cannot." + +"Is it that you despise me so utterly?" + +"No, no; you don't understand. I--" + +"Kiss me." + +"Why do you make me speak? I am going to be married again. I kissed +her--a young girl--in this room half an hour ago. I could not outrage +her trust in me." + +A sort of stung expression came into the face of the kneeling woman +and she staggered to her feet. + +"You are going to take another wife! My God! I never thought--I never +dreamt. It seemed so--so--impossible. I hope she will make you +happier than I did." + +"Oh, hush, hush!" + +"She is one of your own class--a lady? What is her name?" + +"I would rather not mention it. Give me your hand and let us part in +peace." + +"Tell it me," she pleaded. "What name do you call her by?" + +"Ethel." + +"Ethel and Bella. Ah, Ethel is far the nicer name. We didn't think +once that you would ever be telling me you were going to be married +to someone else, did we? It feels queer, and it hurts me--a little, I +think. Good-bye, Jack. I see now why you could not kiss me--it would +not be right of you. She is a young girl and she might find it hard +to forgive you if she knew. I am going. You used to have a bell on +your table, I recollect, with a little white knob that you pressed +when Mary was to go to the hall door. Do you use it still? Oh, I see. +Let me press it instead of you, may I? I sha'n't feel so much as if +you were turning me out. Good-bye." She said the word lingeringly, +tenderly. "Say 'Bella' once again, for the sake of old times." + +Jack Chetwynd took the slender trembling hand in his with God knows +what of anguish and pity stirring at his heart. + +"Good-bye--Bella." + +And the door fell to. + +She was gone. + +He could hear her hollow cough as she passed down the tesselated +corridor. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +It was two days later. Sir John Chetwynd sat in his big easy chair +with an open letter before him. "We are surprised to have seen and +heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after +the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I +fully anticipated an early visit from you. But such a busy man as +yourself and one so much in request, both socially and +professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the +common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she +has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels +herself a wee bit neglected. You must have been _professionally_ +engaged last night, I presume, since we were obliged to dine without +you and go to see Sarah Bernhardt alone." + +He had spent the whole evening in his consulting rooms, totally +forgetting his promise to escort his _fiancée_ and her mother to the +theatre. + +Well, he would see them both on the morrow and make his peace, and +then--he dropped his head on his hands and fairly groaned. It was +useless to argue with himself, to bring commonsense to bear upon the +point, to count up the advantages to be derived from this union with +Lady Ethel; look at it which way he would, the fact remained the +same, that he had no longer the remotest desire to marry again. + +The knowledge had certainly come tardily, but not the less surely. + +He did not, he told himself, love Lady Ethel as a man should love the +wife of his bosom. Middle-aged, worn, and unemotional though he might +be, he knew that he was yet capable of a much deeper feeling than she +had evoked and he had wakened to a realisation of this since he had +again seen Bella. + +He was no fool; he was, on the contrary, a shrewd, clever, +quick-witted man of the world and it was impossible to shut his eyes +to the trouble. He thought of Bella as she was when he had first +married her; he recalled their courtship, her pretty half shy, half +tender ways--the girlish prettiness which time had turned into shame. + +She had left a scrap of lace on his table for her throat or her +veil--Heaven knew what--and his eyes grew blurred and dim as he gazed +at it. He repeated mentally phrases which had fallen from her, +piecing them together and trying to weave the pattern of her life out +of the fragments. + +She had changed pathetically. She had acquired the manner that her +sister used to have, and which he had so strenuously objected to--the +slangy, devil-may-care tone, the total absence of which in the old +days had made his little sweetheart so conspicuously different from +her environment. She wore now the impress of evil, from her Regent +Street hat to her Paris gown. Manifestly she had risen in her +vocation, but he knew that her salary alone had never supplied the +costume or the rings, and his heart ached. + +That night he sat at the Duchess of Huddersfield's table facing his +_fiancée_, and for the first time he wondered if sang-froid or +perfect equanimity were all that a man such as himself might desire. +She was, as Bella had put it, "One of his own class--a lady," which +she had never been, poor Bella! but he did wonder just a little how +much of real heart beat under the dainty laces that shrouded Lady +Ethel's bosom. He had reflected once and not so long ago that that +portion of a woman's anatomy was superfluous, but he wavered in his +belief now. He could stake his professional honour, his hopes of +eternity--of--everything--on the absolute purity of this girl; +nothing would ever tempt Lady Ethel to swerve ever so little from the +path of rectitude and decorum. The cold, proud patrician face spoke +for itself, and yet--he was in a brown study when the voice of his +prospective mother-in-law brought him out of the clouds. + +"And now," she said in a significant tone and with a glance full of +meaning, "now I suppose you young people have lots to talk about, and +will forgive me if I run away." + +And the silken draperies swept themselves across the floor and the +door closed softly upon her Grace. + +Ethel lay back in a low, lounging chair with a big ostrich feather +fan in her hand, and she looked up expectantly into her lover's face. +There was nothing else for it, and he took the plunge valiantly--and +with precisely the correct amount of maidenly hesitancy, Lady Ethel +named a day for their marriage. And then--somehow there seemed +nothing more to be said; each sat silent. + +Sir John felt rather than saw his companion yawn behind her fan, and +realised desperately that he must break the silence. + +"Ethel," he said gently; "I am old compared with yourself, and grave +and sad even beyond my years; are you sure I can make your future +happy?" + +She looked at him with a good deal of surprise, and a frown puckered +her smooth brow. + +"Why not? Why should we wish for rhapsodies and commonplace +love-making? We can leave all that to the Chloes and Daphnes of a +by-gone age. It would be boring to the last degree. One must take +pleasure just as much as sorrow, with a certain amount of equanimity. +If there is one thing more than another that I hate, it is to be +ruffled. Emotion of any sort ages a girl so terribly." + +The sword would never wear out the scabbard so far as Lady Ethel was +concerned! He doubted if she were capable of any great depth of +feeling. But he did not say now as he would have done a week ago--"So +much the better;" he no longer felt that it was altogether desirable. + +He looked at her more scrutinisingly than he had ever done before, +and for the first time he told himself that the beautifully moulded +mouth was hard and unloving, and that the chin spoke of self-will and +an amount of resolution unusual in such a young girl. + +He hastened to change the subject. + +"You would like to visit Switzerland or Italy?" he asked. + +"No; I don't care for scenery much, or nature! I like human nature +best; it is much more interesting, I consider. I should prefer Paris +or Vienna." + +"Then Paris or Vienna let it be, by all means," he hastened to reply, +and Lady Ethel smiled, well pleased. + +"Mamma," said Sir John's _fiancée_ an hour or two later, when mother +and daughter were alone. "Do you know who Mrs. Chetwynd was?" + +"My dear Ethel, it is much better that subject should not be +discussed." + +"I don't agree with you. Since I am going to marry John it can only +be right and proper that I should be made aware of every detail +connected with his former marriage." + +When Lady Ethel adopted that tone, her mother knew by past experience +that it was a saving of time and temper to yield. + +"I only know that she was beneath him in position--a dancer, I +believe, and she ran away with someone else. Really providential, I +consider; it must have been a happy release for poor Sir John." + +"He was plain Mr. Chetwynd." + +"Yes; but already very popular. It was exceedingly fortunate that he +did not get his baronetcy earlier, for had he done so, she would +probably have refused to be faithless." + +"I wonder if he felt her desertion much?" + +"The world says not; they had lived unhappily for some time before, +and the general impression was that he did not care in the least." + +"But you spoke of her to him when he asked your consent to our +marriage?" + +"Yes, Ethel, I did; I referred to it as delicately as possible, of +course. I believe I said, 'your early misfortune,' or something to +that effect." + +"And what did he say?" + +"Well, he spoke very nicely; he said he was aware that it added to +the disparity between a man in his position and my daughter." + +"And you?" + +"I believe I replied that because a bad woman had caused him misery +and suffering in the past, it was no reason why he should not win and +hold the love of a good girl, and that because of the sorrow he had +endured, I felt the more assured in trusting my child's happiness +into his keeping." + +"That was sweet of you, mother; but did it not occur to you that +there was just--a little risk?" + +"How?" + +"I don't think that John is a man who would forget easily." + +"Good Heavens, child! what do you mean? you cannot doubt the +sincerity of his protestations of affection for you, surely?" + +Her daughter laughed. + +"I certainly do not wish him to be more demonstrative, mother dear; +love-making is the most boring process imaginable; but still, I +should prefer, I must confess, that there was no under-current of +feeling for wife number one." + +"You amaze me, Ethel, by suggesting such a horrible idea. The woman +may be dead for anything I know; at all events, she left England +before he obtained his divorce, and no one has heard anything of her +since. It is extremely improbable that she will ever return to this +country." + +But in this, as we know, the Duchess was in grave error. + +At that very moment Bella was sitting by the open piano in her cosy +apartments in a street off the Strand, idly striking a note here and +there and humming the air of a new song; but her cough, which was +incessant, made singing almost out of the question. + +"I believe I'm getting worse," she cried, rising and flinging herself +on the sofa, "I'm sure I was not so bad as this three months ago--not +so bad when--he never came. Ah! why should he? How could I expect it? +Perhaps to-day may have been his wedding day! Come in." + +The door opened noisily, and Saidie Blackall, very much over-dressed +and distinctly rouged and made up, entered, followed by Mr. and Mrs. +Doss, looking precisely the same as on that memorable night when they +had been the innocent cause of so much trouble to Bella's husband. +The old music-hall singer and his wife had lost no time in looking +her up when she returned from the States, and were really +well-meaning, kindly folk. + +"Hallo, Bella, you look done up!" + +"I am," admitted the girl wearily. "It was as much as I could do to +pull through to-night, and I have got a beastly new song to tackle." + +"I don't like your cough, my dear," said Mrs. Doss, looking +distressed; "it shakes you to bits." + +"I've got a little more cold, I fancy; but I'll be all right in a day +or two." + +"You're not looking the thing--I saw you from the front +to-night--and--well, I guess it was a bit of a heffort to sing at +all, eh?" + +Bella turned quickly and looked sharply into Mr. Doss's face. + +"If you have got anything disagreeable to say, don't be afraid, out +with it. I suppose you have jumped to the notion that I'm dying?" + +She tried to laugh, but it was a piteous attempt, and ended in a fit +of coughing which left her white and trembling in every limb. + +"There, there!" cried Mrs. Doss, compassionately; "you must not +excite yourself; we will do the talking, and you keep quiet." + +Bella lay back on her cushions, weak and exhausted, and when the +Dosses at length went away she gave a sigh of relief. + +"What did they come for to-night?" she said thoughtfully. + +"Well, Bella, Doss had heard a bit of bad news and thought it as well +to put you on your guard; but finding you like this put it out of his +head, I suppose." + +"Bad news? What do you mean? He's not married, is he?" + +Saidie stared at her. + +"Not that I know of--why, he would have you to-morrow; you know that +as well as I do! you are treating him in a rough way; there's no +mistake about it." + +Bella fell back again relievedly. + +"Oh, you're talking about Charlie, are you?" she said. + +"Who should I be talking about? There isn't no one else as wants to +make an honest woman of you, is there?" + +The shaft fell short of its mark. Bella did not even wince. + +"Well, it strikes me, my girl, you'll have to fall in with his +views," Saidie continued presently; "for if what has come to Doss's +ears is true, you'll be out of a berth before you can say Christopher +Columbus." + +"What on earth do you mean?" + +"The management are getting dissatisfied, and we know what that +means." + +The pale face flushed poppy red. + +"They can't help themselves," she said eagerly. "I have a contract +for six months. They cannot cancel it, you must know they can't, and +it's not very likely I shall allow myself to be played fast and loose +with as the fancy takes them." + +"But if you're not able to fulfil your share of the contract--" + +"Who says I am not?" cried Bella fiercely. "Old Robertson is a fool, +and if he thinks I'm going to put up with any hanky-panky, he's jolly +well mistaken. Let him try it on, that's all! I should immediately +take steps to enforce my rights, the law is on my side, that's clear +enough." + +"I don't know! You heard what Doss said--about how you looked from +the front; and others have got their eyesight as well as him, and can +see you are not well and not--" + +"Not fit to sing--that's what you are driving at?" + +Saidie was silent. + +"I tell you I will sing. Nothing and no one shall stop me. I shall +just defy them all, and go on, and there's no law in England to stop +me." + +"If you are not a goose, Bella, I never saw one! What in all the +world keeps you on the boards, I cannot see. Here's a man come over +from N'York with the intention of marrying you; a man who is earning +his hundred dollars a week, and you turn up your nose at him. I can't +understand you. You seemed proud enough of him a week or two back; +but now all on a sudden, for no earthly reason, you show him the cold +shoulder." + +"I suppose I can please myself," answered Bella, and her lip +quivered, and the tears began to roll down her cheeks. + +"I wish to God I had never left--Jack," she said weakly. + +Whereupon Saidie gave her what she was pleased to call a "piece of +her mind" as to the insane folly of any such speech, the result of +which was that Bella wept and coughed herself into a state of +collapse, and had to be carried off to bed. + +Things did not mend. Bella persisted, ill though she was, in +appearing night after night in public until at length what Saidie had +predicted came to pass, and she received a formal notice cancelling +her engagement at the Empire on the ground of the extreme delicacy of +her health. + +Mr. and Mrs. Doss happened to be with her at the time she received +the notice, and Bella partially appealed to them. + +"You will help me, won't you? You won't allow them to impose upon me +so shamefully. They have no right to do it. It's infamous--'annul my +engagement' indeed! They shall find out who they are dealing with. It +would be ruin for me, it would simply spoil my career. I shall go +down at once and see Robertson. It's a likely thing that I'm going to +sit down calmly and quietly and accept my dismissal. Not if I know +it. I'll give Robertson beans." + +"I wouldn't do it if I were you," said Mrs. Doss quietly. + +"Not do it; what do you mean? You must be dreaming. It is the only +thing to be done." + +And now Mr. Doss, obeying a pathetic glance of his better half, put +in his oar. + +"Be a bit patient; wait and see how things turn out; don't do +anything in a 'urry--that's our advice--the old gal's and mine." + +"Yes, take things heasy, I say," chimed in the "Rabbit Queen." + +"I don't see what there is to wait for. Show me what is to be gained +by waiting, and I will consider it." + +"Well, Bella; Doss here will tell you what we was thinking of; he +puts things clear like." + +"What was in our mind was to talk the thing over first. Allus talk +the matter well over, was my motto as a boy. It saves a peck o' +bother and a deal o' doing. Don't flare out about it, but take it +gently and conversational." + +"Fussing over things won't make you no better," echoed Mrs. Doss. +"Lor', bless me, didn't I have a sister what killed herself fussing! +Fussed herself into the grave, she did! And might have been here, +leastways in Camberwell--alive and hearty at this minute." + +"The question is--am I too ill to fulfil my engagement? and I say +'no,'" cried Bella, angrily. + +"And me, the missis and me--we says, certainly you are, and so +heverybody says. You want a thorough rest, and then you will pick up +again." + +"That may be your opinion; it is not mine! you may talk till +doomsday; you won't convince me. I may surely be allowed to be the +best judge of my own state of health. I shall not wait a day--not an +hour. I'm going at once down to Robertson to have the matter out with +him." + +The distressed pair exchanged glances, and then Mrs. Doss said in a +coaxing way, "If you must go, you will let me come with you, my +dear." + +Bella hesitated. + +"If you're on my side and mean to stick up for me, all right; but if +you're going to hum and haw and look grave, and take the part of the +management, you had best stay away." + +Mrs. Doss tucked Bella's arm within her own and trotted upstairs to +the bedroom, where Bella arrayed herself in total silence, and her +friend, beyond a vigorous sigh or two, was mute also. + +Mr. Robertson was disengaged, and the ladies were at once ushered +into his presence. + +"Now then," began Bella, dashing into her subject, "I have come to +know what all this means. You cannot dismiss me at a moment's notice, +and you know it just as well as I do. Ain't you satisfied with me?" + +"Perfectly. It is no question of that sort--but in your present state +of health you are not up to your work, and there was no other +alternative." + +"Oh!" said Bella disagreeably, "does anybody else say I am not up to +work except you?" + +"My dear Miss Blackall, I regret that this has been necessary. I am +exceedingly sorry that we brought you over from America and then are +compelled to terminate your engagement so soon, but in your present +condition--" + +Mr. Robertson flung out his hands with an eloquent gesture. + +"Well, look here; I'll give up my dance--that does shake me a bit, +I'll grant; but you must let me sing the new song--you really must; +I'm a nailer at it and I'll wrap up! My cough will soon go: give me +another chance!" + +Her cheeks were flushed with excitement and her eyes were +sparkling--she really did not look so very ill this morning; perhaps +after all, things had been exaggerated. Mr. Robertson wavered. Bella +was quick to see her advantage and to press it. + +"Withdraw your notice," she said, "and let me come on for one song +only for a week or two." + +"It would really be better, I think, if you were to have an entire +rest for a month or so." + +"Yes, for someone else to step into my shoes! Thank you for nothing." + +"I will pay you a fortnight's salary in lieu of longer notice; and if +you are desirous of returning to your friends in the States, perhaps +something might be arranged." + +"I have no friends here or there," said Bella simply; "my profession +is all I have." + +"Well, well, we'll give it a week's trial. If at the end of that time +you are sufficiently recovered to do your work properly, well and +good; but if not, you must really consider your engagement at an +end." + +All this time Mrs. Doss had said nothing. Bella had talked so volubly +and so fast, there had really been no chance of getting in a word; +and when the manager rose to his feet to intimate that the interview +was at an end, there was nothing to be done but to follow Bella out +into the street. + +"There!" she cried triumphantly, "I told you I would bring him to his +senses. You saw how soon he caved in. It is not a question of my +health at all; you may bet your bottom dollar I have an enemy, but I +flatter myself I've routed him." + +Her breath was coming in gasps and she spoke with difficulty. Now +that the excitement was over and the necessity for bearing up at an +end, there came the reaction. + +"I think I had better go home and lie down," she said, "or I shall +not be at my post to-night, and I must, you know, I must." + +"Poor child, I could fairly have cried," said kindly Mrs. Doss to her +spouse after Bella had been safely escorted home. + +"I'm not satisfied with you, old girl," said Mr. Doss, shaking his +head mournfully. "I can't 'elp thinking you might ha' managed things +better. If Bella Blackall goes on a singing at the Hempire, you mark +my words, she'll sing herself into 'eaven." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +A week went by slowly: the hours crept like snails, and yet the days +were surely slipping away, bringing nearer and nearer the one which +was to give Sir John Chetwynd his second wife. + +He had hardly seen Lady Ethel since the evening when she had yielded +a coy assent to his not (it must be confessed) very amorous request +that she would fix an early day for their nuptials, and his state of +mind was anything but an enviable one. If ever a man was torn two +ways, halting between prudence and worldly consideration on one side +and the force and power of a love which he had honestly believed was +laid for ever in its grave, that man was Sir John. The idea of seeing +Bella again did not occur to him for some days, but when it fastened +on him he could not shake it off. It was stronger than himself. He +excused his temptation by the condition of her health, though in his +heart of hearts he knew well enough that this was not sufficiently +critical to serve for a reason. + +Twice he seized his hat with the intention of going to her, then laid +it aside, angry and disgusted with his own weakness. + +His profession no longer occupied his thoughts to the exclusion of +every other topic. He sat for hours buried in the newly awakened +memories that that one brief glimpse of her had conjured up, unable, +unwilling to rouse himself. + +And then he made a compromise with his own weakness and irresolution. +He would not go to Cecil Street, since by so doing he would be +offering a tacit insult to the woman he had pledged himself to marry, +but he would, he must see Bella, himself unseen and his presence +unsuspected, and this he could effect easily by going to the Empire. + +The notion pleased him, and that self-same evening he carried it out. + +Bella was worse. She could no longer deceive herself. It was only by +a superhuman effort that she could pull herself together sufficiently +to sing the one song which was all her part consisted of now. + +After she had got into her pretty sea-green skirts of lace and tulle +and shimmering silk, like so much sea foam, she had to lie still and, +let the poor over-strained lungs and heart recover themselves, and +then, when the summons came she called up a smile to her wan face and +pluckily did her best. + +But that night she looked up at Saidie after the last ribbon was in +its place. + +"I'll have to throw up the sponge, after all," she said wearily; "it +is beyond me. They are right and I was wrong,--I must have a rest." + +Saidie muttered something in reply, but when the door closed upon her +sister, she sighed. + +"She _is_ bad; there is no denying it," remarked the dresser, who was +busily stroking out the roses which were to garland Saidie's dress. +"It gives me a turn every time I see her go on the stage." + +"She looks worse than she really is," returned Saidie; "sometimes she +is as brisk and lively as you like--she so soon gets tired." + +"She is a tidy sight worse than 'tired,' and it strikes me her voice +was weak like to-night. Did you notice it, Miss?" + +"Oh, she varies so. I guess she would be as right as any of us the +moment she was on the boards." + +Nevertheless, although she was not going to confess it, Saidie was +troubled and uneasy. There was something in Bella's face she had not +seen before, and it frightened her--a little. She stood at the wings +with a quick-beating heart, but the next moment laughed at her own +fears. + +Bella was singing her very best. Not a falter in the clear, bell-like +tones, and her face was smiling and radiant. + +And then--her eyes fastened themselves on a box in the grand tier; +with a scared expression she shrank back a little, and her lip +quivered, but with a mighty effort she controlled herself and caught +up the refrain again--carolled a word or two, faltered, swayed +helplessly, uncertainly forward, and fell headlong on the stage. + +They were round her in a second, lifting her gently and tenderly. Her +head had fallen back and a thin stream of blood was welling over the +laces at her bosom. + +"She is dead!" cried Saidie. "Oh, will someone fetch a doctor, +quick!" + +But almost before the words were spoken he was there, and when Bella +opened her eyes they fell on the grave, anxious, kindly face of the +man whose wife she had been. + +"Jack! Jack! is this--the end?" + +"Hush--no--no! Keep still--perfectly still--you must not move." + +"I am not--in pain--a little dizzy--nothing more, and my head feels +light." + +"Drink this and don't talk. As soon as you are a little recovered we +will go home." + +"Home! Jack!" + +Oh, the wistful look in the deep blue eyes--the prophetic droop about +the perfect mouth! It was almost more than he could bear. + +"I will go with you myself if you will do what I tell you, keep +absolutely quiet--your life depends upon it." + +She looked up tremulously. + +"I don't care--a--cent _now_," she whispered. + +She bore the journey to Cecil Street better than they could hope, and +the bleeding from the lungs had ceased. + +Downstairs Saidie expressed a wish to remain all night with her +sister. + +"She ought not to be left," she said. + +"Most decidedly she must not be left," replied Sir John--"I intend +remaining with your sister." + +"You! Well, this beats all, upon my word!" + +So great was Miss Blackall's surprise that when she found herself +ousted from the position of head nurse and the door metaphorically +closed upon her, she had not a word to say, but called a hansom and +had herself driven to Bayswater, where she had been living since her +mother's death, now nearly a year ago. + +"And I used to think he didn't amount to a row of pins," she murmured +with an odd sort of penitence. "Well, I guess I was wrong, that's +all." + +Through the long hours of that never-ending night John Chetwynd +watched by Bella's bedside. For the most part, she lay mute and +inert, but towards morning she grew restless. + +"I must talk," she cried excitedly--"to see you sit there and to +think--to remember--oh! if only I had run straight, Jack--I don't +think I was meant for this, do you?" + +He had no words with which to answer her. He folded his arms across +his chest and looked out vaguely into the slant of room beyond. The +folding doors were open and on the sideboard he could see a basket +full of peaches, at this season an extravagance denied his own table. +On the mantelshelf to his right hand were some exquisite hot-house +flowers, carelessly crushed into a cracked, cheap little vase, and a +penny packet of stationery and a powder puff in a sprinkling of +chalk. + +She stretched out her arms so that her fingers touched him, and he +held them tightly in his own--rings and all. + +She was never meant for the life she had chosen! + +His heart felt breaking. + +The delicate features, the sweet, wistful, childish face, the pathos +in her regretful cry--the past with its load of gall and shame and +misery--which could never be obliterated. Never! + +"Why do you look at me like that? I am better. I know I am better. I +thought--I feared--I was going to die; if I had there was no one to +care but--Saidie." + +"Do you not think what it would mean to--me?" + +The words broke from him against his will. + +"To--you, Jack! then you care--still!" + +"Care!" + +He drew his hand away and walked over to the window. The morning was +breaking: morning in the Strand; and already there was a busy hum +without. + +Her eyes followed him wistfully, with a little wonderment in +them--and then the lids fell over them. + +"I feel strangely weak--but--so--happy, Jack," she said. Her breath +came more easily and she slept. + +Sir John Chetwynd was in his accustomed place at the accustomed hour, +grave, attentive and professional as was his wont; but after his +consulting hours were over, he went back to Cecil Street, leaving +word with Soames where he was to be found, if wanted, prepared for +another night's vigil. + +"She seems neither better nor worse," said Saidie, meeting him in the +little sitting-room and carefully pulling to the door behind her. +"She is very, very weak. Is there a chance for her?" + +"I am afraid to say--it depends so much on what recuperative power +she has. If the bleeding can be stopped, I shall be more hopeful." + +"What is she to do, poor Bella? She will never be able to sing again, +I suppose?" + +"Never." He spoke curtly, almost cruelly. Saidie burst into tears. + +At that moment came a smart tap at the door. + +"Mr. Bolingbroke, Miss," said a voice from without. + +"He can't come up." Saidie sprang from her chair. But she was too +late. The handle turned, and a tall, distinctly good-looking man +walked in. + +"Miss Blackhall--how unkind to deny me admittance. You must know how +fearfully anxious I am. How is she?" + +"There's the doctor--ask him." + +The stranger turned eagerly. + +"This is not serious, I trust. She was always delicate, but--it is +wonderful how she pulls together when the worst is over." + +For almost the first time in his life John Chetwynd was tongue-tied. + +Who and what was this man, and what was he to Bella? He forced +himself to give a professional opinion, and answered mechanically a +string of questions Mr. Bolingbroke poured forth, but he hardly knew +what he was saying. + +"If only she gets over this she shall never be bothered any more, +poor darling," he said brokenly. "I suppose I can go in, eh?" + +His hand was on the door--John Chetwynd sprang to his feet. + +"No one must see her," he cried excitedly. "I absolutely forbid it. +It would be most dangerous--most improper." + +The two men looked into each other's faces for the space of several +seconds; then Mr. Bolingbroke turned away with a sigh and an +impatient word. "Absurd! As if I could do her any harm," he said. +"Well, I will be round again later in the day," he added with a nod +to Saidie, and a minute later the hall door shut upon him. + +"Who is that man?" asked Sir John sternly. + +Saidie shrugged her shoulders. + +"You shall tell me--what is he to Bella?" + +"He is a good and noble man, and let me tell you there ain't too many +knocking around. If she lives to get over this he will make her his +wife." + +And there was silence--a silence in which John Chetwynd read clearly +his own heart at last, and stood face to face with facts--facts +stripped of false adornments--naked, convincing. + +Then he strode across the room and entered that in which Bella lay. + +She was asleep, and he drew his chair close to the bedside and fixed +his eyes on the wan, thin face, fever flushed, and fought the +fiercest battle of his life with his inner self; and when the +struggle was over, Pride lay in tatters and Love was conqueror. + +She slept at intervals almost the whole of that day. Waking late in +the afternoon, her eyes fell on the silent watcher by her side, and +she smiled happily, contentedly. + +Saidie bent over her and whispered a word or two. + +"No--no," cried Bella vehemently; "send him away. I don't want to see +him." + +"But he is so anxious, dear." + +"Is he?--poor Charlie! Tell him I am in no pain, and I should like to +think he will never quite forget me." + +"He will never do that," said Saidie, going away with her message but +half satisfied, and Bella turned a flushed cheek to her pillow. + +And then, for the second time, John Chetwynd asked, "Who is that +man?" + +And Bella tried feebly to tell him. He had been attached to her for a +long time, and had come over with her from the States. + +"And you--did you mean to marry him, Bella?" + +"I had thought of it--it seemed suicidal to say no to such an offer, +and then I--oh, Jack, when I saw you I knew I could never love any +other man!" + +He poured out a draught and held it to her trembling lips. + +"I feel so strangely weak," she said; "you are going to marry Ethel, +and I am nothing to you now?" + +John Chetwynd drew her close to him, so that the tired head rested on +his shoulder with the sweet familiarity of long ago. + +"Listen," he said. "I have been a coward, frightened of the truth. +The world was dearer to me than happiness, or I thought so, and I +hesitated, afraid of its contempt. But amid my weakness was one +thought, one impulse, which no amount of worldly prudence or +consideration could stifle, and Bella--my wife--that was my love for +you." + +"Jack, Jack, is it true?" + +"I have loved you always, through all my life, you and no other. I +see now how hard I must have seemed to you and how wild and +unreasonable I was in my expectation from you and how at last it +drove you from my side. The shame of it is not more yours than mine. +We both erred, we both sinned; but I was older and should have been +wiser; the burden of it should fall on me. The world is nothing to me +now--less than nothing. Let us take up life where we broke it off. +Give me back the past, which held for me all of happiness I have ever +known." + +She lay with a smile of peace upon her face, both hands clinging to +his. + +"I have communed with myself and thought it well out, and I believe +that to bind my life, with its memories of you, to the girl to whom I +am engaged, would be a cruel wrong and an injustice to her. She +deserves a better fate, and I honestly feel that the rupture will not +grieve her much. We will remarry, you and I. I will take you away +from England, I will guard and cherish you, and in my love for you, +you will grow stronger. Oh! my darling, my darling, if you knew what +life has been to me since you went; how I have blamed myself,--I who +ought to have shielded you against yourself, and have been a moral +backbone to your weakness. Then as time went on I persuaded myself +that I had succeeded in putting you out of my heart,--that I had +forgotten you,--and then--you came back to me, and the past leapt +living from the years that had no power to bury it, and I knew that +you were more to me than honour or fame or anything the world held. +Hence-forth I will be so gentle with you, so tender--so loving." + +"Will you--kiss me--Jack?" + +She had gradually pulled herself upright on the pillows. + +"Will you kiss me--and say--once more, as you used to--'God bless +you--wifie'?" + +Their lips met and clung together. + +"God bless you--wifie." + +And there was silence, a long silence, broken by a gasp, a sigh, and +a gentle unloosening of the clasping arms. + +"Bella--Bella--speak to me, my beloved." + +But the passionate cry fell on ears that heard not. + +The tempest-tossed soul was at rest; above were the pitying Angels' +wings, and over all the solemn hush of Death. + + * * * * * + + + + +ONE CAN'T ALWAYS TELL. + + +_From Miss Rose Dacre, Southampton, to Miss Amy Conway, 30, Alford +Street, Park Lane_. + +YACHT "MARIE," +SOUTHAMPTON. +_July 15th, 1901._ + +Dearest Amy, + +Here am I on Jack's yacht, anchored in Southampton waters. The weather +is perfect, and I am having a very good time. Jack's mother is on +board, and is really devoted to me. I am a lucky girl to have such a +sweet mother-in-law in prospective. She is the dearest old lady in the +world. The wedding has been decided upon for the last week in +September, so I suppose that I shall have to come back to town before +very long to see about my trousseau. + +There is really nothing so bewildering to anyone who sees it for the +first time as the exquisite order and dainty perfection of a yacht in +which its owner takes a pride, and can afford to gratify his whim. And +this is the case with Jack. The deck shines like polished parquet. The +sails and ropes are faultlessly clean, and Jack says that the masts +have just been scraped and the funnel repainted. The brass nails and +the binnacle are as perfectly in order as if they were costly +instruments in an optician's window. There is a small deck cargo of +coal in white canvas sacks, with leather straps and handles. And there +is the deck-house with its plate-glass windows and velvet fittings and +spring-blinds. + +Soon after I arrived I went down into the engine-room, where I saw +machinery as scrupulously clean as if it were part of some gigantic +watch which a grain of dust might throw out of gear. On the deck are +delightful P. and O. lounges with their arms doing duty for small +tables. All around the wheel and upon the roof of the deck-house, and +here and there on stands against the bulwarks, there are ranged in +pots, bright red geraniums contrasted with the yellow calceolaria, and +the deliriously scented heliotrope. Altogether, everything is charming. + +We go delightful trips every day, and it doesn't matter whether there +is a favourable wind or not, as Jack's is a steam yacht. We have slept +on board except one night when it was rather rough, and then Mrs. +Vivian and I stayed at the South Western Hotel. + +Altogether I am enjoying myself more than I have ever done in my life. +Jack is an angel and adores me, the darling. + +Fond love, +From your affectionate +ROSE. + +P.S.--There is a Mrs. Tenterden, a widow, coming down to the yacht on +Thursday to stay for a few days. Mrs. Vivian tells me that she is very +good-looking. + + +_From the Same to the Same._ + +YACHT "MARIE," +SOUTHAMPTON. +_July 22nd, 1901._ + +Dearest Amy, + +We are still here. Mrs. Tenterden, the lady I spoke about in my last +letter, arrived here on Thursday. + +I hate her! I hate her!! I hate her!!! + +You will doubtless wonder why I, who am, as a rule, a quiet, harmless +little dove, should indulge in such sinful feelings, but you will cease +doing so when I tell you the truth. + +Mrs. Tenterden has set her cap at Jack! He has--I know it--fallen +under the spell of the enchantress. And she is an enchantress. She is a +woman of about thirty, tall, fair, with striking features, lovely eyes, +and the most superb complexion I have ever seen. The best complexion I +ever recollect was that of a peasant girl's at Ivy Bridge in +Devonshire, but hers was nothing to compare with Mrs. Tenterden's. It +is perfect. I can say no more. + +Then she is extremely amusing, being a brilliant talker (for I heard +Jack say so) and very witty (for he is constantly laughing at the +things she says, and which for the most part I don't understand). + +But this I know, that since her advent I have changed from the happiest +girl in the world into one of the most miserable. + +Mrs. Tenterden is the widow of Colonel Tenterden, who was a brother +officer of Jack's father, Colonel Vivian. Her husband died in India +about six months ago, and she has lately returned to England. Jack had +never seen her before, but Mrs. Vivian, who knew her as a young girl, +asked her down here. + +She has made a dead set at Jack, and I feel (I can't help it) that he +has fallen a captive to her bow and spear, for his manner towards me +has entirely changed. He is not my darling, loving Jack, at all, but +merely a polite friend. + +Mrs. Vivian must be blind not to see what is going on. But I cannot +enlighten her, and what am I to do? Do give me your advice, dear Amy? + +Ever your affectionate +ROSE. + + +_From Miss Amy Conway to Miss Rose Dacre_. + +ALFORD STREET. +TUESDAY. + +My dearest Child, + +Just got yours. You ask my advice, and to use a phrase of my brother +Tom's, "I give it you in once." Don't be a little goose and bother your +pretty little head. I am older than you, and I understand women of the +Mrs. Tenterden type. They amuse men for a time, and very often take +them captive, but in nineteen cases out of twenty the prisoner escapes. +In other words, they are not the women who men care to marry. Fancy +your Jack, for instance, preferring a _rusée_ garrison hack, like Mrs. +Tenterden, to your own sweet self. It is absolutely ridiculous. + +Do nothing and say nothing. Don't worry yourself and all will come +right. The temporary infatuation will pass away, and Mr. Vivian will +love you all the better afterwards. You will see if I am not right. + +So be comforted, darling Rose. +Ever your loving +AMY. + + +_From Mrs. Tenterden to Mrs. Montague Mount_, 170A, _Ebury Street, +S.W._ + +YACHT "MARIE," +SOUTHAMPTON. +_July 23rd_, 1901. + +DEAREST LILY, + +I promised to let you know how I got on, and to write as soon as there +was anything to write about. So here goes. I am on board Jack Vivian's +yacht, and a ripper it is. That is to say, I am on the yacht in the +day, but sleep at the South Western Hotel. I hate sleeping on board a +yacht, and never do so if I can help it. It may benefit one's +health--daresay that it does--but I do like to take my rest on shore. +Well, now, as to my news. I have made a great impression on Mr. Vivian. +He is the easiest man to deal with I ever met in my life, and he is as +putty in my hands. That stupid girl, Miss Dacre, to whom he is supposed +to be engaged--I say supposed because he does not seem to be quite +clear about it himself--hasn't got a chance with me. What Jack Vivian +could have ever seen in her I can't guess. She is the usual type of +English Miss who can say "Papa and Mamma," and that is about all. I can +see that she loathes me, and I don't wonder at it. But I am perfectly +charming to her, and affect not to notice her palpable dislike. + +Mrs. Vivian--Jack's mother--seems not to have the remotest idea how +matters are shaping, and fondly imagines that her beloved son is going +to marry Miss Dacre. My dear Lily, as the Americans say, "it will be a +cold day in August before that event comes off." The fact is that Jack +pays her only the slightest attention and is absolutely engrossed with +me. If I, therefore, don't pull off this _coup_ I deserve to be hanged. +When I have actually landed my fish I shall take my departure for a day +while he breaks matters off with mademoiselle. You may not perhaps +approve of this, but I know what I am about. + +More in a day or two. + +Ever yours, +ALICE. + + +_From Mrs. Montague Mount to Mrs. Tenterden_. + +170A, EBURY STREET, +_24th July_ 1901. + +DEAREST ALICE, + +I was much interested in your letter. Needless to say that I wish you +the success that you are sure to attain. One word of advice. If I were +you, while you are at Southampton, I should manage to be a good deal +more at the hotel than you appear to be. You cannot have much +opportunity for conversation on board the yacht, but at the hotel you +can have Mr. Vivian all to yourself. And you can easily make excuses to +get off the yacht, and as he is evidently so _épris_, he will follow +you to the hotel, when you will have him more or less at your mercy. I +shall be longing to hear how the plot thickens. + +With fond love, +Believe me, +Your devoted friend, +LILY. + + +_From Mrs. Tenterden to Mrs. Montague Mount_. + +_July 29th,_ 1901. + +DEAREST LILY, + +Thanks for yours. My dear child, I have taken your excellent advice and +am very glad that I did so. Your plan of campaign has proved most +successful. I have had Jack with me for hours in the smoking room at +the hotel, where the ladies staying in the hotel as well as the men +always resort. It is a large room and affords ample opportunity for a +_tête-à-tête_. Of these opportunities I have availed myself to the +fullest possible extent. And with what result, you will naturally ask? +With the result, my dear, of making this man absolutely mad about me. +He has become an utter imbecile. _C'est tout dit_. His incoherent +raving would only bore you, so, like the kindhearted little person I +am, I spare you this infliction. Suffice it to say that he is mine body +and soul. I say nothing about his fortune, because that naturally goes +with the other two. + +Let me thank you sincerely for your wise counsels, + +And, believe me, +Ever affectionately yours, +ALICE. + + +_Miss Amy Conway to Miss Rose Dacre_. + +ALFORD STREET. +THURSDAY. + +DEAREST ROSE, + +I have been anxiously expecting to hear from you, but you have not sent +me a single line. I say "anxiously," not that I really feel the least +anxiety about you, being perfectly positive, as I am, that all will be +right. But, my dearest girl, I am so deeply interested in this affair +that, of course, I am anxious to hear how matters are going on. And you +are a very naughty child not to have written to me before. Repair your +sin of omission as soon as possible, and let me have a full account of +all your proceedings. + +With much love, +Yours ever, +AMY. + + +_From Miss Rose Dacre to Miss Amy Conway,_ 30, _Alford Street, Park +Lane_. + +YACHT "MARIE," +COWES. +_August 2nd_, 1901. + +DEAREST AMY, + +Pray forgive me for not having written sooner. But as the French say, +_tout savoir est tout pardonner._ And having been for many days in the +depth of despair, worried out of my life, and half dead with anxiety, I +have not really been able to put pen to paper. But now all is changed, +and I am able to address you with a light heart. + +I am sure, Amy, that you will be longing to know why, and for this +reason I will not for a moment leave you a victim to the most terrible +ailment that can attack our sex--unsatisfied feminine curiosity. + +Two days ago we were still at Southampton, and it was proposed that +after lunch we should take a little trip down the river Hamble--a river +which runs into Southampton Water. Well, we started--Jack, and a friend +of his, Captain Cleland, Mrs. Vivian, Mrs. Tenterden, and myself. All +went well for about an hour, when a breeze sprang up which soon +developed into half a gale. At least I understood the captain of the +yacht to say so. I didn't mind it in the least, but Mrs. Vivian, poor +old lady, was dreadfully ill and nervous, and though I did all I could +to comfort and reassure her, it was not of much use. As for Mrs. +Tenterden, she absolutely collapsed. In abject terror she uttered +incoherent cries, and no one could make out what she wished to be done. +Jack seemed very upset and tried to soothe her as well as he could, but +it was all to no effect, and indeed she once turned on him just like a +virago, saying, + +"I never wanted to come on your horrid yacht, but you would make me, +and see what has happened to me now." + +Poor Jack--I call him "Poor Jack" although he has behaved like a very +naughty boy--seemed to wince, but made no reply. + +Eventually we arrived opposite the village of Hamble, and there the +anchor was weighed--if that is the right expression. Jack suggested +that the three ladies, including myself, should go ashore in the dingey +and stay at the hotel. Mrs. Vivian said that she did not want to do +this, and Mrs. Tenterden positively refused. + +"Do you think that I am going to risk my life that jim-crack boat?" she +asked. "I am not quite an imbecile. Though I think I must be after all, +otherwise I should not have come on this idiotic cruise." + +Jack again made no reply, but there was something in his face that told +me that he was becoming disillusioned. + +Shortly after that he sent the skipper and a boy ashore, who returned +with some marvellous looking lobsters and a huge crab. It seems that +this place is famous for its shell-fish, and I can only say that I +never tasted anything more delicious than the crab in question. + +Mrs. Vivian managed to eat a little dinner, but Mrs. Tenterden retired +to her cabin and contented herself with some soup. + +I for my part, ate a most capital dinner, and I fancied that Jack +seemed sorry for the way he has been treating me lately; treatment +which I should never have put up with, except from a man whom I love so +devotedly--a man whom I meant to rescue (selfishly, I admit) from that +siren's clutches. In all I have done I have been guided by your advice, +and therefore to you remains all the credit, coupled with the life-long +devotion of your little friend. + +Well, we slept on board the yacht, and the morning brought its +revelations. + +Mrs. Tenterden was not present at breakfast, and came on deck very +late. And only imagine, my dear, how she had changed. That beautiful +pink complexion that I had admired so much, and even envied, had +disappeared altogether. Her face was of a greyish hue, and possessed no +shade of pink. Those beautiful pencilled eyebrows seemed to have +strangely altered, and to have unaccountably thinned down. The charming +woman-of-the-world manner had entirely disappeared, and, later on, when +we descended to the cabin, at luncheon time, Mrs. Tenterden cast +furtive and certainly not reassuring glances at the little mirror +hanging there. + +I confess that at first I was a wee bit sorry for her, but after all, +this Nemesis was thoroughly deserved, and when I saw the impression +that the metamorphosis had made on Jack--the darling goose can't +conceal his feelings--I must own to having been overjoyed. + +"The Enchantress" left for London the same evening, looking in her war +paint quite a different being. But this made no difference, for Jack, I +need scarcely say, had evidently altered his mind. + +Since her departure, everything has gone back to its old state. Jack, +poor fickle boy, is devotion itself, and I have not thought proper to +resist his entreaties to consent to an immediate marriage. You will not +blame me, darling, will you? + +Ever your affectionate and +Happy friend, +ROSE. + + + + +SONGS. + +AFTER VICTOR HUGO, ARMAND SILVESTRE, CHARLES ROUSSEAU AND THE VICOMTE +DE BORELLI. + + +DARLING ARISE. + +(AFTER VICTOR HUGO.) + + Pretty one, tho' the morning is breaking + Thy lattice is fasten'd close + How is it that thou art not waking + When awake is the rose? + + Darling, arise! for I am he + Thy lover who sighs and sings to thee, + Thy lover who sighs and sings to thee. + + Nature loud at thy lattice is beating: + I am Day says the morning above + I am music the bird sings repeating, + And my heart cries "I am Love." + + Darling, arise! for I am he, + Thy lover who sighs and sings to thee, + Thy lover who sighs and sings to thee. + + +ROSE. + +(VIELLE CHANSON DU JEUNE TEMPS.) + +(AFTER VICTOR HUGO.) + + I never thought at all of Rose, + As Rose and I went through the dell, + We fell a talking I suppose, + But yet of what I cannot tell. + + Pebbles below and mosses over, + Rippled a cool and limpid rill; + Nature lay sleeping like a lover + In the embrace of the woods so still. + + Shoes and stockings off she slipped, + And with her sweetly innocent air + Into the stream her feet she dipped, + Yet I never saw her feet were bare. + + I only talked, the time beguiling + As we wandered, she and I; + And sometimes I saw her smiling, + But now and then I heard her sigh. + + Only her beauty dawned on me + When silent woods were left behind, + "Never mind that now!" said she + And now I shall always mind. + + +REGRETS. + +(AFTER CHARLES ROUSSEAU.) + + Let me cherish in my sadness + Those fair days of youth and gladness! + Moments of delightful madness + Gone, alas, for evermore! + Vain regrets for misspent powers, + Wasted chances, faded flowers, + Vex my lonely spirit sore. + Had I only known before! + Let me cherish in my sadness + Those fair days of youth and gladness! + Moments of delightful madness + Gone, alas, for evermore! + + +TOO LATE. + +(PEINE D'AMOUR.) + +(AFTER ARMAND SILVESTRE.) + + When your hand was laid upon mine + 'Twas in painful dread that I grasped it, + For some hesitation malign, + Made tremble the fingers that clasped it. + + When you turned your forehead so near, + 'Twas in painful dread that I kissed it, + For some cruel prompting of fear + Made me timidly seek to resist it. + + Ah!--and my life thenceforward approved + Sorrow's bitterness had o'ercome me, + I only knew how I loved + The day that had taken you from me. + + +IF THERE BE A GARDEN GAY. + +(S'IL EST UN CHARMANT GAZON.) + +(AFTER VICTOR HUGO.) + + If there be a garden gay + Man has not molested, + Where blaze through the summer day + Flowers golden crested, + Where tallest lilies grow, + And honeysuckles blow + There, oh there I fain would go + Where thy foot, thy foot has rested! + + If there be a rosy dream + By true love invested, + Where all things delightful seem + Close together nested + Where soul to soul may tell + The joy they know so well + 'Tis there, oh there I fain would dwell + Where thy heart, thy heart has rested. + + +THE MESSAGE OF THE ROSES. + +(ENVOI DE ROSES.) + +(AFTER VICOMTE DE BORELLI.) + + Oh, if the fairest of these roses + With its red lips to thee shall tell + Such things as language knows not of, + As in thy bosom it reposes, + Then keep it well + It is my love! + + But if the sweetest of the roses + With its red lips shall silent be, + And only seek instead the bliss + Which thy delightful mouth discloses, + Return it me + It is my kiss! + + + + +LOVE WENT OUT WHEN MONEY WAS INVENTED. + + +"You're a very foolish man, John," said my sister Ruth. "You're worse +than foolish. A man never gets any happiness by marrying out of his +station." + +"You may be right," I answered, "but after all I have something to +offer. I am rich, and Marie is poor. I admit that she is a patrician +and that I am a plebeian. But money, after all, counts for something, +especially in these days. I don't see how Marie can spend a very happy +existence now, but I am determined to make her life a dream of +happiness. You will see, my dear Ruth, that my marriage will be a +success." + +"I think not," replied my sister, "and I therefore give you my warning +before it is too late. If you don't heed it and decide on marrying Miss +Dalmayne, I shall naturally do any little thing in my power to +endeavour to prove that I have been a false prophetess; but, mark my +words, John, I shan't succeed. And, to tell you the truth, my dear +brother, I tremble for the future." + +"You're a sweet little silly goose," I answered. "You let your +affection for me run away with your better judgment. Why in heaven's +name should I not be happy with Marie? She is beautiful, and I admit +that it was her rare beauty that first commended her to me, and she has +a sweet nature and character; and after all, goodness of character +outweighs even good looks. Then, too, she is very clever and bright, +and altogether she is exactly the sort of girl calculated to make a man +happy." + +"I hope that I may be wrong, and that you may be right, John," said +Ruth; "but I don't think that I am wrong, and, of course, time will +only show. At present we need say no more. Your mind is evidently made +up, and I shall urge nothing further to prevent you from following your +own inclinations. But in the time to come, don't forget that your +sister warned you." And with that last shaft Ruth left the room. + +My name is John Gardner, my age is thirty-six, and I am what is +generally known as "a self-made man." But had I really had the making +of myself I should have endeavoured to produce a different being. I +recollect at the grammar school in Cambridgeshire, where I received a +plain education, hearing one of the masters, Mr. Ruddock, mention a +Greek proverb, "Know thyself," and advise the boys in his form to act +upon the advice given by the Greek sage who pronounced these words. I +was not, as a rule, struck with much that fell from Mr. Ruddock's lips, +for he was a dull, stupid, and pompous man, possessing much more force +of manner than of character. But I did take this advice to heart and +endeavoured to act up to it, with the result that I know as much about +my own uninteresting self as most other human beings know about +themselves. + +Well, this is how I appear in my own eyes. A strong, healthy man with +an active disposition, and capable of, and a lover of hard work. A +blunt manner, and with an entire absence of tact in anything in which +strict business is not concerned. I know that I am truthful, for, in +addition to a natural hatred of lying which I must have inherited from +my dear parents, I have always recognised the fact that in business and +in everything else the truth always pays the best. During the sixteen +years that I have devoted to business I have endeavoured to act +squarely and fairly with everyone with whom I have been brought in +contact, and I may say without conceit that I have earned a good name +in addition to the three hundred thousand pounds that I have been able +to save. + +I have never got on particularly well with the other sex, partly, I +suppose, from my manners, which, to say the least, are not attractive, +and partly to the fact that up to the time I met Marie Dalmayne I have +never cared for a woman. I came across the girl that I have grown to +love so well in this fashion. I am interested in a West Australian mine +to the extent of about a hundred thousand pounds, and am one of the +three partners who control the concern. One of them is a member of the +great City house of Bleichopsheim, and the other is Mr. Ross, a wealthy +iron-master. It was at the latter's house in St. James's Square that I +met my fate. + +I took Miss Dalmayne down to dinner, and I think that my heart went out +to her from the first. I found her clever and sensible, and with +apparently little of the frivolity which characterises most of the +young women with whom I have been brought in contact. Her conversation, +if not absolutely brilliant, was at any rate bright and amusing, and +possessed a considerable amount of shrewdness. + +Miss Dalmayne was about twenty-three, tall and fair,' possessing a +perfect figure and the most beautiful and expressive hazel eyes. Her +hair was nut brown with a warm reddish sun-kissed glint, and her +features were regular and aristocratic. Her smile was delightful. In +short, I fell in love. + +Next morning I ascertained from Adam Ross full particulars in reference +to Miss Dalmayne. She is the only daughter of the Honourable George +Dalmayne, and is related to many of the highest English families. Mr. +Dalmayne and his wife are not well off, and the former is very much in +debt and has taxed the generosity of my friend Ross to a very +considerable extent. The Dalmaynes live in a small house in Eaton +Terrace. They have only one other child, and that is a son who is in +the Army and is at present with his regiment in India. + +There are some people that one feels one can confide in in matters of a +delicate nature, and there are others to whom one could never open +one's mouth. Now, Ross and I have been friends for ten years, during +which time we have never had the least difference. He is a man +absolutely to be trusted. I told him during this interview what a deep +impression Miss Dalmayne had made upon me. He said that he did not in +the least wonder at it, for she was greatly admired, and added that if +it were not for her father she would no doubt have made a brilliant +marriage already. I told my friend that I cared nothing about her +father, that I was not marrying him but his daughter--that is to say, +if I were fortunate enough to induce her to become my wife. + +"I don't think that there is much fear of a failure," answered Ross, +"old Dalmayne is looking out for a rich husband for Marie. Indeed, in a +confidential mood one day recently he told me almost as much himself. +And he is not likely in a hurry to find one so rich as yourself." + +"Well, I shall call upon him to-morrow," said I, "and ask his +permission to speak to his daughter." + +"I wish you every success, my dear friend," said Ross, "and I have no +doubt as to the result of your interview. And I don't see why you +should not be very happy. After all, as you say, you are not marrying +the father. You are marrying Marie, who is a very high-principled girl, +who is beautiful, who is accomplished, and who would, I am certain, do +everything to make her husband happy." + +And so it was settled, and next morning I called on Mr. Dalmayne. + +Mr. Dalmayne, a tall, aristocratic man of about sixty, received me with +great cordiality. Whether Ross, who had dined with him on the previous +night, had mentioned anything of my matter to him I don't know, but the +old gentleman did not seem to be the least surprised when I told him +what the object of my visit was. + +"Mr. Dalmayne," said I, "you will doubtless be wondering why I have +called to see you"--Mr. Dalmayne's face assumed a sphinx-like +expression--I will not keep you waiting for an explanation. The truth +is that I have fallen in love with your daughter. Our mutual friend +Adam Ross can tell you all about me, and I don't think that his report +would be an unfavourable one. My position is this. I have saved three +hundred thousand pounds, which produces an income of about twelve +thousand a year. And I am making at least another twenty thousand a +year from my share of our mine and other sound enterprises. Should you +permit me to address Miss Dalmayne, and should I be happy and fortunate +enough to induce her to become my wife, I should propose to settle two +hundred thousand pounds upon her for her exclusive use." + +"Your proposals are most generous," said Mr. Dalmayne, "and do you +credit. But in matters of this kind I should never dream of attempting +to control my daughter. You have, however, my full permission to speak +to her, and if she is willing to marry you, you both have my full +consent. My wife shares my views entirely. Marie is out with her mother +at the present moment, but she will be in all the afternoon, and if you +will call about four I will see that you have the opportunity for which +you are seeking." + +I thanked Mr. Dalmayne most cordially and promised to return in the +afternoon. When I again arrived at Eaton Terrace I was shown into the +drawing-room, where I found Mrs. and Miss Dalmayne and a sister of Mrs. +Dalmayne's. Tea was brought in, and shortly afterwards the visitor took +her departure. A few minutes later Mrs. Dalmayne made some excuse for +leaving the room, and I was left alone with Marie. My heart had beaten +hard from excitement as I had knocked at the door, but strange to say I +felt no nervousness now. I plunged into the matter that brought me +without delay. I told Miss Dalmayne of the wonderful effect produced +upon me by her beauty and charm, and in the fewest words possible I +asked her to be my wife, promising that she would never repent it. + +"You have done me a great honour," said Miss Dalmayne, "but I must have +a little time to think over what you have said and to consult my +parents. You shall hear from me at latest the day after tomorrow." + +I shortly afterwards took my leave, and departed buoyed up by the +strong hope that the desire of my heart would be obtained. + +Nor was I disappointed. On the day she had promised I received a letter +from Miss Dalmayne saying that she was willing to accept me, but +frankly confessing that she had no love for me as yet, though admitting +that she liked me. "If," she continued, "you are willing to take me on +this understanding, I am ready to be your wife." + +Needless to say I was willing to accept these terms, and three months +afterwards we were man and wife. + +It was in the month of July that we were married, and we went to +Aix-les-Bains for the honeymoon. A few days previously Mr. Dalmayne +asked me to lend him a thousand pounds, which I did cheerfully, for +after what my friend Ross had told me I was fully prepared for such a +request. + +My wife had never been to Aix before, and seemed to amuse herself very +much. She played a little at the tables, and with a considerable amount +of success. I must admit that she was very kind to me, and though of +course I easily saw that I did not at present possess her real +affection, I was not discontented, and hoped for the time to come when +we should be all in all to each other. We had met very few +acquaintances at Aix, for it was not a good season as far as English +visitors were concerned, owing to attacks on our country and Government +by the French papers. But when we had been there about three weeks a +Captain Morland came upon the scene. Captain Morland, who was an +officer in the Grenadier Guards, had known my wife since she was a +child. They seemed very pleased to see each other again, but there was +a certain sadness that I noticed in the young officer's manner. He had +just been invalided home from South Africa, where he had been on active +service during the time with which my narrative deals. He was a +handsome young man, tall and well built, and with kind and expressive +blue eyes. He was singularly reticent as to his exploits during the +war, though I heard from a friend of his who was with him at Aix that +he had been mentioned in despatches and had been recommended for the +D.S.O. He was a man to whom the merest chance acquaintance was certain +to take a fancy. I am bound to say that I did so myself, and I hope +that in what I am calmly relating I shall not be considered to have +intentionally failed to do him justice. + +It was the second week in August, and as the weather was very hot, my +wife and I had determined to leave Aix and go to Trouville for a little +sea air and bathing. Three days before our departure I returned to the +hotel to dress for dinner. I was just going through the corridor when I +heard voices in our sitting-room. They were the voices of my wife and +Captain Morland. + +I don't think that I am naturally a mean man, but I was mean enough to +listen on this occasion. + +"You mustn't blame me, Hubert," said my wife, "we were all on the verge +of ruin, and I was bound to marry him." + +"How could you consent to do such a thing? You don't care for him in +the least." + +"No," said my wife; "nor shall I ever do so if I live for fifty years. +I care for no one but you. But I shall always do my duty to my husband, +who is a kind and good man and lives entirely for me." + +"If he died, you would marry me?" asked Captain Morland. + +"Of course I would, and, as the children's storybooks say, 'live +happily ever afterwards.' But don't let us discuss deplorable +futurities." + +This was enough for me. I saw, now that it was too late, how wise my +sister Ruth had been, and how foolishly I had acted. There was nothing +to be done, however, to remedy matters, in view of the words spoken by +my wife, and words which breathed of truth. I went out quietly into the +garden of the hotel and came back a few minutes later. I asked Captain +Morland to dine with us, and he accepted my invitation. I carefully +watched him and my wife during the evening, and clearly saw that the +case was hopeless from my point of view. + +On the morrow I made my will, and left everything to my wife with the +exception of fifty thousand pounds for my sister Ruth. I then wrote the +little history of my mistake, and am posting it from the top of Mont +Revard to my friend Ross, and have asked him to act as he thinks best. +It is hard to die, but, in my position, it is still harder to live. + +Having set my entire affections in one direction, and having been +hopelessly unsuccessful, there is only one thing to be done, and that +is to end matters. And I shall end them to-night. + + * * * * * + +Extract from an Aix-les-Bains newspaper:-- + +"The body of a rich Englishman, named Gardner, who was staying at the +Hotel de l'Europe, was found lying at the bottom of the precipice +between Aix and Mont Revard. It is, of course, pure conjecture how the +unfortunate gentleman met his fate, but no foul play is suspected, as +his money and valuables were found upon his body. We anxiously await +developments. The police are maintaining a strict reserve." + + * * * * * + + + + +A PUZZLED PAINTER. + +WRITTEN IN COLLABORATION WITH THE LATE SIR AUGUSTUS HARRIS. + + +CAST. + + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY, an Artist. + +MRS. TEMPENNY, his Wife. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER, an Artist. + +MRS. SYLVESTER, his Wife. + +ROSALINE, a Model. + +HENRICH SCHERCL, an Art Dealer. + +ROBERT ADDISON, a Sporting Man. + +SARAH ANN, a Maid-of-all-Work. + +SUSAN, Parlourmaid at the Tempenny's. + +GROGGINS, a Sheriff's Officer. + + + + +A PUZZLED PAINTER. + + + + +ACT I. + + +(SCENE I. TEMPENNY'S _Studio Doors R.L. and in Flat. As Curtain rises a +knocking is heard at D.R_.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_off_). + +Rembrandt--Rembrandt! + +(_Door opens, enter_ MRS. TEMPENNY; _followed by_ MRS. SYLVESTER.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +He isn't here. Come in, dear; I am sure he will be pleased to see +you--we will wait. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +_My_ husband hates to be disturbed in his studio. He says he can never +work again all day. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Artists are so different; Mr. Sylvester is more highly strung than +Rembrandt, I sometimes think. Rembrandt likes to see his friends in his +studio. I wonder where he has gone. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Gone to have a drink, I daresay. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Adelaide! + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +He does drink, doesn't he--when he's thirsty anyhow? And artists are so +often thirsty. Charles is often thirsty. He says it is a characteristic +feature of the artistic temperament. Ah! my dear. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Why that sigh? + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_sighing again_). + +Heigh ho! + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_affectionately_). + +Adelaide? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Eugenia! + +(_They touch each other's hands sympathetically_.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Aren't you happy, Adelaide? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I am married to an artist, Euna! I wouldn't say as much to anybody +else, but we were girls at school together. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +But, dear Addie, everybody knows you are married to an artist. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I mean I would not say to anybody else that I am not entirely happy. + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_enthusiastically_). + +Do tell me all about it. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I am jealous. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Of whom? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Oh no one--of everybody; of my husband's past, which I know--of his +life to-day, which is too circumspect to be sincere. + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_with misgiving_). + +But--but Rembrandt's life is also circumspect. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Poor child. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +You pity me? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Horribly. To be married to a painter--what a fate! To have a husband +who is shut up alone all day with a creature who--who wears-- + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Rembrandt's models _do_--. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Wear--? + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Plenty! + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_gloomily_). + +Clothes sometimes cover a multitude of sins. They are no guarantee. +Rosaline wore them! + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Rosaline? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +You have not heard of Rosaline? + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +No. A model? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +A serpent! + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +The wretch. Pretty of course? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Serpents are always pretty. One day, not long after we were married, I +came across her photograph--I was tidying up an old desk of Charles', a +photo, my dear, with an inscription that left no doubt what their +relations had been. I tore it up before his face; and for a time, +excepting for the girlish illusions he had shattered, that was an end +of the matter. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +But only for a time? + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_impressively_). + +Two years ago I went into his studio, and found her there. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Horrible. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +You may well say so. She was sitting on a table drinking brandy and +soda as bold as brass. Of course he swore that he needed her for a +picture he was going to work on--and, I don't know, perhaps it was +true. Still considering what had been, her presence there was an +outrage, and I shall never forget the quarrel there was between Charles +and me. That was the last I have seen of Rosaline--she went flying. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +And was it the last that Mr. Sylvester has seen of her? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +So far as I know. But there is always the lurking, horrid doubt. You +know now why I am not the light-hearted girl you remember, and why I +distrust artists as a class. + +_Pause_. + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_meditatively_). + +I don't see why you should distrust Mr. Tempenny because Mr. Sylvester +is not steady. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Are you quite contented? + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +No--we are too hard up, but I believe Rembrandt loves me, and I love +him. + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_heavily_). + +Poor child. + +(_Enter_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _door in flat. He wears long +hair, and a brown velveteen jacket, and is smoking a short pipe_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Eugenia? And Mrs. Sylvester? Why, bless my soul, how nice, what a +surprise! Don't move--don't. (_Stands peering at them with his hands +over his eyes._) What a charming effect of light on your profile, Mrs. +Sylvester--how rich--how transcendental! Glorious! (_Comes down._) +Well, well, well, and so you ladies have come to pay me a visit. Can I +offer you anything? + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +I called on Mrs. Tempenny to inquire whether you would dine with us +to-night, and she said she could not answer without consulting you. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +You have no engagement, Rembrandt? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I am quite at liberty, Eugenia, quite. I shall be most pleased and +delighted. (_Aside._) Another confoundedly dull evening, I know! +(_Aloud._) Sylvester is well? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Sylvester is always well. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Happy Sylvester! Myself, I am a wreck. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +I want some money, Rembrandt. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_disconcerted._) + +Eh? Oh! (_To_ MRS. SYLVESTER.) And working hard I have no doubt. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I believe so--he is out all day. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Admirable--what industry! + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +(_Aside to_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.) Rembrandt, I want some money--have you +got a couple of pounds you can let me have? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_affecting not to hear_). + +The hardest working people under the sun are artists, I always say so. +Hard worked--hard worked! (_Fills his pipe_). + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +May I look round your studio, Mr. Tempenny? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_waving his hand_). + +Charmed, positively! + +(MRS. SYLVESTER _moves up_.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_insistently_). + +Rembrandt, all the neighbourhood knows the butcher summoned us, and +none of the tradespeople will serve us with anything unless we pay +cash. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Well, we're going out to dinner. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Oh, you drive me wild with your improvident, Bohemian ways. There's +to-morrow. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Sufficient for the day is the dinner thereof. Don't be greedy. + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_looking round_). + +You have sold most of your canvasses, I see, Mr. Tempenny. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +I thought she wouldn't find the gallery extensive, I must really do +something to-day, I must indeed! (_Aloud_.) Sold? Yes, yes. I am +starting on a fresh commission now. There's a little sketch up there +you may fancy;--a mere impression, but full of tenderness, I think, and +rapture. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Rapture? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It is the newest word by which we explain the inexplicable. "Rapture!" +It says everything, does it not? + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_vaguely_). + +Yes--yes, indeed. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +I made it up myself on the spot. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +(_Laying her hand on his arm earnestly_). Rembrandt-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Yes, dear, I know what you're going to say. The other tradespeople know +we haven't paid the butcher and you want two pounds. I'll give it you +this evening--(_Aside_.) If I can borrow it. + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_coming down_). + +Then we shall see you this evening at seven sharp, Mr. Tempenny? I am +going to take Eugenia round to the house with me now, to spend the +afternoon. You'll find her there when you come. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Good. (_Aside_.) I wish they'd go! (_Aloud_.) You don't mean to run +away yet? + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_doubtfully_). + +I think so. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_with alacrity_). + +Well, if you really must-- + +(_Opens door_ D.F.) + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Till seven o'clock. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Till seven. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Au revoir, dear. (_Aside to him_.) You won't forget the--? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Aside to_ MRS. TEMPENNY.) The two pounds, and the butcher; I won't +forget 'em. I only hope the _butcher_ may forget _me_. + +(_Exit_ MRS. SYLVESTER.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +By-bye, sweetheart. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Ta, ta, Duckie. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Don't do too much--remember your precious health. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +All right, my love. + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_blowing a kiss_). + +There. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_blowing a kiss_). + +There. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +My own darling husband! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +My angel. + +(_Exit_ MRS. TEMPENNY.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_with a deep sigh of relief_). + +Thank heaven! (_Sinks into armchair, and puts his feet on the +mantelpiece_) The corner is getting tight, Rembrandt. This sort of +thing won't boil the pot. It won't, sonny, I assure you! Where's the +sketch of my _magnum opus_. 'Pon my word, I haven't seen the thing for +a month or more. (_Gets up and rummages in a portfolio_.) Ah, here we +have it! (_Holds up and contemplates a small charcoal sketch_.) +"Susannah before the Elders" beautiful! composition charming! +Rembrandt, old pal,--I congratulate you! But where's the picture of it? +"Oh where, and oh where!" Rembrandt, you're developing into a +thorough-paced loafer. You always had a talent that way, but of late +you've broken your own record. I'll turn over a new leaf; I will, I'll +be a new man. Why not? We've the new woman; why not the new man? +Excellent idea. Rembrandt Tempenny, the new man--the coming man--by +George the GREAT man! I'm in earnest, I'm in a fever. I bubble over +with noble resolutions. I wish the tradespeople didn't want +cash--tradespeople who want cash are so damping to noble resolutions! + +(_Gets out Easel and canvas, and takes off coat_.) + +(_Door in Flat is kicked open. Enter_ ROBERT ADDISON.) + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Hullo! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Hullo! + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +How are you, old chap? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I'm the new man. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +The devil you are! What does it feel like? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Unfamiliar--like somebody's else's boots. I say, dear boy, can you lend +me a couple of thick 'uns. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Eh? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It's for the tradespeople. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Oh really--on principle you know--I never pay tradespeople. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Well, not to put too fine a point upon it, it's for my wife. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +I warned you not to marry. Now you see how right I was--she wants two +thick 'uns. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I know it's rough on you. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +It is. I'm a sociable chap by nature, and I'm rapidly being left +without a friend to bless myself with. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I don't grasp! + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +They all borrow my money, and then they say they're out the next time I +call. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I have got a big thing on, only temporarily I'm in a hole. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +I never knew a fellow in a hole who hadn't a big thing on. What is it? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +The hole? + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +No, the big thing--the stable tip? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It's nothing to do with the turf. Look here, Schercl--you know Schercl? + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +I know him. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +He gave me a commission for a picture six weeks ago; he's going to pay +three hundred for it. He advanced a century when I accepted the offer. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +They are wonderful terms, Tempenny, for _you_. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Seems rather funny, doesn't it,--but it's a fact. "Nobody more +astonished than the striker," I confess. + +ROBERT ADDIS ON. + +Well, where's the picture? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Turning round the big blank canvas_). There! + +ROBERT ADDISON (_with a whistle_). + +Oh my sainted mother! How does Schercl like it? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It's good work, isn't it? Fine colour and tone! How do the harmonies +strike you--correct? + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Unbosom, what does it mean? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Dear boy, it means it was a royal order, and that I've been on the +royal loaf on the strength of it; and, now that I repent me, I haven't +got a model. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +No model? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +The subject is to be Susannah--Susannah before the Elders. You know the +kind of thing--(_whispers_). + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Yes, of course, and I suppose--? (_whispers_). + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Yes, and--(_touches his arms and chest, signifying a fine +woman_--_whispers_). + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Exactly. I think I can recommend the very model you want. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +You? Where did you meet her--on a racecourse? + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +I know her--and she's worth backing. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +My dear friend, you have saved me! Where is she? + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +I'll look her up. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +To-day? + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Now if you like. Her name is Rosaline, and she's a ripper. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +"Rosaline the Ripper," Robert, fetch her. No wait a moment, I can't do +the picture here; I daren't. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Why not? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Well, you see, my wife wouldn't approve, and I blush to say that in the +exuberance of early matrimony I encouraged her in an inconvenient habit +of running into my studio at all hours. I'll have to work in a pal's. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +All right, I'll send her there. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Well, you might bring her now, if you can, and I'll arrange the +sittings with her. Does she hang out in the neighbourhood? + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Over a coffee-shop in Golden Street. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Go! And I'll stand you a swagger supper when the picture's done, and +Schercl parts. By the way-- + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Yes? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Touching the two quid? + +ROBERT ADDISON (_giving the money_). + +Here you are. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I do touch 'em. Ecstasy! Bob, you're a brick; now cut along and get +back with the damsel sharp. (_Knock heard at_ D.F.) Hullo, whom have we +here? Come in. (_Knock repeated_.) Come in. (_Knock again_.) Come in, +you fat-headed, lop-sided, splay-footed, bandy-legged jay; come in! + +(_Enter_ SCHERCL). + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +Schercl! Good Lord! He's come to see the work. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +(_Aside to_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY). I'm off. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Aside to_ ROBERT ADDISON). No, I say, Bob, wait and see me through +it. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Rosaline may go out--I must hurry. See you again in half an hour. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Aside to_ ROBERT ADDISON). What shall I do? + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +(_Aside to_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY). Lie! Ta-ta. I say--! You don't think +it possible old Schercl has made a mistake and taken you for Tempenny +the R.A.? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_staggered_). + +What!! + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +It would explain the terms, that's all, dear boy. Au revoir. (_Exit_ +ROBERT ADDISON D.F.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +Good Lord! (_Aloud, blandly_). My dear Mr. Schercl, this is a pleasure +indeed. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I do not know dat it is a great bleasure, but pusiness must be attended +to, hein? Vell, my friendt, and how is the bicture, eh! Let us see how +it has brogressed. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +The picture is going well--well, very well,--excellently. I am a modest +man-- + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Humph! (_Aside_.) This is a very boor blace for zo famous a bainter. I +do not understand it! But I have certainly done goot business mid him! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_disconcerted_). + +I say I am a modest man, Mr. Schercl, but I feel safe in declaring that +you will be satisfied with your bargain. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +"Bargain?" I do not tink dat ven I pay tree hundred bounds for a +bicture it should be called a "pargain." Tree hundred bounds is very +large brice; I shall have not made a pargain. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Er--quite so. You misunderstand me. I should have said your +"contract"--you will be satisfied with your contract. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +If you should have said "gontract," vy did you say "Pargain." Vell, +vell, let us see the bicture. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_With a desperate attempt to throw enthusiasm in his voice_.) It is +the best work I have done. I look to "Susannah" to advance my position +enormously. People will talk about "Susannah." It is--er--full of +rapture. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +"Rapture?" Vat is "Rapture?" + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +_You_ know what "rapture" is. It is the term best understood by the +movement of to-day. It is our watchword, our ideal. "Rapture!" + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Puzzled, but not wishing to appear ignorant_.) Oh "Rapture," I did +not understand you. Of course I know what rapture is. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Of course you do. Well, "Susannah" brims over with it. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Goot, goot. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It is the very apotheosis of rapture. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I gongratulate you. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It exudes with rapture. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Is dat so? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It is bathed in rapture. (_Aside_.) I can't go on much longer. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Now show it to me. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_with feigned surprise_). + +Show it to you? I can't show it to you--it isn't here. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Vat is dat you say? Not here? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Certainly not. I am working on it in a friend's studio, not my own. The +light here is not nearly good enough for a work like that. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +You have always found it goot enough, I pelieve? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_with enthusiasm_). + +But not for "Susannah"--not nearly good enough for "Susannah," +"Susannah" demands so much; she is exacting--she must be humoured. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Vell, I am very disappointed; I came expressly to see how you had +brogressed. Will you make me an abbointment? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Certainly I will. I will write you to-morrow. I am anxious to have your +opinion. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Who is the friend in whose studio you vork? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Eh? In Mr. Sylvester's--Charles Sylvester. You should hear him talk +about it. By Jove, he does think a lot of it. I blush to repeat what he +says. He considers it magnificent. + +(_Enter_ SYLVESTER.) + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Afternoon, Rembrandt. Ah, Mr. Schercl, how-d'ye do. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Sylvester himself--the devil. (_Aloud_.) Dear old man, we were talking +of you! I was just telling Mr. Schercl what you are kind enough to say +of "Susannah." + +(_Kicks him aside_.) + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +You think it goot, Mr. Sylvester, yes? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +He thinks it superb, so far as it has gone. + +(_Kicks him again_.) + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +What's that? Who is "Susannah?" + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +"Who is Susannah!" (_With a sickly laugh_.) What a chap to chaff you +are. "Who is Susannah?" Ha, ha, ha. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +But in pusiness I do not like the chokes. Let us be serious if you +please. What is your opinion, Mr. Sylvester, of the vork? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_desperately_). + +Yes, I quite agree with you, Mr. Schercl, I quite agree--there is a +time for all things. Tell Mr. Schercl what you think of it, Charlie, +do. + +(_Kicks him savagely_.) + +CHARLES SYLVESTER (_aside to_ TEMPENNY). + +You'll break my ankle directly, hang you. What do you want? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside to_ SYLVESTER). + +Intelligence. I'll break your neck in another minute, you born fool! +(_Aloud suavely_.) Mr. Schercl is naturally anxious to hear how the +picture he had given me a commission for is getting along. I was +telling him how much you think of it but he would like to hear your +views from your own mouth. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Oh--oh!--now I know what you're talking about! Well, I have a very high +opinion of the work indeed, Mr. Schercl--a very high opinion. (_Aside +to_ TEMPENNY.) What's the subject? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside to_ SYLVESTER). + +"Susannah before the Elders"--pitch it strong. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +The conception of Susannah, and in fact the entire treatment if I may +say so, is bold in the extreme. He makes a school, our friend here. You +will be surprised when you see the work, and impressed. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Vell, we will make the abbointment soon, Mr. Tempenny. I am sorry I +could not see it to-day. So I shall be imbressed? That is goot. +Gootday, gentlemen. We will make the abbointment very soon. + +(_Exit_ SCHERCL.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Calling after him from open door_.) Mind the bottom step, it's +awkward. Got it? + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_off_). + +It is so dark your staircase. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Yes, it is dark, isn't it? Good afternoon. (_Closes door.)(To_ +SYLVESTER.) Phew! You couldn't have arrived at a worse time. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Thanks. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I don't mean to be inhospitable, but the ice was thin. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Have you done anything to "Susannah?" + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Not a stroke, but I commence to-morrow in earnest. I've a model coming +this afternoon, and if you'll let me use your studio, I shall knock in +enough in a week for old Schercl to see when he calls again. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Why do you want my studio--what's the matter with this? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Well, the fact is my wife is always popping in here, and if she found +me with a model posed as Susannah she'd go into hysterics. You +understand me? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Understand you. I'm a married man. + +(TEMPENNY _looks at him silently, and then puts out his hand_. +SYLVESTER _grasps it_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I don't want to gush, but--I feel for you, old chap. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER (_gratefully_). + +I know--I know. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_offering pouch_). + +Smoke? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER (_producing pipe_). + +Thanks. + +(_They fill their pipes without speaking and puff sympathetically_.) + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Not but what she is a good sort--I don't want to say anything against +her. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Of course not. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +But--I suppose she's too fond of me. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It's a way wives have--they repay the superabundance of your devotion +during the courtship. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Exactly. She's jealous. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Of whom? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Of nobody--of everyone. Of my past, which was rather more decent than +most fellows--of my life to-day, which is a pattern for a County +Councillor. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Poor beggar. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +You're sorry for me? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Devilishly. To be married to a jealous woman!--what a fate. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER (_with a groan_). + +Ah! Tempenny, there was a girl I used to know when I was a +bachelor--she was a model. My wife found her likeness one day after we +were married. A likeness, nothing more--I thought I had destroyed it. +Well, if you'd have heard the ructions she made; you'd have thought +she'd found a harem. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Ah! + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +A year or two ago the girl turned up again--walked into my studio, and +wanted to sit to me. As it happened I could have used her very well. +Just as I had given her a drink who should march in too, but my wife. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +The devil. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +I _said_ my wife--but-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Yes, go on. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +She recognised my visitor in a moment from the photograph--abused her, +insulted me, and raised a royal row. The girl cleared out like a shot, +and I pledge you my word I have never seen her since, but from that +hour to this not a day passes without Mrs. Sylvester making some +allusion to the incident. I am the most moral man alive, and I'm +watched and suspected as if I were a criminal. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +We must see more of each other than we have of late. When I work in +your studio we shall be company for each other. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +I shall be very glad. Well, I'll be off, now. See you to-morrow then? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +To-morrow! Au revoir, dear boy. + +(_Exit_ SYLVESTER.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Poor old Sylvester! Had no idea Mrs. Sylvester was such a termagant. I +must cheer him up a bit. So there was a girl, was there, and Mrs. +Sylvester is jealous of her? Wonder who she was! Nice girl I +daresay--Sylvester's taste was always good excepting when he married. +Where is Bob with my model?--time he was back! (_Goes to window_.) +There goes Sylvester--funny thing you can always tell a married man by +his walk. There is a solidity about it--a sort of resignation. (_Turns +looking off the other way_.) And here comes a pretty girl.--What a +pretty girl--Funny thing you can always tell a pretty girl by her walk. +There is a consciousness about it--a thanksgiving. She is stopping +here. Lovely woman stopping here! + +(_Throws up window, and leans out more and more till gradually only a +small section of his legs remain on the stage_) + +ROSALINE (_off_). + +Is this Mr. Tempenny's studio? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It is. I am Mr. Tempenny. Come up do. + +ROSALINE. + +No kid? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Not yet--I am recently married. + +ROSALINE. + +I mean you are really Mr. Tempenny. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Really and truly. (_Withdraws from window, wreathed in smiles_.) How do +I look? (_Smoothes his hair before mirror_.) Perhaps she is a buyer--I +had better appear busy--or inspired. (_Seats himself and adopts a +far-away engrossed expression_.) "Rembrandt Tempenny at Home." + +_Knock at door. Enter_ ROSALINE. + +ROSALINE. + +May I come in? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Enter pray. An idea has struck me. May I beg you to sit down a +moment,--In a moment I shall be at your service. + +ROSALINE _sits_. REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _stares raptly before him as if +lost in composition. (Business.) He starts up and rushes to small +canvas, making violent sketch upon it. Then brushes his hand across his +brow, and turns to her_. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I dared not lose it--my idea! Forgive me--I have it down now, it is +saved. What can I do for you? + +ROSALINE. + +Mr. Addison sent me. He said you wanted a model. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Oh--you are Rosaline? + +ROSALINE. + +You have guessed it in once. He could not come back with me, so he sent +me here alone. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Oh! + +ROSALINE. + +What do you think of me? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I think you a charming young lady. + +ROSALINE. + +Then what is the matter? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Well, I thought you were somebody else, that is all. So you are +Rosaline. + +ROSALINE. + +You keep telling me I am Rosaline--I know I am. The question is how do +I do? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +How do you do? + +ROSALINE. + +You misunderstand me. The question is how do I suit you? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Quite so--you bring me to the point. You suit me entirely. Mr. Addison +perhaps explained to you the subject of my picture? + +ROSALINE. + +"Susannah." Susannah is a very ugly name--. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +But she will be a very pretty girl, won't she? + +ROSALINE. + +Oh, go away with you. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Humour, only my humour! You musn't think any familiarity was intended. +I am not that sort of man at all. + +ROSALINE. + +No? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Not a bit. As I told you out of the window, I'm married. + +ROSALINE. + +Well, I am sorry to hear it. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Now you are flattering me--now _I_ must say, "go away with you." + +ROSALINE. + +I am sorry to hear it because I prefer sitting to single artists. Wives +sometimes make rumpuses. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Oh, you have found that? + +ROSALINE. + +I have indeed. I shall never forget one of my experiences as long as I +live. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Really? You interest me. + +ROSALINE _(sentimentally)_. + +I loved a man with all my soul, and _he_ loved _me_. He married! No, +you must not blame him for it--he was weak, and the temptation came. +"To err is human,"--he married. Oh, my heart! (_She presses her hand to +her side_.) Forgive me while I shed a tear. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Shed two. + +ROSALINE. + +I forgave him; I struggled to subdue the rage within me. I forgave him, +and went to see him again. I had conquered my scorn--my better nature +had triumphed--I went to him with all the old tenderness that I had +lavished on him in the days gone by. He was startled, even cold, but +still I feel I should have won him back to me had not something +happened. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Something so often happens. It is an aggravating way of something. + +ROSALINE. + +His wife came between us. All was over. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Designing wretch! + +ROSALINE. + +I have never seen him since; I have banished his image from my mind. +But that time has left its mark on me for ever. It transformed a simple +credulous girl into a hardened worldly woman. I shall never feel a +liking for wives again. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +One cannot blame you. + +ROSALINE. + +I felt you would say that. (_Presses her handkerchief to her eyes_.) It +was cruel. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +But in my case you will not be troubled by my wife. The sittings won't +take place here, and so she will not see you. + +ROSALINE. + +How is that? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Well, it is very odd, but Mrs. Tempenny has the same objection to +models that you have to wives. It is ridiculous, in fact it is wicked +of her, but I find it best to humour her prejudices. Will you go +to-morrow to Sycamore Place, Number five? + +ROSALINE. + +I'll be there--on one condition. No wives, or I throw up the job. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_alarmed_). + +For Heaven's sake don't talk of doing that--my whole life hangs on the +picture. If you don't sit to me I'm a ruined man. Rosaline, I swear to +you no wives shall cross your path. + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_off_). + +Rembrandt, Rembrandt. + +ROSALINE. + +Who's that? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Mrs. Tempenny, but I won't let her in. + +ROSALINE (_angrily_). + +Wives already!--Everywhere--wives. + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_off_). + +Rembrandt, I must see you. Where are you--quick! + +ROSALINE. + +Here, I know the pattern of this! Let me go! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_alarmed_). + +No. No. I'll get rid of her. (_Runs to window, and leans +out--calling_.) Don't wait, my dear. I'm busy. I'll be with you soon. + +ROSALINE (_contemptuously_). + +Why, you're scared out of your life of her I can see! I have had enough +of this,--I don't want the job. (_As if to go_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Leaving window and running back to her_). I tell you if you don't sit +to me I'm a ruined man. Rosaline, I implore you! + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_off_). + +I am coming up at once. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_rushing to window again_). + +On no account, my darling, I can't be disturbed. + +ROSALINE. + +I'm off. Ta-ta. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_back to her again_). + +You shan't go--I'll lock you in first. There! (_Locks door, and takes +out key_.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_off_). + +Rembrandt, I must come up. Something is the matter. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +No, no, no. Go home, and see the tradespeople, catch! (_Takes out the +two sovereigns, and runs to window again: in his excitement he throws +with the wrong hand--throwing out key_.) Good Lord! I've thrown her the +key. (_Leans out of the window_.) She is coming upstairs. Skip inside +there till she goes. Hurry! (_Motions_ ROSALINE _off R_.) + +ROSALINE (_scornfully_). + +Wives, wives, wives! + +(_Exit Rosaline_.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Rembrandt! Why did you keep me waiting--there's a sheriff's officer on +his way here with a warrant. He has been at the house, and the servant +ran round to Sylvester's to tell me. You must escape. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Escape? + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Fly! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I can't fly--I am not built for flying. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Then you must hide. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Where? + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +(_Pointing to room where Rosaline is concealed_.) There! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +No, no, Hark! + +(_Very heavy steps are heard ascending stairs_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I hear a footfall. + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_in terror_). + +Hide yourself--quick. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_in terror_). + +I can't. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Why not? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_loftily_). + +A hero never hides. Ah, I have it. I'll jump from the window. + +(_Struggles into his coat and hat_.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +There is the conservatory underneath. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I'll jump clear of it. Don't let him in for a minute. + +(_He plants a lay-figure in front of canvas, with its back to door in +flat, then proceeds to dress it up to resemble himself at work. Brush +in hand, etc_.) + +GROGGINS (_off_). + +Mr. Tempenny! + +(_Knocks at door_.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Who's there? + +(_She goes to door, half opening it, so that_ GROGGINS _has a partial +view of lay-figure_.) + +GROGGINS. + +I have a warrant here for Mr. Rembrandt Tempenny--matter of forty pun'. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Sh! He is painting. + +GROGGINS. + +I can't help whether he's painting or not, marm. The question is +whether he is paying or not. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Man, my husband cannot be disturbed. Don't you see?--he is inspired. + +GROGGINS. + +Well, he'll be in--Wandsworth if he don't part. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Sh! talk softly. Your voice will jar upon him. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +Now for it. (_At window_.) One--two--three--I don't like the look of +that glass-house much. + +_(Hesitates)._ + +GROGGINS (_decisively_). + +I must come in, marm--out of the way if _you_ please. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +Oh! It's now or never. + +(_Jumps out. A tremendous crash of broken glass is heard_.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_with a shriek_). + +Ah! + +GROGGINS (_pushing her aside_). + +What's that? (_Aside_.) Oh, there he is. (_Aloud_.) Here you Mr. +Tempenny, sir, I've a warrant 'ere on a judgment summons.--Suit of Cole +the butcher. (_Addressing lay-figure_.) Do you pay up, or come along o' +me? + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_at window--aside_). + +He's picked himself up--he waves his hand--all is well. + +GROGGINS. + +Which is it, sir? I allus likes to do business pleasant, only you must +make up your mind, you know. Pay up, or lock up--take your choice. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +(_At window. Excitedly aside_.) He disappears--he's lost to view--the +danger's past. + +GROGGINS. + +Well, if you _won't_ speak, you _won't_, of course! I've done my 'umble +best to do my dooty affable, and since you're sulky, why--(_Going up to +lay-figure_) Mr. Rembrandt Tempenny, I've a warrant for your arrest. + +(_He slaps the lay-figure on the shoulder, it collapses with a crash_). + +GROGGINS (_falling back in terror_). + +Got 'em again, as I'm a sinner! + +(MRS. TEMPENNY _runs to_ D.F. _as if to go_. ROSALINE _half opens_ R.D. +_and pops her head out with an ejaculation_.) + +_Act drop, quick_. + + + + +ACT II. + + +SCENE:--SYLVESTER'S _Studio_. (_The next day_.) _Doors R. and L. At +back cupboard_. TEMPENNY _discovered painting_, ROSALINE _posed_. + +ROSALINE. + +I'm getting tired. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Sh! (_goes on working frenziedly_). + +ROSALINE. + +I say I'm getting tired. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Wait a minute, and you shall rest. There! now you can move if you like. + +ROSALINE (_stretching herself_). + +Thank goodness. Let us look! (_Looks at canvas_.) Oh! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +What do you think of it? + +ROSALINE. + +Not much. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Ah, that shows your profound ignorance of the School. It promises to be +a superb example. (_Contemplates it sideways_.) Exquisite! + +ROSALINE. + +I say, where is your friend? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Who? + +ROSALINE. + +Didn't you say this studio belonged to a friend of yours? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Oh yes; he hasn't come yet. I expect he will be here this afternoon. + +ROSALINE. + +What's this? (_picking up Mandarin's Wig_.) One of his props? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +That? That is a Mandarin's wig. Yes, of course it is one of his props. +He has just been engaged on a great work: "The Decapitation of a +Mandarin after a Chinese Reverse." The gentleman who sat for the +Mandarin wore that wig. + +ROSALINE. + +What a funny subject to choose. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Rather playful, isn't it? He likes 'em like that. That's his forte. + +ROSALINE. + +What is his name--do I know him? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Charlie Sylvester; and a rattling good chap he is, let me tell you. + +ROSALINE (_with a shriek_). + +Oh, my heart! This is fate! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_alarmed_.) + +I beg your pardon? Don't go off like that. What's the matter? + +ROSALINE. + +It is _He_--_He_ who--! Oh, I am going to faint. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +No,--no, for goodness' sake, don't do that. What do you mean by "he?" +Here, I say, compose yourself. + +ROSALINE. + +It is the man I love. The finger of Fate is in it. Where is he? Bring +him to me! Charlie, my own! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_very flustered_). + +Oh I say--look here, you know--? (_Aside_.) This is the devil and +all--Charlie will never forgive me! (_Aloud_.) My dear good girl, he +_isn't_ your "own," I assure you he isn't. There is a Mrs. Sylvester, +as you know very well. (_Aside_.) If he comes in and finds her here, +there's an end of all my sittings. What a piece of infernal luck to be +sure! + +ROSALINE _(resolutely)._ + +Where is he? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_sullenly_). + +I don't know--I suppose he is at home. + +ROSALINE. + +Fetch him then--let me see his dear face again. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +What??? + +ROSALINE. + +Bring him to me--now, this instant! We have been divided too long +already. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +You have, have you? + +ROSALINE. + +Far, far too long. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +I must humour her. (_Aloud_.) Well, perhaps you _have_, on second +thoughts. Yes, it is a long time. + +ROSALINE. + +I have never forgotten him. I have always treasured his memory in my +soul. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_soothingly_). + +That was very nice of you. You are a very nice girl--I saw it at once. + +ROSALINE. + +_He_ used to say that--he used to call me his "Toppett." + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +His little "Toppett?" It is a pretty name, and I am sure he will be +delighted to find you here, when he comes. It will be a surprise for +him, won't it; quite a surprise! (_Aside_.) A perfect devil of a +surprise! + +ROSALINE. + +For all he knows I might be dead--dead with the violets blooming over +my tomb. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Yes, yes,--buttercups and daisies. (_Aside_.) I shall get the giddy +push from here when he does come; I see it sticking out a foot. +(_Aloud_.) I say, Poppett--I mean "Rosaline," do you feel equal to +going on with the sitting till he arrives? + +ROSALINE (_passively_). + +As you please--I must live. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside._) + +It is doubtful whether Sylvester will see it in the same light. +(_Aloud_.) Well, then, suppose you take up your position again. + +(_He poses her with much difficulty, as each time he places her arms in +the required attitude, she moves to wipe away a tear_). + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +There, now we've got it at last. (_He goes back to the easel, and +commences to work_). + +ROSALINE. + +(_Bursting into sobs, and collapsing altogether_.) Boo--hoo--hoo! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_despairingly_). + +Oh, great Jupiter! This is too much! Can't you contain your emotion? I +know it is very praiseworthy, but can't you bottle it up? How on earth +am I to paint you while you keep going on like this. + +(_The street-door bell rings_). + +ROSALINE (_joyously_). + +He! (_She clasps her hands and listens_.) My heart tells me so! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_disagreeably_). + +It _ain't_ he--because he never rings. So your heart's told you a lie. + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_off_). + +Mr. Sylvester--is he in? Not in? What do you mean? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Snakes!--it's his Missus. + +ROSALINE (_passionately_). + +_Another_ wife? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +No, it is the same one--do you think he is the Grand Mogul?--but she +will be enough for _you_ if she finds you here, and for _me_ too! + +ROSALINE. + +I do not fear her. I am doing no harm--I am your Model, brought here by +you. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_in terror_). + +Now look here, you know, don't say that; I won't be mixed up in it! I +tell you I'll have nothing to do with the matter! I didn't know who you +were, or I wouldn't have brought you within a hundred miles of the +place. Hark. + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_off_). + +I will wait in his studio till he comes. He ought to have been here +long ago. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_in terror_). + +_Ought_ he! I won't be seen here--I can't. She is a friend of my +wife's. I won't be found in your company. I'm a moral man, and she +knows you. + +ROSALINE (_indignantly_). + +What? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Here, hi, I will be a lay-figure. By George, I've got it--I will be the +Mandarin, see! + +(_He disguises himself with Rosaline's assistance as a Mandarin, and +sits cross-legged at back, wagging his head_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +How is that? + +ROSALINE. + +Beautiful. Hush! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Am I sufficiently impregnated with the Chinese sentiment? + +ROSALINE. + +I don't know what you mean. Sh! Here she is. + +(_Enter_ MRS. SYLVESTER _L_.) + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_aside_). + +A young woman--who is this? + +ROSALINE. + +Good morning, madam. Who do you wish to see? + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_with a start_). + +Can I be deceived? Is it possible you are the--ahem--the person I take +you for? + +ROSALINE. + +I really don't know who you take me for. My name is Rosaline, and I'm a +model. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I knew it! How dare you come here--how dare you? Two years ago I +forbade you ever to enter my husband's studio again. + +ROSALINE. + +I did not know it was your husband's studio when I came. I am here to +sit to a friend of his. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I'm the friend. + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_to_ ROSALINE). + +What did you say? + +ROSALINE. + +I did not speak. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Now let me quite understand you. Do you mean to say that it was not Mr. +Sylvester who brought you here? + +ROSALINE. + +Certainly I do. I came to Mr.-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_in terror aside to_ ROSALINE). + +Mr. Brown. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Who did you say? Who is Mr. Brown? + +ROSALINE. + +I did not say "Mr. Brown." A gentleman engaged me to sit to him, and +told me to come here this morning at ten o'clock. He said he was a +friend of Mr. Sylvester's. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Then you did know that this was Mr. Sylvester's studio! + +ROSALINE. + +I did not. He said it belonged to a friend of his, but did not mention +his name. + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_impatiently_). + +Whose name? + +ROSALINE. + +His friend's name. + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_passionately_). + +Who was this friend, girl? Who told you to come? Answer me. + +ROSALINE. + +Oh, that is very easy. I was engaged by Mr.-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside to_ ROSALINE). + +Mr. Smith. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I do not know any Mr. Smith. Where has he gone? + +ROSALINE. + +I never said "Mr. Smith." + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +What? + +ROSALINE. + +Certainly not. I have no reason to mind telling the truth. I am +naturally a truthful girl. His name was-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside to_ ROSALINE). + +Robinson. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Once and for all--will you tell me the man's name? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside to_ ROSALINE). + +No, never! + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +You refuse? + +ROSALINE. + +No. + +MRS. SYLYESTER. + +Then why did you say "never?" + +ROSALINE. + +I never said "Never." + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I warn you, girl, my patience is nearly exhausted. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +So am I. My legs ache at the joints. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +You will either make a clean breast of it, or I shall take steps-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside to_ ROSALINE). + +Let her take steps--that's what I want her to do. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Ah, wait--doubtless my husband is in hiding. I will see. + +(_She opens_ R.D. _and exit_.) + +ROSALINE (_going up to_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _angrily_). + +What do you mean by getting me into all this trouble? What do you mean +by it? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Oh, you be hanged--you're a perfect nuisance. + +ROSALINE. + +What! + +(_She slaps his face_. MRS. SYLVESTER _re-enters_.) + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I heard a noise. + +ROSALINE. + +I was playing with the idol, that is all. + +(REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _wags his head mechanically_. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +This is a dignified position for a husband and a ratepayer!--the butt +of a bad girl! + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Your frivolity will avail you nothing. If you were indeed brought here +by a friend of Mr. Sylvester's, I can guess who he is. His name is +Tempenny, and I shall enquire into the matter at once. (_Going_.) + +ROSALINE. + +Of course his name is Tempenny--I never denied it. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY and MRS. SYLVESTER (_aside_). + +What? + +ROSALINE. + +I am nobody's accomplice--I am an honest woman earning a living. I will +tell lies for no one. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +The cat! + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Oh, this is infamous! So Mr. Tempenny assists my husband to deceive me, +does he? We will see what his wife has to say to it. Birds of a +feather--as I always thought. Abandoned wretches both! + +(_Exit L_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_springing up_). + +You mischief-making little beast--what have you done? + +ROSALINE. + +Don't you talk to me like that--I won't have it! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_furiously_). + +You won't have it! + +ROSALINE. + +No, I won't. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +You--you--! You smacked my face! + +ROSALINE. + +And I'll smack it again if you aggravate me. If it weren't that _he_ +will be here later on, I'd walk straight out of the studio, and never +come into it again. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I've a good mind to bundle you out neck and crop, I can tell you. That +woman has gone off to complain to my wife. Here, get me out of these +things. (_He divests himself of the Chinese wig and costume_.) I think +I had better go. I don't know how I'll do the picture--I'll _never_ do +the picture. I think _you_ had better go--if Charlie Sylvester finds +you here after this, he will murder you. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER (_off_). + +Tempenny!--Tempenny--are you upstairs? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_agitated_). + +He! Oh, I say, you know--don't yer know--this is awful! + +ROSALINE (_rapturously_). + +I know his voice. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_dancing with terror_). + +Yes, so do I! He'll kill you--I warn you he will make a corse of +you--or _me_. I won't meet him. I can't. Get rid of him for the Lord's +sake--I'll hide in there till he has gone. + +(_Exit R_.) + +ROSALINE (_taking out powder puff_). + +After years we meet again! + +(_Enter_ SYLVESTER _L_.) + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Why the devil couldn't you answer, Tempenny, I say-- + +ROSALINE (_turning_). + +Charles! Ah! once more! + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Great Scott! My dear girl, what on earth are you here for? + +ROSALINE. + +It is like that you greet me? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +"Greet" you? Well, upon my word I don't quite know what you expect. I +thought it was understood between us last time we met that--that--we +weren't to meet? You see I've got a wife, and-- + +ROSALINE. + +I know. I have just seen her. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +What's that you say? You have just seen my wife? + +ROSALINE (_nodding_). + +She has been here. She has only just gone. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +The devil! What did she say to you--what did she think? + +ROSALINE. + +She thought you knew about it--she was angry! + +CHARLES SYLVESTER (_furiously_). + +And very rightly too. You have no business here--why did you come? + +ROSALINE. + +Mr. Tempenny brought me. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +What? Are _you_ his model? This is really too bad. Where is he? + +ROSALINE (_pointing R_.). + +He has gone in there. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +What for? (_Calling_.) Tempenny! I say, Tempenny, I want you! + +(_Enter_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _very nervously_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Ah--er--good morning, dear boy. What weather, eh? What weather we're +having to be sure. (_Aside to_ ROSALINE.) You malicious, +base-hearted--(_Shakes his fist at her_.) Oh! + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Look here, you know, Tempenny, this won't do. You have no right to +bring the girl here. I don't think it was at all friendly of you. I--I +consider it a damned liberty of you in fact. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_shrinking_). + +I was afraid you would be vexed, but don't be cross, dear old man; +don't be "put out" about it. (_Trying to laugh_.) There are worse +troubles at sea, as they say--worse troubles at sea! + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +(_With rising indignation_.) But I _am_ put out. Damn the sea--what's +that got to do with it. Mrs. Sylvester has been in and seen her, I +understand? You have served me a very shabby trick, Tempenny--I am very +sorry about it! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Still trying to laugh it off_.) All comes out in the wash, old +chap--all comes out in the wash, I assure you! (_Slaps him on the +shoulder_.) + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Don't do that--I don't like it! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_nervously_). + +Ha, ha, ha! (_Does it again_.) + +CHARLES SYLVESTER (_shouting_). + +Don't! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_collapsing_). + +All right, I won't. + +ROSALINE (_advancing_). + +Charlie! + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Don't call me "Charlie"--I don't like it. + +ROSALINE. + +Once-- + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Well, then, I don't like it twice--do you hear! This is all your fault, +Tempenny. You have got me into a pretty mess upon my word. My wife +won't believe me, and I shall never hear the end of it. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +And what about mine? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Yours? + +ROSALINE. + +Yes, she has gone to tell her. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER (_roaring with laughter_). + +Ha, ha, ha! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_miserably_). + +Remarkably funny, isn't it? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Ha, ha, ha! + +ROSALINE. + +Ha, ha, ha! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_To_ CHARLES SYLVESTER; _pointing to_ ROSALINE.) That girl is a +perfect devil. She smacked my face just now when I was posing as a +mandarin. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER (_staring_). + +As a what! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I was a mandarin when your wife came in--I thought it best--and this +ex-mash of yours took advantage of me, and smacked my face. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +(_To_ ROSALINE.) I tell you what it is,--I think you had better go. You +had better be off--I can't have you here. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I quite agree. _I_ don't want her--she is more trouble than she is +worth. + +ROSALINE. + +You are very rude to me, both of you. (_To_ CHARLES SYLVESTER.) Your +manners have not improved with matrimony, my friend. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +I am not going to discuss my manners-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +No, he is not going to discuss his manners. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +The point is-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +The point is--git! + +ROSALINE. + +The point is that if you don't ask me properly, I shall do nothing of +the kind. Now you've got it. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +(_To_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _angrily_.) What the devil do you mean by +bringing such a firebrand here? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Now don't lose your temper again. (_To_ ROSALINE.) Will you go? + +ROSALINE. + +No, I won't. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +That settles it. (_The two men look at each other helplessly_.) + +(_Enter_ SARAH ANN.) + +SARAH ANN. + +If you please, sir, there is a gentleman downstairs who wants to see +Mr. Tempenny. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Me? What's his name? What does he want? + +SARAH ANN. + +He says his name is Mr. Schercl. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I'm out. Go and tell him so. It only wanted this to complete my +happiness. I won't see him, do you hear? + +SARAH ANN. + +If you please the gentleman said he must see you, but if you was +engaged, he'd wait. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +You won't get rid of old Schercl in a hurry, if he has advanced you any +of the "ready." + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Tell him I'm out. Then let him come up if he likes. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +What are you going to do? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I am going to dissemble. I am going to be an Eastern potentate, and I +am going to spoof the old boy. (_To_ SARAH ANN.) Menial, slope! (_To_ +CHARLES SYLVESTER.) Help me. + +ROSALINE. + +This is the rummiest studio that ever I was in! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Yes, originality is what we pride ourselves on. (_He disguises himself +as the Maharajah of Slamthedoor_.) + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +And what am _I_ to do? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +You must be very deferential. I think you had better salaam when you +speak to me. Try it. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Like this? (_Salaams_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +That's it, only more so. And mind, if he wants to see Susannah, you +don't let him look at it. It's only just begun. How do I look? + +ROSALINE. + +You look like a Guy Fawkes. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Dear child! how pretty she talks! Where did you originally find such a +treasure? + +(_Enter_ HENRICH SCHERCL _L_.) + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Ah, Mr. Sylvester, how do you do? Where is Mr. Tempenny? I hoped to see +him. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +He has been compelled to go out on most important business. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +The business of you gentlemen is always "most important" excepting when +it concerns them that find you the wherewithal. (_Aside_.) What a nice +girl! + +(ROSALINE _smiles at him_.) + +CHARLES SILVESTER. + +I don't think, my dear Schercl, that you have much cause to complain. +You don't lose by us; now confess! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +My dear sir, if I lost by you how do you think I should garry on my +business? One must live. But you artists don't give us much chance. You +are always bleeding us for what you call "a bit on aggount." + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_coming down_). + +Your conversation is very interesting, but I wish to see Mr. Tempenny. +He is not here, and if he is not coming I shall go. Allah Bismillah +Remdazzlegefoo! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Aside to_ CHARLES SYLVESTER.) What does he say? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +(_Aside to_ HENRICH SCHERCL.) He's swearing because Tempenny is out. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I wanted to buy some of his great works. The Maharajah of Battledore +told me that he was one of your most favourite painters. + +ROSALINE (_aside_). + +Good old Rembrandt Tempenny. What larks! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Aside to_ CHARLES SYLVESTER.) Let _me_ deal with this sportsman. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +(_Aside to_ HENRICH SCHERCL.) Bosh, why should you? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Do you want to sell your "Battle of Agincourt?" + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Of course I do. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +How much? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Two hundred--you know that! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +A hundred ready? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Yes. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +You will have a jeque to-night. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +On your word? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +On my word. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +An open one? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Yes, my dear young friend. Now oblige me by skipping. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Right you are. Allow me to introduce to your Highness, Mr. Schercl--Mr. +Schercl, the Maharajah of Slamthedoor. + +(_Exit R_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Allah Bismillah Pottamarmala Goo! + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_aside_). + +He's swearing again. (_Aloud_.) I am sorry your Royal Highness has been +kept waiting. These artists are such gurious people. Your Highness +broboses to buy bictures, yes? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I have built a new palace at Slamthedoor, and I must have, of course, +some pictures for my galleries. + +ROSALINE. + +Does your Highness want any slaves too? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Aside to_ ROSALINE.) Go away, girl--go away! One deal at a time! +(_Aloud_) May I make so bold as to enquire the size of the new palace, +Oh glorious One? (_Salaams_.) (_Aside_.) I think that is right! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +The size? It is no bigger than my other one--it is about four times as +large as your Buckingham Palace. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Great heavens! And you will have a vast picture gallery, Oh Light of my +Eyes! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Five--five picture galleries, and I desire to fill them. That is why I +am looking up these artists. My cousin the Maharajah of Battledore has +given me several introductions. + +ROSALINE. + +_Doesn't_ your Royal Highness want any slaves? Ye before whose radiance +the sun pales and the stars grow dim--no slaves? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Can you dance, damsel, as I would see you? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Aside to_ ROSALINE.) Go away--go away--go away. Oh, demmit, will you +go away! (_Salaaming_.) Most Serene One-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Proceed. But be quick--I am impatient to be gone. Allah Bismillah, be +quick! + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_aside_). + +What a temper he's got! (_Aloud_.) Be guided by your servant. I have +your Royal Highness's interest at heart. (_Aside_.) Also my own. +(_Aloud_.) These bainters are so queer--they do not understand business +at all, at all. Nach, they know nothing about it--at least very few of +them. The less you have to do with them directly the better for your +Royal Highness. If your Royal Highness wishes to fill the picture +galleries of your new palace I'll take on the job at contract. I'll +save you sixty per cent, s'welp me! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +That is very kind of you. Why should you do it? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Well, your Royal Highness, I was struck by your demeanour and to tell +your Royal Highness the truth, except with the Brince of Westphalia I +have never done any business with royal families before. + +ROSALINE (_aside_.) + +Modest violet! There's nothing like being frank! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +You do not advise me then to see this Mr. Tempenny, or the other +painters whose names I have? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Certainly not, your Royal Highness. Let _me_ arrange everything. Here's +my card--Heinrich Schercl, 41 Golden Square. + +ROSALINE. + +(_Aside to_ HENRICH SCHERCL). Look here, what am I to have for this. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Aside to_ ROSALINE). For what? + +ROSALINE. + +(_Aside to_ HENRICH SCHERCL). I can queer your pitch. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Aside to_ ROSALINE). We will talk later--we will talk later. Don't +bother me! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +My dear Mr. Schercl, I am delighted to have met you. You are quite +confident you can _fill_ my galleries? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +With genuine works of art. (_Aside_.) Poor Gamboge died last week; I am +sure he hasn't sold more than three pictures during the last ten +years--I can get the lot cheap. Only there must be 200 at least. What +with all the other stony devils I can lay hands on, I'll soon decorate +the old josser's walls. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Well then, I shall wait no longer--there is no need now. I shall call +upon you, and settle our business together. Good-bye, miss, for the +present. This is your daughter, I suppose? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Eh--oh, yes, my youngest--my ewe lamb. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I congratulate you. She is worthy to be a Princess. + +ROSALINE (_aside_). + +This man's a flyer! I thought he was a mild young mug, but he fairly +takes the merry little bun! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Good day, sir. My time in London is short. If I cannot call upon you, I +will ask you to come to me at Claridge's. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Charmed, your Royal Highness. I shall be entirely at your disposition. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +That is well. + +(_Exit R_. SCHERCL _and_ ROSALINE _salaam_). + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Skipping with ecstasy_). Jampagne! Little girl, I will stand you +jampagne to zelebrate the deal. + +ROSALINE. + +Good biz! (_Opens L.D. and calls_). Here Mary, Matilda, Susan, or +whatever your name is, you're wanted. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +And you are a very charming girl, that is a fact. (_Lighting a +cigarette_). I think I must give you a sovereign, yes? + +ROSALINE. + +I don't mind if I do. (_Taking cigarette from his case_). A +"sovereign?" What are you talking about? My commission on this is a +tenner--and I'm cheap at that! + +(_Enter_ SARAH ANN _L_.) + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Giving her money_). Fetch me a bottle of jampagne, and bring two +glasses, eh? + +SARAH ANN. + +Yessir. + +ROSALINE. + +And look slippy. Go on, I'm parched. Mind, the _best_ champagne. (_To_ +HENRICH SCHERCL.) Got a light? + +(_Exit_ SARAH ANN _L_.) + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +What is your name, my dear? (_Gives her light_). + +ROSALINE. + +Rosaline--you may call me "Rosie" if you like. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +May I--why? (_Chuckles_). + +ROSALINE. + +Well, I was struck by your demeanour, and to tell your Royal Highness +the truth I have never done business with such a nice gentleman as you +before. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Ha, ha, ha! You are a sharp girl too! You are too good to go to India +to be a slave. You could do better in London. + +ROSALINE. + +(_Coquettishly_). Think so? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +You shall have a slave of your own--a slave who would love you. + +ROSALINE. + +It sounds very well. In the meantime what about the tenner? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Taking out his notebook_). You shall have it. There! Will you give me +a kiss for that, my Rosie, with your rosy-posy lips? + +(_Enter_ SARAH ANN _L. with champagne and glasses_). + +ROSALINE. + +Not before the child! Put it down, my girl, that'll do--Come on, +Heinrich of the Golden Square, come and pour out the fluid. + +(_Exit_ SARAH ANN _L_.) + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Lifting his glass_). Gezunteit! + +ROSALINE. + +Very likely. (_Aside_.) This is the best day's sitting I've ever done. +(_Aloud_.) Now this is what I call comfortable: a bottle of the boy, a +cigarette, and a cosy chat. I am very glad to have met you. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Putting his arm round her waist_). Really--is that so? + +ROSALINE. + +That is really so. But mind you, an hour ago, I should not have let you +do this. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I am so blessed we did not meet an hour ago. + +ROSALINE. + +It is true. An hour ago I was in love, but I have been treated very +badly. Just now my heart is at the rebound. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Leedle heart--let me gatch it! + +ROSALINE. + +Now you are making fun of me. I am not so simple as you think. Why, we +have only just met. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +But we can meet again. Besides, I am not going yet--I will stop and +talk to you. You shall tell me all about your love-trouble, and I will +gonsole you. Hark, what is that? + +ROSALINE. + +Somebody is coming upstairs. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Then I will step into the next room. It would not look vell that I +should be found trinking jampagne mid a pretty girl like you. When they +are gone I will come back. + +ROSALINE. + +Mr. Sylvester is in there. Here, if you don't want to be seen, get into +this cupboard. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Is it glean? Are you sure? + +ROSALINE. + +Clean as a new pin. Come on if you mean it, there's no time to waste. +Now or never? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Going into cupboard, gingerly_). I am certain it is not glean. + +(ROSALINE _shuts the door and turns as_ MRS. SYLVESTER _re-enters with_ +MRS. TEMPENNY). + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I told you so! Here she is as bold as brass. Now what do you say to +that? + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +If indeed my husband brought her here--if he has really assisted Mr. +Sylvester to deceive you-- + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +(_Scornfully_). "IF!" The creature does not deny it. Speak, girl. + +ROSALINE. + +Good afternoon. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +"Good afternoon?" It isn't a "good afternoon" I want you to say. Speak, +I tell you. + +ROSALINE. + +What shall we talk about? + +(_R.D. slowly opens a little_--_showing_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _and_ +CHARLES SYLVESTER _listening_). + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Aside to_ CHARLES SYLVESTER). Can you do it, do you think? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +I can do it. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Threaten to punch my head. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Yes, yes--and you had better be very violent too. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I twig. Wait a moment. + +(_They withdraw_). + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +(_Bursting into tears_). I will never forgive him as long as I live. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I should think not. When I see Charles--! + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Oh, and when I see Rembrandt--! + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I _will_ see him, if I stop till midnight! + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +And _I'll_ see him, if I don't go home for a week! + +(_Enter_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _backwards, very disordered attire_--_his +entrance to suggest that he has been flung in_. CHARLES SYLVESTER +_follows_). + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +(_With affected fury_). If you did not bring this person here, sir, how +did she come? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +How? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Yes, sir--how? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +How do I know? + +MRS. SYLVESTER and MRS. TEMPENNY. + +What is all this? Oh, good gracious, the men have been fighting! + +ROSALINE (_aside_). + +_I_ know what it is--it's spoof. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +(_Rushing to_ CHARLES SYLVESTER). Charles--Charles, compose yourself! + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +(_Rushing to_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY). Rembrandt, be calm. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Don't interfere, Adelaide. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Eugenia, this concerns us alone. Mr. Sylvester accuses me-- + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Yes, sir, I accuse you-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Throwing himself upon him_). Ah! + +(CHARLES SYLVESTER _throws him off_). + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +The best of wives-- + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Don't you dare to mention Mrs. Sylvester's name, sir! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I am talking about Mrs. Tempenny. I say you would lead the best of +wives to suppose that I--I--introduced this creature into your room. +(_Weeps_.) + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +And through you I may be falsely suspected by Adelaide. (_Weeps_.) + +(ROSALINE _whispers to_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _aside_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Aside to_ ROSALINE.) Great Jupiter! + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +All this is very fine--but who _is_ the man who brought her here if you +didn't? Answer that. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Yes, if neither of _you_ did it, who did? Where _is_ the man? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Throwing open cupboard triumphantly and disclosing_ SCHERCL _covered +with paint_.) There! + +_Curtain_. + + + + +ACT III. + + +SCENE:--_Drawing-room at Tempenny's house._ + +TIME:--_Next day_. + +(SUSAN _discovered dusting. As Curtain goes up bell is heard off_.) + +SUSAN. + +Was that the bell again? It is not the sort of place I am used to, +this--where the master's afraid to see half the people who calls for +him. I only hopes my wages is right. They was precious particular about +_my_ references when they took me. Was I sober, honest and industrious, +and the Lord knows what? Wish I'd been equal particular about theirs. +The master ain't remarkably industrious, that I do know, for he often +don't paint nothing for a week at a time; and he frequently ain't +sober. Whether or not he is honest I shall find out at the end of my +month. (_Bell rings again_.) It _was_ the bell--I'd better go and see +who it is. + +(_Exit L_.) + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_heard off_). + +Mr. Tempenny in? Nonsense. Then I'll wait till he is. + +SUSAN (_expostulating_). + +But, sir, if you please, sir, really-- + +(_Enter_ HENRICH SCHERCL _followed by_ SUSAN.) + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I tell you I mean to see him. Now let us have the truth, girl, where is +he? + +SUSAN. + +Mr. Tempenny, sir? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +"Mr. Tempenny, sir?" Yes, ma'am, who else? Now, is he at home? + +SUSAN. + +No, sir, he isn't; he has gone out. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Not to his studio, for I've just been there. + +SUSAN. + +No, sir, he has gone to his dentist. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Then I'll just sit down here till he comes back. You may go in and tell +him so. + +SUSAN (_confused_). + +I hope you don't think I tell stories, sir? If Mr. Tempenny's out how +can I take him your message? + +(_Enter_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _R_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_briskly_). + +Now, you understand, Susan, I am out to everyone, and if a Mr. Schercl +calls--(_seeing_ HENRICH SCHERCL--_aside_). Good gracious! (_Aloud_.) +Beg him to wait till I return--I want to see him. + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_sardonically_). + +He _is_ waiting, sir. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_affecting surprise_). + +My dear friend, how glad I am--how very glad! (_Aside_.) This is the +very devil! (_Aloud_.) All right, Susan, you can go. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I want a leedle talk with you, my friend, without delay. + +SUSAN (_aside_). + +I hope the master'll enjoy himself, I'm sure! I did _my_ best for him +anyhow! + +(_Exit L_.) + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Mr. Tempenny, I am here to demand an exblanation, sir--an exblanation +of your strange behaviour of yesterday. And there is something else, +sir. I find you are not Mr. Tempenny at all, sir, you are an imposter. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +He did take me for Tempenny R.A., Addison was right! (_Aloud_.) An +imposter, Mr. Schercl? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Zertainly, sir. I took you for _the_ Mr. Tempenny--it was to _the_ Mr. +Tempenny, I brobosed to give my commission. You 'ave cheated me, you +fellow. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Now, now, take care! How was _I_ to know you took me for somebody else? +You came to me, and you made me an offer, and I accepted it. How could +I tell you thought I was another--I may say an _inferior_--Tempenny? I +say how could I know you were making a mistake? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +You knew it very well. I would not pay tree 'undred pounds to _you_! +What do you think I am--a fool? You 'ave obtained an order from me +under false pretences, do you hear. I say you 'ave robbed me. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Gently! gently! this is slander, old gentleman. It will cost you a good +deal _more_ than three hundred pounds if you aren't more guarded in +your remarks. + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_spluttering_). + +What? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It will really. I shall owe it to myself to have you up for slander, +and it would be a very good advertisement for me too. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +What! what! what! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +A really excellent advertisement. And what a fool you'd look! Come, +come, you don't suppose your other Tempenny would have done you a work +of this size for three hundred, do you? Nor as good either? No, no! As +to the affair of yesterday, my wife was very much to blame--I am very +angry with her. You see she has such curious ideas, and when she found +you hidden in a cupboard with a paint-pot upset over you she thought it +strange. It _wasn't_ strange, of course--(_airily_) most natural thing +in the world, but she couldn't see it. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I felt very hurt to be so misunderstood. The only person who abbeared +to have any zympathy for me was your model--the Miss Rosaline. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Nice girl! charming girl, isn't she? Full of feeling, and--I say, +Schercl, you've made a conquest there, and no error. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Nonsense--go away mid your rubbidge! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Well, you have, you know! She made an awful scene after you left--said +you were the only man she ever saw look dignified with a pot of paint +upset over him. It is a pity in one way she _is_ so taken with you--I +feel for her. + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_flattered_). + +Vat rot you talk. Why should you feel for her? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Because you meant nothing by your attentions, Schercl, and the poor +girl doesn't know that. She is thinking about you--not to put too fine +a point upon it, she has fallen in love with you; and what do _you_ +care?--you laugh! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +No, I do not laff--I have a 'eart, have I not? I have the emotions and +sensibilities. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +You have, you have. But you do not realise how serious an impression +you have made. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Well, now about Susannah. You can do it as well as your namesake. Yes? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Ah! (_Enthusiastically_.) Wait till you see it! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +It still progresses? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Superbly. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +"Zuperbly!" But I do not see it, and to me you never abbear to paint. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +My dear friend, how can you doubt the success of the picture after you +have seen the model who is sitting for it? Fair--beautiful +form--exquisite arms--er-- + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Yes, yes, yes. So Miss Rosaline sits for your Susannah, eh? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Won't it be worth the three hundred--won't it be a dream. + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_eagerly_). + +I will come in one morning when you are at work! Yes, I am satisfied +with the gontract--I say no more. I will come in when she is sitting. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNV. + +No, you don't, my boy--oh no, you don't! The picture is what you get +for your money--the real, living, breathing woman ain't included. Not +much! Oh, no, Schercl, you old rogue--only the picture, sonny, no more. +Ha, ha, ha! + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_confused_). + +You misunderstood me quite--I had no idea but of my business. I do not +think of other things. Er--when will the picture be done, Tempenny, I +would like it soon? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Ha, ha, ha! Control yourself, Romeo, it's coming on. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +But according to our contract, it should be done in a week's time. If +you disappoint me, my friend, we shall fall out again. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +It strikes me you'll be precious lucky if you get it at all. The +infernal "contract" is the bane of my life. (_Aloud_.) All right, +Schercl, I will push on with it--I want the other two hundred, you +know. I shan't delay for my own sake. (_Enter_ CHARLES SYLVESTER _L_.) +Hallo, Charlie, how d'ye do. How are things at home? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I see another of yesterday's gulprits. However I have forgiven you. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +That's all right. (_Aside to_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY:) Rosaline's +downstairs--wanting to see you. Where is your wife? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Out. (_To_ HENRICH SCHERCL.) That poor girl has followed you here. +Perhaps out of pity you ought to go down to her and say a kind word. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Miss Rosaline--she is here? Well, I never! Yes, I will go down and +speak to her. Where is she? + +(_Enter_ ROSALINE _L_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +Damn it, in the drawing-room! Look here, Schercl, you can't go till +_she_ does. If my wife comes in and finds her, she is your affair. +Don't leave her for Heaven's sake. + +ROSALINE. + +Good morning, gentlemen. Oh, Mr. Schercl! What a pleasure--how _do_ you +do? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I am very well, I thank you. And you?--I need not ask, you look most +beautiful. + +ROSALINE (_aside_). + +Dear man! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Aside to_ CHARLES SYLVESTER.) Why is Tempenny so afraid his wife +should see her? You too--why are _you_ so afraid? Is she not of a good +character, this Miss Rosaline? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +(_Aside to_ HENRICH SCHERCL.) The girl is a paragon. They are jealous +of her, that's all. She is too good-looking for 'em. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Ha, ha, I see! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I think we'll leave you, old man. Rosaline, Mr. Schercl, has something +to say to you--we shall be in the way. (_Aside to_ CHARLES SYLVESTER.) +Come on, old chap--I wouldn't risk being found in the room again with +the girl for a monkey. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Yes, I have some business to discuss with Mr. Tempenny. If you will +excuse us-- + +(_Exit R._) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Aside to_ HENRICH SCHERCL.) Take her away soon, there's a trump, or +there will be another row. I give you five minutes to get her out of +the house, Take her to breakfast--or--or--wherever you like, only +hurry! (_Exit L._) + +ROSALINE. + +How funny to be left alone like this, isn't it, I really called to know +when Mr. Tempenny proposed to continue the sittings. Do you know? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +No, I have no idea. But I am very glad you called--our conversation +yesterday was so inderrupted. + +ROSALINE. + +Yes, and we were getting on so nicely too, weren't we? Do you like my +new hat? I bought it out of the tenner you gave me. What do you think +of the bow--isn't it a duck? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +You do not sit to Mr. Tempenny in a hat, I think. + +ROSALINE. + +In a--? Oh no, not in--. The subject is classical. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Zo I understand (_he sighs_). + +ROSALINE (_sighing_). + +Ah! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Why do you sigh? You are not happy? + +ROSALINE. + +Did I sigh? I was thinking. + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_sighing_). + +Heigho! + +ROSALINE. + +But now it is _you_ who sighs. Aren't _you_ happy? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I alzo, I was thinking. + +ROSALINE. + +Of what? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +If I was to tell you, you would call me "sentimental old fool." + +ROSALINE. + +Not _old_. Never a _fool_. (_With sudden persuasiveness_.) _Tell_ me! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I was thinking then, of you. + +ROSALINE. + +Of little me? What of me. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I was wishing I was this Mr. Tempenny. + +ROSALINE. + +Why? (_Realising reason, and covering her face bashfully_.) Oh! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I mean you go to him every day, and your zociety is very fascinating. +That is all. + +ROSALINE. + +Of course, if you were Mr. Tempenny, you would see more of me. I should +have said you would see me "_oftener_." + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Heigho! + +ROSALINE. + +Heigho! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +The little that I _have_ seen has made a great impression on me, +Rosie--I shall never forget your face. + +ROSALINE. + +Really? + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_eagerly_). + +Yes, yes, really--it is true. + +ROSALINE. + +I am only a model, you know--a poor girl. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +You are a model of perfection. I zympathise with you. + +ROSALINE. + +You do not think the less of me because? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I assure you I think of you the more. Nevertheless I do not like the +idea. + +ROSALINE. + +And why? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +You must find it zo chilly in the winter. + +ROSALINE. + +I have got used to it. And besides I am fortunately of a warm +temperament. The wind is tempered to the shorn lamb. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I have not ever in my life seen a young lady who did make me feel for +her the strange attraction that I feel for you, Rosie. I am jealous of +this Mr. Tempenny. + +ROSALINE. + +Jealous! Do you mean you are in love with me? (_Aside_.) Oh, my +goodness, what a joke! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +And if I did, would you laugh at me? Supposing I was to say to +you--"Rosie, I would like to marry you," what would you answer? + +ROSALINE. + +Say it, and see. (_Aside_.) He's in earnest. I do believe. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I am a very rich man. I could give you lots of such hats, and +jewellery, and a big house. + +ROSALINE (_sentimentally_). + +I wish that you were poor. + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_in a fright_). + +No, no, for goodness sake, don't say that! Why? + +ROSALINE. + +You would not doubt my sincerity then. Now, you may think-- + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +No, no, I do believe you. Do you care for me a little, Rosie? + +ROSALINE (_archly_). + +Perhaps I do--a little. No, you are making game of me! (_Turns up_.) + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I am not--I am not! I love you desperately. Rosie, will you be my wife. +Say "yes" my darling. + +ROSALINE. + +Yes. Now you may kiss me. + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_kissing her_). + +This is paradise. And Rosie-- + +ROSALINE. + +Yes, Mr. Schercl. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Ah, no, you must say Heinrich. + +ROSALINE. + +Yes--Heinrich? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +You will not sit to Mr. Tempenny any more? It is not fit, now that you +are to be Mrs. Schercl, that you should earn your living in such a way. + +ROSALINE (_doubtfully_). + +He will be very disappointed. He can't finish "Susannah" without me, +and if he don't finish it, he won't get the two hundred pounds. + +(_Enter_ MRS. SYLVESTER _and_ MRS. TEMPENNY. _L. dressed for walking_.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Sir! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Ah, my friend Tempenny's wife. And Mrs. Sylvester--how do you do? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +This creature again? + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +By what right, sir, do you bring this person again--and into my private +house. + +ROSALINE. + +Creature! Stand up for me, Heinrich. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I will, my treasure. (_To_ MRS. TEMPENNY.) I must trouble you, my good +madam, to speak in terms of more respect of a lady who will shortly be +my wife. + +MRS. TEMPENNY } + } (_aside_). +MRS. SYLVESTER } + +Schercl's wife! We must be very civil to her! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Let me introduce you: Mrs. Tempenny, Mrs. Sylvester--the future Mrs. +Heinrich Schercl. + +(_The two women gush up to her and shake her hands_.) + +(_Enter_ TEMPENNY _and_ SYLVESTER. _L._) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +What's this I see, do I dream? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Are visions about? + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_aside to_ TEMPENNY). + +Why on earth didn't you tell me? They are engaged--I might have +offended him for life! + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_aside to_ SYLVESTER). + +How stupid you were! They are going to be married. Why, you might never +have got an order from him again! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Dear, dear, dear, but my very good friend, if this lady is going to be +your wife, how about "Susannah?" + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Forgive me, "Susannah" cannot be. I release you from the contract. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +Tidings of joy! (_Aloud_.) But--but--this is very hard on me. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I release you, and I pay you just the same. + +REMBRANDT TFMPENNY. + +But she has had the money for a dozen sittings. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I pay. + +(_Enter_ SUSAN.) + +SUSAN. + +If you please, sir, there's a hofficer of the law downstairs and he +wants Mr. Tempenny or forty pun', sixteen shillings and ninepence. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_waving his hand_). + +Schercl! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I pay--and I gif you the balance by a jeque. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_with mock despair_). + +Pay--you pay? But the work of my life unfinished.--What money can +compensate for that? + +(_Sinks forlornly into chair_.) + +_Curtain_. + + + + +THE END. + +PRINTING OFFICE OF THE PUBLISHER. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of If Only etc. +by Francis Clement Philips and Augustus Harris + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IF ONLY ETC. *** + +***** This file should be named 15219-8.txt or 15219-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/2/1/15219/ + +Produced by Martin Agren, Leonard Johnson and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/15219-8.zip b/15219-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1fe4334 --- /dev/null +++ b/15219-8.zip diff --git a/15219-h.zip b/15219-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..931dea5 --- /dev/null +++ b/15219-h.zip diff --git a/15219-h/15219-h.htm b/15219-h/15219-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..783cc0e --- /dev/null +++ b/15219-h/15219-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10727 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta name="generator" content= + "HTML Tidy for Linux/x86 (vers 1st August 2004), see www.w3.org" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= + "text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg EBook of If Only Etc. by F.C. Philips + </title> +<style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[*/ + + <!-- + + body {margin-left:8%; margin-right:7%; max-width: 40em;} + + p { /* all paragraphs unless overridden */ + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 0; + line-height: 1.4em; + } + + body > p { /* paras at <body> level - not in <div> or <table> */ + text-align: justify; + } + + p.break { margin-top: 2em; } /* use for some thought-breaks */ + + li {/* loosen spacing in list items */ + list-style-type: none; /* a list with no symbol */ + margin-top: 0.33em; + line-height: 1.2em; } + + h1, h2, h3, h5 {text-align: center;} + + h2.chp {text-align: center; margin-top: 4em; + } + p.quotdate { /* date of a letter aligned right */ + text-align: right; + } + p.quotsig { /* author signature at end of letter */ + margin-left: 35%; + text-indent: -4em; /* gimmick to move 2nd line right */ + } + + ul.TOC { /* styling the Table of Contents */ + list-style-type: none; /* a list with no symbol */ + } + hr { + width:45%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-left: auto; /* these two ensure a.. */ + margin-right: auto; /* ..centered rule */ + clear: both; /* don't let sidebars & floats overlap rule */ + } + + div.ctr table { margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left; } + .ctr { text-align: center; } + + .poem { + text-align: left; + margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%; margin-top: 1em; + position: relative; /* basis of .linenum positions */ + } + .poem p {line-height: 1.1em; + margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em; + } + .poem h4 { + margin-left: 5em; margin-top: 2em; + } + .poem .stanza { + margin-top: 1em; /* vertical break between stanzas */ + } + .i1 {margin-left: 1em;} /* p or span indents */ + .i2 {margin-left: 2em;} /* indents */ + .i3 {margin-left: 3em;} /* indents */ + .i4 {margin-left: 4em;} /* indents */ + .i5 {margin-left: 5em;} /* indents */ + .i6 {margin-left: 6em;} /* indents */ + .i7 {margin-left: 7em;} /* indents */ + .i8 {margin-left: 8em;} /* indents */ + .i9 {margin-left: 9em;} /* indents */ + .i10 {margin-left: 10em;} /* indents */ + .i11 {margin-left: 11em;} /* indents */ + .i12 {margin-left: 12em;} /* indents */ + .i13 {margin-left: 13em;} /* indents */ + .i14 {margin-left: 14em;} /* indents */ + .i15 {margin-left: 15em;} /* indents */ + .i16 {margin-left: 16em;} /* indents */ + .i17 {margin-left: 17em;} /* indents */ + .i18 {margin-left: 18em;} /* indents */ + +/* + * Stylings for drama: + * h3.act is the act-header, + * h4.scn is the scene-header, + * p.cnm is for all character-names + * p.dlg is for all dialogue + * p.sdm is for scene direction centered + * p.sdr is for scene direction right justified + * p.sdn is for scene direction normal +*/ + + h3.act { margin-top: 4em; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; + } + h4.scn { text-align: left; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 3em; + } + p.sdn { text-align: justify; + } + p.sdm { text-align: center; + } + p.sdr { text-align: right; + } + p.cnm { text-align: center; margin-top: 2em; + } + p.dlg { margin:0.25em; + line-height: 1.2em; + position: relative; /* establish "container" for span.sdn */ + } + span.sdr { font-style: normal; + position: absolute; + text-align: right; + right: 0; top:auto; + } + + a:link {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:#ff0000} + + pre {font-size: 8pt;} + + --> + +/*]]>*/ +</style> + </head> + <body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of If Only etc. +by Francis Clement Philips and Augustus Harris + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: If Only etc. + +Author: Francis Clement Philips and Augustus Harris + +Release Date: March 1, 2005 [EBook #15219] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IF ONLY ETC. *** + + + + +Produced by Martin Agren, Leonard Johnson and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. + + + + + + +</pre> + + <h1> + IF ONLY + </h1> + <h1> + ETC. + </h1> + <h5> + BY + </h5> + <h2> + F.C. PHILIPS + </h2> + <h5> + AUTHOR OF "AS IN A LOOKING GLASS," ETC. ETC. + </h5> + <h3> + LEIPZIG + <br /> + BERNHARD TAUCHNITZ + <br /> + 1904. + </h3> + <hr /> + <h5> + TO + <br /> + MY OLD FRIEND AND COLLABORATOR, + <br /> + SYDNEY GRUNDY, + <br /> + I DEDICATE THESE PAGES. + <br /> + F.C. PHILIPS. + </h5> + <hr /> + <h2> + CONTENTS. + </h2> + <ul class="TOC"> + <li> + <a href="#if">IF ONLY</a> + </li> + <li> + <a href="#one">ONE CAN'T ALWAYS TELL</a> + </li> + <li> + <a href="#songs">SONGS.</a> AFTER VICTOR HUGO, ARMAND + SILVESTRE, CHARLES ROUSSEAU AND THE VICOMTE DE BORELLI + </li> + <li> + <a href="#love">LOVE WENT OUT WHEN MONEY WAS INVENTED</a> + </li> + <li> + <a href="#puzzle">A PUZZLED PAINTER.</a> (WRITTEN IN + COLLABORATION WITH THE LATE SIR AUGUSTUS HARRIS) + </li> + </ul> + <hr /> + <h2 class="chp"> + <a id="if" name="if">IF ONLY.</a> + </h2> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER I. + </h2> + <p> + There is a vast deal talked in the present day about Freewill. We + like to feel that we are independent agents and are ready to + overlook the fact that our surroundings and circumstances and the + hundred and one subtle and mysterious workings of the fate we can + none of us escape, control our actions and are responsible for + our movements, and make us to a great extent what we are. + </p> + <p> + A man is not even a free agent when he takes the most important + step of his whole life, and marries a wife. He is impelled to it + by considerations outside of himself; it affects not only his own + present and future, but that of others, very often, and he must + be guided accordingly. + </p> + <p> + Emerson says; "The soul has inalienable rights, and the first of + these is love," but he does not say marriage. Love is the + business of the idle and the idleness of the busy, but marriage + is quite another affair—a grave matter, and not to be + undertaken lightly, since it is the one step that can never be + retraced, save through the unsavoury channels of shame and + notoriety, or death itself. + </p> + <p> + But perhaps Jack Chetwynd was hampered with fewer restraining + influences than most men, for he was alone in the world, without + kith or kin, and might be fairly allowed to please himself, and + pleasing himself in this case meant leading to the altar, or + rather to the Registry Office, Miss Bella Blackall, music-hall + singer and step dancer. + </p> + <p> + It was unquestionably a case of love at first sight. The girl was + barely seventeen, and her girlishness attracted him quite as much + as her beauty, which was exceptional. There was nothing + meretricious about it, for as yet she owed nothing to + art—brown hair, warm lips, soft blue eyes, and a complexion + like the leaf of a white rose—a woman blossom. Then, too, + she was a happy creature, full of life and happiness and bubbling + over with childish merriment—no one could help liking her, + he told himself, but it was something warmer than that. What + makes the difference between liking and love? It is so little and + yet so much. There was an air of refinement about her, too, which + to his fancy seemed to protest against the vulgarities of her + surroundings. He thought he could discern the stuff that meant an + actress in her, and prophesied that she would before long be + playing Juliet at the Haymarket. He was still at the age when the + habit is to discover geniuses in unlikely places, especially when + the women are pretty. He raved about her when he adjourned with + his companions to the bar, and they chaffed him a good deal to + his face and sneered at him behind his back. He was there the + next night, and the night, after and by-and-by he managed to get + introduced to her. + </p> + <p> + She was prettier off the stage than on, and her manner was + charming, and her voice delicious with its racy accent. + </p> + <p> + She was an American, and had been in London only a few months; + and he was duly taken to a second-rate lodging in a side street + near the Waterloo Road, and presented to "Ma,"—a black + satined and beaded type of the race. There was also a sister, + whom, truth to tell, he objected to more than her maternal + relative, for she was distinctly professional, not to say loud, + and the little mannerisms which were so taking in his inamorata + were very much the reverse in Miss Saidie Blackall. + </p> + <p> + Still, he told himself, he was not going to marry the whole + family; which might be true in a sense and yet might not mean the + entire independence it implied. Bella's relations must, if he + made her his wife, mean more or less to him. + </p> + <p> + However, youth is sanguine, and Jack Chetwynd did not look too + closely at the thorns which hedged his dainty rose-bud round. She + at least was all he could wish her to be—unsophisticated as + a child, and pure and good at heart. + </p> + <p> + After a month's acquaintance it began to be understood that he + was engaged to her. "Ma" wept copious tears, and reckoned her + Bella was a lucky girl to get such an "elegant" husband; and + Saidie wished him happiness in a voice like a corn-crake, and + declared that her sister was "just the sweetest and best girl out + of N'York," which she was; "and born to lead a private life," + which she wasn't. + </p> + <p> + Bella herself had very little to say. She blushed rosily when + Jack made fervent love to her; acquiesced confusedly when he told + her she must give up the music-hall stage, and seemed to take + happily to the idea of a quiet, uneventful life as Mrs. Jack + Chetwynd. + </p> + <p> + They took a small house in Camberwell New Road. Jack put up a + brass plate with his name on it, and M.D. in imposing letters, + and invested in a telephone for the accommodation of night + callers; and Bella began to busy herself about the furnishing. + </p> + <p> + That was a delightful time. The little bride elect was so excited + and eager, and showed herself wonderfully capable, and with quite + a pretty taste in draping and ornamenting; but there was a + terrible hole in Jack's purse: chairs and tables seemed to cost a + mint of money; and the young man sighed and hoped fervently that + it would not be long before patients appeared, or he would be + obliged to say No to his darling when she turned her appealing + eyes upon him and begged him to give her money for that "duck of + a screen," or something else that was from her point of view the + most extraordinary bargain, but which, Jack reflected, privately, + they could very well have done without. + </p> + <p> + He was giving up a certainty in settling in Camberwell, for as + House Surgeon at St. Mark's his income was assured; but then as a + married man he could no longer have lived at the hospital, and + "one must risk something" said Jack, hopefully. + </p> + <p> + They were married in May, just three months from that eventful + night when our hero first saw pretty Bella Blackall, on the + boards at the "Band Box," and Mrs. John Chetwynd was altogether + so sweet and winsome in her simple white gown, that Saidie was + right when she hilariously remarked that Jack might well be + forgiven for falling in love with her "all over again." + </p> + <p> + The wedding was just as quiet as it could be, for Jack did not + care to invite any of his friends. "Ma" and Saidie were + altogether too impossible; and unfortunately no one seemed to + mind whether he did or not. There was one unpleasantness + connected with the day which Chetwynd felt Bella might have had + tact enough to avoid. Two or three of Saidie's friends, in light + and eminently professional attire, were of the party, the women a + good deal worse than the men; and they all returned together to + Holly Street, where a meal had been prepared in the front + parlours, the landlady having generously placed them at the + disposal of her lodgers for the occasion. There was a good deal + of banter and side jokes were bandied about from one to another; + which was galling to young Chetwynd, and made him devoutly + thankful that none of his own companions and friends were + present. When at last Bella rose from the table to change her + gown for the pale grey he himself had chosen, with the big hat + and nodding plumes in which she had looked such a dainty little + mortal, he pushed his chair back with a look of disgust on his + face and left them to talk amongst themselves. + </p> + <p> + Saidie was distributing small pieces of wedding cake, laughing + and screaming at the top of her voice. + </p> + <p> + "Saikes, man! you are not to eat it. Put it under your pillow and + as sure as I'm a Yank you'll see your intended," she cried. And + then followed an amount of vulgar chaff and coarse pleasantry + which caused the "happy man" to set his teeth hard and register a + vow at the bottom of his heart that this should be the last + occasion on which his wife should associate with her sister's + friends. + </p> + <p> + And then Bella came tripping down the narrow staircase, her + cheeks warm with a pale pink colour that made her inexpressibly + lovely; and the carriage which Mrs. Blackall had insisted upon + ordering to take the young couple to the station was at the door, + and in the bustle that ensued Jack lost sight of all annoyances + and remembered only that he had married the girl he loved and + that he was the happiest fellow in the universe; and amid a + shower of rice and a white satin slipper (one of Saidie's), which + fell right into Bella's lap; the last farewell was spoken, and + they drove away. + </p> + <p> + "Only to Brighton!" cried Nina Nankin, the celebrity famed for + the height to which she could raise one leg while standing upon + the other. "What a mean chap! He might have forked out enough for + a trip to Paris, I should have thought." + </p> + <p> + "It wouldn't satisfy me," returned Saidie, turning up her nose + disdainfully; "but he isn't my style, anyway." + </p> + <p> + "Bit of a prig, eh?" + </p> + <p> + Saidie nodded. + </p> + <p> + "I do detest a man who fancies himself a head and shoulders above + the rest of his kind," said that young lady vehemently; "you'll + generally find out he don't amount to a row of pins. My! ain't I + glad I'm not going to live with him. I would as lief go to + Bible-class every day of the week. I'll bet my bottom dollar + Bella'll see the mistake she's made before she's many weeks + older. There's a chip of the old block about that young woman, + for all her baby ways and her innocent know-nothing. He'll be a + spry man, will Dr. Chetwynd, to come up to her. It'll take him + all he knows to get ahead, you bet". + </p> + <p> + Saidie lay back in the chair and laughed till the tears ran down + her cheeks. + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER II + </h2> + <p> + It was not long before Dr. Chetwynd's eyes were fully open to the + mistake he had made and that he realised the fact that you cannot + fashion a Dresden vase out of earthenware, and though pinchbeck + may pass muster for gold, it does not make it the real article. + </p> + <p> + At first Bella did try her "level best" as Saidie put it, to be + all that Jack required of her. She took his lecturings humbly, + held her peace when he scolded her (and I am afraid he constantly + did), and acknowledged in the depths of her shallow little mind + that she fell far short of what his wife should be. But as time + went on she grew less solicitous about pleasing him. His standard + was an almost impossible one to the very second-rate little + American girl, to whom the atmosphere of the "Halls" was far more + congenial than the humdrum, quiet life she led in the Camberwell + New Road, and she slipped back little by little into the mire out + of which he had raised her. + </p> + <p> + "I can never learn to be what he wants me to," she said a little + pathetically to Saidie—"It is like standing on tiptoe all + the time trying to reach up to his standard. I'm sick of it. If + he loved me well enough to marry me, the same love ought to be + strong enough to make him contented with me. After all, I'm the + same Bella now that I was then." + </p> + <p> + A word of advice at this juncture might have quieted the poor + little wife, and brought her back into safe paths, for she really + loved Jack in her heart; but Saidie was not the person to give + it. Privately she considered her sister a fool to have put up + with this ridiculous nonsense of her husband's as long as she had + done; and the line of argument she took was about the worst she + could have adopted for the happiness and peace of the Camberwell + household. + </p> + <p> + She was a good deal older than Bella, and the girl had been wont + to rely upon her in a great measure, and to look up to her as a + practical, sensible person, which Bella was quite ready to admit + she herself was very far from being; so now, when Saidie spoke in + a resolute, determined way, she listened meekly, if she did not + in so many words acquiesce in the wisdom and justice of what she + said. + </p> + <p> + "As far as I can see, you don't get a bit of fun and happiness + out of your life," remarked Saidie, critically examining her + features in the glass. "What did you marry him for, I should like + to know? You might as well be Bella Blackall, on the boards + again, and free, as the wife of a stingy fellow like that." + </p> + <p> + "Oh! Saidie, he doesn't grudge me anything." The young wife felt + a little compunction in her heart. + </p> + <p> + "Yes he does." Saidie turned round and faced her sister. "He + don't like you to enjoy yourself, not a little bit. He would keep + you wrapped up in cotton wool if he could, and if you don't make + a stand now, once and for all, and let him see you have a mind of + your own and intend to do as you like, you'll regret it to the + last day of your life. Who is he, anyway? I guess our family's as + good, if we knew anything about them, which we don't, worse luck. + Just you give him back his own sauce, Bella, and next time he + finds fault with you, laugh in his face and tell him he has got + to put up with what he finds, for it ain't likely you can alter + your nature to suit his high mightiness. Pitch on a thing or two + he does which you don't like, and give him a sermon as long as + your arm. You see; he will come off his pedestal. Sakes alive! he + ought to have me to deal with; I bet I'd teach him a thing or + two." + </p> + <p> + And then Saidie whipped herself off to the "Rivolette," where she + sang a doubtful song and displayed her finely turned limbs in a + style that would have disgusted her brother-in-law, if he had + been there to see. + </p> + <p> + But music halls were not to his liking under any circumstances. + He had never really cared for them, even in his bachelor days, + and now he would have cut his right hand off rather than be seen + with his young wife beside him, at such resorts. + </p> + <p> + Then, too, Dr. Chetwynd felt that it behoved him to be + circumspect in all his actions, for his practice was steadily + increasing and he was becoming popular, and had serious thoughts + of migrating westward. It was a constant source of vexation to + him that Bella was not liked as much as her handsome, clever + husband, and he began to be painfully alive to the fact that she + could not have been received in certain houses whose doors would + have been gradually opened to him. In a social sense his wife was + a failure, and with a sigh he realised that it was almost an + impossibility to show her where the fault lay; he could not + always be at her elbow to guard against little solecisms of + manner and speech which he knew must jar and grate on others even + more than on himself. + </p> + <p> + It went terribly against the grain, for he loved her none the + less that his eyes were not blinded to her shortcomings. She was + still the same winsome girl he had made his own; large-hearted, + gentle and affectionate, but—and he sighed impatiently, for + that something lacking was for ever pulling him back and standing + in the way of his own social advancement. + </p> + <p> + He became less demonstrative, less congenial, and his practice + made huge demands upon his time, and left but scant opportunity + for pleasure-seeking. Lines traced themselves upon his brow and + lurked at the corners of his mouth; he aged rapidly, and began to + look like an elderly man while Bella was still little more than a + girl. + </p> + <p> + On the night of Mrs. Chetwynd's return from the maternal roof + (for Mrs. Blackall still lived near the Waterloo Road, and her + elder daughter continued to make her home with her), she found + her husband, a good deal to her surprise, seated in the + drawing-room, gay with flowers and crowded with knick-nacks of + every description. He had in his hand a book which he flung down + with an annoyed gesture as his wife opened the door. + </p> + <p> + It was perhaps no worse than others of its type, but it had not + an honest moral tone and was not therefore, John Chetwynd + considered, a desirable work for his young wife's perusal. + </p> + <p> + "Have you read this?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "No; it is one of Saidie's. Is it interesting?" + </p> + <p> + John Chetwynd's answer was to hurl the volume under the grate + with an angry word. + </p> + <p> + Bella flushed. + </p> + <p> + "Why did you do that? I want to read it." + </p> + <p> + "I will not allow you to sully your mind with such filth. It only + goes to prove what I have so often told you, that your sister is + not a proper associate for any young woman. A book of that + description—faugh!" + </p> + <p> + Bella picked up the offending volume and looked ruefully at its + battered condition. "I should have supposed that as a married + woman I might read anything," she said with an assumption of + dignity. + </p> + <p> + "Why should you be less pure because you have a husband, my + child? Don't run away with any such notion." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I will read it and give you my opinion of it." + </p> + <p> + "You will do no such thing. I forbid it, Bella." + </p> + <p> + "In a matter like this I shall judge for myself." Her cheeks were + scarlet, and she kept her eyes downbent. + </p> + <p> + "I will not—" + </p> + <p> + "Bella!" + </p> + <p> + It was the first time in their married life that she had defied + him, and he looked at her in utter astonishment. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," she cried, turning on him like a small fury, with the book + tightly held in both hands; "I'm not a child to be dictated to + and ordered to do this and that. I'm perfectly well able to act + for myself and I intend to do so now and always. I'm sick of your + eternal fault-finding, and the sooner you know it the better. If + it's not one thing it's another. Nothing I do is right and I'm + about tired of it." + </p> + <p> + John Chetwynd sat perfectly silent under this tirade. He was a + shrewd man, and he knew that Bella had been spending the evening + with her own people, and jumped at once to the conclusion that in + defying him she was acting by their advice, and his brow grew + black and lowering. + </p> + <p> + Then he looked up at Bella, who, a little ashamed of her + vehemence, was slowly unbuttoning her gloves, having laid aside + the unlucky cause of the battle royal. + </p> + <p> + "My wife," he said kindly, "if you will not act on my advice, let + me beg of you to think twice before accepting that of others, + since I at least may be credited with having your real good at + heart." + </p> + <p> + "And you think that—you mean to imply that—" + </p> + <p> + "That your sister has her own ends to serve? Undoubtedly I do." + </p> + <p> + "You are all wrong—all wrong." But the tell-tale blushes on + Bella's face showed him plainly enough that he had been right in + his conjecture, and had to thank his wife's relatives for her + rebellion and newly developed obstinacy and resentment. + </p> + <p> + "Now, Bella, from to-night I cannot allow you to go to Holly + Street: stay," as Bella would have spoken, "you may see your + mother here when you please, but you must let your sister fully + understand that she will not be welcome. Something surely is due + to me as your husband, and that there is no great amount of + sympathy between you and Saidie you have said repeatedly; + therefore I am asking no great sacrifice of you. Do you hear me, + Bella?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I hear." + </p> + <p> + "And you will respect my wishes in the matter?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know," she spoke uncertainly. + </p> + <p> + She was not fond of her sister, as he had said; certainly not + sufficiently fond of her to allow her to come between herself and + Jack; and yet she felt that it would be unwise and undignified if + she were to give in and refuse Saidie admission to their house. + She had just declared that she would stand no coercion; and after + all, what had poor Saidie done? + </p> + <p> + "I don't think you have any right to keep my people away," she + said at last, sullenly. "This is my house as well as yours, + remember." + </p> + <p> + "I am not going to argue over it, my dear girl." Dr. Chetwynd + rose determinedly from his chair with an expression on his face + which his wife had learned to know and dread. "I forbid you to + ask your sister here again. I am sorry to have to speak so + decidedly; but your conduct leaves me no alternative." + </p> + <p> + And he walked quickly across the floor and the next moment the + door closed upon him. + </p> + <p> + "I don't care what he says. I won't be ordered about," flashed + out Bella, all that was worst in her nature roused by Jack's + resolution. "Saidie is quite right; if I don't put my foot down I + shall soon be nothing better than a white slave." + </p> + <p> + "Putting her foot down," certainly had one effect, namely, that + of making life anything but a bed of roses for the unfortunate + doctor. + </p> + <p> + Never had Bella shown herself so unamiable and unloveable as + during the next two days. She hardly addressed her husband and + she flounced about the room and tossed her head and hummed + music-hall ditties (which she had caught from Saidie) under her + breath, and altogether comported herself in the most exasperating + fashion. + </p> + <p> + John Chetwynd hardly knew how to act towards her. If he pretended + to be unconscious of anything unusual, it would probably provoke + her to stronger measures, and yet he was very loth to stir up + strife between them, and leant towards the hope that this spirit + of fractiousness would die out in time and that Bella would + become her loving, tractable self again. But he reckoned without + his host. + </p> + <p> + Saidie, who was duly apprised of the condition of things, urged + upon her sister to stick to her guns and on no account to yield + an inch, and although desperately miserable, Bella took her + advice. + </p> + <p> + Returning from seeing a patient a day or two later, Dr. Chetwynd + ran into the arms of an old friend, a man he had not seen since + his marriage. + </p> + <p> + "Why, Meynell, old chap, where have you dropped from?" he + exclaimed, grasping the outstretched hand. + </p> + <p> + "Where have <i>you</i> hidden yourself? is more to the purpose. + No one ever sees you nowadays." + </p> + <p> + Dr. Chetwynd smiled. + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps you do not know I am a married man," he said. "Which + accounts for a good deal of my time, and as a matter of fact I + have but little leisure, for my practice keeps me always at the + grindstone." + </p> + <p> + "Doing pretty well?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I think I may say I am. Uphill work, of course, but + still—" + </p> + <p> + "And where are you living?" + </p> + <p> + Chetwynd hesitated. + </p> + <p> + "Close by here," he replied the next moment. "Come home with me + now, if you have nothing better to do, and allow me to present my + wife to you." + </p> + <p> + And they walked on side by side. + </p> + <p> + "You have dined? I am afraid—" + </p> + <p> + "My dear fellow, I have this moment left the club." + </p> + <p> + Dr. Chetwynd put his latch-key into the lock and ushered his + friend upstairs to his wife's pretty drawing-room. + </p> + <p> + But Bella was not there; and finding that she was not in her + bedroom, or in fact in the house at all, he rang the bell and + questioned the maid as to when her mistress had gone out and if + she knew when she would be likely to return. + </p> + <p> + "No, sir, that I'm sure I don't. My mistress never said anything + to me." + </p> + <p> + "Well, she is not likely to be away long," remarked the doctor + philosophically. "Have a cigar, Meynell." + </p> + <p> + "Thanks, no. Your wife spoils you, Jack, if she allows you to + smoke in her pretty little room." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, she will not mind; but we will go down to my den shortly. + You see, Meynell, I'm a bit of a Bohemian, although I like to + preserve the customs of the civilised world all the same, to a + certain extent. But my little + wife—well—she—she—I daresay you may have + heard she was on the stage before I married her." + </p> + <p> + "No, indeed I hadn't." Gus Meynell looked a good deal surprised. + </p> + <p> + "Well, I mention it because perhaps she is not quite like the + ordinary run of women." + </p> + <p> + Meynell could no longer be blind to the want of ease in his + host's manner, and in his turn became proportionately + uncomfortable. + </p> + <p> + "Hang it all! A man marries to please himself," he said + awkwardly. + </p> + <p> + "She is just the dearest girl in the world," continued Jack + Chetwynd, with warmth. "I'm not only fond of her, but proud of + her too, but you know—" + </p> + <p> + "I perfectly understand what you mean. To my idea + unconventionality is the most charming thing a woman can have. I + hate the bride manufactured out of the schoolgirl. The oppressive + resemblance between most of our friends' wives is one of the + safe-guards of society." + </p> + <p> + "What is that?" Chetwynd broke in upon his friend's speech with a + nervous start and exclamation. The hall door opened with a loud + bang and a woman's noisy laugh could be heard as a pelter of + high-heeled shoes came along the tesselated hall and then the + vision of a pretty girl at the doorway, accompanied by a man and + two women. + </p> + <p> + "Hallo, Jack! You are home before me, then." + </p> + <p> + "Bella, my dear, I must introduce you to an old friend of mine: + Meynell, my wife." + </p> + <p> + Bella bowed a little coldly. + </p> + <p> + "My sister, Mr. Meynell," she said, seeing that the doctor was + looking straight over Saidie's head. "My sister, Miss Saidie + Blackall; daresay you have seen her from the front before." Then, + looking towards the open door, "Come in, come in. Jack, I think + you have already met Mr. and Mrs. Doss." + </p> + <p> + Chetwynd looked terribly annoyed; but there was no choice left + for him but to extend his hand and mutter something to the effect + that he had not had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of + his wife's friends before. + </p> + <p> + "Glad to know you, sir—not one of us—not in the + profession, I think?" + </p> + <p> + "No—er—no," responded Chetwynd feebly. + </p> + <p> + "And the 'appier you, take my tip for it. The wear and tear of + the 'alls, sir, no one but a pro can estimate." + </p> + <p> + Here his wife, an over-dressed, showy individual a shade more of + a cockney than himself, interposed with a coarse laugh. + </p> + <p> + "Get along, you jolly old humbug, you! You couldn't live away + from them—could he, dear?" addressing Saidie, who was + maliciously enjoying the effect that their sudden entrance had + produced upon her brother-in-law and his friend. + </p> + <p> + "Ah; you think so, d'ye? that's all you know about it. Give me a + nice quiet 'public' with a hold-established trade and me and the + missis cosy-like in the private bar; that's the life for yours + truly when he can take the farewell ben." + </p> + <p> + "How soon are your friends going to take their leave, Bella?" + asked Chetwynd in an undertone to his wife. + </p> + <p> + But Bella turned her back upon him without deigning to give him + so much as a word. + </p> + <p> + "I think I had the pleasure of seeing you perform the other + night, Mrs. Doss," remarked Mr. Meynell. + </p> + <p> + "Don't she look a figger in tights? now tell the truth and shame + the old gentleman: a female as fat as my wife ought not never to + leave off her petticoats, that's what I says." + </p> + <p> + "Samuel, fie! You make me blush." His wife coughed discreetly + behind her hand. "It's a new departure, I grant; but I've had a + good many compliments paid me since I took to the nautical style, + I can tell you." + </p> + <p> + "Gammon!" grunted Mr. Doss, with a dissatisfied air. "Did you see + her as the 'Rabbit Queen,' sir? My! the patience that woman + displayed in the training of them little furry animals would have + astonished you. Struck the line, sir, out of her own 'ed! 'I'm + going, Samuel,' she said, 'to supply a want.' 'You!' I says. + 'Me!' says she; 'they have got their serpents,' she says, 'and + their ducks, and their pigeons and their kangaroos,' 'What's + their void?' said I. 'Rabbits,' she says, and there you are!" + </p> + <p> + "Saidie, why don't you sit down? We will have some supper + directly," said Bella. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, my dear, I'm dying for a drink!" cried Miss Blackall, + flinging herself in an attitude more easy than graceful into an + armchair. + </p> + <p> + Bella opened the chiffonier and produced glasses and a spirit + stand. + </p> + <p> + "Saves the trouble of ringing for the servant," she said archly + to Meynell. + </p> + <p> + Chetwynd could fairly have groaned; and when his wife put the + climax upon everything by drinking out of her sister's glass he + could contain himself no longer. "I never saw you touch spirits + before," he said, determined that his friend should know that his + wife was an abstemious woman. + </p> + <p> + "Ah," she said lightly, "there are lots of things you never saw + me do, Jack, which I am capable of, all the same." Whereupon + Saidie burst out laughing as at some prodigious joke. + </p> + <p> + "Good for you, Bella! All right, dear! I'm not one to tell tales + out of school." + </p> + <p> + "Are you a married man, sir, may I ask?" + </p> + <p> + Doss put his thumbs under his arm-pits and looked scrutinisingly + into Meynell's face. "I should say not." + </p> + <p> + "No, I'm a bachelor, and likely to continue one." + </p> + <p> + "Well," remarked Mrs. Doss sentimentally, "I don't know nothing + jollier than courting time. Such little ordinary things seem + sweet like, then." + </p> + <p> + "Hark at the old girl," chuckled Doss. + </p> + <p> + "You can't kidd me, Doss. You know it, too. I think of our own + billing and cooing, sir—his and mine. I was not a draw in + those days; the last turn in the bill at the "Middlesex" was + about my mark, and Doss, he hadn't risen, neither. We used to + walk 'ome that lovin' up Drury Lane, and Doss, he would say, + 'fish, Tilda,' and I would say, 'if you could fancy a bit, Sam.' + And in he would pop for two penny slices and chips. And + eat—lor', how we did eat. When I look back on that fish, + sometimes I could cry. Money and fame ain't everythink in the + world, believe me, they ain't. You may be 'appy in your + 'umbleness." + </p> + <p> + All this was gall and wormwood to John Chetwynd, and he + approached his wife again and whispered. + </p> + <p> + "It is getting late—are these people never going?" + </p> + <p> + "Not until they have had supper, most certainly." + </p> + <p> + "And do you expect my friend to join you?" + </p> + <p> + "You can please yourselves. I don't think either of you would be + much acquisition in your present frame of mind. Mrs. Doss, + somebody interrupted you; you were talking about a kindred soul + and an attic. Money and position are not everything you were + saying. I agree with you. Give me an easy life and no stilts." + </p> + <p> + John Chetwynd could stand it no longer. + </p> + <p> + "Madam," he said, addressing Mrs. Doss; "I must really apologise, + but Mr. Meynell and I have important business to discuss, + and—" + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Doss might be vulgar, but she was not obtuse. Seeing she and + her husband were not wanted, she sprang to her feet. + </p> + <p> + "Sam—right about face; we must be off 'ome." + </p> + <p> + "Nonsense, you must have some supper before you go," said Bella. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I think we will be toddling, thanks. Are you coming with us, + Saidie?" + </p> + <p> + "No, I'm not," returned that young woman, sturdily. "Since this + house is the joint property of Dr. John Chetwynd and his wife, I + reckon I shall stop awhile. Bella, you are not going to turn me + out, are you?" + </p> + <p> + "Not I. I can't imagine what Jack means by behaving so + inhospitably. I hope you will all stop." + </p> + <p> + But Mr. Doss, exceedingly affronted at the slight offered him, + had tucked his wife's arm under his own and was already at the + door. + </p> + <p> + "Good night, gents. My best respects to you, Mrs. Chetwynd, but + we knows who wants us and who doesn't." + </p> + <p> + Bella turned indignantly to her husband. "And you call yourself a + gentleman!" she cried. + </p> + <p> + "For heaven's sake remember we are not alone!" whispered Chetwynd + in distress, "you have distinguished yourself quite enough." + </p> + <p> + "I don't care—you have insulted my friends." + </p> + <p> + "Friends!" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, and as good as you or I. What did you marry me for if you + are ashamed of my connections?" + </p> + <p> + "I did not marry the whole variety stage." + </p> + <p> + At this juncture Meynell rose. + </p> + <p> + "Awfully sorry, but I must be going old chap, promised to look in + again at the club." And Chetwynd did not press him to stay. + Humiliated to the last degree, he followed him downstairs. + </p> + <p> + "I have given you a very enjoyable evening, Meynell," he said + bitterly. + </p> + <p> + "My dear fellow, what ought I to say?" + </p> + <p> + "I'm damned if I know; I've never visited a friend who made such + a marriage as mine. I should have pitied the poor devil + profoundly if I had. Good night, old chap." + </p> + <p> + The hall door shut, and Chetwynd went slowly, sorrowfully back to + the drawing-room. + </p> + <p> + "I hope you have disgraced me enough to-night," he said stormily. + </p> + <p> + "Where's the disgrace, I should like to know, in inviting a + couple of old friends into one's own house?" demanded Saidie + aggressively. + </p> + <p> + Chetwynd promptly turned his back upon her. "I am addressing my + wife," he said frigidly. + </p> + <p> + "Yes; I would like to see you talking to <i>me</i> in that tone + of voice," returned his sister-in-law. + </p> + <p> + "Bella, what have you to say for yourself? Have you no + self-respect whatever, and no consideration for your husband's + position?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I'm sick of hearing about your position," said his wife + pettishly. "In the days when you had not any, we were a lot + happier. You didn't turn up your nose at my associates when I was + on the boards at the Band Box! Everything was charming. You + laughed then at what you now call "vulgar," and you thought it + good fun, and you would have taken the property man to your heart + if I had told you he was my brother. But now I am your wife it is + quite a different tale. My friends are too common for you to mix + with. By the Lord! I'm not at all certain whether you think + <i>me</i> good enough for you, myself." + </p> + <p> + "Bella, Bella!" + </p> + <p> + "Oh! Yes, it is easy enough to look broken-hearted. How dare you + turn my friends out of the place? It is you, not I, who have + brought disgrace upon us by introducing a stranger here and + mortifying and humbling me in front of him. If the Dosses are + good enough for me, they are good enough for my husband." + </p> + <p> + "My dear wife, they are not good enough for you. There is the + whole truth. Why are you so altered? Why will you not listen to + me and take my advice as you used to do? Have you forgotten how + happy we once were with each other?" + </p> + <p> + There was a little break in his voice, but Bella was too incensed + to heed it. + </p> + <p> + "You mean that you did not abuse me when you had it entirely your + own way! Wonderful! Perhaps you did not know that you bored me to + death the whole time. And now you have got it at last. I'm tired + of your cheap gentility and Brummagem pretensions; sick to death + of hearing that nothing I have been used to is "proper." If my + world is a second rate one, show me a better. Why don't you + introduce me to your own, if it is so vastly superior? Have you + done it? Not you! You bury me in this poky little hole and + deliberately insult the only friends I have who take the trouble + to come and look me up." + </p> + <p> + Chetwynd passed his hand over his brow dreamily. The whole thing + was such a shock to him, he could hardly realise it. + </p> + <p> + "I hope you are saying much more than you mean," he said at last. + "God knows if you have been dull I never suspected it." + </p> + <p> + "Because I have not grumbled—because I smiled instead of + yawning, and laughed when I felt like crying, you never suspected + it! Did you ever ask yourself what amusements you were providing + for me while you were out all day? Not for a moment. Men like you + never do, when they marry girls like us. You fancy you have been + very noble and chivalrous and plucky; but what you have really + done is to get what you want and leave me to pay the cost. Once + your wife, there was an end of the matter so far as you were + concerned, and to marry you was to complete my destiny! I was to + sit all day long staring at the four walls, and if I happened to + feel lonely, take a look at my marriage certificate to cheer + myself up! well—" she drew a long breath and suddenly left + her seat and came quite close to him. "Well," she said again, "I + am not satisfied—do you hear? It may be the height of + ingratitude, but it is a fact all the same. I am not content and + I have made up my mind (you may as well know it now as at any + other time) to go back to the stage. The life suits me and I am + going to do it." And then she paused. + </p> + <p> + If she expected her husband to storm and rave, insist and + expostulate, she was disappointed. He sat dumb and voiceless, his + face buried in his hands, and he did not even look up when, with + the air of a victor, Bella marched across the floor, beckoned to + her sister, and went up to her own room. + </p> + <p> + "I never gave you credit for such real grit," began Saidie, + admiringly; but to her surprise Bella flung herself on the bed + and burst into uncontrollable sobs. + </p> + <p> + "I wish I was dead," she cried. "I am a beast—an ungrateful + beast; and I have said what is not true. I have loved him + always—always." + </p> + <p> + "Well, you can't go back from your word now," said Saidie; "You + said you would do it." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, and I will." Bella sat up and dried her eyes. "I will go + back to the stage; but I did not say I would stop there, and I + shan't if I'm not happy, and if it makes a break between me and + Jack." + </p> + <p> + "Don't talk like that," cried Saidie disdainfully, "You make me + tired!" + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER III. + </h2> + <p> + After this there was a lull; John Chetwynd observed that he had + need of more forbearance towards his wilful wife, and tried to + exercise it. He told himself that there was love enough and to + spare; that with the deep affection he was convinced Bella bore + him there was nothing really to fear. She was young and + ill-advised, and it behoved him to keep a careful watch over her, + and above all things not to draw too tight a rein. As for her + threat of returning to her old life and its meretricious + attractions, after the first shock he dismissed it from his mind. + She had not really intended doing anything of the sort; such a + step was impossible. It was a wild idea, born of the excitement + of the moment, and unworthy of a further thought, and so he put + it aside. Had not the question been argued and threshed out once + and for all soon after marriage? He recalled with a curious lump + in his throat how she had put her hands into his and said; "Your + wishes are my wishes, now and always, Jack." And there had been + an end of the matter. + </p> + <p> + "I will wait until the atmosphere has cleared a little," said + John Chetwynd, reflectively, "and then I'll tell her that at the + end of the year we will leave Camberwell and take a larger house + in a better neighbourhood." + </p> + <p> + Thus, out of his love for his young wife, he made excuses for her + and took her back to his heart again. + </p> + <p> + And Bella? Jack's conduct puzzled her. She had fully expected + that he would be exceedingly angry and displeased, and in her own + mind had prepared certain little set phrases which were to + impress him with the fact that she intended to do as she pleased + and would not allow herself to be dictated to or coerced. And + thus it was that on the following morning she came down to + breakfast with it must be confessed a forbidding look upon her + pretty face and a defiant air about her bearing. But all her + newly formed resolves were put to flight when Jack came towards + her and deliberately kissed the lips which she vainly tried to + withhold. + </p> + <p> + "Bella, you and I love each other too well to quarrel," he said + kindly; "let us forget all that happened last night." + </p> + <p> + What could she say? In spite of herself she felt that she was + yielding; and though she did not meet him half way as he had + fondly anticipated she would do, still she allowed him to draw + her into his arms and did not repulse his caresses. + </p> + <p> + She might have shown a more generous spirit, it is true. Since he + had tacitly acknowledged that they had been mutually to blame, + she might have offered something in the shape of an expression of + regret; but peace in any shape and at any cost Chetwynd felt he + must have. + </p> + <p> + But Bella had by no means surrendered her determination of going + on the stage again, and was already with Saidie's assistance on + the look-out for an engagement. It would be difficult to define + her feelings towards her husband at this juncture. That there was + still a veiled hostility John Chetwynd could not fail to see; but + in his newly formed resolution to be patient and forbearing, he + simply ignored it and diligently cultivated a kindly, gentle + bearing, interesting himself in her little domesticities and the + general routine of her everyday life. This amused Bella + intensely, and although she would not have acknowledged it, + perhaps touched her a little. + </p> + <p> + Why had he not done this before? And having been careless and + indifferent once, why was he not so still? For this is how it was + with Bella; she was learning to compare her husband with her + lover, and be very sure the former suffered by comparison. + </p> + <p> + "Les absents ont toujours tort" and Saidie found so much to say + and said it in such a contemptuous, scornful way to Howard + Astley, about her sister's husband, that perhaps there was some + little excuse for the young man's impression that Bella Chetwynd + would be vastly better off under his protection than amid her + present surroundings. + </p> + <p> + "The man was a brute," Miss Blackall declared. + </p> + <p> + Poor John Chetwynd! Not only was he far removed from being a + brute, but he was also miles above the man whom Saidie delighted + to honour, and whose addresses and attentions she thrust upon + Bella at every turn. + </p> + <p> + At first, to do her justice, the young wife shrank back dismayed. + Beyond his handsome face, Howard Astley had but little to + recommend him, and after listening to his commonplaces and + enduring the fulsome compliments it pleased him to pay, she would + hurry home with tingling pulses and a shamed heart to + Jack—Jack, who had once been all the world to her. + </p> + <p> + Once! Oh, and such a little time ago! After all, how little she + had to complain of in the man who had made her his wife! + </p> + <p> + He was "uninteresting," wrapped up in his profession, "dull." + That was all, but it meant a very great deal to Bella. It meant + everything; and the sluggish conscience which just at first had a + word or two to say in his defence, gradually went to sleep again + and troubled its owner no longer. + </p> + <p> + Why should she not enjoy herself as other women of her age did? + </p> + <p> + Why, indeed? She did not intend to do anything that was really + wrong, or even unbecoming in her position as Jack's wife; but + still she was resolved on extracting the utmost amount of + amusement possible out of life, and thus with slow, subtle + drifting and unconscious eyes—eyes that would not see their + peril—she reached the point where temptation steps in. + </p> + <p> + It was his wealth that dazzled her. + </p> + <p> + She did so long to be rich. John was apt to be mean about + trifles, but this man—the man she allowed to make love to + her—was a very prodigal in his liberality. He spent money + like water. He rarely came empty-handed. Probably he knew the + manner of woman he had to deal with, and Bella hid the trinkets + away with a guilty blush; they were not much good to her after + all, for she did not dare to wear them, lest Jack should ask + awkward questions concerning the source from whence they came. + </p> + <p> + "I never can do anything I like," said Bella with a pout. + </p> + <p> + And then there came a night when John Chetwynd found the pretty + drawing-room deserted and his wife flown. + </p> + <p> + The hours went by and as she did not return he grew seriously + uneasy. + </p> + <p> + Where could she be? When eleven o'clock struck he put on his hat + and, terribly though it went against the grain, started for Holly + Street—she might be at her mother's. + </p> + <p> + No, Mrs. Blackall had not seen her, she said; and she looked + searchingly into her son-in-law's face as she spoke. "Did Dr. + Chetwynd really not know where she was?" + </p> + <p> + "No, madam, or assuredly I should not be here." + </p> + <p> + The doctor spoke with some heat; that there was something behind + all this was very evident, and he naturally objected to being + made a fool of. + </p> + <p> + "You don't know, then, that Bella is on at the Tivoli?" + </p> + <p> + John Chetwynd sat down suddenly. This news literally took his + breath away. + </p> + <p> + It was not possible that Bella had taken such a step without his + knowledge or sanction. He looked up with such hopeless misery + written in his white face that Mrs. Blackall could not help a + certain pity for her son-in-law, although in her opinion he had + brought the thing upon himself, and the very compassion she felt + for his suffering had the effect of making her more harsh and + unsympathetic. + </p> + <p> + "What did you expect?" she asked. "As a man of the world could + you really imagine that a young, high-spirited girl like my + daughter would content herself with the life you tried to chain + her down to? She had had just taste enough of the admiration and + applause of a public life to get a liking for it, and in an + instant it is all taken away and nothing given her in its place. + It ain't commonsense, it—" + </p> + <p> + "It may not be," said Chetwynd wearily; "but there are women + nevertheless to whom home and husband are all-sufficient and who + ask for nothing beyond." + </p> + <p> + "You made a great mistake, Mr. Chetwynd, when you—" + </p> + <p> + "I did," he interrupted quickly; "you are perfectly right; I did + when I believed my wife and your daughter to be one of these. + Well," and he rose wearily, "she has put a barrier between us + to-night that can never be broken down." + </p> + <p> + "Tut, tut, man; you have got your duty to do by her, and I'll + take good care you do it. She is doing no wrong to join her + profession again." + </p> + <p> + "Our ideas as to right and wrong probably differ. I am certainly + not going to argue the point, nor do I wish to shirk what + responsibility I took on my shoulders when I married. But if it + is upon your advice she has acted in this matter, ask God to + forgive you for the cruel wrong you have done us both!" + </p> + <p> + Then he picked up his hat and went out of the house. It was long + past midnight when Bella returned; but late though it was, she + knew by the lights in the drawing room that her husband was + waiting up for her, and with an impatient sigh, determined to get + her lecture over, she ran lightly up-stairs. + </p> + <p> + He was there, sitting in her own cosy armchair, and he looked + round expectantly as the door opened. + </p> + <p> + "Well," she said nervously, stripping off her gloves, and + avoiding meeting his stern, sad gaze. "I daresay you wonder where + I have been and what has kept me so late; but, my dear old Jack, + you will have to give up the bad habit of sitting up to all hours + for me, for I'm likely to be late most nights now." + </p> + <p> + She paused for a reply, but none came. Her easy assurance + staggered him; he could hardly believe that this self-composed, + glib-spoken young woman had been at one time his diffident, shy + little love. The unhappy man found it very hard to reconcile the + two. "Why don't you speak?" she asked impatiently, facing him in + a defiant manner; and as he looked up at her he noticed for the + first time that she had grown older and had lost all at + once—at least, so it seemed to him—the rounded, + childish look from her sweet face and involuntarily a sigh broke + from him. + </p> + <p> + "One would think I had committed a crime," cried she in disdain, + and then, catching her skirts up, she broke into a step dance, + humming a popular music-hall air. + </p> + <p> + "Stop—do you hear me?—this instant stop!" the devil + in him burst out; he could restrain himself no longer. + </p> + <p> + "Woman! What are you made of?" he cried in a voice of thunder, + and she, shrinking back a little, fell half frightened into a + chair. He never could quite remember afterwards what he did say. + He tried with rough eloquence, that might have moved a heart of + stone, to show her what it was she was doing, to appeal to her + better, nobler self, to her love for him; he implored and + entreated her to give up this new life—for his sake. + </p> + <p> + He had nothing better to urge than that, poor fool! It weighed + with her as just so much chaff. The time had gone by when his + words would have touched her; they glided lightly over what she + called her "heart" now and left no impression there. + </p> + <p> + And then he went on his knees beside her and prayed her to grant + him this one boon; he poured out a flood of feverish words, + hardly pausing to think; he tried to paint an alluring picture of + their life in the future: they would leave Camberwell, he said; + she should go where she liked if she would but listen to reason; + it would ruin him in his profession, he pleaded, if she persisted + in returning to the stage. As he talked the pretty face grew + harder and older. Bella had made up her mind, and the man beside + her had not the faintest power to sway her by his reproaches or + entreaties. + </p> + <p> + And then he stumbled to his feet and stood waiting for his + answer. + </p> + <p> + It came at last, clear and cold, falling like pellets of ice upon + his impatient fervour. + </p> + <p> + "The thing is done now, and all the talking in the world will not + alter it." + </p> + <p> + "And that is your last word to me—your husband?" + </p> + <p> + Finding she did not speak, he walked across the floor, turning at + the door, hoping against hope, but she lay back as still as if + she were dead. + </p> + <p> + When he had gone, Bella opened her eyes and held up her hand + curiously. It was wet with—what?—tears. + </p> + <p> + Her eyes were bright and dry. + </p> + <p> + For a moment something of the old feeling swept over her. + </p> + <p> + Poor Jack! She half rose, then sank back again. + </p> + <p> + It was too late, she was thinking; as if it were ever too late to + make amends, to atone, while we have still breath and life! + </p> + <p> + "It is all for the best, anyhow," she murmured after awhile, and + when philosophy is well to the fore, love hides its diminished + head. + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER IV. + </h2> + <p> + Six months wore themselves away; six months in every day of which + John Chetwynd lived a year, measured by the anxiety and misery it + held for him. He could no longer delude himself into the belief + that Bella loved him, for all her actions went to prove the + contrary. But her end just once gained, there were no more + bickerings and disputes—she even condescended to consider + her husband's wishes, when they did not clash or interfere with + her own. But night after night he sat alone with the hateful + consciousness that the woman who bore his name was parading her + charms to Dick, Tom and Harry; in fact, to anybody who chose to + pay his shilling for the privilege of contemplating them. It was + in moments such as these that the iron entered his soul and there + was no escape from it; he must bear his burden as many a better + man had borne it before him. And thus it was he buried himself in + his profession, working with a will and vigour that astonished no + one so much as himself. He was rapidly becoming a popular man. + Through sheer good luck (as he really believed it to be) he had + diagnosed one or two cases with an ease and accuracy which not + only filled his purse beyond his utmost expectations, but helped + him up the ladder of fame at an amazing rate. But when emboldened + by success, and always remembering the fact that however wilful + and oblivious she might be, she was still to all intents and + purposes the wife of his bosom and equally interested with + himself in all his undertakings, he recounted his triumphs and + declared his intention of leaving Camberwell forthwith and + settling in Camelot Square, Bella smiled, yet proved in no way + elated at the intelligence. + </p> + <p> + "So, my dear, you can go as soon as you like and fix upon a + house," he said. + </p> + <p> + Bella yawned and stretched her arms above her head. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, you will know much better than I what is required," she + replied. + </p> + <p> + "Have you, then, no interest in our new home?" he asked, more + hurt than he could well have expressed. + </p> + <p> + "Do you ever show the slightest interest in what concerns me?" + she retorted. + </p> + <p> + He winced. "This is a mutual interest, surely, since we must + occupy it together." + </p> + <p> + "Must?" she echoed dreamily. + </p> + <p> + "What do you mean?" he asked sharply. + </p> + <p> + "Nothing, except that 'must' is the word I have banished from my + vocabulary," and she smiled at him—actually smiled, though + she must have known she was stabbing him to the very heart. + </p> + <p> + He said no more; and indeed, words seemed to be useless. + </p> + <p> + So he chose the house himself,—one that could not fail to + please Bella, he felt exultantly. She would be less than woman if + she were not glad to exchange the second-rate little dwelling in + the Camberwell New Road for the substantial residence, with its + modern improvements and embellishments in such a neighbourhood as + Camelot Square. + </p> + <p> + It was not perhaps a palace, but it was a very great deal more + imposing than anything they had dreamt of in the early days of + their married life, and yet John Chetwynd told himself with a + sigh that he would gladly give up fame and prosperity to win back + the old love-light in his wife's eyes. + </p> + <p> + And there are some among us who cannot love for so + little—"Of man's love a thing apart." Perhaps John Chetwynd + would have been a happier man had he been one of these. + </p> + <p> + Even the task of furnishing fell to the doctor's lot. Bella did + not refuse, nor did she object to accompany him on what he might + have naturally supposed would be a congenial task for her, but + she showed herself so indifferent throughout that, after an + effort or two to make her contented, he gave it up, and it ended + in his carrying the whole thing through himself. + </p> + <p> + And he was not sorry when at length it was completed. On the + morrow he would bring Bella to her new home. + </p> + <p> + He stood under the bright lighted chandelier and looked round + him. The carpet was thick and soft. Bella liked carpets her feet + could sink into, she had once said. There by the fireplace was + the most luxurious easy chair he could purchase, upholstered in + her favourite colour, pale blue. He pictured the dainty figure + nestling in it, and a little glow stirred at his heart. After + all, she was his wife, his fondly loved wife, and who could tell? + Perhaps with the old life, old feuds would die out and with the + new, joy and happiness dawn for them both once more. + </p> + <p> + John Chetwynd was not a religious man; he rarely went to church + and he never prayed; but now he covered his face with his hands, + and his lips moved inaudibly. + </p> + <p> + He was asking for a blessing on the new life, and there was + something like a tear in his eye and a suspicious huskiness in + his voice as he called out "Come in" in answer to a hurried knock + at the door and flung open the lid of a grand piano which was + littered with music and songs, running his hands over the keys + and smiling a little. + </p> + <p> + The piano was to be a surprise: Bella knew nothing about it. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps it would keep her more at home, for she was very fond of + music. + </p> + <p> + It had cost more than he ought to have paid, but still it was for + her. + </p> + <p> + "Come in, Mrs. Brewer—what is it? I'm just off. You will + have us both here to-morrow at this time for good and all, I + hope." + </p> + <p> + "Indeed, sir, and I'm glad to hear it. Things do look most + beautiful, and no mistake." + </p> + <p> + The good soul shambled across the floor and held out a letter + wrapped in the corner of her apron. + </p> + <p> + "A boy brought it, sir, half an hour ago, but I clean forgot it, + and that's a fact." + </p> + <p> + "Never mind. It is probably of no importance." + </p> + <p> + But it was. By-and-by his eyes fell on it as it lay where Mrs. + Brewer's hard-working fingers had placed it, on the edge of a + little gaily-lined work table destined to hold Bella Chetwynd's + cotton and needles, and to his astonishment he observed it was in + his wife's handwriting. + </p> + <p> + Ah! written just before she started for the——.He + caught it up and tore it open. The next instant it fluttered from + his hold. + </p> + <p> + For fully ten seconds John Chetwynd sat spell-bound, and then he + broke into a laugh—mirthless, hollow. + </p> + <p> + "And I prayed to my God to send his blessing + on—our—future," he said in a dull, mechanical manner. + "Well, the last act is played out and they may ring the curtain + down. From to-night I believe neither in woman, Heaven, nor hell, + save that which each man makes for himself." + </p> + <p> + Bella had turned her shapely back on the apotheosis of + respectability for a life of excitement and the protection of + another man. Nobody was surprised but John himself. + </p> + <p> + Everybody had predicted it months ago. The only astonishing + feature of the scandal was, that it had not occurred before. + </p> + <p> + The one other thing people found surprising was the callousness + with which the injured husband took it. + </p> + <p> + It had always been believed that what love there was, was on his + side, but now— + </p> + <p> + Well, it is indeed an ill wind that blows us no good. If + notoriety was what John Chetwynd desired, he got it in full + measure, well pressed down and brimming over; his waiting room + was besieged, for many patients flocked there, wide eyed in + scrutiny, martyrs to symptoms discovered or invented for the + occasion. + </p> + <p> + Of course he would divorce her. And he did. + </p> + <p> + In due course he obtained his decree <i>nisi</i>, which later on + was made absolute. + </p> + <p> + Bella's picture no longer stared him in the face from every + hoarding, and the newspaper advertisements knew her no more. She + had gone back to the States, and by-and-by was forgotten on this + side the Atlantic. + </p> + <p> + Now and then he was disagreeably reminded of her existence. + </p> + <p> + Once in the Club a young fellow to whom Chetwynd was personally + unknown stretched himself behind a newspaper and muttered, "Bella + Blackall Wasn't that the name of Dr. Somebody's wife who ran away + with another fellow?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, Bella Blackall was my wife," John Chetwynd answered with + unruffled equanimity, picking up the paper which the other had + thrown down. "She used to be rather a clever dancer, too." + </p> + <p> + And he calmly perused the line which included her name among some + well known American stars touring in the provinces. + </p> + <p> + "And he never turned a grizzled hair! I give you my word I felt + more over the thing than he did," remarked Captain Hetherington + afterwards; "without exception the most cold-blooded individual + ever met." + </p> + <p> + But John Chetwynd was far from being this. He had felt his wife's + desertion far too deeply to show his scars, nor was he a man to + wear his heart upon his sleeve; but as time went by and the utter + callousness of Bella's conduct came home to him, he realised to + the full that she was unworthy of a single pang, and he became + reconciled to the inevitable. His profession claimed every spare + moment, and for a man ill at ease there is no specific like hard + work. By-and-by as the years rolled on, another distraction + presented itself. He became interested in one of his patients, + the only daughter of the Duke of Huddersfield, Lady Ethel + Claremont, and this interest blossomed into something stronger + and warmer—something that at last he dignified by the name + of love, though he was by no means without misgivings as to + whether it could ever really lay claim to the title. + </p> + <p> + Certain it was that there was no more of the old exultation about + his heart that had formed so large a part of his former + courtship; there were no extravagances, no quickened + pulses—rapture's warmth had yielded to the mildest of + after-glows; but there was no reason that it should not prove as + satisfactory in the long run. It is an open question whether the + doctor, popular though he undoubtedly was, would have been + considered an eligible suitor from the maternal point of view, + had it not been that just about this time fortune elected to + bestow another favour upon him; his career had reached its apex, + and (again through sheer good luck, as John Chetwynd modestly + declared) he was offered a baronetcy. + </p> + <p> + Now, every man is flattered and gratified that his merits should + be recognised, and Chetwynd was no exception to the general rule, + but there were a good many bitters mingled with the sweets, and + the hidden thorn among the rose-leaves had a nasty trick of + obtruding itself. This step in social advancement materially + helped his cause with Lady Ethel, and the Duchess of Huddersfield + deigned to smile graciously upon her future son-in-law. + </p> + <p> + Ethel Claremont was an excellent girl, precisely the type he + ought to marry. Decorous, with an ease and repose about her + manner that were eminently patrician, she would be even more + admirable as a wife than as a <i>fiancée</i>, but he could have + found it in him to wish that she were just a little less + faultless, a little more "human," he would have said, only that + the word has not a pleasant ring; yet it was not easy to + substitute another unless it were "womanly." + </p> + <p> + "Pshaw!" he cried angrily, "who am I that I should be exacting, + with such a past, such a history? and yet I am ready to quarrel + with perfection, I who can never be grateful enough! A little + wealth and the love of a charming woman—what more can I + possibly desire? It is strange how soon one becomes accustomed to + changes in life, and how quickly an emotion fades into a memory. + If I could but feel as I felt when I was struggling along + battling with the hundred and one difficulties which beset the + path of a poor man, instead of having to remind myself + perpetually what my emotions were then, there would be some + excitement in the contrast. I—I wonder—what she is + doing? Is she alive or is she dead? What does it matter? But at + times the doubt will come whether—no, no; it is + wicked—I was always good to her. I loved her, and she + dishonoured me. The book is closed for ever, and I am weak when I + reopen it." + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER V. + </h2> + <p> + Since the thing was to be, there was nothing to be gained by + postponement. So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing + her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, + on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection. She was + perfectly willing that her marriage with Sir John Chetwynd should + take place at once. Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite + the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the + Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends + of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a + whispered word. + </p> + <p> + "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though + I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand + Ethel; she is not like other girls. It will be a huge + responsibility shifted from my shoulders when she is married." + </p> + <p> + And everybody had wondered what the girl had seen in Sir John, + that he should have taken her fancy. To the outside world and to + those who had not come within the immediate charm of his manner + and bearing, it did offer food for speculation, and since his + engagement he had grown greyer and stiffer and more + professionally precise than ever. + </p> + <p> + But he suited Lady Ethel, or she fancied he did; which answered + the purpose quite as well. She had always detested very young + men; she liked a man whom she could look up to and lean upon, and + certainly this she could do with perfect faith as regarded her + <i>fiancé</i>. Now Duchesses are no more exempt from the weary + ills which weak flesh is heir to than their less favoured + brothers and sisters, and in the early summer the Duchess began + to complain of certain aches and pains and to bethink her that + Sir John's advice might be worth following; so she drove over to + Camelot Square and was shown into the waiting room with the rest + of his patients. She had some little time to wait, and while the + Duchess sat tapping her foot impatiently at the delay, Ethel + looked round the spacious apartment and decided on certain + improvements she would effect when she should preside over John's + establishment. + </p> + <p> + And then the door was flung open, and Soames, the eminently + correct footman, ushered them into his master's presence. + </p> + <p> + The Duchess advanced gushing a little. + </p> + <p> + "So good of you to see us so soon! I was positively timid at + coming without an appointment, even with Ethel." + </p> + <p> + "It is you who are good, Duchess, to give me such an unexpected + pleasure." + </p> + <p> + Sir John touched Ethel's cheek lightly with his lips and motioned + his visitors to be seated. + </p> + <p> + "Now is not that a pretty speech from a professional man! Ah, you + lovers, you are all alike, and when you are married—Ah! + then you are all the same." + </p> + <p> + "What an accusation! I hope Ethel does not credit it, or I shall + never be permitted an opportunity of refuting such a calumny." + </p> + <p> + "I know too well how highly Mamma thinks of you, John," said + Ethel, prettily. + </p> + <p> + "Well, I admit it—I do admire you immensely—I admire + your power, your position, your ability to make an income—a + large income, sitting comfortably in an arm chair. And then there + is such solidity in a doctor's profession—people are always + ill." + </p> + <p> + "Mamma is ill herself," broke in Lady Ethel, "and that is why we + have intruded to-day." + </p> + <p> + "I hope it is nothing serious, my dear Duchess." + </p> + <p> + "How sweet of you! Ah, I am a martyr! I have hay fever to such a + distressing extent that I am positively ashamed to go into + society." + </p> + <p> + Her daughter laughed. + </p> + <p> + "We were at the Opera last night, and Mamma's sneezes were most + <i>mal-à-propos.</i> It was very embarrassing." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I am convinced that Romeo glowered at me, and at church on + Sunday it was such a charming sermon, so encouraging and tactful, + I sneezed violently in the man's best moments. At my age I cannot + consent to become a public infliction, yet I feel I am a + nuisance." + </p> + <p> + "Mamma said, as soon as we got home—'I shall go and consult + Sir John,'" cooed Ethel. + </p> + <p> + "And now you can cure me?" The Duchess looked anxiously into the + grave face opposite. + </p> + <p> + "I have not the slightest doubt you will be entirely recovered in + a few days at most," said Sir John reassuringly; "you have caught + a severe cold." + </p> + <p> + "Nothing of the sort, I assure you. I have had colds before, and + I know better." + </p> + <p> + "What, better than your doctor?" The stern face relaxed, and Sir + John laughed. + </p> + <p> + "Well, better than my future son-in-law. Now I beg you not to be + obstinate. Give me something potent—one of those drugs that + work such instantaneous wonders." + </p> + <p> + "I fear they are not in the Pharmacopoeia." + </p> + <p> + "I don't think it is kind of you to discourage me." + </p> + <p> + "But if I make you well in a week, will not that satisfy your + Grace?" + </p> + <p> + "I shall be radiant." + </p> + <p> + "I will write you a prescription." + </p> + <p> + "Thanks! What an invaluable husband you will make with all that + knowledge at your finger ends! I need have no misgivings as to + Ethel's health, and she has always been so subject to chills. The + risk of entrusting one's daughter to an unobservant man is + shocking, but to a physician! To have for one's daily companion a + great and renowned doctor, what an advantage—what a + security!" + </p> + <p> + "Really, mamma, to hear you talk one would suppose that I was an + invalid, and I never remember to have suffered from anything + worse than the measles." + </p> + <p> + "When Ethel comes to me she will be guarded as sacredly as a girl + can be." + </p> + <p> + Sir John smiled kindly at his betrothed. + </p> + <p> + "I have made but a few protestations of what I feel for her; + perhaps I am more reserved than I should be, but I am no longer a + boy. I doubt whether I ever was very romantic, even in my younger + days, but I think that she and I understand each other, and if we + don't tiff and 'make it up,' if we have been engaged three months + and have never had a quarrel, that does not mean that my + affection is not most sincere and deep." + </p> + <p> + "I should hope we like each other too well to quarrel," said Lady + Ethel haughtily. + </p> + <p> + Like! After all, was it love on either side? Sir John asked + himself. + </p> + <p> + "My dear Sir John," broke in the Duchess pompously. "A few words + from such a man as yourself impress me more profoundly than + rhapsodies from another. Ethel, just look out of the window and + see if the carriage is waiting. We are going to take the + Lancaster girls to the Academy, and Payne has driven round to + fetch them while we had our consultation with you." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, mamma, it is there." + </p> + <p> + "I will follow you in a minute, Ethel; say good-bye to + John—," and when the door had closed upon her daughter, she + began hurriedly: + </p> + <p> + "It is hardly the time and place perhaps, but you will pardon + that. I—really, it is very awkward. Can you not help me, + Sir John? The weeks are slipping by, and I should, I confess, + like to make my arrangements for leaving home, but until I know + definitely what yours are—." + </p> + <p> + "Mine?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes; yours and Ethel's." + </p> + <p> + A light broke in upon Sir John's somewhat obtuse mind. He had no + desire to expedite matters, but then he was not the principal + person to be consulted, and it certainly was not for him to raise + any objection, so he acted immediately on the hint given him. + </p> + <p> + "My dear Duchess, what can I say? The matter rests entirely in + your hands. Let it be when you please. In another month I shall + be comparatively free, and we can visit Switzerland if Ethel + wishes." + </p> + <p> + The Duchess smiled. "That you must arrange with Ethel herself, + and perhaps you had better broach the subject yourself to her. + Girls are apt to be a little curious on these points." + </p> + <p> + "Then I will ask her to fix the day for our marriage." He bowed + with old-fashioned gallantry over the pearl-grey suede, held out + in farewell, and the Duchess rustled away with Soames, the + deferential, in close attendance. + </p> + <p> + Soames did not like the idea of a mistress, but these "accidents" + he was well aware, would happen in the best regulated families, + so he was now bent on making friends with the Mammon of + Unrighteousness in the shape of the Duchess of Huddersfield and + the bride elect. + </p> + <p> + Left alone, Sir John stood upright, his hand on the back of his + chair and his brows tightly drawn together. + </p> + <p> + Well, why not? What possible excuse could he make to his own + heart for the delay? + </p> + <p> + None, none. And yet he felt a good deal as if a thunderbolt had + fallen from the skies at his feet, and it was more or less of a + shock to him. + </p> + <p> + Presently he rang his bell. + </p> + <p> + "Who comes next, Soames?" + </p> + <p> + "Lady Rutherven, Sir John, but—but a lady who has no + appointment has been waiting for more than an hour, and I thought + perhaps you would see her first. She seems very ill." + </p> + <p> + "Show her in!" + </p> + <p> + A second later the door swung open again and Soames announced: + </p> + <p> + "Miss Blackall!" + </p> + <p> + Sir John started, but recovered himself in the next instant. + </p> + <p> + "Take a seat, madam." + </p> + <p> + He waved her to a chair and for several minutes they looked at + each other without speaking. The woman was the first to break the + silence. + </p> + <p> + "I have come back," she said with a nervous laugh. "I am ill; I + thought you might try to cure me." + </p> + <p> + She had seated herself, but he remained standing. + </p> + <p> + What a handsome woman she had become, he was thinking, and how + expensively dressed! There was something strange in the very + familiarity of the countenance presented to him. It had altered + much from what he remembered it, but curiously enough he + remembered it the more vividly because of that very alteration. + </p> + <p> + "What is your trouble?" he asked huskily—"Why have you + consulted—me?" + </p> + <p> + "It is my lungs. I don't know—let us call it a whim. I + thought you would do me good if anyone could." She paused a + second: "You used to be my husband once." + </p> + <p> + "Once! Well, I am willing to be your doctor." + </p> + <p> + "I suppose you would do your best for a dog if it were dying, + wouldn't you? though you might not care if it recovered." + </p> + <p> + "I have a very faithful dog," he said significantly. + </p> + <p> + Bella winced. + </p> + <p> + "Dogs ask so little for their love. Oh, I didn't come here + without a struggle. And I knew you would speak like this. But I + have been abroad so long, and on the voyage home I got worse, and + women—women of your sort who had taken no notice of me, + suddenly grew kind. I said to myself, 'Bella, it looks bad for + you when ladies forget how common you are,' and then the thought + struck me, London meant you! As a patient I might come to your + house and be let in. You are clever and you are great; if I had + any self-respect I could not ask you; but I have not, you know; I + never had any and'—and—I am—frightened! It + keeps me awake at nights, the fear. I—I am not going + to—die?" + </p> + <p> + "I have said I will do what I can for you." + </p> + <p> + "You will sound me?" + </p> + <p> + "Loosen your dress." + </p> + <p> + As he bent over her she raised her hand as if to smoothe his + hair, and the colour came into her face, but she did not touch + him. + </p> + <p> + Her fingers, from which she had drawn her gloves, were laden with + rings—rings which he had not given her. His breath came a + little faster as he stooped over her neck. + </p> + <p> + "Don't be scared to tell me the truth," she said; "I guess I'm + pretty bad. You need not take the trouble to lie about it." + </p> + <p> + He examined her thoroughly and replaced the stethoscope before he + spoke. + </p> + <p> + "Your lungs are not right. They used to be." + </p> + <p> + "Oh," she replied bitterly, "I used to be. I have come too + late—is that what you mean?" + </p> + <p> + "I mean that you must exercise great care and avoid excitement. + Don't brood—don't worry yourself by misgivings, which will + only do you harm. Go away from England when the summer is over; + go where the sun shines and the air is mild. Lead a life of ease + and indolence. I can say no more." + </p> + <p> + "And then?" + </p> + <p> + "And then I see no reason why you should not live for years to + come." + </p> + <p> + Bella flung her hands out with a sort of despair. + </p> + <p> + "Your prescription is impossible," she said dully. + </p> + <p> + "Impossible?" + </p> + <p> + "I have only just come over from the States. I have an engagement + at the Empire for six months. I have got to stay." + </p> + <p> + "You will be very unwise. The laws of health demand that you + should cancel any such contract." + </p> + <p> + "Beggars can't be choosers. I must sing to live. It is my trade + now." + </p> + <p> + He sighed. "You do not look as if you were in pecuniary + difficulties." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I make money easily enough, but it melts like ice cream; + everything is so beastly dear." + </p> + <p> + "Are you not with—him?" + </p> + <p> + "Him? Oh no; he left me years ago. I am alone—very much + alone. It seems sometimes as if I had spent the best part of my + life alone. I am so dull I—I wonder why I dread to die. + There! I can follow your advice so far as this; I'll take the + greatest care of myself—in London. I am glad I came to you, + though it does not seem to have delighted you much. I suppose + if—if I had run straight and stayed with you, I might have + been quite well, eh?" + </p> + <p> + "That is difficult to say. Bella, have you—it is a foolish + question, but—have you ever regretted?" + </p> + <p> + She laughed recklessly. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, as to that—what is the good of looking back, anyhow? I + have and I haven't—when I have been sick it has been awful + lonesome. You didn't grieve much, that's certain. And you got + your title soon after I went. It was lucky for you. Scot! I + should have been Lady Chetwynd if I had stopped with you, + wouldn't I?" + </p> + <p> + "You would have been an honest woman." + </p> + <p> + "Ah!" She rose from her chair and looked curiously round the + room. "I remember those bronzes," she said; "they used to hang in + your little library in the old house. You are a good deal changed + in the face; your manner is just the same. You were always a good + fellow, I will say that. I know it better than I used to now I + have had so—since I have been—" + </p> + <p> + "Hush—the past is dead. I was not so patient and tender + with you as I should have been." + </p> + <p> + "You saw that—you had made a mistake, but you tried to hide + how sorry you were—I know you did that and I—well, I + didn't marry you to make you sorry. Do you know how we + lived—he and I, when I left you? He took me to Paris; and + didn't we make the dollars spin, the pair of us—rather; and + then one fine morning we heard a beastly bank had gone smash and + he had lost pretty well all he had got." + </p> + <p> + "And you left him?" + </p> + <p> + A smile curled the corners of her mouth. + </p> + <p> + "No," she said, slowly; "I didn't. We took two little rooms over + a baker's shop in the High Street, Islington, and I stuck to him. + I used to go out in an evening and do the marketing with a hand + basket, to get it cheap. When we wanted a change we would take a + bus to the Park and look at the swells across the railings; and + sometimes Saidie gave us tickets for the theatres. Seems odd, + don't it? but it's a fact. I was livelier then than ever I've + been in my life. While he was fond of me—he showed me he + was fond of me, you see." + </p> + <p> + "You were capable of love, then, after all?" he said bitterly. + </p> + <p> + "I don't know. I loved the freedom I think, anyway, and perhaps I + took him with it. I don't know! what does it matter? It was a + release for you and you are glad that it happened, eh? now that + the shame of it is forgotten? We were never suited to each other, + were we?" + </p> + <p> + "Why speak of what is past?" + </p> + <p> + "You see, if I had remained with you I should have been no + happier," said Bella, reflectively; "you expected too much from + me." + </p> + <p> + "I did my best to make you happy." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, perhaps! then if I had been more grateful and different, + would you be glad if I was with you still?" + </p> + <p> + "I cannot answer that question. I loved you—I had no + thought for any human being outside yourself." + </p> + <p> + "But now," she persisted, "now that the wound is old, do you not + say to yourself, 'it was better so'? Suppose that you and I were + still what we were once to each other, would you be happy to know + that I was your wife to-day?" + </p> + <p> + "I beg you to be silent. It is impossible that we can discuss + such a question." + </p> + <p> + She came close to his chair. + </p> + <p> + "I am," she said with a sort of feverish eagerness, "no more of a + lady now than I was then. I am just what I used to be when I made + you ashamed of my ignorance and my mistakes. But if I were pure, + if I had never been divorced, if I were standing here your + faithful wife, would you be glad?" + </p> + <p> + "Hush! You are paining yourself and me." + </p> + <p> + "Jack!" + </p> + <p> + "For God's sake be still!" + </p> + <p> + She fell on her knees beside him. + </p> + <p> + "Jack, say you would be glad." + </p> + <p> + "If you had never left me, if you had remained my faithful wife, + heaven knows that I should be a happier man!" + </p> + <p> + Bella burst into tears and sobbed convulsively, then pressed her + handkerchief to her mouth. It was bright with blood when she + withdrew it. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, be careful of yourself," said John Chetwynd, terribly moved; + "you must do what I advise." + </p> + <p> + "I'll try. I wonder why you should care one way or the other. It + is more than I deserve—you make me so sorry and ashamed. I + shall never see you any more, shall I?" + </p> + <p> + "I cannot." + </p> + <p> + "No; I understand, I ought not to ask you. Well, good-bye. There + is my address if you should take a notion to come. It is only a + six months' engagement over here, and if I'm not long for this + wicked world, I may not live to finish it. Keep my card. If one + day you should feel that you could come—just once. You + don't hate me?" + </p> + <p> + "Hate you? No." + </p> + <p> + "I dare not ask you to forgive; but I begin to know and feel what + my action towards you really meant. Jack, see I am on my knees. + Forgive me!" + </p> + <p> + "I do. I forgive. If I was hard to you; if, as you say, I + expected and exacted too much from you, may God forgive me." + </p> + <p> + The tears were still raining down Bella's cheeks. + </p> + <p> + "Kiss me, Jack." + </p> + <p> + He shrank back. "You must not ask me that. I cannot." + </p> + <p> + "Is it that you despise me so utterly?" + </p> + <p> + "No, no; you don't understand. I—" + </p> + <p> + "Kiss me." + </p> + <p> + "Why do you make me speak? I am going to be married again. I + kissed her—a young girl—in this room half an hour + ago. I could not outrage her trust in me." + </p> + <p> + A sort of stung expression came into the face of the kneeling + woman and she staggered to her feet. + </p> + <p> + "You are going to take another wife! My God! I never + thought—I never dreamt. It seemed + so—so—impossible. I hope she will make you happier + than I did." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, hush, hush!" + </p> + <p> + "She is one of your own class—a lady? What is her name?" + </p> + <p> + "I would rather not mention it. Give me your hand and let us part + in peace." + </p> + <p> + "Tell it me," she pleaded. "What name do you call her by?" + </p> + <p> + "Ethel." + </p> + <p> + "Ethel and Bella. Ah, Ethel is far the nicer name. We didn't + think once that you would ever be telling me you were going to be + married to someone else, did we? It feels queer, and it hurts + me—a little, I think. Good-bye, Jack. I see now why you + could not kiss me—it would not be right of you. She is a + young girl and she might find it hard to forgive you if she knew. + I am going. You used to have a bell on your table, I recollect, + with a little white knob that you pressed when Mary was to go to + the hall door. Do you use it still? Oh, I see. Let me press it + instead of you, may I? I sha'n't feel so much as if you were + turning me out. Good-bye." She said the word lingeringly, + tenderly. "Say 'Bella' once again, for the sake of old times." + </p> + <p> + Jack Chetwynd took the slender trembling hand in his with God + knows what of anguish and pity stirring at his heart. + </p> + <p> + "Good-bye—Bella." + </p> + <p> + And the door fell to. + </p> + <p> + She was gone. + </p> + <p> + He could hear her hollow cough as she passed down the tesselated + corridor. + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER VI. + </h2> + <p> + It was two days later. Sir John Chetwynd sat in his big easy + chair with an open letter before him. "We are surprised to have + seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more + especially as after the few words we had in private upon a + certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from + you. But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, + both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules + which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time + (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) + I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected. You + must have been <i>professionally</i> engaged last night, I + presume, since we were obliged to dine without you and go to see + Sarah Bernhardt alone." + </p> + <p> + He had spent the whole evening in his consulting rooms, totally + forgetting his promise to escort his <i>fiancée</i> and her + mother to the theatre. + </p> + <p> + Well, he would see them both on the morrow and make his peace, + and then—he dropped his head on his hands and fairly + groaned. It was useless to argue with himself, to bring + commonsense to bear upon the point, to count up the advantages to + be derived from this union with Lady Ethel; look at it which way + he would, the fact remained the same, that he had no longer the + remotest desire to marry again. + </p> + <p> + The knowledge had certainly come tardily, but not the less + surely. + </p> + <p> + He did not, he told himself, love Lady Ethel as a man should love + the wife of his bosom. Middle-aged, worn, and unemotional though + he might be, he knew that he was yet capable of a much deeper + feeling than she had evoked and he had wakened to a realisation + of this since he had again seen Bella. + </p> + <p> + He was no fool; he was, on the contrary, a shrewd, clever, + quick-witted man of the world and it was impossible to shut his + eyes to the trouble. He thought of Bella as she was when he had + first married her; he recalled their courtship, her pretty half + shy, half tender ways—the girlish prettiness which time had + turned into shame. + </p> + <p> + She had left a scrap of lace on his table for her throat or her + veil—Heaven knew what—and his eyes grew blurred and + dim as he gazed at it. He repeated mentally phrases which had + fallen from her, piecing them together and trying to weave the + pattern of her life out of the fragments. + </p> + <p> + She had changed pathetically. She had acquired the manner that + her sister used to have, and which he had so strenuously objected + to—the slangy, devil-may-care tone, the total absence of + which in the old days had made his little sweetheart so + conspicuously different from her environment. She wore now the + impress of evil, from her Regent Street hat to her Paris gown. + Manifestly she had risen in her vocation, but he knew that her + salary alone had never supplied the costume or the rings, and his + heart ached. + </p> + <p> + That night he sat at the Duchess of Huddersfield's table facing + his <i>fiancée</i>, and for the first time he wondered if + sang-froid or perfect equanimity were all that a man such as + himself might desire. She was, as Bella had put it, "One of his + own class—a lady," which she had never been, poor Bella! + but he did wonder just a little how much of real heart beat under + the dainty laces that shrouded Lady Ethel's bosom. He had + reflected once and not so long ago that that portion of a woman's + anatomy was superfluous, but he wavered in his belief now. He + could stake his professional honour, his hopes of + eternity—of—everything—on the absolute purity + of this girl; nothing would ever tempt Lady Ethel to swerve ever + so little from the path of rectitude and decorum. The cold, proud + patrician face spoke for itself, and yet—he was in a brown + study when the voice of his prospective mother-in-law brought him + out of the clouds. + </p> + <p> + "And now," she said in a significant tone and with a glance full + of meaning, "now I suppose you young people have lots to talk + about, and will forgive me if I run away." + </p> + <p> + And the silken draperies swept themselves across the floor and + the door closed softly upon her Grace. + </p> + <p> + Ethel lay back in a low, lounging chair with a big ostrich + feather fan in her hand, and she looked up expectantly into her + lover's face. There was nothing else for it, and he took the + plunge valiantly—and with precisely the correct amount of + maidenly hesitancy, Lady Ethel named a day for their marriage. + And then—somehow there seemed nothing more to be said; each + sat silent. + </p> + <p> + Sir John felt rather than saw his companion yawn behind her fan, + and realised desperately that he must break the silence. + </p> + <p> + "Ethel," he said gently; "I am old compared with yourself, and + grave and sad even beyond my years; are you sure I can make your + future happy?" + </p> + <p> + She looked at him with a good deal of surprise, and a frown + puckered her smooth brow. + </p> + <p> + "Why not? Why should we wish for rhapsodies and commonplace + love-making? We can leave all that to the Chloes and Daphnes of a + by-gone age. It would be boring to the last degree. One must take + pleasure just as much as sorrow, with a certain amount of + equanimity. If there is one thing more than another that I hate, + it is to be ruffled. Emotion of any sort ages a girl so + terribly." + </p> + <p> + The sword would never wear out the scabbard so far as Lady Ethel + was concerned! He doubted if she were capable of any great depth + of feeling. But he did not say now as he would have done a week + ago—"So much the better;" he no longer felt that it was + altogether desirable. + </p> + <p> + He looked at her more scrutinisingly than he had ever done + before, and for the first time he told himself that the + beautifully moulded mouth was hard and unloving, and that the + chin spoke of self-will and an amount of resolution unusual in + such a young girl. + </p> + <p> + He hastened to change the subject. + </p> + <p> + "You would like to visit Switzerland or Italy?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "No; I don't care for scenery much, or nature! I like human + nature best; it is much more interesting, I consider. I should + prefer Paris or Vienna." + </p> + <p> + "Then Paris or Vienna let it be, by all means," he hastened to + reply, and Lady Ethel smiled, well pleased. + </p> + <p> + "Mamma," said Sir John's <i>fiancée</i> an hour or two later, + when mother and daughter were alone. "Do you know who Mrs. + Chetwynd was?" + </p> + <p> + "My dear Ethel, it is much better that subject should not be + discussed." + </p> + <p> + "I don't agree with you. Since I am going to marry John it can + only be right and proper that I should be made aware of every + detail connected with his former marriage." + </p> + <p> + When Lady Ethel adopted that tone, her mother knew by past + experience that it was a saving of time and temper to yield. + </p> + <p> + "I only know that she was beneath him in position—a dancer, + I believe, and she ran away with someone else. Really + providential, I consider; it must have been a happy release for + poor Sir John." + </p> + <p> + "He was plain Mr. Chetwynd." + </p> + <p> + "Yes; but already very popular. It was exceedingly fortunate that + he did not get his baronetcy earlier, for had he done so, she + would probably have refused to be faithless." + </p> + <p> + "I wonder if he felt her desertion much?" + </p> + <p> + "The world says not; they had lived unhappily for some time + before, and the general impression was that he did not care in + the least." + </p> + <p> + "But you spoke of her to him when he asked your consent to our + marriage?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, Ethel, I did; I referred to it as delicately as possible, + of course. I believe I said, 'your early misfortune,' or + something to that effect." + </p> + <p> + "And what did he say?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, he spoke very nicely; he said he was aware that it added + to the disparity between a man in his position and my daughter." + </p> + <p> + "And you?" + </p> + <p> + "I believe I replied that because a bad woman had caused him + misery and suffering in the past, it was no reason why he should + not win and hold the love of a good girl, and that because of the + sorrow he had endured, I felt the more assured in trusting my + child's happiness into his keeping." + </p> + <p> + "That was sweet of you, mother; but did it not occur to you that + there was just—a little risk?" + </p> + <p> + "How?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't think that John is a man who would forget easily." + </p> + <p> + "Good Heavens, child! what do you mean? you cannot doubt the + sincerity of his protestations of affection for you, surely?" + </p> + <p> + Her daughter laughed. + </p> + <p> + "I certainly do not wish him to be more demonstrative, mother + dear; love-making is the most boring process imaginable; but + still, I should prefer, I must confess, that there was no + under-current of feeling for wife number one." + </p> + <p> + "You amaze me, Ethel, by suggesting such a horrible idea. The + woman may be dead for anything I know; at all events, she left + England before he obtained his divorce, and no one has heard + anything of her since. It is extremely improbable that she will + ever return to this country." + </p> + <p> + But in this, as we know, the Duchess was in grave error. + </p> + <p> + At that very moment Bella was sitting by the open piano in her + cosy apartments in a street off the Strand, idly striking a note + here and there and humming the air of a new song; but her cough, + which was incessant, made singing almost out of the question. + </p> + <p> + "I believe I'm getting worse," she cried, rising and flinging + herself on the sofa, "I'm sure I was not so bad as this three + months ago—not so bad when—he never came. Ah! why + should he? How could I expect it? Perhaps to-day may have been + his wedding day! Come in." + </p> + <p> + The door opened noisily, and Saidie Blackall, very much + over-dressed and distinctly rouged and made up, entered, followed + by Mr. and Mrs. Doss, looking precisely the same as on that + memorable night when they had been the innocent cause of so much + trouble to Bella's husband. The old music-hall singer and his + wife had lost no time in looking her up when she returned from + the States, and were really well-meaning, kindly folk. + </p> + <p> + "Hallo, Bella, you look done up!" + </p> + <p> + "I am," admitted the girl wearily. "It was as much as I could do + to pull through to-night, and I have got a beastly new song to + tackle." + </p> + <p> + "I don't like your cough, my dear," said Mrs. Doss, looking + distressed; "it shakes you to bits." + </p> + <p> + "I've got a little more cold, I fancy; but I'll be all right in a + day or two." + </p> + <p> + "You're not looking the thing—I saw you from the front + to-night—and—well, I guess it was a bit of a heffort + to sing at all, eh?" + </p> + <p> + Bella turned quickly and looked sharply into Mr. Doss's face. + </p> + <p> + "If you have got anything disagreeable to say, don't be afraid, + out with it. I suppose you have jumped to the notion that I'm + dying?" + </p> + <p> + She tried to laugh, but it was a piteous attempt, and ended in a + fit of coughing which left her white and trembling in every limb. + </p> + <p> + "There, there!" cried Mrs. Doss, compassionately; "you must not + excite yourself; we will do the talking, and you keep quiet." + </p> + <p> + Bella lay back on her cushions, weak and exhausted, and when the + Dosses at length went away she gave a sigh of relief. + </p> + <p> + "What did they come for to-night?" she said thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + "Well, Bella, Doss had heard a bit of bad news and thought it as + well to put you on your guard; but finding you like this put it + out of his head, I suppose." + </p> + <p> + "Bad news? What do you mean? He's not married, is he?" + </p> + <p> + Saidie stared at her. + </p> + <p> + "Not that I know of—why, he would have you to-morrow; you + know that as well as I do! you are treating him in a rough way; + there's no mistake about it." + </p> + <p> + Bella fell back again relievedly. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, you're talking about Charlie, are you?" she said. + </p> + <p> + "Who should I be talking about? There isn't no one else as wants + to make an honest woman of you, is there?" + </p> + <p> + The shaft fell short of its mark. Bella did not even wince. + </p> + <p> + "Well, it strikes me, my girl, you'll have to fall in with his + views," Saidie continued presently; "for if what has come to + Doss's ears is true, you'll be out of a berth before you can say + Christopher Columbus." + </p> + <p> + "What on earth do you mean?" + </p> + <p> + "The management are getting dissatisfied, and we know what that + means." + </p> + <p> + The pale face flushed poppy red. + </p> + <p> + "They can't help themselves," she said eagerly. "I have a + contract for six months. They cannot cancel it, you must know + they can't, and it's not very likely I shall allow myself to be + played fast and loose with as the fancy takes them." + </p> + <p> + "But if you're not able to fulfil your share of the + contract—" + </p> + <p> + "Who says I am not?" cried Bella fiercely. "Old Robertson is a + fool, and if he thinks I'm going to put up with any hanky-panky, + he's jolly well mistaken. Let him try it on, that's all! I should + immediately take steps to enforce my rights, the law is on my + side, that's clear enough." + </p> + <p> + "I don't know! You heard what Doss said—about how you + looked from the front; and others have got their eyesight as well + as him, and can see you are not well and not—" + </p> + <p> + "Not fit to sing—that's what you are driving at?" + </p> + <p> + Saidie was silent. + </p> + <p> + "I tell you I will sing. Nothing and no one shall stop me. I + shall just defy them all, and go on, and there's no law in + England to stop me." + </p> + <p> + "If you are not a goose, Bella, I never saw one! What in all the + world keeps you on the boards, I cannot see. Here's a man come + over from N'York with the intention of marrying you; a man who is + earning his hundred dollars a week, and you turn up your nose at + him. I can't understand you. You seemed proud enough of him a + week or two back; but now all on a sudden, for no earthly reason, + you show him the cold shoulder." + </p> + <p> + "I suppose I can please myself," answered Bella, and her lip + quivered, and the tears began to roll down her cheeks. + </p> + <p> + "I wish to God I had never left—Jack," she said weakly. + </p> + <p> + Whereupon Saidie gave her what she was pleased to call a "piece + of her mind" as to the insane folly of any such speech, the + result of which was that Bella wept and coughed herself into a + state of collapse, and had to be carried off to bed. + </p> + <p> + Things did not mend. Bella persisted, ill though she was, in + appearing night after night in public until at length what Saidie + had predicted came to pass, and she received a formal notice + cancelling her engagement at the Empire on the ground of the + extreme delicacy of her health. + </p> + <p> + Mr. and Mrs. Doss happened to be with her at the time she + received the notice, and Bella partially appealed to them. + </p> + <p> + "You will help me, won't you? You won't allow them to impose upon + me so shamefully. They have no right to do it. It's + infamous—'annul my engagement' indeed! They shall find out + who they are dealing with. It would be ruin for me, it would + simply spoil my career. I shall go down at once and see + Robertson. It's a likely thing that I'm going to sit down calmly + and quietly and accept my dismissal. Not if I know it. I'll give + Robertson beans." + </p> + <p> + "I wouldn't do it if I were you," said Mrs. Doss quietly. + </p> + <p> + "Not do it; what do you mean? You must be dreaming. It is the + only thing to be done." + </p> + <p> + And now Mr. Doss, obeying a pathetic glance of his better half, + put in his oar. + </p> + <p> + "Be a bit patient; wait and see how things turn out; don't do + anything in a 'urry—that's our advice—the old gal's + and mine." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, take things heasy, I say," chimed in the "Rabbit Queen." + </p> + <p> + "I don't see what there is to wait for. Show me what is to be + gained by waiting, and I will consider it." + </p> + <p> + "Well, Bella; Doss here will tell you what we was thinking of; he + puts things clear like." + </p> + <p> + "What was in our mind was to talk the thing over first. Allus + talk the matter well over, was my motto as a boy. It saves a peck + o' bother and a deal o' doing. Don't flare out about it, but take + it gently and conversational." + </p> + <p> + "Fussing over things won't make you no better," echoed Mrs. Doss. + "Lor', bless me, didn't I have a sister what killed herself + fussing! Fussed herself into the grave, she did! And might have + been here, leastways in Camberwell—alive and hearty at this + minute." + </p> + <p> + "The question is—am I too ill to fulfil my engagement? and + I say 'no,'" cried Bella, angrily. + </p> + <p> + "And me, the missis and me—we says, certainly you are, and + so heverybody says. You want a thorough rest, and then you will + pick up again." + </p> + <p> + "That may be your opinion; it is not mine! you may talk till + doomsday; you won't convince me. I may surely be allowed to be + the best judge of my own state of health. I shall not wait a + day—not an hour. I'm going at once down to Robertson to + have the matter out with him." + </p> + <p> + The distressed pair exchanged glances, and then Mrs. Doss said in + a coaxing way, "If you must go, you will let me come with you, my + dear." + </p> + <p> + Bella hesitated. + </p> + <p> + "If you're on my side and mean to stick up for me, all right; but + if you're going to hum and haw and look grave, and take the part + of the management, you had best stay away." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Doss tucked Bella's arm within her own and trotted upstairs + to the bedroom, where Bella arrayed herself in total silence, and + her friend, beyond a vigorous sigh or two, was mute also. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Robertson was disengaged, and the ladies were at once ushered + into his presence. + </p> + <p> + "Now then," began Bella, dashing into her subject, "I have come + to know what all this means. You cannot dismiss me at a moment's + notice, and you know it just as well as I do. Ain't you satisfied + with me?" + </p> + <p> + "Perfectly. It is no question of that sort—but in your + present state of health you are not up to your work, and there + was no other alternative." + </p> + <p> + "Oh!" said Bella disagreeably, "does anybody else say I am not up + to work except you?" + </p> + <p> + "My dear Miss Blackall, I regret that this has been necessary. I + am exceedingly sorry that we brought you over from America and + then are compelled to terminate your engagement so soon, but in + your present condition—" + </p> + <p> + Mr. Robertson flung out his hands with an eloquent gesture. + </p> + <p> + "Well, look here; I'll give up my dance—that does shake me + a bit, I'll grant; but you must let me sing the new + song—you really must; I'm a nailer at it and I'll wrap up! + My cough will soon go: give me another chance!" + </p> + <p> + Her cheeks were flushed with excitement and her eyes were + sparkling—she really did not look so very ill this morning; + perhaps after all, things had been exaggerated. Mr. Robertson + wavered. Bella was quick to see her advantage and to press it. + </p> + <p> + "Withdraw your notice," she said, "and let me come on for one + song only for a week or two." + </p> + <p> + "It would really be better, I think, if you were to have an + entire rest for a month or so." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, for someone else to step into my shoes! Thank you for + nothing." + </p> + <p> + "I will pay you a fortnight's salary in lieu of longer notice; + and if you are desirous of returning to your friends in the + States, perhaps something might be arranged." + </p> + <p> + "I have no friends here or there," said Bella simply; "my + profession is all I have." + </p> + <p> + "Well, well, we'll give it a week's trial. If at the end of that + time you are sufficiently recovered to do your work properly, + well and good; but if not, you must really consider your + engagement at an end." + </p> + <p> + All this time Mrs. Doss had said nothing. Bella had talked so + volubly and so fast, there had really been no chance of getting + in a word; and when the manager rose to his feet to intimate that + the interview was at an end, there was nothing to be done but to + follow Bella out into the street. + </p> + <p> + "There!" she cried triumphantly, "I told you I would bring him to + his senses. You saw how soon he caved in. It is not a question of + my health at all; you may bet your bottom dollar I have an enemy, + but I flatter myself I've routed him." + </p> + <p> + Her breath was coming in gasps and she spoke with difficulty. Now + that the excitement was over and the necessity for bearing up at + an end, there came the reaction. + </p> + <p> + "I think I had better go home and lie down," she said, "or I + shall not be at my post to-night, and I must, you know, I must." + </p> + <p> + "Poor child, I could fairly have cried," said kindly Mrs. Doss to + her spouse after Bella had been safely escorted home. + </p> + <p> + "I'm not satisfied with you, old girl," said Mr. Doss, shaking + his head mournfully. "I can't 'elp thinking you might ha' managed + things better. If Bella Blackall goes on a singing at the + Hempire, you mark my words, she'll sing herself into 'eaven." + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER VII. + </h2> + <p> + A week went by slowly: the hours crept like snails, and yet the + days were surely slipping away, bringing nearer and nearer the + one which was to give Sir John Chetwynd his second wife. + </p> + <p> + He had hardly seen Lady Ethel since the evening when she had + yielded a coy assent to his not (it must be confessed) very + amorous request that she would fix an early day for their + nuptials, and his state of mind was anything but an enviable one. + If ever a man was torn two ways, halting between prudence and + worldly consideration on one side and the force and power of a + love which he had honestly believed was laid for ever in its + grave, that man was Sir John. The idea of seeing Bella again did + not occur to him for some days, but when it fastened on him he + could not shake it off. It was stronger than himself. He excused + his temptation by the condition of her health, though in his + heart of hearts he knew well enough that this was not + sufficiently critical to serve for a reason. + </p> + <p> + Twice he seized his hat with the intention of going to her, then + laid it aside, angry and disgusted with his own weakness. + </p> + <p> + His profession no longer occupied his thoughts to the exclusion + of every other topic. He sat for hours buried in the newly + awakened memories that that one brief glimpse of her had conjured + up, unable, unwilling to rouse himself. + </p> + <p> + And then he made a compromise with his own weakness and + irresolution. He would not go to Cecil Street, since by so doing + he would be offering a tacit insult to the woman he had pledged + himself to marry, but he would, he must see Bella, himself unseen + and his presence unsuspected, and this he could effect easily by + going to the Empire. + </p> + <p> + The notion pleased him, and that self-same evening he carried it + out. + </p> + <p> + Bella was worse. She could no longer deceive herself. It was only + by a superhuman effort that she could pull herself together + sufficiently to sing the one song which was all her part + consisted of now. + </p> + <p> + After she had got into her pretty sea-green skirts of lace and + tulle and shimmering silk, like so much sea foam, she had to lie + still and, let the poor over-strained lungs and heart recover + themselves, and then, when the summons came she called up a smile + to her wan face and pluckily did her best. + </p> + <p> + But that night she looked up at Saidie after the last ribbon was + in its place. + </p> + <p> + "I'll have to throw up the sponge, after all," she said wearily; + "it is beyond me. They are right and I was wrong,—I must + have a rest." + </p> + <p> + Saidie muttered something in reply, but when the door closed upon + her sister, she sighed. + </p> + <p> + "She <i>is</i> bad; there is no denying it," remarked the + dresser, who was busily stroking out the roses which were to + garland Saidie's dress. "It gives me a turn every time I see her + go on the stage." + </p> + <p> + "She looks worse than she really is," returned Saidie; "sometimes + she is as brisk and lively as you like—she so soon gets + tired." + </p> + <p> + "She is a tidy sight worse than 'tired,' and it strikes me her + voice was weak like to-night. Did you notice it, Miss?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, she varies so. I guess she would be as right as any of us + the moment she was on the boards." + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, although she was not going to confess it, Saidie + was troubled and uneasy. There was something in Bella's face she + had not seen before, and it frightened her—a little. She + stood at the wings with a quick-beating heart, but the next + moment laughed at her own fears. + </p> + <p> + Bella was singing her very best. Not a falter in the clear, + bell-like tones, and her face was smiling and radiant. + </p> + <p> + And then—her eyes fastened themselves on a box in the grand + tier; with a scared expression she shrank back a little, and her + lip quivered, but with a mighty effort she controlled herself and + caught up the refrain again—carolled a word or two, + faltered, swayed helplessly, uncertainly forward, and fell + headlong on the stage. + </p> + <p> + They were round her in a second, lifting her gently and tenderly. + Her head had fallen back and a thin stream of blood was welling + over the laces at her bosom. + </p> + <p> + "She is dead!" cried Saidie. "Oh, will someone fetch a doctor, + quick!" + </p> + <p> + But almost before the words were spoken he was there, and when + Bella opened her eyes they fell on the grave, anxious, kindly + face of the man whose wife she had been. + </p> + <p> + "Jack! Jack! is this—the end?" + </p> + <p> + "Hush—no—no! Keep still—perfectly + still—you must not move." + </p> + <p> + "I am not—in pain—a little dizzy—nothing more, + and my head feels light." + </p> + <p> + "Drink this and don't talk. As soon as you are a little recovered + we will go home." + </p> + <p> + "Home! Jack!" + </p> + <p> + Oh, the wistful look in the deep blue eyes—the prophetic + droop about the perfect mouth! It was almost more than he could + bear. + </p> + <p> + "I will go with you myself if you will do what I tell you, keep + absolutely quiet—your life depends upon it." + </p> + <p> + She looked up tremulously. + </p> + <p> + "I don't care—a—cent <i>now</i>," she whispered. + </p> + <p> + She bore the journey to Cecil Street better than they could hope, + and the bleeding from the lungs had ceased. + </p> + <p> + Downstairs Saidie expressed a wish to remain all night with her + sister. + </p> + <p> + "She ought not to be left," she said. + </p> + <p> + "Most decidedly she must not be left," replied Sir John—"I + intend remaining with your sister." + </p> + <p> + "You! Well, this beats all, upon my word!" + </p> + <p> + So great was Miss Blackall's surprise that when she found herself + ousted from the position of head nurse and the door + metaphorically closed upon her, she had not a word to say, but + called a hansom and had herself driven to Bayswater, where she + had been living since her mother's death, now nearly a year ago. + </p> + <p> + "And I used to think he didn't amount to a row of pins," she + murmured with an odd sort of penitence. "Well, I guess I was + wrong, that's all." + </p> + <p> + Through the long hours of that never-ending night John Chetwynd + watched by Bella's bedside. For the most part, she lay mute and + inert, but towards morning she grew restless. + </p> + <p> + "I must talk," she cried excitedly—"to see you sit there + and to think—to remember—oh! if only I had run + straight, Jack—I don't think I was meant for this, do you?" + </p> + <p> + He had no words with which to answer her. He folded his arms + across his chest and looked out vaguely into the slant of room + beyond. The folding doors were open and on the sideboard he could + see a basket full of peaches, at this season an extravagance + denied his own table. On the mantelshelf to his right hand were + some exquisite hot-house flowers, carelessly crushed into a + cracked, cheap little vase, and a penny packet of stationery and + a powder puff in a sprinkling of chalk. + </p> + <p> + She stretched out her arms so that her fingers touched him, and + he held them tightly in his own—rings and all. + </p> + <p> + She was never meant for the life she had chosen! + </p> + <p> + His heart felt breaking. + </p> + <p> + The delicate features, the sweet, wistful, childish face, the + pathos in her regretful cry—the past with its load of gall + and shame and misery—which could never be obliterated. + Never! + </p> + <p> + "Why do you look at me like that? I am better. I know I am + better. I thought—I feared—I was going to die; if I + had there was no one to care but—Saidie." + </p> + <p> + "Do you not think what it would mean to—me?" + </p> + <p> + The words broke from him against his will. + </p> + <p> + "To—you, Jack! then you care—still!" + </p> + <p> + "Care!" + </p> + <p> + He drew his hand away and walked over to the window. The morning + was breaking: morning in the Strand; and already there was a busy + hum without. + </p> + <p> + Her eyes followed him wistfully, with a little wonderment in + them—and then the lids fell over them. + </p> + <p> + "I feel strangely weak—but—so—happy, Jack," she + said. Her breath came more easily and she slept. + </p> + <p> + Sir John Chetwynd was in his accustomed place at the accustomed + hour, grave, attentive and professional as was his wont; but + after his consulting hours were over, he went back to Cecil + Street, leaving word with Soames where he was to be found, if + wanted, prepared for another night's vigil. + </p> + <p> + "She seems neither better nor worse," said Saidie, meeting him in + the little sitting-room and carefully pulling to the door behind + her. "She is very, very weak. Is there a chance for her?" + </p> + <p> + "I am afraid to say—it depends so much on what recuperative + power she has. If the bleeding can be stopped, I shall be more + hopeful." + </p> + <p> + "What is she to do, poor Bella? She will never be able to sing + again, I suppose?" + </p> + <p> + "Never." He spoke curtly, almost cruelly. Saidie burst into + tears. + </p> + <p> + At that moment came a smart tap at the door. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Bolingbroke, Miss," said a voice from without. + </p> + <p> + "He can't come up." Saidie sprang from her chair. But she was too + late. The handle turned, and a tall, distinctly good-looking man + walked in. + </p> + <p> + "Miss Blackhall—how unkind to deny me admittance. You must + know how fearfully anxious I am. How is she?" + </p> + <p> + "There's the doctor—ask him." + </p> + <p> + The stranger turned eagerly. + </p> + <p> + "This is not serious, I trust. She was always delicate, + but—it is wonderful how she pulls together when the worst + is over." + </p> + <p> + For almost the first time in his life John Chetwynd was + tongue-tied. + </p> + <p> + Who and what was this man, and what was he to Bella? He forced + himself to give a professional opinion, and answered mechanically + a string of questions Mr. Bolingbroke poured forth, but he hardly + knew what he was saying. + </p> + <p> + "If only she gets over this she shall never be bothered any more, + poor darling," he said brokenly. "I suppose I can go in, eh?" + </p> + <p> + His hand was on the door—John Chetwynd sprang to his feet. + </p> + <p> + "No one must see her," he cried excitedly. "I absolutely forbid + it. It would be most dangerous—most improper." + </p> + <p> + The two men looked into each other's faces for the space of + several seconds; then Mr. Bolingbroke turned away with a sigh and + an impatient word. "Absurd! As if I could do her any harm," he + said. "Well, I will be round again later in the day," he added + with a nod to Saidie, and a minute later the hall door shut upon + him. + </p> + <p> + "Who is that man?" asked Sir John sternly. + </p> + <p> + Saidie shrugged her shoulders. + </p> + <p> + "You shall tell me—what is he to Bella?" + </p> + <p> + "He is a good and noble man, and let me tell you there ain't too + many knocking around. If she lives to get over this he will make + her his wife." + </p> + <p> + And there was silence—a silence in which John Chetwynd read + clearly his own heart at last, and stood face to face with + facts—facts stripped of false adornments—naked, + convincing. + </p> + <p> + Then he strode across the room and entered that in which Bella + lay. + </p> + <p> + She was asleep, and he drew his chair close to the bedside and + fixed his eyes on the wan, thin face, fever flushed, and fought + the fiercest battle of his life with his inner self; and when the + struggle was over, Pride lay in tatters and Love was conqueror. + </p> + <p> + She slept at intervals almost the whole of that day. Waking late + in the afternoon, her eyes fell on the silent watcher by her + side, and she smiled happily, contentedly. + </p> + <p> + Saidie bent over her and whispered a word or two. + </p> + <p> + "No—no," cried Bella vehemently; "send him away. I don't + want to see him." + </p> + <p> + "But he is so anxious, dear." + </p> + <p> + "Is he?—poor Charlie! Tell him I am in no pain, and I + should like to think he will never quite forget me." + </p> + <p> + "He will never do that," said Saidie, going away with her message + but half satisfied, and Bella turned a flushed cheek to her + pillow. + </p> + <p> + And then, for the second time, John Chetwynd asked, "Who is that + man?" + </p> + <p> + And Bella tried feebly to tell him. He had been attached to her + for a long time, and had come over with her from the States. + </p> + <p> + "And you—did you mean to marry him, Bella?" + </p> + <p> + "I had thought of it—it seemed suicidal to say no to such + an offer, and then I—oh, Jack, when I saw you I knew I + could never love any other man!" + </p> + <p> + He poured out a draught and held it to her trembling lips. + </p> + <p> + "I feel so strangely weak," she said; "you are going to marry + Ethel, and I am nothing to you now?" + </p> + <p> + John Chetwynd drew her close to him, so that the tired head + rested on his shoulder with the sweet familiarity of long ago. + </p> + <p> + "Listen," he said. "I have been a coward, frightened of the + truth. The world was dearer to me than happiness, or I thought + so, and I hesitated, afraid of its contempt. But amid my weakness + was one thought, one impulse, which no amount of worldly prudence + or consideration could stifle, and Bella—my wife—that + was my love for you." + </p> + <p> + "Jack, Jack, is it true?" + </p> + <p> + "I have loved you always, through all my life, you and no other. + I see now how hard I must have seemed to you and how wild and + unreasonable I was in my expectation from you and how at last it + drove you from my side. The shame of it is not more yours than + mine. We both erred, we both sinned; but I was older and should + have been wiser; the burden of it should fall on me. The world is + nothing to me now—less than nothing. Let us take up life + where we broke it off. Give me back the past, which held for me + all of happiness I have ever known." + </p> + <p> + She lay with a smile of peace upon her face, both hands clinging + to his. + </p> + <p> + "I have communed with myself and thought it well out, and I + believe that to bind my life, with its memories of you, to the + girl to whom I am engaged, would be a cruel wrong and an + injustice to her. She deserves a better fate, and I honestly feel + that the rupture will not grieve her much. We will remarry, you + and I. I will take you away from England, I will guard and + cherish you, and in my love for you, you will grow stronger. Oh! + my darling, my darling, if you knew what life has been to me + since you went; how I have blamed myself,—I who ought to + have shielded you against yourself, and have been a moral + backbone to your weakness. Then as time went on I persuaded + myself that I had succeeded in putting you out of my + heart,—that I had forgotten you,—and then—you + came back to me, and the past leapt living from the years that + had no power to bury it, and I knew that you were more to me than + honour or fame or anything the world held. Hence-forth I will be + so gentle with you, so tender—so loving." + </p> + <p> + "Will you—kiss me—Jack?" + </p> + <p> + She had gradually pulled herself upright on the pillows. + </p> + <p> + "Will you kiss me—and say—once more, as you used + to—'God bless you—wifie'?" + </p> + <p> + Their lips met and clung together. + </p> + <p> + "God bless you—wifie." + </p> + <p> + And there was silence, a long silence, broken by a gasp, a sigh, + and a gentle unloosening of the clasping arms. + </p> + <p> + "Bella—Bella—speak to me, my beloved." + </p> + <p> + But the passionate cry fell on ears that heard not. + </p> + <p> + The tempest-tossed soul was at rest; above were the pitying + Angels' wings, and over all the solemn hush of Death. + </p> + <hr /> + <h2 class="chp"> + <a id="one" name="one">ONE CAN'T ALWAYS TELL.</a> + </h2> + <p class="ctr"> + <i>From Miss Rose Dacre, Southampton, to Miss Amy Conway, 30, + Alford Street, Park Lane</i>. + </p> + <p class="quotdate"> + YACHT "MARIE," + <br /> + SOUTHAMPTON. + <br /> + <i>July 15th, 1901.</i> + </p> + <p> + Dearest Amy, + </p> + <p> + Here am I on Jack's yacht, anchored in Southampton waters. The + weather is perfect, and I am having a very good time. Jack's + mother is on board, and is really devoted to me. I am a lucky + girl to have such a sweet mother-in-law in prospective. She is + the dearest old lady in the world. The wedding has been decided + upon for the last week in September, so I suppose that I shall + have to come back to town before very long to see about my + trousseau. + </p> + <p> + There is really nothing so bewildering to anyone who sees it for + the first time as the exquisite order and dainty perfection of a + yacht in which its owner takes a pride, and can afford to gratify + his whim. And this is the case with Jack. The deck shines like + polished parquet. The sails and ropes are faultlessly clean, and + Jack says that the masts have just been scraped and the funnel + repainted. The brass nails and the binnacle are as perfectly in + order as if they were costly instruments in an optician's window. + There is a small deck cargo of coal in white canvas sacks, with + leather straps and handles. And there is the deck-house with its + plate-glass windows and velvet fittings and spring-blinds. + </p> + <p> + Soon after I arrived I went down into the engine-room, where I + saw machinery as scrupulously clean as if it were part of some + gigantic watch which a grain of dust might throw out of gear. On + the deck are delightful P. and O. lounges with their arms doing + duty for small tables. All around the wheel and upon the roof of + the deck-house, and here and there on stands against the + bulwarks, there are ranged in pots, bright red geraniums + contrasted with the yellow calceolaria, and the deliriously + scented heliotrope. Altogether, everything is charming. + </p> + <p> + We go delightful trips every day, and it doesn't matter whether + there is a favourable wind or not, as Jack's is a steam yacht. We + have slept on board except one night when it was rather rough, + and then Mrs. Vivian and I stayed at the South Western Hotel. + </p> + <p> + Altogether I am enjoying myself more than I have ever done in my + life. Jack is an angel and adores me, the darling. + </p> + <p class="quotsig"> + Fond love, + <br /> + From your affectionate + <br /> + ROSE. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—There is a Mrs. Tenterden, a widow, coming down to the + yacht on Thursday to stay for a few days. Mrs. Vivian tells me + that she is very good-looking. + </p> + <p class="break"> + <i>From the Same to the Same.</i> + </p> + <p class="quotdate"> + YACHT "MARIE," + <br /> + SOUTHAMPTON. + <br /> + <i>July 22nd, 1901.</i> + </p> + <p> + Dearest Amy, + </p> + <p> + We are still here. Mrs. Tenterden, the lady I spoke about in my + last letter, arrived here on Thursday. + </p> + <p> + I hate her! I hate her!! I hate her!!! + </p> + <p> + You will doubtless wonder why I, who am, as a rule, a quiet, + harmless little dove, should indulge in such sinful feelings, but + you will cease doing so when I tell you the truth. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Tenterden has set her cap at Jack! He has—I know + it—fallen under the spell of the enchantress. And she is an + enchantress. She is a woman of about thirty, tall, fair, with + striking features, lovely eyes, and the most superb complexion I + have ever seen. The best complexion I ever recollect was that of + a peasant girl's at Ivy Bridge in Devonshire, but hers was + nothing to compare with Mrs. Tenterden's. It is perfect. I can + say no more. + </p> + <p> + Then she is extremely amusing, being a brilliant talker (for I + heard Jack say so) and very witty (for he is constantly laughing + at the things she says, and which for the most part I don't + understand). + </p> + <p> + But this I know, that since her advent I have changed from the + happiest girl in the world into one of the most miserable. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Tenterden is the widow of Colonel Tenterden, who was a + brother officer of Jack's father, Colonel Vivian. Her husband + died in India about six months ago, and she has lately returned + to England. Jack had never seen her before, but Mrs. Vivian, who + knew her as a young girl, asked her down here. + </p> + <p> + She has made a dead set at Jack, and I feel (I can't help it) + that he has fallen a captive to her bow and spear, for his manner + towards me has entirely changed. He is not my darling, loving + Jack, at all, but merely a polite friend. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Vivian must be blind not to see what is going on. But I + cannot enlighten her, and what am I to do? Do give me your + advice, dear Amy? + </p> + <p class="quotsig"> + Ever your affectionate + <br /> + ROSE. + </p> + <p class="break"> + <i>From Miss Amy Conway to Miss Rose Dacre</i>. + </p> + <p class="quotdate"> + ALFORD STREET. + <br /> + TUESDAY. + </p> + <p> + My dearest Child, + </p> + <p> + Just got yours. You ask my advice, and to use a phrase of my + brother Tom's, "I give it you in once." Don't be a little goose + and bother your pretty little head. I am older than you, and I + understand women of the Mrs. Tenterden type. They amuse men for a + time, and very often take them captive, but in nineteen cases out + of twenty the prisoner escapes. In other words, they are not the + women who men care to marry. Fancy your Jack, for instance, + preferring a <i>rusée</i> garrison hack, like Mrs. Tenterden, to + your own sweet self. It is absolutely ridiculous. + </p> + <p> + Do nothing and say nothing. Don't worry yourself and all will + come right. The temporary infatuation will pass away, and Mr. + Vivian will love you all the better afterwards. You will see if I + am not right. + </p> + <p class="quotsig"> + So be comforted, darling Rose. + <br /> + Ever your loving + <br /> + AMY. + </p> + <p class="break"> + <i>From Mrs. Tenterden to Mrs. Montague Mount</i>, 170A, <i>Ebury + Street, S.W.</i> + </p> + <p class="quotdate"> + YACHT "MARIE," + <br /> + SOUTHAMPTON. + <br /> + <i>July 23rd</i>, 1901. + </p> + <p> + DEAREST LILY, + </p> + <p> + I promised to let you know how I got on, and to write as soon as + there was anything to write about. So here goes. I am on board + Jack Vivian's yacht, and a ripper it is. That is to say, I am on + the yacht in the day, but sleep at the South Western Hotel. I + hate sleeping on board a yacht, and never do so if I can help it. + It may benefit one's health—daresay that it does—but + I do like to take my rest on shore. Well, now, as to my news. I + have made a great impression on Mr. Vivian. He is the easiest man + to deal with I ever met in my life, and he is as putty in my + hands. That stupid girl, Miss Dacre, to whom he is supposed to be + engaged—I say supposed because he does not seem to be quite + clear about it himself—hasn't got a chance with me. What + Jack Vivian could have ever seen in her I can't guess. She is the + usual type of English Miss who can say "Papa and Mamma," and that + is about all. I can see that she loathes me, and I don't wonder + at it. But I am perfectly charming to her, and affect not to + notice her palpable dislike. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Vivian—Jack's mother—seems not to have the + remotest idea how matters are shaping, and fondly imagines that + her beloved son is going to marry Miss Dacre. My dear Lily, as + the Americans say, "it will be a cold day in August before that + event comes off." The fact is that Jack pays her only the + slightest attention and is absolutely engrossed with me. If I, + therefore, don't pull off this <i>coup</i> I deserve to be + hanged. When I have actually landed my fish I shall take my + departure for a day while he breaks matters off with + mademoiselle. You may not perhaps approve of this, but I know + what I am about. + </p> + <p> + More in a day or two. + </p> + <p class="quotsig"> + Ever yours, + <br /> + ALICE. + </p> + <p class="break"> + <i>From Mrs. Montague Mount to Mrs. Tenterden</i>. + </p> + <p class="quotdate"> + 170A, EBURY STREET, + <br /> + <i>24th July</i> 1901. + </p> + <p> + DEAREST ALICE, + </p> + <p> + I was much interested in your letter. Needless to say that I wish + you the success that you are sure to attain. One word of advice. + If I were you, while you are at Southampton, I should manage to + be a good deal more at the hotel than you appear to be. You + cannot have much opportunity for conversation on board the yacht, + but at the hotel you can have Mr. Vivian all to yourself. And you + can easily make excuses to get off the yacht, and as he is + evidently so <i>épris</i>, he will follow you to the hotel, when + you will have him more or less at your mercy. I shall be longing + to hear how the plot thickens. + </p> + <p class="quotsig"> + With fond love, + <br /> + Believe me, + <br /> + Your devoted friend, + <br /> + LILY. + </p> + <p class="break"> + <i>From Mrs. Tenterden to Mrs. Montague Mount</i>. + </p> + <p class="quotdate"> + <i>July 29th,</i> 1901. + </p> + <p> + DEAREST LILY, + </p> + <p> + Thanks for yours. My dear child, I have taken your excellent + advice and am very glad that I did so. Your plan of campaign has + proved most successful. I have had Jack with me for hours in the + smoking room at the hotel, where the ladies staying in the hotel + as well as the men always resort. It is a large room and affords + ample opportunity for a <i>tête-à-tête</i>. Of these + opportunities I have availed myself to the fullest possible + extent. And with what result, you will naturally ask? With the + result, my dear, of making this man absolutely mad about me. He + has become an utter imbecile. <i>C'est tout dit</i>. His + incoherent raving would only bore you, so, like the kindhearted + little person I am, I spare you this infliction. Suffice it to + say that he is mine body and soul. I say nothing about his + fortune, because that naturally goes with the other two. + </p> + <p> + Let me thank you sincerely for your wise counsels, + </p> + <p class="quotsig"> + And, believe me, + <br /> + Ever affectionately yours, + <br /> + ALICE. + </p> + <p class="break"> + <i>Miss Amy Conway to Miss Rose Dacre</i>. + </p> + <p class="quotdate"> + ALFORD STREET. + <br /> + THURSDAY. + </p> + <p> + DEAREST ROSE, + </p> + <p> + I have been anxiously expecting to hear from you, but you have + not sent me a single line. I say "anxiously," not that I really + feel the least anxiety about you, being perfectly positive, as I + am, that all will be right. But, my dearest girl, I am so deeply + interested in this affair that, of course, I am anxious to hear + how matters are going on. And you are a very naughty child not to + have written to me before. Repair your sin of omission as soon as + possible, and let me have a full account of all your proceedings. + </p> + <p class="quotsig"> + With much love, + <br /> + Yours ever, + <br /> + AMY. + </p> + <p class="break"> + <i>From Miss Rose Dacre to Miss Amy Conway,</i> 30, <i>Alford + Street, Park Lane</i>. + </p> + <p class="quotdate"> + YACHT "MARIE," + <br /> + COWES. + <br /> + <i>August 2nd</i>, 1901. + </p> + <p> + DEAREST AMY, + </p> + <p> + Pray forgive me for not having written sooner. But as the French + say, <i>tout savoir est tout pardonner.</i> And having been for + many days in the depth of despair, worried out of my life, and + half dead with anxiety, I have not really been able to put pen to + paper. But now all is changed, and I am able to address you with + a light heart. + </p> + <p> + I am sure, Amy, that you will be longing to know why, and for + this reason I will not for a moment leave you a victim to the + most terrible ailment that can attack our sex—unsatisfied + feminine curiosity. + </p> + <p> + Two days ago we were still at Southampton, and it was proposed + that after lunch we should take a little trip down the river + Hamble—a river which runs into Southampton Water. Well, we + started—Jack, and a friend of his, Captain Cleland, Mrs. + Vivian, Mrs. Tenterden, and myself. All went well for about an + hour, when a breeze sprang up which soon developed into half a + gale. At least I understood the captain of the yacht to say so. I + didn't mind it in the least, but Mrs. Vivian, poor old lady, was + dreadfully ill and nervous, and though I did all I could to + comfort and reassure her, it was not of much use. As for Mrs. + Tenterden, she absolutely collapsed. In abject terror she uttered + incoherent cries, and no one could make out what she wished to be + done. Jack seemed very upset and tried to soothe her as well as + he could, but it was all to no effect, and indeed she once turned + on him just like a virago, saying, + </p> + <p> + "I never wanted to come on your horrid yacht, but you would make + me, and see what has happened to me now." + </p> + <p> + Poor Jack—I call him "Poor Jack" although he has behaved + like a very naughty boy—seemed to wince, but made no reply. + </p> + <p> + Eventually we arrived opposite the village of Hamble, and there + the anchor was weighed—if that is the right expression. + Jack suggested that the three ladies, including myself, should go + ashore in the dingey and stay at the hotel. Mrs. Vivian said that + she did not want to do this, and Mrs. Tenterden positively + refused. + </p> + <p> + "Do you think that I am going to risk my life that jim-crack + boat?" she asked. "I am not quite an imbecile. Though I think I + must be after all, otherwise I should not have come on this + idiotic cruise." + </p> + <p> + Jack again made no reply, but there was something in his face + that told me that he was becoming disillusioned. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after that he sent the skipper and a boy ashore, who + returned with some marvellous looking lobsters and a huge crab. + It seems that this place is famous for its shell-fish, and I can + only say that I never tasted anything more delicious than the + crab in question. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Vivian managed to eat a little dinner, but Mrs. Tenterden + retired to her cabin and contented herself with some soup. + </p> + <p> + I for my part, ate a most capital dinner, and I fancied that Jack + seemed sorry for the way he has been treating me lately; + treatment which I should never have put up with, except from a + man whom I love so devotedly—a man whom I meant to rescue + (selfishly, I admit) from that siren's clutches. In all I have + done I have been guided by your advice, and therefore to you + remains all the credit, coupled with the life-long devotion of + your little friend. + </p> + <p> + Well, we slept on board the yacht, and the morning brought its + revelations. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Tenterden was not present at breakfast, and came on deck + very late. And only imagine, my dear, how she had changed. That + beautiful pink complexion that I had admired so much, and even + envied, had disappeared altogether. Her face was of a greyish + hue, and possessed no shade of pink. Those beautiful pencilled + eyebrows seemed to have strangely altered, and to have + unaccountably thinned down. The charming woman-of-the-world + manner had entirely disappeared, and, later on, when we descended + to the cabin, at luncheon time, Mrs. Tenterden cast furtive and + certainly not reassuring glances at the little mirror hanging + there. + </p> + <p> + I confess that at first I was a wee bit sorry for her, but after + all, this Nemesis was thoroughly deserved, and when I saw the + impression that the metamorphosis had made on Jack—the + darling goose can't conceal his feelings—I must own to + having been overjoyed. + </p> + <p> + "The Enchantress" left for London the same evening, looking in + her war paint quite a different being. But this made no + difference, for Jack, I need scarcely say, had evidently altered + his mind. + </p> + <p> + Since her departure, everything has gone back to its old state. + Jack, poor fickle boy, is devotion itself, and I have not thought + proper to resist his entreaties to consent to an immediate + marriage. You will not blame me, darling, will you? + </p> + <p class="quotsig"> + Ever your affectionate and + <br /> + Happy friend, + <br /> + ROSE. + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + <a id="songs" name="songs">SONGS.</a> + </h2> + <p> + AFTER VICTOR HUGO, ARMAND SILVESTRE, CHARLES ROUSSEAU AND THE + VICOMTE DE BORELLI. + </p> + <div class="poem"> + <h4> + DARLING ARISE. + </h4> + <p> + (AFTER VICTOR HUGO.) + </p> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Pretty one, tho' the morning is breaking + </p> + <p> + Thy lattice is fasten'd close + </p> + <p> + How is it that thou art not waking + </p> + <p> + When awake is the rose? + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Darling, arise! for I am he + </p> + <p> + Thy lover who sighs and sings to thee, + </p> + <p> + Thy lover who sighs and sings to thee. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Nature loud at thy lattice is beating: + </p> + <p> + I am Day says the morning above + </p> + <p> + I am music the bird sings repeating, + </p> + <p> + And my heart cries "I am Love." + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Darling, arise! for I am he, + </p> + <p> + Thy lover who sighs and sings to thee, + </p> + <p> + Thy lover who sighs and sings to thee. + </p> + </div> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <h4> + ROSE. + </h4> + <p> + (VIELLE CHANSON DU JEUNE TEMPS.) + </p> + <p> + (AFTER VICTOR HUGO.) + </p> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + I never thought at all of Rose, + </p> + <p> + As Rose and I went through the dell, + </p> + <p> + We fell a talking I suppose, + </p> + <p> + But yet of what I cannot tell. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Pebbles below and mosses over, + </p> + <p> + Rippled a cool and limpid rill; + </p> + <p> + Nature lay sleeping like a lover + </p> + <p> + In the embrace of the woods so still. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Shoes and stockings off she slipped, + </p> + <p> + And with her sweetly innocent air + </p> + <p> + Into the stream her feet she dipped, + </p> + <p> + Yet I never saw her feet were bare. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + I only talked, the time beguiling + </p> + <p> + As we wandered, she and I; + </p> + <p> + And sometimes I saw her smiling, + </p> + <p> + But now and then I heard her sigh. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Only her beauty dawned on me + </p> + <p> + When silent woods were left behind, + </p> + <p> + "Never mind that now!" said she + </p> + <p> + And now I shall always mind. + </p> + </div> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <h4> + REGRETS. + </h4> + <p> + (AFTER CHARLES ROUSSEAU.) + </p> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Let me cherish in my sadness + </p> + <p> + Those fair days of youth and gladness! + </p> + <p> + Moments of delightful madness + </p> + <p> + Gone, alas, for evermore! + </p> + <p> + Vain regrets for misspent powers, + </p> + <p> + Wasted chances, faded flowers, + </p> + <p> + Vex my lonely spirit sore. + </p> + <p> + Had I only known before! + </p> + <p> + Let me cherish in my sadness + </p> + <p> + Those fair days of youth and gladness! + </p> + <p> + Moments of delightful madness + </p> + <p> + Gone, alas, for evermore! + </p> + </div> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <h4> + TOO LATE. + </h4> + <p> + (PEINE D'AMOUR.) + </p> + <p> + (AFTER ARMAND SILVESTRE.) + </p> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + When your hand was laid upon mine + </p> + <p> + 'Twas in painful dread that I grasped it, + </p> + <p> + For some hesitation malign, + </p> + <p> + Made tremble the fingers that clasped it. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + When you turned your forehead so near, + </p> + <p> + 'Twas in painful dread that I kissed it, + </p> + <p> + For some cruel prompting of fear + </p> + <p> + Made me timidly seek to resist it. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Ah!—and my life thenceforward approved + </p> + <p> + Sorrow's bitterness had o'ercome me, + </p> + <p> + I only knew how I loved + </p> + <p> + The day that had taken you from me. + </p> + </div> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <h4> + IF THERE BE A GARDEN GAY. + </h4> + <p> + (S'IL EST UN CHARMANT GAZON.) + </p> + <p> + (AFTER VICTOR HUGO.) + </p> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + If there be a garden gay + </p> + <p> + Man has not molested, + </p> + <p> + Where blaze through the summer day + </p> + <p> + Flowers golden crested, + </p> + <p> + Where tallest lilies grow, + </p> + <p> + And honeysuckles blow + </p> + <p> + There, oh there I fain would go + </p> + <p> + Where thy foot, thy foot has rested! + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + If there be a rosy dream + </p> + <p> + By true love invested, + </p> + <p> + Where all things delightful seem + </p> + <p> + Close together nested + </p> + <p> + Where soul to soul may tell + </p> + <p> + The joy they know so well + </p> + <p> + 'Tis there, oh there I fain would dwell + </p> + <p> + Where thy heart, thy heart has rested. + </p> + </div> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <h4> + THE MESSAGE OF THE ROSES. + </h4> + <p> + (ENVOI DE ROSES.) + </p> + <p> + (AFTER VICOMTE DE BORELLI.) + </p> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Oh, if the fairest of these roses + </p> + <p> + With its red lips to thee shall tell + </p> + <p> + Such things as language knows not of, + </p> + <p> + As in thy bosom it reposes, + </p> + <p> + Then keep it well + </p> + <p> + It is my love! + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + But if the sweetest of the roses + </p> + <p> + With its red lips shall silent be, + </p> + <p> + And only seek instead the bliss + </p> + <p> + Which thy delightful mouth discloses, + </p> + <p> + Return it me + </p> + <p> + It is my kiss! + </p> + </div> + </div> + <h2 class="chp"> + <a id="love" name="love">LOVE WENT OUT WHEN MONEY WAS + INVENTED.</a> + </h2> + <p> + "You're a very foolish man, John," said my sister Ruth. "You're + worse than foolish. A man never gets any happiness by marrying + out of his station." + </p> + <p> + "You may be right," I answered, "but after all I have something + to offer. I am rich, and Marie is poor. I admit that she is a + patrician and that I am a plebeian. But money, after all, counts + for something, especially in these days. I don't see how Marie + can spend a very happy existence now, but I am determined to make + her life a dream of happiness. You will see, my dear Ruth, that + my marriage will be a success." + </p> + <p> + "I think not," replied my sister, "and I therefore give you my + warning before it is too late. If you don't heed it and decide on + marrying Miss Dalmayne, I shall naturally do any little thing in + my power to endeavour to prove that I have been a false + prophetess; but, mark my words, John, I shan't succeed. And, to + tell you the truth, my dear brother, I tremble for the future." + </p> + <p> + "You're a sweet little silly goose," I answered. "You let your + affection for me run away with your better judgment. Why in + heaven's name should I not be happy with Marie? She is beautiful, + and I admit that it was her rare beauty that first commended her + to me, and she has a sweet nature and character; and after all, + goodness of character outweighs even good looks. Then, too, she + is very clever and bright, and altogether she is exactly the sort + of girl calculated to make a man happy." + </p> + <p> + "I hope that I may be wrong, and that you may be right, John," + said Ruth; "but I don't think that I am wrong, and, of course, + time will only show. At present we need say no more. Your mind is + evidently made up, and I shall urge nothing further to prevent + you from following your own inclinations. But in the time to + come, don't forget that your sister warned you." And with that + last shaft Ruth left the room. + </p> + <p> + My name is John Gardner, my age is thirty-six, and I am what is + generally known as "a self-made man." But had I really had the + making of myself I should have endeavoured to produce a different + being. I recollect at the grammar school in Cambridgeshire, where + I received a plain education, hearing one of the masters, Mr. + Ruddock, mention a Greek proverb, "Know thyself," and advise the + boys in his form to act upon the advice given by the Greek sage + who pronounced these words. I was not, as a rule, struck with + much that fell from Mr. Ruddock's lips, for he was a dull, + stupid, and pompous man, possessing much more force of manner + than of character. But I did take this advice to heart and + endeavoured to act up to it, with the result that I know as much + about my own uninteresting self as most other human beings know + about themselves. + </p> + <p> + Well, this is how I appear in my own eyes. A strong, healthy man + with an active disposition, and capable of, and a lover of hard + work. A blunt manner, and with an entire absence of tact in + anything in which strict business is not concerned. I know that I + am truthful, for, in addition to a natural hatred of lying which + I must have inherited from my dear parents, I have always + recognised the fact that in business and in everything else the + truth always pays the best. During the sixteen years that I have + devoted to business I have endeavoured to act squarely and fairly + with everyone with whom I have been brought in contact, and I may + say without conceit that I have earned a good name in addition to + the three hundred thousand pounds that I have been able to save. + </p> + <p> + I have never got on particularly well with the other sex, partly, + I suppose, from my manners, which, to say the least, are not + attractive, and partly to the fact that up to the time I met + Marie Dalmayne I have never cared for a woman. I came across the + girl that I have grown to love so well in this fashion. I am + interested in a West Australian mine to the extent of about a + hundred thousand pounds, and am one of the three partners who + control the concern. One of them is a member of the great City + house of Bleichopsheim, and the other is Mr. Ross, a wealthy + iron-master. It was at the latter's house in St. James's Square + that I met my fate. + </p> + <p> + I took Miss Dalmayne down to dinner, and I think that my heart + went out to her from the first. I found her clever and sensible, + and with apparently little of the frivolity which characterises + most of the young women with whom I have been brought in contact. + Her conversation, if not absolutely brilliant, was at any rate + bright and amusing, and possessed a considerable amount of + shrewdness. + </p> + <p> + Miss Dalmayne was about twenty-three, tall and fair,' possessing + a perfect figure and the most beautiful and expressive hazel + eyes. Her hair was nut brown with a warm reddish sun-kissed + glint, and her features were regular and aristocratic. Her smile + was delightful. In short, I fell in love. + </p> + <p> + Next morning I ascertained from Adam Ross full particulars in + reference to Miss Dalmayne. She is the only daughter of the + Honourable George Dalmayne, and is related to many of the highest + English families. Mr. Dalmayne and his wife are not well off, and + the former is very much in debt and has taxed the generosity of + my friend Ross to a very considerable extent. The Dalmaynes live + in a small house in Eaton Terrace. They have only one other + child, and that is a son who is in the Army and is at present + with his regiment in India. + </p> + <p> + There are some people that one feels one can confide in in + matters of a delicate nature, and there are others to whom one + could never open one's mouth. Now, Ross and I have been friends + for ten years, during which time we have never had the least + difference. He is a man absolutely to be trusted. I told him + during this interview what a deep impression Miss Dalmayne had + made upon me. He said that he did not in the least wonder at it, + for she was greatly admired, and added that if it were not for + her father she would no doubt have made a brilliant marriage + already. I told my friend that I cared nothing about her father, + that I was not marrying him but his daughter—that is to + say, if I were fortunate enough to induce her to become my wife. + </p> + <p> + "I don't think that there is much fear of a failure," answered + Ross, "old Dalmayne is looking out for a rich husband for Marie. + Indeed, in a confidential mood one day recently he told me almost + as much himself. And he is not likely in a hurry to find one so + rich as yourself." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I shall call upon him to-morrow," said I, "and ask his + permission to speak to his daughter." + </p> + <p> + "I wish you every success, my dear friend," said Ross, "and I + have no doubt as to the result of your interview. And I don't see + why you should not be very happy. After all, as you say, you are + not marrying the father. You are marrying Marie, who is a very + high-principled girl, who is beautiful, who is accomplished, and + who would, I am certain, do everything to make her husband + happy." + </p> + <p> + And so it was settled, and next morning I called on Mr. Dalmayne. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dalmayne, a tall, aristocratic man of about sixty, received + me with great cordiality. Whether Ross, who had dined with him on + the previous night, had mentioned anything of my matter to him I + don't know, but the old gentleman did not seem to be the least + surprised when I told him what the object of my visit was. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Dalmayne," said I, "you will doubtless be wondering why I + have called to see you"—Mr. Dalmayne's face assumed a + sphinx-like expression—I will not keep you waiting for an + explanation. The truth is that I have fallen in love with your + daughter. Our mutual friend Adam Ross can tell you all about me, + and I don't think that his report would be an unfavourable one. + My position is this. I have saved three hundred thousand pounds, + which produces an income of about twelve thousand a year. And I + am making at least another twenty thousand a year from my share + of our mine and other sound enterprises. Should you permit me to + address Miss Dalmayne, and should I be happy and fortunate enough + to induce her to become my wife, I should propose to settle two + hundred thousand pounds upon her for her exclusive use." + </p> + <p> + "Your proposals are most generous," said Mr. Dalmayne, "and do + you credit. But in matters of this kind I should never dream of + attempting to control my daughter. You have, however, my full + permission to speak to her, and if she is willing to marry you, + you both have my full consent. My wife shares my views entirely. + Marie is out with her mother at the present moment, but she will + be in all the afternoon, and if you will call about four I will + see that you have the opportunity for which you are seeking." + </p> + <p> + I thanked Mr. Dalmayne most cordially and promised to return in + the afternoon. When I again arrived at Eaton Terrace I was shown + into the drawing-room, where I found Mrs. and Miss Dalmayne and a + sister of Mrs. Dalmayne's. Tea was brought in, and shortly + afterwards the visitor took her departure. A few minutes later + Mrs. Dalmayne made some excuse for leaving the room, and I was + left alone with Marie. My heart had beaten hard from excitement + as I had knocked at the door, but strange to say I felt no + nervousness now. I plunged into the matter that brought me + without delay. I told Miss Dalmayne of the wonderful effect + produced upon me by her beauty and charm, and in the fewest words + possible I asked her to be my wife, promising that she would + never repent it. + </p> + <p> + "You have done me a great honour," said Miss Dalmayne, "but I + must have a little time to think over what you have said and to + consult my parents. You shall hear from me at latest the day + after tomorrow." + </p> + <p> + I shortly afterwards took my leave, and departed buoyed up by the + strong hope that the desire of my heart would be obtained. + </p> + <p> + Nor was I disappointed. On the day she had promised I received a + letter from Miss Dalmayne saying that she was willing to accept + me, but frankly confessing that she had no love for me as yet, + though admitting that she liked me. "If," she continued, "you are + willing to take me on this understanding, I am ready to be your + wife." + </p> + <p> + Needless to say I was willing to accept these terms, and three + months afterwards we were man and wife. + </p> + <p> + It was in the month of July that we were married, and we went to + Aix-les-Bains for the honeymoon. A few days previously Mr. + Dalmayne asked me to lend him a thousand pounds, which I did + cheerfully, for after what my friend Ross had told me I was fully + prepared for such a request. + </p> + <p> + My wife had never been to Aix before, and seemed to amuse herself + very much. She played a little at the tables, and with a + considerable amount of success. I must admit that she was very + kind to me, and though of course I easily saw that I did not at + present possess her real affection, I was not discontented, and + hoped for the time to come when we should be all in all to each + other. We had met very few acquaintances at Aix, for it was not a + good season as far as English visitors were concerned, owing to + attacks on our country and Government by the French papers. But + when we had been there about three weeks a Captain Morland came + upon the scene. Captain Morland, who was an officer in the + Grenadier Guards, had known my wife since she was a child. They + seemed very pleased to see each other again, but there was a + certain sadness that I noticed in the young officer's manner. He + had just been invalided home from South Africa, where he had been + on active service during the time with which my narrative deals. + He was a handsome young man, tall and well built, and with kind + and expressive blue eyes. He was singularly reticent as to his + exploits during the war, though I heard from a friend of his who + was with him at Aix that he had been mentioned in despatches and + had been recommended for the D.S.O. He was a man to whom the + merest chance acquaintance was certain to take a fancy. I am + bound to say that I did so myself, and I hope that in what I am + calmly relating I shall not be considered to have intentionally + failed to do him justice. + </p> + <p> + It was the second week in August, and as the weather was very + hot, my wife and I had determined to leave Aix and go to + Trouville for a little sea air and bathing. Three days before our + departure I returned to the hotel to dress for dinner. I was just + going through the corridor when I heard voices in our + sitting-room. They were the voices of my wife and Captain + Morland. + </p> + <p> + I don't think that I am naturally a mean man, but I was mean + enough to listen on this occasion. + </p> + <p> + "You mustn't blame me, Hubert," said my wife, "we were all on the + verge of ruin, and I was bound to marry him." + </p> + <p> + "How could you consent to do such a thing? You don't care for him + in the least." + </p> + <p> + "No," said my wife; "nor shall I ever do so if I live for fifty + years. I care for no one but you. But I shall always do my duty + to my husband, who is a kind and good man and lives entirely for + me." + </p> + <p> + "If he died, you would marry me?" asked Captain Morland. + </p> + <p> + "Of course I would, and, as the children's storybooks say, 'live + happily ever afterwards.' But don't let us discuss deplorable + futurities." + </p> + <p> + This was enough for me. I saw, now that it was too late, how wise + my sister Ruth had been, and how foolishly I had acted. There was + nothing to be done, however, to remedy matters, in view of the + words spoken by my wife, and words which breathed of truth. I + went out quietly into the garden of the hotel and came back a few + minutes later. I asked Captain Morland to dine with us, and he + accepted my invitation. I carefully watched him and my wife + during the evening, and clearly saw that the case was hopeless + from my point of view. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow I made my will, and left everything to my wife with + the exception of fifty thousand pounds for my sister Ruth. I then + wrote the little history of my mistake, and am posting it from + the top of Mont Revard to my friend Ross, and have asked him to + act as he thinks best. It is hard to die, but, in my position, it + is still harder to live. + </p> + <p> + Having set my entire affections in one direction, and having been + hopelessly unsuccessful, there is only one thing to be done, and + that is to end matters. And I shall end them to-night. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Extract from an Aix-les-Bains newspaper:— + </p> + <p> + "The body of a rich Englishman, named Gardner, who was staying at + the Hotel de l'Europe, was found lying at the bottom of the + precipice between Aix and Mont Revard. It is, of course, pure + conjecture how the unfortunate gentleman met his fate, but no + foul play is suspected, as his money and valuables were found + upon his body. We anxiously await developments. The police are + maintaining a strict reserve." + </p> + <hr /> + <h2 class="chp"> + <a id="puzzle" name="puzzle">A PUZZLED PAINTER.</a> + </h2> + <h3> + WRITTEN IN COLLABORATION WITH THE LATE SIR AUGUSTUS HARRIS. + </h3> + <hr /> + <div class="ctr"> + <p class="break"> + CAST. + </p> + <p> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY, an Artist. + </p> + <p> + MRS. TEMPENNY, his Wife. + </p> + <p> + CHARLES SYLVESTER, an Artist. + </p> + <p> + MRS. SYLVESTER, his Wife. + </p> + <p> + ROSALINE, a Model. + </p> + <p> + HENRICH SCHERCL, an Art Dealer. + </p> + <p> + ROBERT ADDISON, a Sporting Man. + </p> + <p> + SARAH ANN, a Maid-of-all-Work. + </p> + <p> + SUSAN, Parlourmaid at the Tempenny's. + </p> + <p> + GROGGINS, a Sheriff's Officer. + </p> + </div> + <h3 class="act"> + A PUZZLED PAINTER. + </h3> + <h3 class="act"> + ACT I. + </h3> + <h4 class="scn"> + (SCENE I. TEMPENNY'S <i>Studio Doors R.L. and in Flat. As Curtain + rises a knocking is heard at D.R</i>.) + </h4> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY (<i>off</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Rembrandt—Rembrandt! + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Door opens, enter</i> MRS. TEMPENNY; <i>followed by</i> MRS. + SYLVESTER.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + He isn't here. Come in, dear; I am sure he will be pleased to see + you—we will wait. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + <i>My</i> husband hates to be disturbed in his studio. He says he + can never work again all day. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Artists are so different; Mr. Sylvester is more highly strung + than Rembrandt, I sometimes think. Rembrandt likes to see his + friends in his studio. I wonder where he has gone. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Gone to have a drink, I daresay. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Adelaide! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + He does drink, doesn't he—when he's thirsty anyhow? And + artists are so often thirsty. Charles is often thirsty. He says + it is a characteristic feature of the artistic temperament. Ah! + my dear. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Why that sigh? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER (<i>sighing again</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Heigh ho! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY (<i>affectionately</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Adelaide? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Eugenia! + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>They touch each other's hands sympathetically</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Aren't you happy, Adelaide? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I am married to an artist, Euna! I wouldn't say as much to + anybody else, but we were girls at school together. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + But, dear Addie, everybody knows you are married to an artist. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I mean I would not say to anybody else that I am not entirely + happy. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY (<i>enthusiastically</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Do tell me all about it. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I am jealous. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Of whom? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Oh no one—of everybody; of my husband's past, which I + know—of his life to-day, which is too circumspect to be + sincere. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY (<i>with misgiving</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + But—but Rembrandt's life is also circumspect. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Poor child. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You pity me? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Horribly. To be married to a painter—what a fate! To have a + husband who is shut up alone all day with a creature + who—who wears— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Rembrandt's models <i>do</i>—. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Wear—? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Plenty! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER (<i>gloomily</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Clothes sometimes cover a multitude of sins. They are no + guarantee. Rosaline wore them! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Rosaline? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You have not heard of Rosaline? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No. A model? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + A serpent! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + The wretch. Pretty of course? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Serpents are always pretty. One day, not long after we were + married, I came across her photograph—I was tidying up an + old desk of Charles', a photo, my dear, with an inscription that + left no doubt what their relations had been. I tore it up before + his face; and for a time, excepting for the girlish illusions he + had shattered, that was an end of the matter. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + But only for a time? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER (<i>impressively</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Two years ago I went into his studio, and found her there. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Horrible. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You may well say so. She was sitting on a table drinking brandy + and soda as bold as brass. Of course he swore that he needed her + for a picture he was going to work on—and, I don't know, + perhaps it was true. Still considering what had been, her + presence there was an outrage, and I shall never forget the + quarrel there was between Charles and me. That was the last I + have seen of Rosaline—she went flying. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + And was it the last that Mr. Sylvester has seen of her? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + So far as I know. But there is always the lurking, horrid doubt. + You know now why I am not the light-hearted girl you remember, + and why I distrust artists as a class. + </p> + <p class="sdn"> + <i>Pause</i>. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY (<i>meditatively</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I don't see why you should distrust Mr. Tempenny because Mr. + Sylvester is not steady. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Are you quite contented? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No—we are too hard up, but I believe Rembrandt loves me, + and I love him. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER (<i>heavily</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Poor child. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Enter</i> REMBRANDT TEMPENNY <i>door in flat. He wears long + hair, and a brown velveteen jacket, and is smoking a short + pipe</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Eugenia? And Mrs. Sylvester? Why, bless my soul, how nice, what a + surprise! Don't move—don't. (<i>Stands peering at them with + his hands over his eyes.</i>) What a charming effect of light on + your profile, Mrs. Sylvester—how rich—how + transcendental! Glorious! (<i>Comes down.</i>) Well, well, well, + and so you ladies have come to pay me a visit. Can I offer you + anything? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I called on Mrs. Tempenny to inquire whether you would dine with + us to-night, and she said she could not answer without consulting + you. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You have no engagement, Rembrandt? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I am quite at liberty, Eugenia, quite. I shall be most pleased + and delighted. (<i>Aside.</i>) Another confoundedly dull evening, + I know! (<i>Aloud.</i>) Sylvester is well? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Sylvester is always well. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Happy Sylvester! Myself, I am a wreck. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I want some money, Rembrandt. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>disconcerted.</i>) + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Eh? Oh! (<i>To</i> MRS. SYLVESTER.) And working hard I have no + doubt. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I believe so—he is out all day. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Admirable—what industry! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.) Rembrandt, I want some + money—have you got a couple of pounds you can let me have? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>affecting not to hear</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + The hardest working people under the sun are artists, I always + say so. Hard worked—hard worked! (<i>Fills his pipe</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + May I look round your studio, Mr. Tempenny? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>waving his hand</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Charmed, positively! + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (MRS. SYLVESTER <i>moves up</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY (<i>insistently</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Rembrandt, all the neighbourhood knows the butcher summoned us, + and none of the tradespeople will serve us with anything unless + we pay cash. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Well, we're going out to dinner. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Oh, you drive me wild with your improvident, Bohemian ways. + There's to-morrow. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Sufficient for the day is the dinner thereof. Don't be greedy. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER (<i>looking round</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You have sold most of your canvasses, I see, Mr. Tempenny. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I thought she wouldn't find the gallery extensive, I must really + do something to-day, I must indeed! (<i>Aloud</i>.) Sold? Yes, + yes. I am starting on a fresh commission now. There's a little + sketch up there you may fancy;—a mere impression, but full + of tenderness, I think, and rapture. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Rapture? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It is the newest word by which we explain the inexplicable. + "Rapture!" It says everything, does it not? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER (<i>vaguely</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes—yes, indeed. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I made it up myself on the spot. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Laying her hand on his arm earnestly</i>). Rembrandt— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, dear, I know what you're going to say. The other + tradespeople know we haven't paid the butcher and you want two + pounds. I'll give it you this evening—(<i>Aside</i>.) If I + can borrow it. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER (<i>coming down</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Then we shall see you this evening at seven sharp, Mr. Tempenny? + I am going to take Eugenia round to the house with me now, to + spend the afternoon. You'll find her there when you come. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Good. (<i>Aside</i>.) I wish they'd go! (<i>Aloud</i>.) You don't + mean to run away yet? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER (<i>doubtfully</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I think so. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>with alacrity</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Well, if you really must— + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Opens door</i> D.F.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Till seven o'clock. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Till seven. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Au revoir, dear. (<i>Aside to him</i>.) You won't forget + the—? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> MRS. TEMPENNY.) The two pounds, and the butcher; + I won't forget 'em. I only hope the <i>butcher</i> may forget + <i>me</i>. + </p> + <p class="sdr"> + (<i>Exit</i> MRS. SYLVESTER.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + By-bye, sweetheart. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ta, ta, Duckie. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Don't do too much—remember your precious health. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + All right, my love. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY (<i>blowing a kiss</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + There. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>blowing a kiss</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + There. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + My own darling husband! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + My angel. + </p> + <p class="sdr"> + (<i>Exit</i> MRS. TEMPENNY.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>with a deep sigh of relief</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Thank heaven! (<i>Sinks into armchair, and puts his feet on the + mantelpiece</i>) The corner is getting tight, Rembrandt. This + sort of thing won't boil the pot. It won't, sonny, I assure you! + Where's the sketch of my <i>magnum opus</i>. 'Pon my word, I + haven't seen the thing for a month or more. (<i>Gets up and + rummages in a portfolio</i>.) Ah, here we have it! (<i>Holds up + and contemplates a small charcoal sketch</i>.) "Susannah before + the Elders" beautiful! composition charming! Rembrandt, old + pal,—I congratulate you! But where's the picture of it? "Oh + where, and oh where!" Rembrandt, you're developing into a + thorough-paced loafer. You always had a talent that way, but of + late you've broken your own record. I'll turn over a new leaf; I + will, I'll be a new man. Why not? We've the new woman; why not + the new man? Excellent idea. Rembrandt Tempenny, the new + man—the coming man—by George the GREAT man! I'm in + earnest, I'm in a fever. I bubble over with noble resolutions. I + wish the tradespeople didn't want cash—tradespeople who + want cash are so damping to noble resolutions! + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Gets out Easel and canvas, and takes off coat</i>.) + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Door in Flat is kicked open. Enter</i> ROBERT ADDISON.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Hullo! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Hullo! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + How are you, old chap? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I'm the new man. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + The devil you are! What does it feel like? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Unfamiliar—like somebody's else's boots. I say, dear boy, + can you lend me a couple of thick 'uns. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Eh? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It's for the tradespeople. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Oh really—on principle you know—I never pay + tradespeople. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Well, not to put too fine a point upon it, it's for my wife. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I warned you not to marry. Now you see how right I was—she + wants two thick 'uns. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I know it's rough on you. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It is. I'm a sociable chap by nature, and I'm rapidly being left + without a friend to bless myself with. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I don't grasp! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + They all borrow my money, and then they say they're out the next + time I call. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I have got a big thing on, only temporarily I'm in a hole. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I never knew a fellow in a hole who hadn't a big thing on. What + is it? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + The hole? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No, the big thing—the stable tip? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It's nothing to do with the turf. Look here, Schercl—you + know Schercl? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I know him. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + He gave me a commission for a picture six weeks ago; he's going + to pay three hundred for it. He advanced a century when I + accepted the offer. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + They are wonderful terms, Tempenny, for <i>you</i>. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Seems rather funny, doesn't it,—but it's a fact. "Nobody + more astonished than the striker," I confess. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDIS ON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Well, where's the picture? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Turning round the big blank canvas</i>). There! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON (<i>with a whistle</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Oh my sainted mother! How does Schercl like it? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It's good work, isn't it? Fine colour and tone! How do the + harmonies strike you—correct? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Unbosom, what does it mean? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Dear boy, it means it was a royal order, and that I've been on + the royal loaf on the strength of it; and, now that I repent me, + I haven't got a model. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No model? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + The subject is to be Susannah—Susannah before the Elders. + You know the kind of thing—(<i>whispers</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, of course, and I suppose—? (<i>whispers</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, and—(<i>touches his arms and chest, signifying a fine + woman</i>—<i>whispers</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Exactly. I think I can recommend the very model you want. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You? Where did you meet her—on a racecourse? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I know her—and she's worth backing. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + My dear friend, you have saved me! Where is she? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I'll look her up. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + To-day? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Now if you like. Her name is Rosaline, and she's a ripper. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + "Rosaline the Ripper," Robert, fetch her. No wait a moment, I + can't do the picture here; I daren't. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Why not? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Well, you see, my wife wouldn't approve, and I blush to say that + in the exuberance of early matrimony I encouraged her in an + inconvenient habit of running into my studio at all hours. I'll + have to work in a pal's. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + All right, I'll send her there. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Well, you might bring her now, if you can, and I'll arrange the + sittings with her. Does she hang out in the neighbourhood? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Over a coffee-shop in Golden Street. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Go! And I'll stand you a swagger supper when the picture's done, + and Schercl parts. By the way— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Touching the two quid? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON (<i>giving the money</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Here you are. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I do touch 'em. Ecstasy! Bob, you're a brick; now cut along and + get back with the damsel sharp. (<i>Knock heard at</i> D.F.) + Hullo, whom have we here? Come in. (<i>Knock repeated</i>.) Come + in. (<i>Knock again</i>.) Come in, you fat-headed, lop-sided, + splay-footed, bandy-legged jay; come in! + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Enter</i> SCHERCL). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Schercl! Good Lord! He's come to see the work. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> REMBRANDT TEMPENNY). I'm off. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> ROBERT ADDISON). No, I say, Bob, wait and see me + through it. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Rosaline may go out—I must hurry. See you again in half an + hour. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> ROBERT ADDISON). What shall I do? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> REMBRANDT TEMPENNY). Lie! Ta-ta. I say—! + You don't think it possible old Schercl has made a mistake and + taken you for Tempenny the R.A.? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>staggered</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What!! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROBERT ADDISON. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It would explain the terms, that's all, dear boy. Au revoir. + <span class="sdr">(<i>Exit</i> ROBERT ADDISON D.F.)</span> + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Good Lord! (<i>Aloud, blandly</i>). My dear Mr. Schercl, this is + a pleasure indeed. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I do not know dat it is a great bleasure, but pusiness must be + attended to, hein? Vell, my friendt, and how is the bicture, eh! + Let us see how it has brogressed. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + The picture is going well—well, very + well,—excellently. I am a modest man— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Humph! (<i>Aside</i>.) This is a very boor blace for zo famous a + bainter. I do not understand it! But I have certainly done goot + business mid him! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>disconcerted</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I say I am a modest man, Mr. Schercl, but I feel safe in + declaring that you will be satisfied with your bargain. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + "Bargain?" I do not tink dat ven I pay tree hundred bounds for a + bicture it should be called a "pargain." Tree hundred bounds is + very large brice; I shall have not made a pargain. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Er—quite so. You misunderstand me. I should have said your + "contract"—you will be satisfied with your contract. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + If you should have said "gontract," vy did you say "Pargain." + Vell, vell, let us see the bicture. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>With a desperate attempt to throw enthusiasm in his + voice</i>.) It is the best work I have done. I look to "Susannah" + to advance my position enormously. People will talk about + "Susannah." It is—er—full of rapture. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + "Rapture?" Vat is "Rapture?" + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + <i>You</i> know what "rapture" is. It is the term best understood + by the movement of to-day. It is our watchword, our ideal. + "Rapture!" + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Puzzled, but not wishing to appear ignorant</i>.) Oh + "Rapture," I did not understand you. Of course I know what + rapture is. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Of course you do. Well, "Susannah" brims over with it. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Goot, goot. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It is the very apotheosis of rapture. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I gongratulate you. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It exudes with rapture. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Is dat so? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It is bathed in rapture. (<i>Aside</i>.) I can't go on much + longer. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Now show it to me. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>with feigned surprise</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Show it to you? I can't show it to you—it isn't here. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Vat is dat you say? Not here? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Certainly not. I am working on it in a friend's studio, not my + own. The light here is not nearly good enough for a work like + that. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You have always found it goot enough, I pelieve? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>with enthusiasm</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + But not for "Susannah"—not nearly good enough for + "Susannah," "Susannah" demands so much; she is exacting—she + must be humoured. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Vell, I am very disappointed; I came expressly to see how you had + brogressed. Will you make me an abbointment? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Certainly I will. I will write you to-morrow. I am anxious to + have your opinion. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Who is the friend in whose studio you vork? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Eh? In Mr. Sylvester's—Charles Sylvester. You should hear + him talk about it. By Jove, he does think a lot of it. I blush to + repeat what he says. He considers it magnificent. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Enter</i> SYLVESTER.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Afternoon, Rembrandt. Ah, Mr. Schercl, how-d'ye do. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Sylvester himself—the devil. (<i>Aloud</i>.) Dear old man, + we were talking of you! I was just telling Mr. Schercl what you + are kind enough to say of "Susannah." + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Kicks him aside</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You think it goot, Mr. Sylvester, yes? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + He thinks it superb, so far as it has gone. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Kicks him again</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What's that? Who is "Susannah?" + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + "Who is Susannah!" (<i>With a sickly laugh</i>.) What a chap to + chaff you are. "Who is Susannah?" Ha, ha, ha. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + But in pusiness I do not like the chokes. Let us be serious if + you please. What is your opinion, Mr. Sylvester, of the vork? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>desperately</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, I quite agree with you, Mr. Schercl, I quite + agree—there is a time for all things. Tell Mr. Schercl what + you think of it, Charlie, do. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Kicks him savagely</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER (<i>aside to</i> TEMPENNY). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You'll break my ankle directly, hang you. What do you want? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside to</i> SYLVESTER). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Intelligence. I'll break your neck in another minute, you born + fool! (<i>Aloud suavely</i>.) Mr. Schercl is naturally anxious to + hear how the picture he had given me a commission for is getting + along. I was telling him how much you think of it but he would + like to hear your views from your own mouth. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Oh—oh!—now I know what you're talking about! Well, I + have a very high opinion of the work indeed, Mr. Schercl—a + very high opinion. (<i>Aside to</i> TEMPENNY.) What's the + subject? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside to</i> SYLVESTER). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + "Susannah before the Elders"—pitch it strong. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + The conception of Susannah, and in fact the entire treatment if I + may say so, is bold in the extreme. He makes a school, our friend + here. You will be surprised when you see the work, and impressed. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Vell, we will make the abbointment soon, Mr. Tempenny. I am sorry + I could not see it to-day. So I shall be imbressed? That is goot. + Gootday, gentlemen. We will make the abbointment very soon. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Exit</i> SCHERCL.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Calling after him from open door</i>.) Mind the bottom step, + it's awkward. Got it? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL (<i>off</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It is so dark your staircase. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, it is dark, isn't it? Good afternoon. (<i>Closes + door.)(To</i> SYLVESTER.) Phew! You couldn't have arrived at a + worse time. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Thanks. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I don't mean to be inhospitable, but the ice was thin. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Have you done anything to "Susannah?" + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Not a stroke, but I commence to-morrow in earnest. I've a model + coming this afternoon, and if you'll let me use your studio, I + shall knock in enough in a week for old Schercl to see when he + calls again. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Why do you want my studio—what's the matter with this? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Well, the fact is my wife is always popping in here, and if she + found me with a model posed as Susannah she'd go into hysterics. + You understand me? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Understand you. I'm a married man. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (TEMPENNY <i>looks at him silently, and then puts out his + hand</i>. SYLVESTER <i>grasps it</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I don't want to gush, but—I feel for you, old chap. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER (<i>gratefully</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I know—I know. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>offering pouch</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Smoke? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER (<i>producing pipe</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Thanks. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>They fill their pipes without speaking and puff + sympathetically</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Not but what she is a good sort—I don't want to say + anything against her. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Of course not. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + But—I suppose she's too fond of me. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It's a way wives have—they repay the superabundance of your + devotion during the courtship. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Exactly. She's jealous. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Of whom? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Of nobody—of everyone. Of my past, which was rather more + decent than most fellows—of my life to-day, which is a + pattern for a County Councillor. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Poor beggar. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You're sorry for me? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Devilishly. To be married to a jealous woman!—what a fate. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER (<i>with a groan</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ah! Tempenny, there was a girl I used to know when I was a + bachelor—she was a model. My wife found her likeness one + day after we were married. A likeness, nothing more—I + thought I had destroyed it. Well, if you'd have heard the + ructions she made; you'd have thought she'd found a harem. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ah! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + A year or two ago the girl turned up again—walked into my + studio, and wanted to sit to me. As it happened I could have used + her very well. Just as I had given her a drink who should march + in too, but my wife. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + The devil. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I <i>said</i> my wife—but— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, go on. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + She recognised my visitor in a moment from the + photograph—abused her, insulted me, and raised a royal row. + The girl cleared out like a shot, and I pledge you my word I have + never seen her since, but from that hour to this not a day passes + without Mrs. Sylvester making some allusion to the incident. I am + the most moral man alive, and I'm watched and suspected as if I + were a criminal. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + We must see more of each other than we have of late. When I work + in your studio we shall be company for each other. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I shall be very glad. Well, I'll be off, now. See you to-morrow + then? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + To-morrow! Au revoir, dear boy. + </p> + <p class="sdr"> + (<i>Exit</i> SYLVESTER.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Poor old Sylvester! Had no idea Mrs. Sylvester was such a + termagant. I must cheer him up a bit. So there was a girl, was + there, and Mrs. Sylvester is jealous of her? Wonder who she was! + Nice girl I daresay—Sylvester's taste was always good + excepting when he married. Where is Bob with my model?—time + he was back! (<i>Goes to window</i>.) There goes + Sylvester—funny thing you can always tell a married man by + his walk. There is a solidity about it—a sort of + resignation. (<i>Turns looking off the other way</i>.) And here + comes a pretty girl.—What a pretty girl—Funny thing + you can always tell a pretty girl by her walk. There is a + consciousness about it—a thanksgiving. She is stopping + here. Lovely woman stopping here! + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Throws up window, and leans out more and more till gradually + only a small section of his legs remain on the stage</i>) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>off</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Is this Mr. Tempenny's studio? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It is. I am Mr. Tempenny. Come up do. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No kid? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Not yet—I am recently married. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I mean you are really Mr. Tempenny. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Really and truly. (<i>Withdraws from window, wreathed in + smiles</i>.) How do I look? (<i>Smoothes his hair before + mirror</i>.) Perhaps she is a buyer—I had better appear + busy—or inspired. (<i>Seats himself and adopts a far-away + engrossed expression</i>.) "Rembrandt Tempenny at Home." + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + <i>Knock at door. Enter</i> ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + May I come in? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Enter pray. An idea has struck me. May I beg you to sit down a + moment,—In a moment I shall be at your service. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE <i>sits</i>. REMBRANDT TEMPENNY <i>stares raptly before + him as if lost in composition. (Business.) He starts up and + rushes to small canvas, making violent sketch upon it. Then + brushes his hand across his brow, and turns to her</i>. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I dared not lose it—my idea! Forgive me—I have it + down now, it is saved. What can I do for you? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MR. Addison sent me. He said you wanted a model. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Oh—you are Rosaline? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You have guessed it in once. He could not come back with me, so + he sent me here alone. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Oh! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What do you think of me? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I think you a charming young lady. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Then what is the matter? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Well, I thought you were somebody else, that is all. So you are + Rosaline. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You keep telling me I am Rosaline—I know I am. The question + is how do I do? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + How do you do? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You misunderstand me. The question is how do I suit you? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Quite so—you bring me to the point. You suit me entirely. + Mr. Addison perhaps explained to you the subject of my picture? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + "Susannah." Susannah is a very ugly name—. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + But she will be a very pretty girl, won't she? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Oh, go away with you. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Humour, only my humour! You musn't think any familiarity was + intended. I am not that sort of man at all. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Not a bit. As I told you out of the window, I'm married. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Well, I am sorry to hear it. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Now you are flattering me—now <i>I</i> must say, "go away + with you." + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I am sorry to hear it because I prefer sitting to single artists. + Wives sometimes make rumpuses. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Oh, you have found that? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I have indeed. I shall never forget one of my experiences as long + as I live. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Really? You interest me. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE <i>(sentimentally)</i>. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I loved a man with all my soul, and <i>he</i> loved <i>me</i>. He + married! No, you must not blame him for it—he was weak, and + the temptation came. "To err is human,"—he married. Oh, my + heart! (<i>She presses her hand to her side</i>.) Forgive me + while I shed a tear. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Shed two. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I forgave him; I struggled to subdue the rage within me. I + forgave him, and went to see him again. I had conquered my + scorn—my better nature had triumphed—I went to him + with all the old tenderness that I had lavished on him in the + days gone by. He was startled, even cold, but still I feel I + should have won him back to me had not something happened. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Something so often happens. It is an aggravating way of + something. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + His wife came between us. All was over. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Designing wretch! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I have never seen him since; I have banished his image from my + mind. But that time has left its mark on me for ever. It + transformed a simple credulous girl into a hardened worldly + woman. I shall never feel a liking for wives again. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + One cannot blame you. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I felt you would say that. (<i>Presses her handkerchief to her + eyes</i>.) It was cruel. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + But in my case you will not be troubled by my wife. The sittings + won't take place here, and so she will not see you. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + How is that? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Well, it is very odd, but Mrs. Tempenny has the same objection to + models that you have to wives. It is ridiculous, in fact it is + wicked of her, but I find it best to humour her prejudices. Will + you go to-morrow to Sycamore Place, Number five? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I'll be there—on one condition. No wives, or I throw up the + job. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>alarmed</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + For Heaven's sake don't talk of doing that—my whole life + hangs on the picture. If you don't sit to me I'm a ruined man. + Rosaline, I swear to you no wives shall cross your path. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY (<i>off</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Rembrandt, Rembrandt. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Who's that? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Mrs. Tempenny, but I won't let her in. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>angrily</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Wives already!—Everywhere—wives. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY (<i>off</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Rembrandt, I must see you. Where are you—quick! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Here, I know the pattern of this! Let me go! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>alarmed</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No. No. I'll get rid of her. (<i>Runs to window, and leans + out—calling</i>.) Don't wait, my dear. I'm busy. I'll be + with you soon. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>contemptuously</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Why, you're scared out of your life of her I can see! I have had + enough of this,—I don't want the job. (<i>As if to go</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Leaving window and running back to her</i>). I tell you if + you don't sit to me I'm a ruined man. Rosaline, I implore you! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY (<i>off</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I am coming up at once. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>rushing to window again</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + On no account, my darling, I can't be disturbed. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I'm off. Ta-ta. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>back to her again</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You shan't go—I'll lock you in first. There! (<i>Locks + door, and takes out key</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY (<i>off</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Rembrandt, I must come up. Something is the matter. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No, no, no. Go home, and see the tradespeople, catch! (<i>Takes + out the two sovereigns, and runs to window again: in his + excitement he throws with the wrong hand—throwing out + key</i>.) Good Lord! I've thrown her the key. (<i>Leans out of + the window</i>.) She is coming upstairs. Skip inside there till + she goes. Hurry! (<i>Motions</i> ROSALINE <i>off R</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>scornfully</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Wives, wives, wives! + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Exit Rosaline</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Rembrandt! Why did you keep me waiting—there's a sheriff's + officer on his way here with a warrant. He has been at the house, + and the servant ran round to Sylvester's to tell me. You must + escape. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Escape? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Fly! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I can't fly—I am not built for flying. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Then you must hide. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Where? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Pointing to room where Rosaline is concealed</i>.) There! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No, no, Hark! + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Very heavy steps are heard ascending stairs</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I hear a footfall. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY (<i>in terror</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Hide yourself—quick. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>in terror</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I can't. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Why not? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>loftily</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + A hero never hides. Ah, I have it. I'll jump from the window. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Struggles into his coat and hat</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + There is the conservatory underneath. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I'll jump clear of it. Don't let him in for a minute. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>He plants a lay-figure in front of canvas, with its back to + door in flat, then proceeds to dress it up to resemble himself at + work. Brush in hand, etc</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + GROGGINS (<i>off</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MR. Tempenny! + </p> + <p class="sdn"> + (<i>Knocks at door</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Who's there? + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>She goes to door, half opening it, so that</i> GROGGINS + <i>has a partial view of lay-figure</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + GROGGINS. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I have a warrant here for Mr. Rembrandt Tempenny—matter of + forty pun'. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Sh! He is painting. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + GROGGINS. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I can't help whether he's painting or not, marm. The question is + whether he is paying or not. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Man, my husband cannot be disturbed. Don't you see?—he is + inspired. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + GROGGINS. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Well, he'll be in—Wandsworth if he don't part. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Sh! talk softly. Your voice will jar upon him. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Now for it. (<i>At window</i>.) One—two—three—I + don't like the look of that glass-house much. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + <i>(Hesitates).</i> + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + GROGGINS (<i>decisively</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I must come in, marm—out of the way if <i>you</i> please. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Oh! It's now or never. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Jumps out. A tremendous crash of broken glass is heard</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY (<i>with a shriek</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ah! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + GROGGINS (<i>pushing her aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What's that? (<i>Aside</i>.) Oh, there he is. (<i>Aloud</i>.) + Here you Mr. Tempenny, sir, I've a warrant 'ere on a judgment + summons.—Suit of Cole the butcher. (<i>Addressing + lay-figure</i>.) Do you pay up, or come along o' me? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY (<i>at window—aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + He's picked himself up—he waves his hand—all is well. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + GROGGINS. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Which is it, sir? I allus likes to do business pleasant, only you + must make up your mind, you know. Pay up, or lock up—take + your choice. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>At window. Excitedly aside</i>.) He disappears—he's + lost to view—the danger's past. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + GROGGINS. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Well, if you <i>won't</i> speak, you <i>won't</i>, of course! + I've done my 'umble best to do my dooty affable, and since you're + sulky, why—(<i>Going up to lay-figure</i>) Mr. Rembrandt + Tempenny, I've a warrant for your arrest. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>He slaps the lay-figure on the shoulder, it collapses with a + crash</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + GROGGINS (<i>falling back in terror</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Got 'em again, as I'm a sinner! + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (MRS. TEMPENNY <i>runs to</i> D.F. <i>as if to go</i>. ROSALINE + <i>half opens</i> R.D. <i>and pops her head out with an + ejaculation</i>.) + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + <i>Act drop, quick</i>. + </p> + <h3 class="act"> + ACT II. + </h3> + <h4 class="scn"> + SCENE:—SYLVESTER'S <i>Studio</i>. (<i>The next day</i>.) + <i>Doors R. and L. At back cupboard</i>. TEMPENNY <i>discovered + painting</i>, ROSALINE <i>posed</i>. + </h4> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I'm getting tired. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Sh! (<i>goes on working frenziedly</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I say I'm getting tired. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Wait a minute, and you shall rest. There! now you can move if you + like. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>stretching herself</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Thank goodness. Let us look! (<i>Looks at canvas</i>.) Oh! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What do you think of it? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Not much. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ah, that shows your profound ignorance of the School. It promises + to be a superb example. (<i>Contemplates it sideways</i>.) + Exquisite! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I say, where is your friend? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Who? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Didn't you say this studio belonged to a friend of yours? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Oh yes; he hasn't come yet. I expect he will be here this + afternoon. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What's this? (<i>picking up Mandarin's Wig</i>.) One of his + props? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + That? That is a Mandarin's wig. Yes, of course it is one of his + props. He has just been engaged on a great work: "The + Decapitation of a Mandarin after a Chinese Reverse." The + gentleman who sat for the Mandarin wore that wig. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What a funny subject to choose. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Rather playful, isn't it? He likes 'em like that. That's his + forte. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What is his name—do I know him? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Charlie Sylvester; and a rattling good chap he is, let me tell + you. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>with a shriek</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Oh, my heart! This is fate! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>alarmed</i>.) + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I beg your pardon? Don't go off like that. What's the matter? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It is <i>He</i>—<i>He</i> who—! Oh, I am going to + faint. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No,—no, for goodness' sake, don't do that. What do you mean + by "he?" Here, I say, compose yourself. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It is the man I love. The finger of Fate is in it. Where is he? + Bring him to me! Charlie, my own! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>very flustered</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Oh I say—look here, you know—? (<i>Aside</i>.) This + is the devil and all—Charlie will never forgive me! + (<i>Aloud</i>.) My dear good girl, he <i>isn't</i> your "own," I + assure you he isn't. There is a Mrs. Sylvester, as you know very + well. (<i>Aside</i>.) If he comes in and finds her here, there's + an end of all my sittings. What a piece of infernal luck to be + sure! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE <i>(resolutely).</i> + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Where is he? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>sullenly</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I don't know—I suppose he is at home. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Fetch him then—let me see his dear face again. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What??? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Bring him to me—now, this instant! We have been divided too + long already. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You have, have you? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Far, far too long. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I must humour her. (<i>Aloud</i>.) Well, perhaps you <i>have</i>, + on second thoughts. Yes, it is a long time. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I have never forgotten him. I have always treasured his memory in + my soul. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>soothingly</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + That was very nice of you. You are a very nice girl—I saw + it at once. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + <i>He</i> used to say that—he used to call me his + "Toppett." + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + His little "Toppett?" It is a pretty name, and I am sure he will + be delighted to find you here, when he comes. It will be a + surprise for him, won't it; quite a surprise! (<i>Aside</i>.) A + perfect devil of a surprise! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + For all he knows I might be dead—dead with the violets + blooming over my tomb. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, yes,—buttercups and daisies. (<i>Aside</i>.) I shall + get the giddy push from here when he does come; I see it sticking + out a foot. (<i>Aloud</i>.) I say, Poppett—I mean + "Rosaline," do you feel equal to going on with the sitting till + he arrives? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>passively</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + As you please—I must live. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside.</i>) + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It is doubtful whether Sylvester will see it in the same light. + (<i>Aloud</i>.) Well, then, suppose you take up your position + again. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>He poses her with much difficulty, as each time he places her + arms in the required attitude, she moves to wipe away a + tear</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + There, now we've got it at last. (<i>He goes back to the easel, + and commences to work</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Bursting into sobs, and collapsing altogether</i>.) + Boo—hoo—hoo! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>despairingly</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Oh, great Jupiter! This is too much! Can't you contain your + emotion? I know it is very praiseworthy, but can't you bottle it + up? How on earth am I to paint you while you keep going on like + this. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>The street-door bell rings</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>joyously</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + He! (<i>She clasps her hands and listens</i>.) My heart tells me + so! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>disagreeably</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It <i>ain't</i> he—because he never rings. So your heart's + told you a lie. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER (<i>off</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Mr. Sylvester—is he in? Not in? What do you mean? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Snakes!—it's his Missus. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>passionately</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + <i>Another</i> wife? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No, it is the same one—do you think he is the Grand + Mogul?—but she will be enough for <i>you</i> if she finds + you here, and for <i>me</i> too! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I do not fear her. I am doing no harm—I am your Model, + brought here by you. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>in terror</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Now look here, you know, don't say that; I won't be mixed up in + it! I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the matter! I didn't + know who you were, or I wouldn't have brought you within a + hundred miles of the place. Hark. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER (<i>off</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I will wait in his studio till he comes. He ought to have been + here long ago. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>in terror</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + <i>Ought</i> he! I won't be seen here—I can't. She is a + friend of my wife's. I won't be found in your company. I'm a + moral man, and she knows you. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>indignantly</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Here, hi, I will be a lay-figure. By George, I've got it—I + will be the Mandarin, see! + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>He disguises himself with Rosaline's assistance as a + Mandarin, and sits cross-legged at back, wagging his head</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + How is that? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Beautiful. Hush! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Am I sufficiently impregnated with the Chinese sentiment? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I don't know what you mean. Sh! Here she is. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Enter</i> MRS. SYLVESTER <i>L</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + A young woman—who is this? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Good morning, madam. Who do you wish to see? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER (<i>with a start</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Can I be deceived? Is it possible you are + the—ahem—the person I take you for? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I really don't know who you take me for. My name is Rosaline, and + I'm a model. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I knew it! How dare you come here—how dare you? Two years + ago I forbade you ever to enter my husband's studio again. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I did not know it was your husband's studio when I came. I am + here to sit to a friend of his. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I'm the friend. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER (<i>to</i> ROSALINE). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What did you say? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I did not speak. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Now let me quite understand you. Do you mean to say that it was + not Mr. Sylvester who brought you here? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Certainly I do. I came to Mr.— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>in terror aside to</i> ROSALINE). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MR. Brown. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Who did you say? Who is Mr. Brown? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I did not say "Mr. Brown." A gentleman engaged me to sit to him, + and told me to come here this morning at ten o'clock. He said he + was a friend of Mr. Sylvester's. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Then you did know that this was Mr. Sylvester's studio! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I did not. He said it belonged to a friend of his, but did not + mention his name. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER (<i>impatiently</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Whose name? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + His friend's name. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER (<i>passionately</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Who was this friend, girl? Who told you to come? Answer me. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Oh, that is very easy. I was engaged by Mr.— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside to</i> ROSALINE). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MR. Smith. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I do not know any Mr. Smith. Where has he gone? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I never said "Mr. Smith." + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Certainly not. I have no reason to mind telling the truth. I am + naturally a truthful girl. His name was— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside to</i> ROSALINE). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Robinson. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Once and for all—will you tell me the man's name? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside to</i> ROSALINE). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No, never! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You refuse? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLYESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Then why did you say "never?" + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I never said "Never." + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I warn you, girl, my patience is nearly exhausted. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + So am I. My legs ache at the joints. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You will either make a clean breast of it, or I shall take + steps— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside to</i> ROSALINE). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Let her take steps—that's what I want her to do. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ah, wait—doubtless my husband is in hiding. I will see. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>She opens</i> R.D. <i>and exit</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>going up to</i> REMBRANDT TEMPENNY <i>angrily</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What do you mean by getting me into all this trouble? What do you + mean by it? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Oh, you be hanged—you're a perfect nuisance. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What! + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>She slaps his face</i>. MRS. SYLVESTER <i>re-enters</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I heard a noise. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I was playing with the idol, that is all. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (REMBRANDT TEMPENNY <i>wags his head mechanically</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + This is a dignified position for a husband and a + ratepayer!—the butt of a bad girl! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Your frivolity will avail you nothing. If you were indeed brought + here by a friend of Mr. Sylvester's, I can guess who he is. His + name is Tempenny, and I shall enquire into the matter at once. + (<i>Going</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Of course his name is Tempenny—I never denied it. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY and MRS. SYLVESTER (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I am nobody's accomplice—I am an honest woman earning a + living. I will tell lies for no one. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + The cat! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Oh, this is infamous! So Mr. Tempenny assists my husband to + deceive me, does he? We will see what his wife has to say to it. + Birds of a feather—as I always thought. Abandoned wretches + both! + </p> + <p class="sdr"> + (<i>Exit L</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>springing up</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You mischief-making little beast—what have you done? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Don't you talk to me like that—I won't have it! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>furiously</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You won't have it! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No, I won't. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You—you—! You smacked my face! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + And I'll smack it again if you aggravate me. If it weren't that + <i>he</i> will be here later on, I'd walk straight out of the + studio, and never come into it again. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I've a good mind to bundle you out neck and crop, I can tell you. + That woman has gone off to complain to my wife. Here, get me out + of these things. (<i>He divests himself of the Chinese wig and + costume</i>.) I think I had better go. I don't know how I'll do + the picture—I'll <i>never</i> do the picture. I think + <i>you</i> had better go—if Charlie Sylvester finds you + here after this, he will murder you. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER (<i>off</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Tempenny!—Tempenny—are you upstairs? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>agitated</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + He! Oh, I say, you know—don't yer know—this is awful! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>rapturously</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I know his voice. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>dancing with terror</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, so do I! He'll kill you—I warn you he will make a + corse of you—or <i>me</i>. I won't meet him. I can't. Get + rid of him for the Lord's sake—I'll hide in there till he + has gone. + </p> + <p class="sdr"> + (<i>Exit R</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>taking out powder puff</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + After years we meet again! + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Enter</i> SYLVESTER <i>L</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Why the devil couldn't you answer, Tempenny, I say— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>turning</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Charles! Ah! once more! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Great Scott! My dear girl, what on earth are you here for? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It is like that you greet me? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + "Greet" you? Well, upon my word I don't quite know what you + expect. I thought it was understood between us last time we met + that—that—we weren't to meet? You see I've got a + wife, and— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I know. I have just seen her. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What's that you say? You have just seen my wife? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>nodding</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + She has been here. She has only just gone. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + The devil! What did she say to you—what did she think? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + She thought you knew about it—she was angry! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER (<i>furiously</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + And very rightly too. You have no business here—why did you + come? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + MR. Tempenny brought me. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What? Are <i>you</i> his model? This is really too bad. Where is + he? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>pointing R</i>.). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + He has gone in there. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What for? (<i>Calling</i>.) Tempenny! I say, Tempenny, I want + you! + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Enter</i> REMBRANDT TEMPENNY <i>very nervously</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ah—er—good morning, dear boy. What weather, eh? What + weather we're having to be sure. (<i>Aside to</i> ROSALINE.) You + malicious, base-hearted—(<i>Shakes his fist at her</i>.) + Oh! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Look here, you know, Tempenny, this won't do. You have no right + to bring the girl here. I don't think it was at all friendly of + you. I—I consider it a damned liberty of you in fact. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>shrinking</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I was afraid you would be vexed, but don't be cross, dear old + man; don't be "put out" about it. (<i>Trying to laugh</i>.) There + are worse troubles at sea, as they say—worse troubles at + sea! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>With rising indignation</i>.) But I <i>am</i> put out. Damn + the sea—what's that got to do with it. Mrs. Sylvester has + been in and seen her, I understand? You have served me a very + shabby trick, Tempenny—I am very sorry about it! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Still trying to laugh it off</i>.) All comes out in the wash, + old chap—all comes out in the wash, I assure you! (<i>Slaps + him on the shoulder</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Don't do that—I don't like it! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>nervously</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ha, ha, ha! (<i>Does it again</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER (<i>shouting</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Don't! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>collapsing</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + All right, I won't. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>advancing</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Charlie! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Don't call me "Charlie"—I don't like it. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Once— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Well, then, I don't like it twice—do you hear! This is all + your fault, Tempenny. You have got me into a pretty mess upon my + word. My wife won't believe me, and I shall never hear the end of + it. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + And what about mine? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yours? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, she has gone to tell her. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER (<i>roaring with laughter</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ha, ha, ha! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>miserably</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Remarkably funny, isn't it? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ha, ha, ha! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ha, ha, ha! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>To</i> CHARLES SYLVESTER; <i>pointing to</i> ROSALINE.) That + girl is a perfect devil. She smacked my face just now when I was + posing as a mandarin. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER (<i>staring</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + As a what! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I was a mandarin when your wife came in—I thought it + best—and this ex-mash of yours took advantage of me, and + smacked my face. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>To</i> ROSALINE.) I tell you what it is,—I think you + had better go. You had better be off—I can't have you here. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I quite agree. <i>I</i> don't want her—she is more trouble + than she is worth. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You are very rude to me, both of you. (<i>To</i> CHARLES + SYLVESTER.) Your manners have not improved with matrimony, my + friend. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I am not going to discuss my manners— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No, he is not going to discuss his manners. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + The point is— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + The point is—git! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + The point is that if you don't ask me properly, I shall do + nothing of the kind. Now you've got it. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>To</i> REMBRANDT TEMPENNY <i>angrily</i>.) What the devil do + you mean by bringing such a firebrand here? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Now don't lose your temper again. (<i>To</i> ROSALINE.) Will you + go? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No, I won't. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + That settles it. (<i>The two men look at each other + helplessly</i>.) + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Enter</i> SARAH ANN.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + SARAH ANN. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + If you please, sir, there is a gentleman downstairs who wants to + see Mr. Tempenny. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Me? What's his name? What does he want? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + SARAH ANN. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + He says his name is Mr. Schercl. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I'm out. Go and tell him so. It only wanted this to complete my + happiness. I won't see him, do you hear? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + SARAH ANN. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + If you please the gentleman said he must see you, but if you was + engaged, he'd wait. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You won't get rid of old Schercl in a hurry, if he has advanced + you any of the "ready." + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Tell him I'm out. Then let him come up if he likes. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What are you going to do? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I am going to dissemble. I am going to be an Eastern potentate, + and I am going to spoof the old boy. (<i>To</i> SARAH ANN.) + Menial, slope! (<i>To</i> CHARLES SYLVESTER.) Help me. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + This is the rummiest studio that ever I was in! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, originality is what we pride ourselves on. (<i>He disguises + himself as the Maharajah of Slamthedoor</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + And what am <i>I</i> to do? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You must be very deferential. I think you had better salaam when + you speak to me. Try it. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Like this? (<i>Salaams</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + That's it, only more so. And mind, if he wants to see Susannah, + you don't let him look at it. It's only just begun. How do I + look? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You look like a Guy Fawkes. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Dear child! how pretty she talks! Where did you originally find + such a treasure? + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Enter</i> HENRICH SCHERCL <i>L</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ah, Mr. Sylvester, how do you do? Where is Mr. Tempenny? I hoped + to see him. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + He has been compelled to go out on most important business. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + The business of you gentlemen is always "most important" + excepting when it concerns them that find you the wherewithal. + (<i>Aside</i>.) What a nice girl! + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (ROSALINE <i>smiles at him</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SILVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I don't think, my dear Schercl, that you have much cause to + complain. You don't lose by us; now confess! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + My dear sir, if I lost by you how do you think I should garry on + my business? One must live. But you artists don't give us much + chance. You are always bleeding us for what you call "a bit on + aggount." + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>coming down</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Your conversation is very interesting, but I wish to see Mr. + Tempenny. He is not here, and if he is not coming I shall go. + Allah Bismillah Remdazzlegefoo! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> CHARLES SYLVESTER.) What does he say? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> HENRICH SCHERCL.) He's swearing because Tempenny + is out. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I wanted to buy some of his great works. The Maharajah of + Battledore told me that he was one of your most favourite + painters. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Good old Rembrandt Tempenny. What larks! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> CHARLES SYLVESTER.) Let <i>me</i> deal with this + sportsman. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> HENRICH SCHERCL.) Bosh, why should you? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Do you want to sell your "Battle of Agincourt?" + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Of course I do. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + How much? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Two hundred—you know that! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + A hundred ready? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You will have a jeque to-night. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + On your word? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + On my word. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + An open one? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, my dear young friend. Now oblige me by skipping. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Right you are. Allow me to introduce to your Highness, Mr. + Schercl—Mr. Schercl, the Maharajah of Slamthedoor. + </p> + <p class="sdr"> + (<i>Exit R</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Allah Bismillah Pottamarmala Goo! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + He's swearing again. (<i>Aloud</i>.) I am sorry your Royal + Highness has been kept waiting. These artists are such gurious + people. Your Highness broboses to buy bictures, yes? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I have built a new palace at Slamthedoor, and I must have, of + course, some pictures for my galleries. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Does your Highness want any slaves too? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> ROSALINE.) Go away, girl—go away! One deal + at a time! (<i>Aloud</i>) May I make so bold as to enquire the + size of the new palace, Oh glorious One? (<i>Salaams</i>.) + (<i>Aside</i>.) I think that is right! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + The size? It is no bigger than my other one—it is about + four times as large as your Buckingham Palace. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Great heavens! And you will have a vast picture gallery, Oh Light + of my Eyes! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Five—five picture galleries, and I desire to fill them. + That is why I am looking up these artists. My cousin the + Maharajah of Battledore has given me several introductions. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + <i>Doesn't</i> your Royal Highness want any slaves? Ye before + whose radiance the sun pales and the stars grow dim—no + slaves? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Can you dance, damsel, as I would see you? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> ROSALINE.) Go away—go away—go away. + Oh, demmit, will you go away! (<i>Salaaming</i>.) Most Serene + One— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Proceed. But be quick—I am impatient to be gone. Allah + Bismillah, be quick! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What a temper he's got! (<i>Aloud</i>.) Be guided by your + servant. I have your Royal Highness's interest at heart. + (<i>Aside</i>.) Also my own. (<i>Aloud</i>.) These bainters are + so queer—they do not understand business at all, at all. + Nach, they know nothing about it—at least very few of them. + The less you have to do with them directly the better for your + Royal Highness. If your Royal Highness wishes to fill the picture + galleries of your new palace I'll take on the job at contract. + I'll save you sixty per cent, s'welp me! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + That is very kind of you. Why should you do it? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Well, your Royal Highness, I was struck by your demeanour and to + tell your Royal Highness the truth, except with the Brince of + Westphalia I have never done any business with royal families + before. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>aside</i>.) + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Modest violet! There's nothing like being frank! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You do not advise me then to see this Mr. Tempenny, or the other + painters whose names I have? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Certainly not, your Royal Highness. Let <i>me</i> arrange + everything. Here's my card—Heinrich Schercl, 41 Golden + Square. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> HENRICH SCHERCL). Look here, what am I to have + for this. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> ROSALINE). For what? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> HENRICH SCHERCL). I can queer your pitch. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> ROSALINE). We will talk later—we will talk + later. Don't bother me! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + My dear Mr. Schercl, I am delighted to have met you. You are + quite confident you can <i>fill</i> my galleries? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + With genuine works of art. (<i>Aside</i>.) Poor Gamboge died last + week; I am sure he hasn't sold more than three pictures during + the last ten years—I can get the lot cheap. Only there must + be 200 at least. What with all the other stony devils I can lay + hands on, I'll soon decorate the old josser's walls. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Well then, I shall wait no longer—there is no need now. I + shall call upon you, and settle our business together. Good-bye, + miss, for the present. This is your daughter, I suppose? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Eh—oh, yes, my youngest—my ewe lamb. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I congratulate you. She is worthy to be a Princess. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + This man's a flyer! I thought he was a mild young mug, but he + fairly takes the merry little bun! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Good day, sir. My time in London is short. If I cannot call upon + you, I will ask you to come to me at Claridge's. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Charmed, your Royal Highness. I shall be entirely at your + disposition. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + That is well. + </p> + <p class="sdr"> + (<i>Exit R</i>. SCHERCL <i>and</i> ROSALINE <i>salaam</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Skipping with ecstasy</i>). Jampagne! Little girl, I will + stand you jampagne to zelebrate the deal. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Good biz! (<i>Opens L.D. and calls</i>). Here Mary, Matilda, + Susan, or whatever your name is, you're wanted. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + And you are a very charming girl, that is a fact. (<i>Lighting a + cigarette</i>). I think I must give you a sovereign, yes? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I don't mind if I do. (<i>Taking cigarette from his case</i>). A + "sovereign?" What are you talking about? My commission on this is + a tenner—and I'm cheap at that! + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Enter</i> SARAH ANN <i>L</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Giving her money</i>). Fetch me a bottle of jampagne, and + bring two glasses, eh? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + SARAH ANN. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yessir. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + And look slippy. Go on, I'm parched. Mind, the <i>best</i> + champagne. (<i>To</i> HENRICH SCHERCL.) Got a light? + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Exit</i> SARAH ANN <i>L</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What is your name, my dear? (<i>Gives her light</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Rosaline—you may call me "Rosie" if you like. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + May I—why? (<i>Chuckles</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Well, I was struck by your demeanour, and to tell your Royal + Highness the truth I have never done business with such a nice + gentleman as you before. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ha, ha, ha! You are a sharp girl too! You are too good to go to + India to be a slave. You could do better in London. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Coquettishly</i>). Think so? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You shall have a slave of your own—a slave who would love + you. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It sounds very well. In the meantime what about the tenner? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Taking out his notebook</i>). You shall have it. There! Will + you give me a kiss for that, my Rosie, with your rosy-posy lips? + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Enter</i> SARAH ANN <i>L. with champagne and glasses</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Not before the child! Put it down, my girl, that'll do—Come + on, Heinrich of the Golden Square, come and pour out the fluid. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Exit</i> SARAH ANN <i>L</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Lifting his glass</i>). Gezunteit! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Very likely. (<i>Aside</i>.) This is the best day's sitting I've + ever done. (<i>Aloud</i>.) Now this is what I call comfortable: a + bottle of the boy, a cigarette, and a cosy chat. I am very glad + to have met you. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Putting his arm round her waist</i>). Really—is that + so? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + That is really so. But mind you, an hour ago, I should not have + let you do this. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I am so blessed we did not meet an hour ago. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It is true. An hour ago I was in love, but I have been treated + very badly. Just now my heart is at the rebound. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Leedle heart—let me gatch it! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Now you are making fun of me. I am not so simple as you think. + Why, we have only just met. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + But we can meet again. Besides, I am not going yet—I will + stop and talk to you. You shall tell me all about your + love-trouble, and I will gonsole you. Hark, what is that? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Somebody is coming upstairs. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Then I will step into the next room. It would not look vell that + I should be found trinking jampagne mid a pretty girl like you. + When they are gone I will come back. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MR. Sylvester is in there. Here, if you don't want to be seen, + get into this cupboard. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Is it glean? Are you sure? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Clean as a new pin. Come on if you mean it, there's no time to + waste. Now or never? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Going into cupboard, gingerly</i>). I am certain it is not + glean. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (ROSALINE <i>shuts the door and turns as</i> MRS. SYLVESTER + <i>re-enters with</i> MRS. TEMPENNY). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I told you so! Here she is as bold as brass. Now what do you say + to that? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + If indeed my husband brought her here—if he has really + assisted Mr. Sylvester to deceive you— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Scornfully</i>). "IF!" The creature does not deny it. Speak, + girl. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Good afternoon. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + "Good afternoon?" It isn't a "good afternoon" I want you to say. + Speak, I tell you. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What shall we talk about? + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>R.D. slowly opens a little</i>—<i>showing</i> REMBRANDT + TEMPENNY <i>and</i> CHARLES SYLVESTER <i>listening</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> CHARLES SYLVESTER). Can you do it, do you think? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I can do it. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Threaten to punch my head. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, yes—and you had better be very violent too. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I twig. Wait a moment. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>They withdraw</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Bursting into tears</i>). I will never forgive him as long as + I live. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I should think not. When I see Charles—! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Oh, and when I see Rembrandt—! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I <i>will</i> see him, if I stop till midnight! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + And <i>I'll</i> see him, if I don't go home for a week! + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Enter</i> REMBRANDT TEMPENNY <i>backwards, very disordered + attire</i>—<i>his entrance to suggest that he has been + flung in</i>. CHARLES SYLVESTER <i>follows</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>With affected fury</i>). If you did not bring this person + here, sir, how did she come? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + How? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, sir—how? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + How do I know? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER and MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What is all this? Oh, good gracious, the men have been fighting! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + <i>I</i> know what it is—it's spoof. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Rushing to</i> CHARLES SYLVESTER). Charles—Charles, + compose yourself! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Rushing to</i> REMBRANDT TEMPENNY). Rembrandt, be calm. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Don't interfere, Adelaide. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Eugenia, this concerns us alone. Mr. Sylvester accuses me— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, sir, I accuse you— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Throwing himself upon him</i>). Ah! + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (CHARLES SYLVESTER <i>throws him off</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + The best of wives— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Don't you dare to mention Mrs. Sylvester's name, sir! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I am talking about Mrs. Tempenny. I say you would lead the best + of wives to suppose that I—I—introduced this creature + into your room. (<i>Weeps</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + And through you I may be falsely suspected by Adelaide. + (<i>Weeps</i>.) + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (ROSALINE <i>whispers to</i> REMBRANDT TEMPENNY <i>aside</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> ROSALINE.) Great Jupiter! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + All this is very fine—but who <i>is</i> the man who brought + her here if you didn't? Answer that. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, if neither of <i>you</i> did it, who did? Where <i>is</i> + the man? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Throwing open cupboard triumphantly and disclosing</i> + SCHERCL <i>covered with paint</i>.) There! + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + <i>Curtain</i>. + </p> + <h3 class="act"> + ACT III. + </h3> + <h4 class="scn"> + SCENE:—<i>Drawing-room at Tempenny's house.</i> + </h4> + <p class="sdm"> + TIME:—<i>Next day</i>. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (SUSAN <i>discovered dusting. As Curtain goes up bell is heard + off</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + SUSAN. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Was that the bell again? It is not the sort of place I am used + to, this—where the master's afraid to see half the people + who calls for him. I only hopes my wages is right. They was + precious particular about <i>my</i> references when they took me. + Was I sober, honest and industrious, and the Lord knows what? + Wish I'd been equal particular about theirs. The master ain't + remarkably industrious, that I do know, for he often don't paint + nothing for a week at a time; and he frequently ain't sober. + Whether or not he is honest I shall find out at the end of my + month. (<i>Bell rings again</i>.) It <i>was</i> the + bell—I'd better go and see who it is. + </p> + <p class="sdr"> + (<i>Exit L</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL (<i>heard off</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Mr. Tempenny in? Nonsense. Then I'll wait till he is. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + SUSAN (<i>expostulating</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + But, sir, if you please, sir, really— + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Enter</i> HENRICH SCHERCL <i>followed by</i> SUSAN.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I tell you I mean to see him. Now let us have the truth, girl, + where is he? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + SUSAN. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Mr. Tempenny, sir? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + "Mr. Tempenny, sir?" Yes, ma'am, who else? Now, is he at home? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + SUSAN. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No, sir, he isn't; he has gone out. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Not to his studio, for I've just been there. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + SUSAN. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No, sir, he has gone to his dentist. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Then I'll just sit down here till he comes back. You may go in + and tell him so. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + SUSAN (<i>confused</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I hope you don't think I tell stories, sir? If Mr. Tempenny's out + how can I take him your message? + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Enter</i> REMBRANDT TEMPENNY <i>R</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>briskly</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Now, you understand, Susan, I am out to everyone, and if a Mr. + Schercl calls—(<i>seeing</i> HENRICH + SCHERCL—<i>aside</i>). Good gracious! (<i>Aloud</i>.) Beg + him to wait till I return—I want to see him. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL (<i>sardonically</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + He <i>is</i> waiting, sir. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>affecting surprise</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + My dear friend, how glad I am—how very glad! + (<i>Aside</i>.) This is the very devil! (<i>Aloud</i>.) All + right, Susan, you can go. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I want a leedle talk with you, my friend, without delay. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + SUSAN (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I hope the master'll enjoy himself, I'm sure! I did <i>my</i> + best for him anyhow! + </p> + <p class="sdr"> + (<i>Exit L</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Mr. Tempenny, I am here to demand an exblanation, sir—an + exblanation of your strange behaviour of yesterday. And there is + something else, sir. I find you are not Mr. Tempenny at all, sir, + you are an imposter. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + He did take me for Tempenny R.A., Addison was right! + (<i>Aloud</i>.) An imposter, Mr. Schercl? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Zertainly, sir. I took you for <i>the</i> Mr. Tempenny—it + was to <i>the</i> Mr. Tempenny, I brobosed to give my commission. + You 'ave cheated me, you fellow. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Now, now, take care! How was <i>I</i> to know you took me for + somebody else? You came to me, and you made me an offer, and I + accepted it. How could I tell you thought I was another—I + may say an <i>inferior</i>—Tempenny? I say how could I know + you were making a mistake? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You knew it very well. I would not pay tree 'undred pounds to + <i>you</i>! What do you think I am—a fool? You 'ave + obtained an order from me under false pretences, do you hear. I + say you 'ave robbed me. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Gently! gently! this is slander, old gentleman. It will cost you + a good deal <i>more</i> than three hundred pounds if you aren't + more guarded in your remarks. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL (<i>spluttering</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It will really. I shall owe it to myself to have you up for + slander, and it would be a very good advertisement for me too. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What! what! what! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + A really excellent advertisement. And what a fool you'd look! + Come, come, you don't suppose your other Tempenny would have done + you a work of this size for three hundred, do you? Nor as good + either? No, no! As to the affair of yesterday, my wife was very + much to blame—I am very angry with her. You see she has + such curious ideas, and when she found you hidden in a cupboard + with a paint-pot upset over you she thought it strange. It + <i>wasn't</i> strange, of course—(<i>airily</i>) most + natural thing in the world, but she couldn't see it. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I felt very hurt to be so misunderstood. The only person who + abbeared to have any zympathy for me was your model—the + Miss Rosaline. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Nice girl! charming girl, isn't she? Full of feeling, and—I + say, Schercl, you've made a conquest there, and no error. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Nonsense—go away mid your rubbidge! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Well, you have, you know! She made an awful scene after you + left—said you were the only man she ever saw look dignified + with a pot of paint upset over him. It is a pity in one way she + <i>is</i> so taken with you—I feel for her. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL (<i>flattered</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Vat rot you talk. Why should you feel for her? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Because you meant nothing by your attentions, Schercl, and the + poor girl doesn't know that. She is thinking about you—not + to put too fine a point upon it, she has fallen in love with you; + and what do <i>you</i> care?—you laugh! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No, I do not laff—I have a 'eart, have I not? I have the + emotions and sensibilities. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You have, you have. But you do not realise how serious an + impression you have made. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Well, now about Susannah. You can do it as well as your namesake. + Yes? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ah! (<i>Enthusiastically</i>.) Wait till you see it! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It still progresses? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Superbly. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + "Zuperbly!" But I do not see it, and to me you never abbear to + paint. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + My dear friend, how can you doubt the success of the picture + after you have seen the model who is sitting for it? + Fair—beautiful form—exquisite arms—er— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, yes, yes. So Miss Rosaline sits for your Susannah, eh? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Won't it be worth the three hundred—won't it be a dream. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL (<i>eagerly</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I will come in one morning when you are at work! Yes, I am + satisfied with the gontract—I say no more. I will come in + when she is sitting. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNV. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No, you don't, my boy—oh no, you don't! The picture is what + you get for your money—the real, living, breathing woman + ain't included. Not much! Oh, no, Schercl, you old + rogue—only the picture, sonny, no more. Ha, ha, ha! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL (<i>confused</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You misunderstood me quite—I had no idea but of my + business. I do not think of other things. Er—when will the + picture be done, Tempenny, I would like it soon? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ha, ha, ha! Control yourself, Romeo, it's coming on. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + But according to our contract, it should be done in a week's + time. If you disappoint me, my friend, we shall fall out again. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + It strikes me you'll be precious lucky if you get it at all. The + infernal "contract" is the bane of my life. (<i>Aloud</i>.) All + right, Schercl, I will push on with it—I want the other two + hundred, you know. I shan't delay for my own sake. (<i>Enter</i> + CHARLES SYLVESTER <i>L</i>.) Hallo, Charlie, how d'ye do. How are + things at home? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I see another of yesterday's gulprits. However I have forgiven + you. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + That's all right. (<i>Aside to</i> REMBRANDT TEMPENNY:) + Rosaline's downstairs—wanting to see you. Where is your + wife? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Out. (<i>To</i> HENRICH SCHERCL.) That poor girl has followed you + here. Perhaps out of pity you ought to go down to her and say a + kind word. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Miss Rosaline—she is here? Well, I never! Yes, I will go + down and speak to her. Where is she? + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Enter</i> ROSALINE <i>L</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Damn it, in the drawing-room! Look here, Schercl, you can't go + till <i>she</i> does. If my wife comes in and finds her, she is + your affair. Don't leave her for Heaven's sake. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Good morning, gentlemen. Oh, Mr. Schercl! What a + pleasure—how <i>do</i> you do? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I am very well, I thank you. And you?—I need not ask, you + look most beautiful. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Dear man! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> CHARLES SYLVESTER.) Why is Tempenny so afraid + his wife should see her? You too—why are <i>you</i> so + afraid? Is she not of a good character, this Miss Rosaline? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> HENRICH SCHERCL.) The girl is a paragon. They + are jealous of her, that's all. She is too good-looking for 'em. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ha, ha, I see! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I think we'll leave you, old man. Rosaline, Mr. Schercl, has + something to say to you—we shall be in the way. (<i>Aside + to</i> CHARLES SYLVESTER.) Come on, old chap—I wouldn't + risk being found in the room again with the girl for a monkey. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, I have some business to discuss with Mr. Tempenny. If you + will excuse us— + </p> + <p class="sdr"> + (<i>Exit R.</i>) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + (<i>Aside to</i> HENRICH SCHERCL.) Take her away soon, there's a + trump, or there will be another row. I give you five minutes to + get her out of the house, Take her to + breakfast—or—or—wherever you like, only hurry! + <span class="sdr">(<i>Exit L.</i>)</span> + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + How funny to be left alone like this, isn't it, I really called + to know when Mr. Tempenny proposed to continue the sittings. Do + you know? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No, I have no idea. But I am very glad you called—our + conversation yesterday was so inderrupted. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, and we were getting on so nicely too, weren't we? Do you + like my new hat? I bought it out of the tenner you gave me. What + do you think of the bow—isn't it a duck? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You do not sit to Mr. Tempenny in a hat, I think. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + In a—? Oh no, not in—. The subject is classical. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Zo I understand (<i>he sighs</i>). + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>sighing</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ah! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Why do you sigh? You are not happy? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Did I sigh? I was thinking. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL (<i>sighing</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Heigho! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + But now it is <i>you</i> who sighs. Aren't <i>you</i> happy? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I alzo, I was thinking. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Of what? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + If I was to tell you, you would call me "sentimental old fool." + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Not <i>old</i>. Never a <i>fool</i>. (<i>With sudden + persuasiveness</i>.) <i>Tell</i> me! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I was thinking then, of you. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Of little me? What of me. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I was wishing I was this Mr. Tempenny. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Why? (<i>Realising reason, and covering her face bashfully</i>.) + Oh! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I mean you go to him every day, and your zociety is very + fascinating. That is all. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Of course, if you were Mr. Tempenny, you would see more of me. I + should have said you would see me "<i>oftener</i>." + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Heigho! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Heigho! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + The little that I <i>have</i> seen has made a great impression on + me, Rosie—I shall never forget your face. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Really? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL (<i>eagerly</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, yes, really—it is true. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I am only a model, you know—a poor girl. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You are a model of perfection. I zympathise with you. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You do not think the less of me because? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I assure you I think of you the more. Nevertheless I do not like + the idea. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + And why? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You must find it zo chilly in the winter. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I have got used to it. And besides I am fortunately of a warm + temperament. The wind is tempered to the shorn lamb. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I have not ever in my life seen a young lady who did make me feel + for her the strange attraction that I feel for you, Rosie. I am + jealous of this Mr. Tempenny. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Jealous! Do you mean you are in love with me? (<i>Aside</i>.) Oh, + my goodness, what a joke! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + And if I did, would you laugh at me? Supposing I was to say to + you—"Rosie, I would like to marry you," what would you + answer? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Say it, and see. (<i>Aside</i>.) He's in earnest. I do believe. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I am a very rich man. I could give you lots of such hats, and + jewellery, and a big house. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>sentimentally</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I wish that you were poor. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL (<i>in a fright</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No, no, for goodness sake, don't say that! Why? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You would not doubt my sincerity then. Now, you may think— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + No, no, I do believe you. Do you care for me a little, Rosie? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>archly</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Perhaps I do—a little. No, you are making game of me! + (<i>Turns up</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I am not—I am not! I love you desperately. Rosie, will you + be my wife. Say "yes" my darling. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes. Now you may kiss me. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL (<i>kissing her</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + This is paradise. And Rosie— + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes, Mr. Schercl. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ah, no, you must say Heinrich. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Yes—Heinrich? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + You will not sit to Mr. Tempenny any more? It is not fit, now + that you are to be Mrs. Schercl, that you should earn your living + in such a way. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE (<i>doubtfully</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + He will be very disappointed. He can't finish "Susannah" without + me, and if he don't finish it, he won't get the two hundred + pounds. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Enter</i> MRS. SYLVESTER <i>and</i> MRS. TEMPENNY. <i>L. + dressed for walking</i>.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Sir! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Ah, my friend Tempenny's wife. And Mrs. Sylvester—how do + you do? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + This creature again? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + By what right, sir, do you bring this person again—and into + my private house. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + ROSALINE. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Creature! Stand up for me, Heinrich. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I will, my treasure. (<i>To</i> MRS. TEMPENNY.) I must trouble + you, my good madam, to speak in terms of more respect of a lady + who will shortly be my wife. + <br /> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="ctr"> + <table> + <tr> + <td> + MRS. TEMPENNY + </td> + <td> + } + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + <td> + } (<i>aside</i>). + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + MRS. SYLVESTER + </td> + <td> + } + </td> + </tr> + </table> + </div> + <p class="dlg"> + Schercl's wife! We must be very civil to her! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Let me introduce you: Mrs. Tempenny, Mrs. Sylvester—the + future Mrs. Heinrich Schercl. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>The two women gush up to her and shake her hands</i>.) + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Enter</i> TEMPENNY <i>and</i> SYLVESTER. <i>L.</i>) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + What's this I see, do I dream? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + CHARLES SYLVESTER. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Are visions about? + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. TEMPENNY (<i>aside to</i> TEMPENNY). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Why on earth didn't you tell me? They are engaged—I might + have offended him for life! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + MRS. SYLVESTER (<i>aside to</i> SYLVESTER). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + How stupid you were! They are going to be married. Why, you might + never have got an order from him again! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Dear, dear, dear, but my very good friend, if this lady is going + to be your wife, how about "Susannah?" + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Forgive me, "Susannah" cannot be. I release you from the + contract. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>aside</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Tidings of joy! (<i>Aloud</i>.) But—but—this is very + hard on me. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I release you, and I pay you just the same. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TFMPENNY. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + But she has had the money for a dozen sittings. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I pay. + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Enter</i> SUSAN.) + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + SUSAN. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + If you please, sir, there's a hofficer of the law downstairs and + he wants Mr. Tempenny or forty pun', sixteen shillings and + ninepence. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>waving his hand</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Schercl! + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + HENRICH SCHERCL. + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + I pay—and I gif you the balance by a jeque. + </p> + <p class="cnm"> + REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (<i>with mock despair</i>). + </p> + <p class="dlg"> + Pay—you pay? But the work of my life unfinished.—What + money can compensate for that? + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + (<i>Sinks forlornly into chair</i>.) + </p> + <p class="sdm"> + <i>Curtain</i>. + </p> + <p> + THE END. + </p> + <p> + PRINTING OFFICE OF THE PUBLISHER. + </p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of If Only etc. +by Francis Clement Philips and Augustus Harris + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IF ONLY ETC. *** + +***** This file should be named 15219-h.htm or 15219-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/2/1/15219/ + +Produced by Martin Agren, Leonard Johnson and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + + </body> +</html> diff --git a/15219.txt b/15219.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c7ba85c --- /dev/null +++ b/15219.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7650 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of If Only etc. +by Francis Clement Philips and Augustus Harris + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: If Only etc. + +Author: Francis Clement Philips and Augustus Harris + +Release Date: March 1, 2005 [EBook #15219] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IF ONLY ETC. *** + + + + +Produced by Martin Agren, Leonard Johnson and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. + + + + + + +IF ONLY + +ETC. + +BY + +F.C. PHILIPS + +AUTHOR OF "AS IN A LOOKING GLASS," ETC. ETC. + + + +LEIPZIG + +BERNHARD TAUCHNITZ + +1904. + + + + +TO + +MY OLD FRIEND AND COLLABORATOR, + +SYDNEY GRUNDY, + +I DEDICATE THESE PAGES. + +F.C. PHILIPS. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + +IF ONLY + +ONE CAN'T ALWAYS TELL + +SONGS. AFTER VICTOR HUGO, ARMAND SILVESTRE, +CHARLES ROUSSEAU AND THE VICOMTE DE BORELLI + +LOVE WENT OUT WHEN MONEY WAS INVENTED + +A PUZZLED PAINTER. (WRITTEN IN COLLABORATION +WITH THE LATE SIR AUGUSTUS HARRIS) + + * * * * * + + + + +IF ONLY. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +There is a vast deal talked in the present day about Freewill. We +like to feel that we are independent agents and are ready to overlook +the fact that our surroundings and circumstances and the hundred and +one subtle and mysterious workings of the fate we can none of us +escape, control our actions and are responsible for our movements, +and make us to a great extent what we are. + +A man is not even a free agent when he takes the most important step +of his whole life, and marries a wife. He is impelled to it by +considerations outside of himself; it affects not only his own +present and future, but that of others, very often, and he must be +guided accordingly. + +Emerson says; "The soul has inalienable rights, and the first of +these is love," but he does not say marriage. Love is the business of +the idle and the idleness of the busy, but marriage is quite another +affair--a grave matter, and not to be undertaken lightly, since it is +the one step that can never be retraced, save through the unsavoury +channels of shame and notoriety, or death itself. + +But perhaps Jack Chetwynd was hampered with fewer restraining +influences than most men, for he was alone in the world, without kith +or kin, and might be fairly allowed to please himself, and pleasing +himself in this case meant leading to the altar, or rather to the +Registry Office, Miss Bella Blackall, music-hall singer and step +dancer. + +It was unquestionably a case of love at first sight. The girl was +barely seventeen, and her girlishness attracted him quite as much as +her beauty, which was exceptional. There was nothing meretricious +about it, for as yet she owed nothing to art--brown hair, warm lips, +soft blue eyes, and a complexion like the leaf of a white rose--a +woman blossom. Then, too, she was a happy creature, full of life and +happiness and bubbling over with childish merriment--no one could +help liking her, he told himself, but it was something warmer than +that. What makes the difference between liking and love? It is so +little and yet so much. There was an air of refinement about her, +too, which to his fancy seemed to protest against the vulgarities of +her surroundings. He thought he could discern the stuff that meant an +actress in her, and prophesied that she would before long be playing +Juliet at the Haymarket. He was still at the age when the habit is to +discover geniuses in unlikely places, especially when the women are +pretty. He raved about her when he adjourned with his companions to +the bar, and they chaffed him a good deal to his face and sneered at +him behind his back. He was there the next night, and the night, +after and by-and-by he managed to get introduced to her. + +She was prettier off the stage than on, and her manner was charming, +and her voice delicious with its racy accent. + +She was an American, and had been in London only a few months; and he +was duly taken to a second-rate lodging in a side street near the +Waterloo Road, and presented to "Ma,"--a black satined and beaded +type of the race. There was also a sister, whom, truth to tell, he +objected to more than her maternal relative, for she was distinctly +professional, not to say loud, and the little mannerisms which were +so taking in his inamorata were very much the reverse in Miss Saidie +Blackall. + +Still, he told himself, he was not going to marry the whole family; +which might be true in a sense and yet might not mean the entire +independence it implied. Bella's relations must, if he made her his +wife, mean more or less to him. + +However, youth is sanguine, and Jack Chetwynd did not look too +closely at the thorns which hedged his dainty rose-bud round. She at +least was all he could wish her to be--unsophisticated as a child, +and pure and good at heart. + +After a month's acquaintance it began to be understood that he was +engaged to her. "Ma" wept copious tears, and reckoned her Bella was a +lucky girl to get such an "elegant" husband; and Saidie wished him +happiness in a voice like a corn-crake, and declared that her sister +was "just the sweetest and best girl out of N'York," which she was; +"and born to lead a private life," which she wasn't. + +Bella herself had very little to say. She blushed rosily when Jack +made fervent love to her; acquiesced confusedly when he told her she +must give up the music-hall stage, and seemed to take happily to the +idea of a quiet, uneventful life as Mrs. Jack Chetwynd. + +They took a small house in Camberwell New Road. Jack put up a brass +plate with his name on it, and M.D. in imposing letters, and invested +in a telephone for the accommodation of night callers; and Bella +began to busy herself about the furnishing. + +That was a delightful time. The little bride elect was so excited and +eager, and showed herself wonderfully capable, and with quite a +pretty taste in draping and ornamenting; but there was a terrible +hole in Jack's purse: chairs and tables seemed to cost a mint of +money; and the young man sighed and hoped fervently that it would not +be long before patients appeared, or he would be obliged to say No to +his darling when she turned her appealing eyes upon him and begged +him to give her money for that "duck of a screen," or something else +that was from her point of view the most extraordinary bargain, but +which, Jack reflected, privately, they could very well have done +without. + +He was giving up a certainty in settling in Camberwell, for as House +Surgeon at St. Mark's his income was assured; but then as a married +man he could no longer have lived at the hospital, and "one must risk +something" said Jack, hopefully. + +They were married in May, just three months from that eventful night +when our hero first saw pretty Bella Blackall, on the boards at the +"Band Box," and Mrs. John Chetwynd was altogether so sweet and +winsome in her simple white gown, that Saidie was right when she +hilariously remarked that Jack might well be forgiven for falling in +love with her "all over again." + +The wedding was just as quiet as it could be, for Jack did not care +to invite any of his friends. "Ma" and Saidie were altogether too +impossible; and unfortunately no one seemed to mind whether he did or +not. There was one unpleasantness connected with the day which +Chetwynd felt Bella might have had tact enough to avoid. Two or three +of Saidie's friends, in light and eminently professional attire, were +of the party, the women a good deal worse than the men; and they all +returned together to Holly Street, where a meal had been prepared in +the front parlours, the landlady having generously placed them at the +disposal of her lodgers for the occasion. There was a good deal of +banter and side jokes were bandied about from one to another; which +was galling to young Chetwynd, and made him devoutly thankful that +none of his own companions and friends were present. When at last +Bella rose from the table to change her gown for the pale grey he +himself had chosen, with the big hat and nodding plumes in which she +had looked such a dainty little mortal, he pushed his chair back with +a look of disgust on his face and left them to talk amongst +themselves. + +Saidie was distributing small pieces of wedding cake, laughing and +screaming at the top of her voice. + +"Saikes, man! you are not to eat it. Put it under your pillow and as +sure as I'm a Yank you'll see your intended," she cried. And then +followed an amount of vulgar chaff and coarse pleasantry which caused +the "happy man" to set his teeth hard and register a vow at the +bottom of his heart that this should be the last occasion on which +his wife should associate with her sister's friends. + +And then Bella came tripping down the narrow staircase, her cheeks +warm with a pale pink colour that made her inexpressibly lovely; and +the carriage which Mrs. Blackall had insisted upon ordering to take +the young couple to the station was at the door, and in the bustle +that ensued Jack lost sight of all annoyances and remembered only +that he had married the girl he loved and that he was the happiest +fellow in the universe; and amid a shower of rice and a white satin +slipper (one of Saidie's), which fell right into Bella's lap; the +last farewell was spoken, and they drove away. + +"Only to Brighton!" cried Nina Nankin, the celebrity famed for the +height to which she could raise one leg while standing upon the +other. "What a mean chap! He might have forked out enough for a trip +to Paris, I should have thought." + +"It wouldn't satisfy me," returned Saidie, turning up her nose +disdainfully; "but he isn't my style, anyway." + +"Bit of a prig, eh?" + +Saidie nodded. + +"I do detest a man who fancies himself a head and shoulders above the +rest of his kind," said that young lady vehemently; "you'll generally +find out he don't amount to a row of pins. My! ain't I glad I'm not +going to live with him. I would as lief go to Bible-class every day +of the week. I'll bet my bottom dollar Bella'll see the mistake she's +made before she's many weeks older. There's a chip of the old block +about that young woman, for all her baby ways and her innocent +know-nothing. He'll be a spry man, will Dr. Chetwynd, to come up to +her. It'll take him all he knows to get ahead, you bet". + +Saidie lay back in the chair and laughed till the tears ran down her +cheeks. + + + + +CHAPTER II + + +It was not long before Dr. Chetwynd's eyes were fully open to the +mistake he had made and that he realised the fact that you cannot +fashion a Dresden vase out of earthenware, and though pinchbeck may +pass muster for gold, it does not make it the real article. + +At first Bella did try her "level best" as Saidie put it, to be all +that Jack required of her. She took his lecturings humbly, held her +peace when he scolded her (and I am afraid he constantly did), and +acknowledged in the depths of her shallow little mind that she fell +far short of what his wife should be. But as time went on she grew +less solicitous about pleasing him. His standard was an almost +impossible one to the very second-rate little American girl, to whom +the atmosphere of the "Halls" was far more congenial than the +humdrum, quiet life she led in the Camberwell New Road, and she +slipped back little by little into the mire out of which he had +raised her. + +"I can never learn to be what he wants me to," she said a little +pathetically to Saidie--"It is like standing on tiptoe all the time +trying to reach up to his standard. I'm sick of it. If he loved me +well enough to marry me, the same love ought to be strong enough to +make him contented with me. After all, I'm the same Bella now that I +was then." + +A word of advice at this juncture might have quieted the poor little +wife, and brought her back into safe paths, for she really loved Jack +in her heart; but Saidie was not the person to give it. Privately she +considered her sister a fool to have put up with this ridiculous +nonsense of her husband's as long as she had done; and the line of +argument she took was about the worst she could have adopted for the +happiness and peace of the Camberwell household. + +She was a good deal older than Bella, and the girl had been wont to +rely upon her in a great measure, and to look up to her as a +practical, sensible person, which Bella was quite ready to admit she +herself was very far from being; so now, when Saidie spoke in a +resolute, determined way, she listened meekly, if she did not in so +many words acquiesce in the wisdom and justice of what she said. + +"As far as I can see, you don't get a bit of fun and happiness out of +your life," remarked Saidie, critically examining her features in the +glass. "What did you marry him for, I should like to know? You might +as well be Bella Blackall, on the boards again, and free, as the wife +of a stingy fellow like that." + +"Oh! Saidie, he doesn't grudge me anything." The young wife felt a +little compunction in her heart. + +"Yes he does." Saidie turned round and faced her sister. "He don't +like you to enjoy yourself, not a little bit. He would keep you +wrapped up in cotton wool if he could, and if you don't make a stand +now, once and for all, and let him see you have a mind of your own +and intend to do as you like, you'll regret it to the last day of +your life. Who is he, anyway? I guess our family's as good, if we +knew anything about them, which we don't, worse luck. Just you give +him back his own sauce, Bella, and next time he finds fault with you, +laugh in his face and tell him he has got to put up with what he +finds, for it ain't likely you can alter your nature to suit his high +mightiness. Pitch on a thing or two he does which you don't like, and +give him a sermon as long as your arm. You see; he will come off his +pedestal. Sakes alive! he ought to have me to deal with; I bet I'd +teach him a thing or two." + +And then Saidie whipped herself off to the "Rivolette," where she +sang a doubtful song and displayed her finely turned limbs in a style +that would have disgusted her brother-in-law, if he had been there to +see. + +But music halls were not to his liking under any circumstances. He +had never really cared for them, even in his bachelor days, and now +he would have cut his right hand off rather than be seen with his +young wife beside him, at such resorts. + +Then, too, Dr. Chetwynd felt that it behoved him to be circumspect in +all his actions, for his practice was steadily increasing and he was +becoming popular, and had serious thoughts of migrating westward. It +was a constant source of vexation to him that Bella was not liked as +much as her handsome, clever husband, and he began to be painfully +alive to the fact that she could not have been received in certain +houses whose doors would have been gradually opened to him. In a +social sense his wife was a failure, and with a sigh he realised that +it was almost an impossibility to show her where the fault lay; he +could not always be at her elbow to guard against little solecisms of +manner and speech which he knew must jar and grate on others even +more than on himself. + +It went terribly against the grain, for he loved her none the less +that his eyes were not blinded to her shortcomings. She was still the +same winsome girl he had made his own; large-hearted, gentle and +affectionate, but--and he sighed impatiently, for that something +lacking was for ever pulling him back and standing in the way of his +own social advancement. + +He became less demonstrative, less congenial, and his practice made +huge demands upon his time, and left but scant opportunity for +pleasure-seeking. Lines traced themselves upon his brow and lurked at +the corners of his mouth; he aged rapidly, and began to look like an +elderly man while Bella was still little more than a girl. + +On the night of Mrs. Chetwynd's return from the maternal roof (for +Mrs. Blackall still lived near the Waterloo Road, and her elder +daughter continued to make her home with her), she found her husband, +a good deal to her surprise, seated in the drawing-room, gay with +flowers and crowded with knick-nacks of every description. He had in +his hand a book which he flung down with an annoyed gesture as his +wife opened the door. + +It was perhaps no worse than others of its type, but it had not an +honest moral tone and was not therefore, John Chetwynd considered, a +desirable work for his young wife's perusal. + +"Have you read this?" he asked. + +"No; it is one of Saidie's. Is it interesting?" + +John Chetwynd's answer was to hurl the volume under the grate with an +angry word. + +Bella flushed. + +"Why did you do that? I want to read it." + +"I will not allow you to sully your mind with such filth. It only +goes to prove what I have so often told you, that your sister is not +a proper associate for any young woman. A book of that +description--faugh!" + +Bella picked up the offending volume and looked ruefully at its +battered condition. "I should have supposed that as a married woman I +might read anything," she said with an assumption of dignity. + +"Why should you be less pure because you have a husband, my child? +Don't run away with any such notion." + +"Well, I will read it and give you my opinion of it." + +"You will do no such thing. I forbid it, Bella." + +"In a matter like this I shall judge for myself." Her cheeks were +scarlet, and she kept her eyes downbent. + +"I will not--" + +"Bella!" + +It was the first time in their married life that she had defied him, +and he looked at her in utter astonishment. + +"Yes," she cried, turning on him like a small fury, with the book +tightly held in both hands; "I'm not a child to be dictated to and +ordered to do this and that. I'm perfectly well able to act for +myself and I intend to do so now and always. I'm sick of your eternal +fault-finding, and the sooner you know it the better. If it's not one +thing it's another. Nothing I do is right and I'm about tired of it." + +John Chetwynd sat perfectly silent under this tirade. He was a shrewd +man, and he knew that Bella had been spending the evening with her +own people, and jumped at once to the conclusion that in defying him +she was acting by their advice, and his brow grew black and lowering. + +Then he looked up at Bella, who, a little ashamed of her vehemence, +was slowly unbuttoning her gloves, having laid aside the unlucky +cause of the battle royal. + +"My wife," he said kindly, "if you will not act on my advice, let me +beg of you to think twice before accepting that of others, since I at +least may be credited with having your real good at heart." + +"And you think that--you mean to imply that--" + +"That your sister has her own ends to serve? Undoubtedly I do." + +"You are all wrong--all wrong." But the tell-tale blushes on Bella's +face showed him plainly enough that he had been right in his +conjecture, and had to thank his wife's relatives for her rebellion +and newly developed obstinacy and resentment. + +"Now, Bella, from to-night I cannot allow you to go to Holly Street: +stay," as Bella would have spoken, "you may see your mother here when +you please, but you must let your sister fully understand that she +will not be welcome. Something surely is due to me as your husband, +and that there is no great amount of sympathy between you and Saidie +you have said repeatedly; therefore I am asking no great sacrifice of +you. Do you hear me, Bella?" + +"Yes, I hear." + +"And you will respect my wishes in the matter?" + +"I don't know," she spoke uncertainly. + +She was not fond of her sister, as he had said; certainly not +sufficiently fond of her to allow her to come between herself and +Jack; and yet she felt that it would be unwise and undignified if she +were to give in and refuse Saidie admission to their house. She had +just declared that she would stand no coercion; and after all, what +had poor Saidie done? + +"I don't think you have any right to keep my people away," she said +at last, sullenly. "This is my house as well as yours, remember." + +"I am not going to argue over it, my dear girl." Dr. Chetwynd rose +determinedly from his chair with an expression on his face which his +wife had learned to know and dread. "I forbid you to ask your sister +here again. I am sorry to have to speak so decidedly; but your +conduct leaves me no alternative." + +And he walked quickly across the floor and the next moment the door +closed upon him. + +"I don't care what he says. I won't be ordered about," flashed out +Bella, all that was worst in her nature roused by Jack's resolution. +"Saidie is quite right; if I don't put my foot down I shall soon be +nothing better than a white slave." + +"Putting her foot down," certainly had one effect, namely, that of +making life anything but a bed of roses for the unfortunate doctor. + +Never had Bella shown herself so unamiable and unloveable as during +the next two days. She hardly addressed her husband and she flounced +about the room and tossed her head and hummed music-hall ditties +(which she had caught from Saidie) under her breath, and altogether +comported herself in the most exasperating fashion. + +John Chetwynd hardly knew how to act towards her. If he pretended to +be unconscious of anything unusual, it would probably provoke her to +stronger measures, and yet he was very loth to stir up strife between +them, and leant towards the hope that this spirit of fractiousness +would die out in time and that Bella would become her loving, +tractable self again. But he reckoned without his host. + +Saidie, who was duly apprised of the condition of things, urged upon +her sister to stick to her guns and on no account to yield an inch, +and although desperately miserable, Bella took her advice. + +Returning from seeing a patient a day or two later, Dr. Chetwynd ran +into the arms of an old friend, a man he had not seen since his +marriage. + +"Why, Meynell, old chap, where have you dropped from?" he exclaimed, +grasping the outstretched hand. + +"Where have _you_ hidden yourself? is more to the purpose. No one +ever sees you nowadays." + +Dr. Chetwynd smiled. + +"Perhaps you do not know I am a married man," he said. "Which +accounts for a good deal of my time, and as a matter of fact I have +but little leisure, for my practice keeps me always at the +grindstone." + +"Doing pretty well?" + +"Yes, I think I may say I am. Uphill work, of course, but still--" + +"And where are you living?" + +Chetwynd hesitated. + +"Close by here," he replied the next moment. "Come home with me now, +if you have nothing better to do, and allow me to present my wife to +you." + +And they walked on side by side. + +"You have dined? I am afraid--" + +"My dear fellow, I have this moment left the club." + +Dr. Chetwynd put his latch-key into the lock and ushered his friend +upstairs to his wife's pretty drawing-room. + +But Bella was not there; and finding that she was not in her bedroom, +or in fact in the house at all, he rang the bell and questioned the +maid as to when her mistress had gone out and if she knew when she +would be likely to return. + +"No, sir, that I'm sure I don't. My mistress never said anything to +me." + +"Well, she is not likely to be away long," remarked the doctor +philosophically. "Have a cigar, Meynell." + +"Thanks, no. Your wife spoils you, Jack, if she allows you to smoke +in her pretty little room." + +"Oh, she will not mind; but we will go down to my den shortly. You +see, Meynell, I'm a bit of a Bohemian, although I like to preserve +the customs of the civilised world all the same, to a certain extent. +But my little wife--well--she--she--I daresay you may have heard she +was on the stage before I married her." + +"No, indeed I hadn't." Gus Meynell looked a good deal surprised. + +"Well, I mention it because perhaps she is not quite like the +ordinary run of women." + +Meynell could no longer be blind to the want of ease in his host's +manner, and in his turn became proportionately uncomfortable. + +"Hang it all! A man marries to please himself," he said awkwardly. + +"She is just the dearest girl in the world," continued Jack Chetwynd, +with warmth. "I'm not only fond of her, but proud of her too, but you +know--" + +"I perfectly understand what you mean. To my idea unconventionality +is the most charming thing a woman can have. I hate the bride +manufactured out of the schoolgirl. The oppressive resemblance +between most of our friends' wives is one of the safe-guards of +society." + +"What is that?" Chetwynd broke in upon his friend's speech with a +nervous start and exclamation. The hall door opened with a loud bang +and a woman's noisy laugh could be heard as a pelter of high-heeled +shoes came along the tesselated hall and then the vision of a pretty +girl at the doorway, accompanied by a man and two women. + +"Hallo, Jack! You are home before me, then." + +"Bella, my dear, I must introduce you to an old friend of mine: +Meynell, my wife." + +Bella bowed a little coldly. + +"My sister, Mr. Meynell," she said, seeing that the doctor was +looking straight over Saidie's head. "My sister, Miss Saidie +Blackall; daresay you have seen her from the front before." Then, +looking towards the open door, "Come in, come in. Jack, I think you +have already met Mr. and Mrs. Doss." + +Chetwynd looked terribly annoyed; but there was no choice left for +him but to extend his hand and mutter something to the effect that he +had not had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of his wife's +friends before. + +"Glad to know you, sir--not one of us--not in the profession, I +think?" + +"No--er--no," responded Chetwynd feebly. + +"And the 'appier you, take my tip for it. The wear and tear of the +'alls, sir, no one but a pro can estimate." + +Here his wife, an over-dressed, showy individual a shade more of a +cockney than himself, interposed with a coarse laugh. + +"Get along, you jolly old humbug, you! You couldn't live away from +them--could he, dear?" addressing Saidie, who was maliciously +enjoying the effect that their sudden entrance had produced upon her +brother-in-law and his friend. + +"Ah; you think so, d'ye? that's all you know about it. Give me a nice +quiet 'public' with a hold-established trade and me and the missis +cosy-like in the private bar; that's the life for yours truly when he +can take the farewell ben." + +"How soon are your friends going to take their leave, Bella?" asked +Chetwynd in an undertone to his wife. + +But Bella turned her back upon him without deigning to give him so +much as a word. + +"I think I had the pleasure of seeing you perform the other night, +Mrs. Doss," remarked Mr. Meynell. + +"Don't she look a figger in tights? now tell the truth and shame the +old gentleman: a female as fat as my wife ought not never to leave +off her petticoats, that's what I says." + +"Samuel, fie! You make me blush." His wife coughed discreetly behind +her hand. "It's a new departure, I grant; but I've had a good many +compliments paid me since I took to the nautical style, I can tell +you." + +"Gammon!" grunted Mr. Doss, with a dissatisfied air. "Did you see her +as the 'Rabbit Queen,' sir? My! the patience that woman displayed in +the training of them little furry animals would have astonished you. +Struck the line, sir, out of her own 'ed! 'I'm going, Samuel,' she +said, 'to supply a want.' 'You!' I says. 'Me!' says she; 'they have +got their serpents,' she says, 'and their ducks, and their pigeons +and their kangaroos,' 'What's their void?' said I. 'Rabbits,' she +says, and there you are!" + +"Saidie, why don't you sit down? We will have some supper directly," +said Bella. + +"Oh, my dear, I'm dying for a drink!" cried Miss Blackall, flinging +herself in an attitude more easy than graceful into an armchair. + +Bella opened the chiffonier and produced glasses and a spirit stand. + +"Saves the trouble of ringing for the servant," she said archly to +Meynell. + +Chetwynd could fairly have groaned; and when his wife put the climax +upon everything by drinking out of her sister's glass he could +contain himself no longer. "I never saw you touch spirits before," he +said, determined that his friend should know that his wife was an +abstemious woman. + +"Ah," she said lightly, "there are lots of things you never saw me +do, Jack, which I am capable of, all the same." Whereupon Saidie +burst out laughing as at some prodigious joke. + +"Good for you, Bella! All right, dear! I'm not one to tell tales out +of school." + +"Are you a married man, sir, may I ask?" + +Doss put his thumbs under his arm-pits and looked scrutinisingly into +Meynell's face. "I should say not." + +"No, I'm a bachelor, and likely to continue one." + +"Well," remarked Mrs. Doss sentimentally, "I don't know nothing +jollier than courting time. Such little ordinary things seem sweet +like, then." + +"Hark at the old girl," chuckled Doss. + +"You can't kidd me, Doss. You know it, too. I think of our own +billing and cooing, sir--his and mine. I was not a draw in those +days; the last turn in the bill at the "Middlesex" was about my mark, +and Doss, he hadn't risen, neither. We used to walk 'ome that lovin' +up Drury Lane, and Doss, he would say, 'fish, Tilda,' and I would +say, 'if you could fancy a bit, Sam.' And in he would pop for two +penny slices and chips. And eat--lor', how we did eat. When I look +back on that fish, sometimes I could cry. Money and fame ain't +everythink in the world, believe me, they ain't. You may be 'appy in +your 'umbleness." + +All this was gall and wormwood to John Chetwynd, and he approached +his wife again and whispered. + +"It is getting late--are these people never going?" + +"Not until they have had supper, most certainly." + +"And do you expect my friend to join you?" + +"You can please yourselves. I don't think either of you would be much +acquisition in your present frame of mind. Mrs. Doss, somebody +interrupted you; you were talking about a kindred soul and an attic. +Money and position are not everything you were saying. I agree with +you. Give me an easy life and no stilts." + +John Chetwynd could stand it no longer. + +"Madam," he said, addressing Mrs. Doss; "I must really apologise, but +Mr. Meynell and I have important business to discuss, and--" + +Mrs. Doss might be vulgar, but she was not obtuse. Seeing she and her +husband were not wanted, she sprang to her feet. + +"Sam--right about face; we must be off 'ome." + +"Nonsense, you must have some supper before you go," said Bella. + +"Oh, I think we will be toddling, thanks. Are you coming with us, +Saidie?" + +"No, I'm not," returned that young woman, sturdily. "Since this house +is the joint property of Dr. John Chetwynd and his wife, I reckon I +shall stop awhile. Bella, you are not going to turn me out, are you?" + +"Not I. I can't imagine what Jack means by behaving so inhospitably. +I hope you will all stop." + +But Mr. Doss, exceedingly affronted at the slight offered him, had +tucked his wife's arm under his own and was already at the door. + +"Good night, gents. My best respects to you, Mrs. Chetwynd, but we +knows who wants us and who doesn't." + +Bella turned indignantly to her husband. "And you call yourself a +gentleman!" she cried. + +"For heaven's sake remember we are not alone!" whispered Chetwynd in +distress, "you have distinguished yourself quite enough." + +"I don't care--you have insulted my friends." + +"Friends!" + +"Yes, and as good as you or I. What did you marry me for if you are +ashamed of my connections?" + +"I did not marry the whole variety stage." + +At this juncture Meynell rose. + +"Awfully sorry, but I must be going old chap, promised to look in +again at the club." And Chetwynd did not press him to stay. +Humiliated to the last degree, he followed him downstairs. + +"I have given you a very enjoyable evening, Meynell," he said +bitterly. + +"My dear fellow, what ought I to say?" + +"I'm damned if I know; I've never visited a friend who made such a +marriage as mine. I should have pitied the poor devil profoundly if I +had. Good night, old chap." + +The hall door shut, and Chetwynd went slowly, sorrowfully back to the +drawing-room. + +"I hope you have disgraced me enough to-night," he said stormily. + +"Where's the disgrace, I should like to know, in inviting a couple of +old friends into one's own house?" demanded Saidie aggressively. + +Chetwynd promptly turned his back upon her. "I am addressing my +wife," he said frigidly. + +"Yes; I would like to see you talking to _me_ in that tone of voice," +returned his sister-in-law. + +"Bella, what have you to say for yourself? Have you no self-respect +whatever, and no consideration for your husband's position?" + +"Oh, I'm sick of hearing about your position," said his wife +pettishly. "In the days when you had not any, we were a lot happier. +You didn't turn up your nose at my associates when I was on the +boards at the Band Box! Everything was charming. You laughed then at +what you now call "vulgar," and you thought it good fun, and you +would have taken the property man to your heart if I had told you he +was my brother. But now I am your wife it is quite a different tale. +My friends are too common for you to mix with. By the Lord! I'm not +at all certain whether you think _me_ good enough for you, myself." + +"Bella, Bella!" + +"Oh! Yes, it is easy enough to look broken-hearted. How dare you turn +my friends out of the place? It is you, not I, who have brought +disgrace upon us by introducing a stranger here and mortifying and +humbling me in front of him. If the Dosses are good enough for me, +they are good enough for my husband." + +"My dear wife, they are not good enough for you. There is the whole +truth. Why are you so altered? Why will you not listen to me and take +my advice as you used to do? Have you forgotten how happy we once +were with each other?" + +There was a little break in his voice, but Bella was too incensed to +heed it. + +"You mean that you did not abuse me when you had it entirely your own +way! Wonderful! Perhaps you did not know that you bored me to death +the whole time. And now you have got it at last. I'm tired of your +cheap gentility and Brummagem pretensions; sick to death of hearing +that nothing I have been used to is "proper." If my world is a second +rate one, show me a better. Why don't you introduce me to your own, +if it is so vastly superior? Have you done it? Not you! You bury me +in this poky little hole and deliberately insult the only friends I +have who take the trouble to come and look me up." + +Chetwynd passed his hand over his brow dreamily. The whole thing was +such a shock to him, he could hardly realise it. + +"I hope you are saying much more than you mean," he said at last. +"God knows if you have been dull I never suspected it." + +"Because I have not grumbled--because I smiled instead of yawning, +and laughed when I felt like crying, you never suspected it! Did you +ever ask yourself what amusements you were providing for me while you +were out all day? Not for a moment. Men like you never do, when they +marry girls like us. You fancy you have been very noble and +chivalrous and plucky; but what you have really done is to get what +you want and leave me to pay the cost. Once your wife, there was an +end of the matter so far as you were concerned, and to marry you was +to complete my destiny! I was to sit all day long staring at the four +walls, and if I happened to feel lonely, take a look at my marriage +certificate to cheer myself up! well--" she drew a long breath and +suddenly left her seat and came quite close to him. "Well," she said +again, "I am not satisfied--do you hear? It may be the height of +ingratitude, but it is a fact all the same. I am not content and I +have made up my mind (you may as well know it now as at any other +time) to go back to the stage. The life suits me and I am going to do +it." And then she paused. + +If she expected her husband to storm and rave, insist and +expostulate, she was disappointed. He sat dumb and voiceless, his +face buried in his hands, and he did not even look up when, with the +air of a victor, Bella marched across the floor, beckoned to her +sister, and went up to her own room. + +"I never gave you credit for such real grit," began Saidie, +admiringly; but to her surprise Bella flung herself on the bed and +burst into uncontrollable sobs. + +"I wish I was dead," she cried. "I am a beast--an ungrateful beast; +and I have said what is not true. I have loved him always--always." + +"Well, you can't go back from your word now," said Saidie; "You said +you would do it." + +"Yes, and I will." Bella sat up and dried her eyes. "I will go back +to the stage; but I did not say I would stop there, and I shan't if +I'm not happy, and if it makes a break between me and Jack." + +"Don't talk like that," cried Saidie disdainfully, "You make me +tired!" + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +After this there was a lull; John Chetwynd observed that he had need +of more forbearance towards his wilful wife, and tried to exercise +it. He told himself that there was love enough and to spare; that +with the deep affection he was convinced Bella bore him there was +nothing really to fear. She was young and ill-advised, and it behoved +him to keep a careful watch over her, and above all things not to +draw too tight a rein. As for her threat of returning to her old life +and its meretricious attractions, after the first shock he dismissed +it from his mind. She had not really intended doing anything of the +sort; such a step was impossible. It was a wild idea, born of the +excitement of the moment, and unworthy of a further thought, and so +he put it aside. Had not the question been argued and threshed out +once and for all soon after marriage? He recalled with a curious lump +in his throat how she had put her hands into his and said; "Your +wishes are my wishes, now and always, Jack." And there had been an +end of the matter. + +"I will wait until the atmosphere has cleared a little," said John +Chetwynd, reflectively, "and then I'll tell her that at the end of +the year we will leave Camberwell and take a larger house in a better +neighbourhood." + +Thus, out of his love for his young wife, he made excuses for her and +took her back to his heart again. + +And Bella? Jack's conduct puzzled her. She had fully expected that he +would be exceedingly angry and displeased, and in her own mind had +prepared certain little set phrases which were to impress him with +the fact that she intended to do as she pleased and would not allow +herself to be dictated to or coerced. And thus it was that on the +following morning she came down to breakfast with it must be +confessed a forbidding look upon her pretty face and a defiant air +about her bearing. But all her newly formed resolves were put to +flight when Jack came towards her and deliberately kissed the lips +which she vainly tried to withhold. + +"Bella, you and I love each other too well to quarrel," he said +kindly; "let us forget all that happened last night." + +What could she say? In spite of herself she felt that she was +yielding; and though she did not meet him half way as he had fondly +anticipated she would do, still she allowed him to draw her into his +arms and did not repulse his caresses. + +She might have shown a more generous spirit, it is true. Since he had +tacitly acknowledged that they had been mutually to blame, she might +have offered something in the shape of an expression of regret; but +peace in any shape and at any cost Chetwynd felt he must have. + +But Bella had by no means surrendered her determination of going on +the stage again, and was already with Saidie's assistance on the +look-out for an engagement. It would be difficult to define her +feelings towards her husband at this juncture. That there was still a +veiled hostility John Chetwynd could not fail to see; but in his +newly formed resolution to be patient and forbearing, he simply +ignored it and diligently cultivated a kindly, gentle bearing, +interesting himself in her little domesticities and the general +routine of her everyday life. This amused Bella intensely, and +although she would not have acknowledged it, perhaps touched her a +little. + +Why had he not done this before? And having been careless and +indifferent once, why was he not so still? For this is how it was +with Bella; she was learning to compare her husband with her lover, +and be very sure the former suffered by comparison. + +"Les absents ont toujours tort" and Saidie found so much to say and +said it in such a contemptuous, scornful way to Howard Astley, about +her sister's husband, that perhaps there was some little excuse for +the young man's impression that Bella Chetwynd would be vastly better +off under his protection than amid her present surroundings. + +"The man was a brute," Miss Blackall declared. + +Poor John Chetwynd! Not only was he far removed from being a brute, +but he was also miles above the man whom Saidie delighted to honour, +and whose addresses and attentions she thrust upon Bella at every +turn. + +At first, to do her justice, the young wife shrank back dismayed. +Beyond his handsome face, Howard Astley had but little to recommend +him, and after listening to his commonplaces and enduring the fulsome +compliments it pleased him to pay, she would hurry home with tingling +pulses and a shamed heart to Jack--Jack, who had once been all the +world to her. + +Once! Oh, and such a little time ago! After all, how little she had +to complain of in the man who had made her his wife! + +He was "uninteresting," wrapped up in his profession, "dull." That +was all, but it meant a very great deal to Bella. It meant +everything; and the sluggish conscience which just at first had a +word or two to say in his defence, gradually went to sleep again and +troubled its owner no longer. + +Why should she not enjoy herself as other women of her age did? + +Why, indeed? She did not intend to do anything that was really wrong, +or even unbecoming in her position as Jack's wife; but still she was +resolved on extracting the utmost amount of amusement possible out of +life, and thus with slow, subtle drifting and unconscious eyes--eyes +that would not see their peril--she reached the point where +temptation steps in. + +It was his wealth that dazzled her. + +She did so long to be rich. John was apt to be mean about trifles, +but this man--the man she allowed to make love to her--was a very +prodigal in his liberality. He spent money like water. He rarely came +empty-handed. Probably he knew the manner of woman he had to deal +with, and Bella hid the trinkets away with a guilty blush; they were +not much good to her after all, for she did not dare to wear them, +lest Jack should ask awkward questions concerning the source from +whence they came. + +"I never can do anything I like," said Bella with a pout. + +And then there came a night when John Chetwynd found the pretty +drawing-room deserted and his wife flown. + +The hours went by and as she did not return he grew seriously uneasy. + +Where could she be? When eleven o'clock struck he put on his hat and, +terribly though it went against the grain, started for Holly +Street--she might be at her mother's. + +No, Mrs. Blackall had not seen her, she said; and she looked +searchingly into her son-in-law's face as she spoke. "Did Dr. +Chetwynd really not know where she was?" + +"No, madam, or assuredly I should not be here." + +The doctor spoke with some heat; that there was something behind all +this was very evident, and he naturally objected to being made a fool +of. + +"You don't know, then, that Bella is on at the Tivoli?" + +John Chetwynd sat down suddenly. This news literally took his breath +away. + +It was not possible that Bella had taken such a step without his +knowledge or sanction. He looked up with such hopeless misery written +in his white face that Mrs. Blackall could not help a certain pity +for her son-in-law, although in her opinion he had brought the thing +upon himself, and the very compassion she felt for his suffering had +the effect of making her more harsh and unsympathetic. + +"What did you expect?" she asked. "As a man of the world could you +really imagine that a young, high-spirited girl like my daughter +would content herself with the life you tried to chain her down to? +She had had just taste enough of the admiration and applause of a +public life to get a liking for it, and in an instant it is all taken +away and nothing given her in its place. It ain't commonsense, it--" + +"It may not be," said Chetwynd wearily; "but there are women +nevertheless to whom home and husband are all-sufficient and who ask +for nothing beyond." + +"You made a great mistake, Mr. Chetwynd, when you--" + +"I did," he interrupted quickly; "you are perfectly right; I did when +I believed my wife and your daughter to be one of these. Well," and +he rose wearily, "she has put a barrier between us to-night that can +never be broken down." + +"Tut, tut, man; you have got your duty to do by her, and I'll take +good care you do it. She is doing no wrong to join her profession +again." + +"Our ideas as to right and wrong probably differ. I am certainly not +going to argue the point, nor do I wish to shirk what responsibility +I took on my shoulders when I married. But if it is upon your advice +she has acted in this matter, ask God to forgive you for the cruel +wrong you have done us both!" + +Then he picked up his hat and went out of the house. It was long past +midnight when Bella returned; but late though it was, she knew by the +lights in the drawing room that her husband was waiting up for her, +and with an impatient sigh, determined to get her lecture over, she +ran lightly up-stairs. + +He was there, sitting in her own cosy armchair, and he looked round +expectantly as the door opened. + +"Well," she said nervously, stripping off her gloves, and avoiding +meeting his stern, sad gaze. "I daresay you wonder where I have been +and what has kept me so late; but, my dear old Jack, you will have to +give up the bad habit of sitting up to all hours for me, for I'm +likely to be late most nights now." + +She paused for a reply, but none came. Her easy assurance staggered +him; he could hardly believe that this self-composed, glib-spoken +young woman had been at one time his diffident, shy little love. The +unhappy man found it very hard to reconcile the two. "Why don't you +speak?" she asked impatiently, facing him in a defiant manner; and as +he looked up at her he noticed for the first time that she had grown +older and had lost all at once--at least, so it seemed to him--the +rounded, childish look from her sweet face and involuntarily a sigh +broke from him. + +"One would think I had committed a crime," cried she in disdain, and +then, catching her skirts up, she broke into a step dance, humming a +popular music-hall air. + +"Stop--do you hear me?--this instant stop!" the devil in him burst +out; he could restrain himself no longer. + +"Woman! What are you made of?" he cried in a voice of thunder, and +she, shrinking back a little, fell half frightened into a chair. He +never could quite remember afterwards what he did say. He tried with +rough eloquence, that might have moved a heart of stone, to show her +what it was she was doing, to appeal to her better, nobler self, to +her love for him; he implored and entreated her to give up this new +life--for his sake. + +He had nothing better to urge than that, poor fool! It weighed with +her as just so much chaff. The time had gone by when his words would +have touched her; they glided lightly over what she called her +"heart" now and left no impression there. + +And then he went on his knees beside her and prayed her to grant him +this one boon; he poured out a flood of feverish words, hardly +pausing to think; he tried to paint an alluring picture of their life +in the future: they would leave Camberwell, he said; she should go +where she liked if she would but listen to reason; it would ruin him +in his profession, he pleaded, if she persisted in returning to the +stage. As he talked the pretty face grew harder and older. Bella had +made up her mind, and the man beside her had not the faintest power +to sway her by his reproaches or entreaties. + +And then he stumbled to his feet and stood waiting for his answer. + +It came at last, clear and cold, falling like pellets of ice upon his +impatient fervour. + +"The thing is done now, and all the talking in the world will not +alter it." + +"And that is your last word to me--your husband?" + +Finding she did not speak, he walked across the floor, turning at the +door, hoping against hope, but she lay back as still as if she were +dead. + +When he had gone, Bella opened her eyes and held up her hand +curiously. It was wet with--what?--tears. + +Her eyes were bright and dry. + +For a moment something of the old feeling swept over her. + +Poor Jack! She half rose, then sank back again. + +It was too late, she was thinking; as if it were ever too late to +make amends, to atone, while we have still breath and life! + +"It is all for the best, anyhow," she murmured after awhile, and when +philosophy is well to the fore, love hides its diminished head. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +Six months wore themselves away; six months in every day of which +John Chetwynd lived a year, measured by the anxiety and misery it +held for him. He could no longer delude himself into the belief that +Bella loved him, for all her actions went to prove the contrary. But +her end just once gained, there were no more bickerings and +disputes--she even condescended to consider her husband's wishes, +when they did not clash or interfere with her own. But night after +night he sat alone with the hateful consciousness that the woman who +bore his name was parading her charms to Dick, Tom and Harry; in +fact, to anybody who chose to pay his shilling for the privilege of +contemplating them. It was in moments such as these that the iron +entered his soul and there was no escape from it; he must bear his +burden as many a better man had borne it before him. And thus it was +he buried himself in his profession, working with a will and vigour +that astonished no one so much as himself. He was rapidly becoming a +popular man. Through sheer good luck (as he really believed it to be) +he had diagnosed one or two cases with an ease and accuracy which not +only filled his purse beyond his utmost expectations, but helped him +up the ladder of fame at an amazing rate. But when emboldened by +success, and always remembering the fact that however wilful and +oblivious she might be, she was still to all intents and purposes the +wife of his bosom and equally interested with himself in all his +undertakings, he recounted his triumphs and declared his intention of +leaving Camberwell forthwith and settling in Camelot Square, Bella +smiled, yet proved in no way elated at the intelligence. + +"So, my dear, you can go as soon as you like and fix upon a house," +he said. + +Bella yawned and stretched her arms above her head. + +"Oh, you will know much better than I what is required," she replied. + +"Have you, then, no interest in our new home?" he asked, more hurt +than he could well have expressed. + +"Do you ever show the slightest interest in what concerns me?" she +retorted. + +He winced. "This is a mutual interest, surely, since we must occupy +it together." + +"Must?" she echoed dreamily. + +"What do you mean?" he asked sharply. + +"Nothing, except that 'must' is the word I have banished from my +vocabulary," and she smiled at him--actually smiled, though she must +have known she was stabbing him to the very heart. + +He said no more; and indeed, words seemed to be useless. + +So he chose the house himself,--one that could not fail to please +Bella, he felt exultantly. She would be less than woman if she were +not glad to exchange the second-rate little dwelling in the +Camberwell New Road for the substantial residence, with its modern +improvements and embellishments in such a neighbourhood as Camelot +Square. + +It was not perhaps a palace, but it was a very great deal more +imposing than anything they had dreamt of in the early days of their +married life, and yet John Chetwynd told himself with a sigh that he +would gladly give up fame and prosperity to win back the old +love-light in his wife's eyes. + +And there are some among us who cannot love for so little--"Of man's +love a thing apart." Perhaps John Chetwynd would have been a happier +man had he been one of these. + +Even the task of furnishing fell to the doctor's lot. Bella did not +refuse, nor did she object to accompany him on what he might have +naturally supposed would be a congenial task for her, but she showed +herself so indifferent throughout that, after an effort or two to +make her contented, he gave it up, and it ended in his carrying the +whole thing through himself. + +And he was not sorry when at length it was completed. On the morrow +he would bring Bella to her new home. + +He stood under the bright lighted chandelier and looked round him. +The carpet was thick and soft. Bella liked carpets her feet could +sink into, she had once said. There by the fireplace was the most +luxurious easy chair he could purchase, upholstered in her favourite +colour, pale blue. He pictured the dainty figure nestling in it, and +a little glow stirred at his heart. After all, she was his wife, his +fondly loved wife, and who could tell? Perhaps with the old life, old +feuds would die out and with the new, joy and happiness dawn for them +both once more. + +John Chetwynd was not a religious man; he rarely went to church and +he never prayed; but now he covered his face with his hands, and his +lips moved inaudibly. + +He was asking for a blessing on the new life, and there was something +like a tear in his eye and a suspicious huskiness in his voice as he +called out "Come in" in answer to a hurried knock at the door and +flung open the lid of a grand piano which was littered with music and +songs, running his hands over the keys and smiling a little. + +The piano was to be a surprise: Bella knew nothing about it. + +Perhaps it would keep her more at home, for she was very fond of +music. + +It had cost more than he ought to have paid, but still it was for +her. + +"Come in, Mrs. Brewer--what is it? I'm just off. You will have us +both here to-morrow at this time for good and all, I hope." + +"Indeed, sir, and I'm glad to hear it. Things do look most beautiful, +and no mistake." + +The good soul shambled across the floor and held out a letter wrapped +in the corner of her apron. + +"A boy brought it, sir, half an hour ago, but I clean forgot it, and +that's a fact." + +"Never mind. It is probably of no importance." + +But it was. By-and-by his eyes fell on it as it lay where Mrs. +Brewer's hard-working fingers had placed it, on the edge of a little +gaily-lined work table destined to hold Bella Chetwynd's cotton and +needles, and to his astonishment he observed it was in his wife's +handwriting. + +Ah! written just before she started for the----.He caught it up and +tore it open. The next instant it fluttered from his hold. + +For fully ten seconds John Chetwynd sat spell-bound, and then he +broke into a laugh--mirthless, hollow. + +"And I prayed to my God to send his blessing on--our--future," he +said in a dull, mechanical manner. "Well, the last act is played out +and they may ring the curtain down. From to-night I believe neither +in woman, Heaven, nor hell, save that which each man makes for +himself." + +Bella had turned her shapely back on the apotheosis of respectability +for a life of excitement and the protection of another man. Nobody +was surprised but John himself. + +Everybody had predicted it months ago. The only astonishing feature +of the scandal was, that it had not occurred before. + +The one other thing people found surprising was the callousness with +which the injured husband took it. + +It had always been believed that what love there was, was on his +side, but now-- + +Well, it is indeed an ill wind that blows us no good. If notoriety +was what John Chetwynd desired, he got it in full measure, well +pressed down and brimming over; his waiting room was besieged, for +many patients flocked there, wide eyed in scrutiny, martyrs to +symptoms discovered or invented for the occasion. + +Of course he would divorce her. And he did. + +In due course he obtained his decree _nisi_, which later on was made +absolute. + +Bella's picture no longer stared him in the face from every hoarding, +and the newspaper advertisements knew her no more. She had gone back +to the States, and by-and-by was forgotten on this side the Atlantic. + +Now and then he was disagreeably reminded of her existence. + +Once in the Club a young fellow to whom Chetwynd was personally +unknown stretched himself behind a newspaper and muttered, "Bella +Blackall Wasn't that the name of Dr. Somebody's wife who ran away +with another fellow?" + +"Yes, Bella Blackall was my wife," John Chetwynd answered with +unruffled equanimity, picking up the paper which the other had thrown +down. "She used to be rather a clever dancer, too." + +And he calmly perused the line which included her name among some +well known American stars touring in the provinces. + +"And he never turned a grizzled hair! I give you my word I felt more +over the thing than he did," remarked Captain Hetherington +afterwards; "without exception the most cold-blooded individual ever +met." + +But John Chetwynd was far from being this. He had felt his wife's +desertion far too deeply to show his scars, nor was he a man to wear +his heart upon his sleeve; but as time went by and the utter +callousness of Bella's conduct came home to him, he realised to the +full that she was unworthy of a single pang, and he became reconciled +to the inevitable. His profession claimed every spare moment, and for +a man ill at ease there is no specific like hard work. By-and-by as +the years rolled on, another distraction presented itself. He became +interested in one of his patients, the only daughter of the Duke of +Huddersfield, Lady Ethel Claremont, and this interest blossomed into +something stronger and warmer--something that at last he dignified by +the name of love, though he was by no means without misgivings as to +whether it could ever really lay claim to the title. + +Certain it was that there was no more of the old exultation about his +heart that had formed so large a part of his former courtship; there +were no extravagances, no quickened pulses--rapture's warmth had +yielded to the mildest of after-glows; but there was no reason that +it should not prove as satisfactory in the long run. It is an open +question whether the doctor, popular though he undoubtedly was, would +have been considered an eligible suitor from the maternal point of +view, had it not been that just about this time fortune elected to +bestow another favour upon him; his career had reached its apex, and +(again through sheer good luck, as John Chetwynd modestly declared) +he was offered a baronetcy. + +Now, every man is flattered and gratified that his merits should be +recognised, and Chetwynd was no exception to the general rule, but +there were a good many bitters mingled with the sweets, and the +hidden thorn among the rose-leaves had a nasty trick of obtruding +itself. This step in social advancement materially helped his cause +with Lady Ethel, and the Duchess of Huddersfield deigned to smile +graciously upon her future son-in-law. + +Ethel Claremont was an excellent girl, precisely the type he ought to +marry. Decorous, with an ease and repose about her manner that were +eminently patrician, she would be even more admirable as a wife than +as a _fiancee_, but he could have found it in him to wish that she +were just a little less faultless, a little more "human," he would +have said, only that the word has not a pleasant ring; yet it was not +easy to substitute another unless it were "womanly." + +"Pshaw!" he cried angrily, "who am I that I should be exacting, with +such a past, such a history? and yet I am ready to quarrel with +perfection, I who can never be grateful enough! A little wealth and +the love of a charming woman--what more can I possibly desire? It is +strange how soon one becomes accustomed to changes in life, and how +quickly an emotion fades into a memory. If I could but feel as I felt +when I was struggling along battling with the hundred and one +difficulties which beset the path of a poor man, instead of having to +remind myself perpetually what my emotions were then, there would be +some excitement in the contrast. I--I wonder--what she is doing? Is +she alive or is she dead? What does it matter? But at times the doubt +will come whether--no, no; it is wicked--I was always good to her. I +loved her, and she dishonoured me. The book is closed for ever, and I +am weak when I reopen it." + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +Since the thing was to be, there was nothing to be gained by +postponement. So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her +own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on +ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection. She was +perfectly willing that her marriage with Sir John Chetwynd should +take place at once. Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the +plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess +had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the +approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered +word. + +"She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I +am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; +she is not like other girls. It will be a huge responsibility shifted +from my shoulders when she is married." + +And everybody had wondered what the girl had seen in Sir John, that +he should have taken her fancy. To the outside world and to those who +had not come within the immediate charm of his manner and bearing, it +did offer food for speculation, and since his engagement he had grown +greyer and stiffer and more professionally precise than ever. + +But he suited Lady Ethel, or she fancied he did; which answered the +purpose quite as well. She had always detested very young men; she +liked a man whom she could look up to and lean upon, and certainly +this she could do with perfect faith as regarded her _fiance_. Now +Duchesses are no more exempt from the weary ills which weak flesh is +heir to than their less favoured brothers and sisters, and in the +early summer the Duchess began to complain of certain aches and pains +and to bethink her that Sir John's advice might be worth following; +so she drove over to Camelot Square and was shown into the waiting +room with the rest of his patients. She had some little time to wait, +and while the Duchess sat tapping her foot impatiently at the delay, +Ethel looked round the spacious apartment and decided on certain +improvements she would effect when she should preside over John's +establishment. + +And then the door was flung open, and Soames, the eminently correct +footman, ushered them into his master's presence. + +The Duchess advanced gushing a little. + +"So good of you to see us so soon! I was positively timid at coming +without an appointment, even with Ethel." + +"It is you who are good, Duchess, to give me such an unexpected +pleasure." + +Sir John touched Ethel's cheek lightly with his lips and motioned his +visitors to be seated. + +"Now is not that a pretty speech from a professional man! Ah, you +lovers, you are all alike, and when you are married--Ah! then you are +all the same." + +"What an accusation! I hope Ethel does not credit it, or I shall +never be permitted an opportunity of refuting such a calumny." + +"I know too well how highly Mamma thinks of you, John," said Ethel, +prettily. + +"Well, I admit it--I do admire you immensely--I admire your power, +your position, your ability to make an income--a large income, +sitting comfortably in an arm chair. And then there is such solidity +in a doctor's profession--people are always ill." + +"Mamma is ill herself," broke in Lady Ethel, "and that is why we have +intruded to-day." + +"I hope it is nothing serious, my dear Duchess." + +"How sweet of you! Ah, I am a martyr! I have hay fever to such a +distressing extent that I am positively ashamed to go into society." + +Her daughter laughed. + +"We were at the Opera last night, and Mamma's sneezes were most +_mal-a-propos._ It was very embarrassing." + +"Yes, I am convinced that Romeo glowered at me, and at church on +Sunday it was such a charming sermon, so encouraging and tactful, I +sneezed violently in the man's best moments. At my age I cannot +consent to become a public infliction, yet I feel I am a nuisance." + +"Mamma said, as soon as we got home--'I shall go and consult Sir +John,'" cooed Ethel. + +"And now you can cure me?" The Duchess looked anxiously into the +grave face opposite. + +"I have not the slightest doubt you will be entirely recovered in a +few days at most," said Sir John reassuringly; "you have caught a +severe cold." + +"Nothing of the sort, I assure you. I have had colds before, and I +know better." + +"What, better than your doctor?" The stern face relaxed, and Sir John +laughed. + +"Well, better than my future son-in-law. Now I beg you not to be +obstinate. Give me something potent--one of those drugs that work +such instantaneous wonders." + +"I fear they are not in the Pharmacopoeia." + +"I don't think it is kind of you to discourage me." + +"But if I make you well in a week, will not that satisfy your Grace?" + +"I shall be radiant." + +"I will write you a prescription." + +"Thanks! What an invaluable husband you will make with all that +knowledge at your finger ends! I need have no misgivings as to +Ethel's health, and she has always been so subject to chills. The +risk of entrusting one's daughter to an unobservant man is shocking, +but to a physician! To have for one's daily companion a great and +renowned doctor, what an advantage--what a security!" + +"Really, mamma, to hear you talk one would suppose that I was an +invalid, and I never remember to have suffered from anything worse +than the measles." + +"When Ethel comes to me she will be guarded as sacredly as a girl can +be." + +Sir John smiled kindly at his betrothed. + +"I have made but a few protestations of what I feel for her; perhaps +I am more reserved than I should be, but I am no longer a boy. I +doubt whether I ever was very romantic, even in my younger days, but +I think that she and I understand each other, and if we don't tiff +and 'make it up,' if we have been engaged three months and have never +had a quarrel, that does not mean that my affection is not most +sincere and deep." + +"I should hope we like each other too well to quarrel," said Lady +Ethel haughtily. + +Like! After all, was it love on either side? Sir John asked himself. + +"My dear Sir John," broke in the Duchess pompously. "A few words from +such a man as yourself impress me more profoundly than rhapsodies +from another. Ethel, just look out of the window and see if the +carriage is waiting. We are going to take the Lancaster girls to the +Academy, and Payne has driven round to fetch them while we had our +consultation with you." + +"Yes, mamma, it is there." + +"I will follow you in a minute, Ethel; say good-bye to John--," and +when the door had closed upon her daughter, she began hurriedly: + +"It is hardly the time and place perhaps, but you will pardon that. +I--really, it is very awkward. Can you not help me, Sir John? The +weeks are slipping by, and I should, I confess, like to make my +arrangements for leaving home, but until I know definitely what yours +are--." + +"Mine?" + +"Yes; yours and Ethel's." + +A light broke in upon Sir John's somewhat obtuse mind. He had no +desire to expedite matters, but then he was not the principal person +to be consulted, and it certainly was not for him to raise any +objection, so he acted immediately on the hint given him. + +"My dear Duchess, what can I say? The matter rests entirely in your +hands. Let it be when you please. In another month I shall be +comparatively free, and we can visit Switzerland if Ethel wishes." + +The Duchess smiled. "That you must arrange with Ethel herself, and +perhaps you had better broach the subject yourself to her. Girls are +apt to be a little curious on these points." + +"Then I will ask her to fix the day for our marriage." He bowed with +old-fashioned gallantry over the pearl-grey suede, held out in +farewell, and the Duchess rustled away with Soames, the deferential, +in close attendance. + +Soames did not like the idea of a mistress, but these "accidents" he +was well aware, would happen in the best regulated families, so he +was now bent on making friends with the Mammon of Unrighteousness in +the shape of the Duchess of Huddersfield and the bride elect. + +Left alone, Sir John stood upright, his hand on the back of his chair +and his brows tightly drawn together. + +Well, why not? What possible excuse could he make to his own heart +for the delay? + +None, none. And yet he felt a good deal as if a thunderbolt had +fallen from the skies at his feet, and it was more or less of a shock +to him. + +Presently he rang his bell. + +"Who comes next, Soames?" + +"Lady Rutherven, Sir John, but--but a lady who has no appointment has +been waiting for more than an hour, and I thought perhaps you would +see her first. She seems very ill." + +"Show her in!" + +A second later the door swung open again and Soames announced: + +"Miss Blackall!" + +Sir John started, but recovered himself in the next instant. + +"Take a seat, madam." + +He waved her to a chair and for several minutes they looked at each +other without speaking. The woman was the first to break the silence. + +"I have come back," she said with a nervous laugh. "I am ill; I +thought you might try to cure me." + +She had seated herself, but he remained standing. + +What a handsome woman she had become, he was thinking, and how +expensively dressed! There was something strange in the very +familiarity of the countenance presented to him. It had altered much +from what he remembered it, but curiously enough he remembered it the +more vividly because of that very alteration. + +"What is your trouble?" he asked huskily--"Why have you +consulted--me?" + +"It is my lungs. I don't know--let us call it a whim. I thought you +would do me good if anyone could." She paused a second: "You used to +be my husband once." + +"Once! Well, I am willing to be your doctor." + +"I suppose you would do your best for a dog if it were dying, +wouldn't you? though you might not care if it recovered." + +"I have a very faithful dog," he said significantly. + +Bella winced. + +"Dogs ask so little for their love. Oh, I didn't come here without a +struggle. And I knew you would speak like this. But I have been +abroad so long, and on the voyage home I got worse, and women--women +of your sort who had taken no notice of me, suddenly grew kind. I +said to myself, 'Bella, it looks bad for you when ladies forget how +common you are,' and then the thought struck me, London meant you! As +a patient I might come to your house and be let in. You are clever +and you are great; if I had any self-respect I could not ask you; but +I have not, you know; I never had any and'--and--I am--frightened! It +keeps me awake at nights, the fear. I--I am not going to--die?" + +"I have said I will do what I can for you." + +"You will sound me?" + +"Loosen your dress." + +As he bent over her she raised her hand as if to smoothe his hair, +and the colour came into her face, but she did not touch him. + +Her fingers, from which she had drawn her gloves, were laden with +rings--rings which he had not given her. His breath came a little +faster as he stooped over her neck. + +"Don't be scared to tell me the truth," she said; "I guess I'm pretty +bad. You need not take the trouble to lie about it." + +He examined her thoroughly and replaced the stethoscope before he +spoke. + +"Your lungs are not right. They used to be." + +"Oh," she replied bitterly, "I used to be. I have come too late--is +that what you mean?" + +"I mean that you must exercise great care and avoid excitement. Don't +brood--don't worry yourself by misgivings, which will only do you +harm. Go away from England when the summer is over; go where the sun +shines and the air is mild. Lead a life of ease and indolence. I can +say no more." + +"And then?" + +"And then I see no reason why you should not live for years to come." + +Bella flung her hands out with a sort of despair. + +"Your prescription is impossible," she said dully. + +"Impossible?" + +"I have only just come over from the States. I have an engagement at +the Empire for six months. I have got to stay." + +"You will be very unwise. The laws of health demand that you should +cancel any such contract." + +"Beggars can't be choosers. I must sing to live. It is my trade now." + +He sighed. "You do not look as if you were in pecuniary +difficulties." + +"Well, I make money easily enough, but it melts like ice cream; +everything is so beastly dear." + +"Are you not with--him?" + +"Him? Oh no; he left me years ago. I am alone--very much alone. It +seems sometimes as if I had spent the best part of my life alone. I +am so dull I--I wonder why I dread to die. There! I can follow your +advice so far as this; I'll take the greatest care of myself--in +London. I am glad I came to you, though it does not seem to have +delighted you much. I suppose if--if I had run straight and stayed +with you, I might have been quite well, eh?" + +"That is difficult to say. Bella, have you--it is a foolish question, +but--have you ever regretted?" + +She laughed recklessly. + +"Oh, as to that--what is the good of looking back, anyhow? I have and +I haven't--when I have been sick it has been awful lonesome. You +didn't grieve much, that's certain. And you got your title soon after +I went. It was lucky for you. Scot! I should have been Lady Chetwynd +if I had stopped with you, wouldn't I?" + +"You would have been an honest woman." + +"Ah!" She rose from her chair and looked curiously round the room. "I +remember those bronzes," she said; "they used to hang in your little +library in the old house. You are a good deal changed in the face; +your manner is just the same. You were always a good fellow, I will +say that. I know it better than I used to now I have had so--since I +have been--" + +"Hush--the past is dead. I was not so patient and tender with you as +I should have been." + +"You saw that--you had made a mistake, but you tried to hide how +sorry you were--I know you did that and I--well, I didn't marry you +to make you sorry. Do you know how we lived--he and I, when I left +you? He took me to Paris; and didn't we make the dollars spin, the +pair of us--rather; and then one fine morning we heard a beastly bank +had gone smash and he had lost pretty well all he had got." + +"And you left him?" + +A smile curled the corners of her mouth. + +"No," she said, slowly; "I didn't. We took two little rooms over a +baker's shop in the High Street, Islington, and I stuck to him. I +used to go out in an evening and do the marketing with a hand basket, +to get it cheap. When we wanted a change we would take a bus to the +Park and look at the swells across the railings; and sometimes Saidie +gave us tickets for the theatres. Seems odd, don't it? but it's a +fact. I was livelier then than ever I've been in my life. While he +was fond of me--he showed me he was fond of me, you see." + +"You were capable of love, then, after all?" he said bitterly. + +"I don't know. I loved the freedom I think, anyway, and perhaps I +took him with it. I don't know! what does it matter? It was a release +for you and you are glad that it happened, eh? now that the shame of +it is forgotten? We were never suited to each other, were we?" + +"Why speak of what is past?" + +"You see, if I had remained with you I should have been no happier," +said Bella, reflectively; "you expected too much from me." + +"I did my best to make you happy." + +"Yes, perhaps! then if I had been more grateful and different, would +you be glad if I was with you still?" + +"I cannot answer that question. I loved you--I had no thought for any +human being outside yourself." + +"But now," she persisted, "now that the wound is old, do you not say +to yourself, 'it was better so'? Suppose that you and I were still +what we were once to each other, would you be happy to know that I +was your wife to-day?" + +"I beg you to be silent. It is impossible that we can discuss such a +question." + +She came close to his chair. + +"I am," she said with a sort of feverish eagerness, "no more of a +lady now than I was then. I am just what I used to be when I made you +ashamed of my ignorance and my mistakes. But if I were pure, if I had +never been divorced, if I were standing here your faithful wife, +would you be glad?" + +"Hush! You are paining yourself and me." + +"Jack!" + +"For God's sake be still!" + +She fell on her knees beside him. + +"Jack, say you would be glad." + +"If you had never left me, if you had remained my faithful wife, +heaven knows that I should be a happier man!" + +Bella burst into tears and sobbed convulsively, then pressed her +handkerchief to her mouth. It was bright with blood when she withdrew +it. + +"Oh, be careful of yourself," said John Chetwynd, terribly moved; +"you must do what I advise." + +"I'll try. I wonder why you should care one way or the other. It is +more than I deserve--you make me so sorry and ashamed. I shall never +see you any more, shall I?" + +"I cannot." + +"No; I understand, I ought not to ask you. Well, good-bye. There is +my address if you should take a notion to come. It is only a six +months' engagement over here, and if I'm not long for this wicked +world, I may not live to finish it. Keep my card. If one day you +should feel that you could come--just once. You don't hate me?" + +"Hate you? No." + +"I dare not ask you to forgive; but I begin to know and feel what my +action towards you really meant. Jack, see I am on my knees. Forgive +me!" + +"I do. I forgive. If I was hard to you; if, as you say, I expected +and exacted too much from you, may God forgive me." + +The tears were still raining down Bella's cheeks. + +"Kiss me, Jack." + +He shrank back. "You must not ask me that. I cannot." + +"Is it that you despise me so utterly?" + +"No, no; you don't understand. I--" + +"Kiss me." + +"Why do you make me speak? I am going to be married again. I kissed +her--a young girl--in this room half an hour ago. I could not outrage +her trust in me." + +A sort of stung expression came into the face of the kneeling woman +and she staggered to her feet. + +"You are going to take another wife! My God! I never thought--I never +dreamt. It seemed so--so--impossible. I hope she will make you +happier than I did." + +"Oh, hush, hush!" + +"She is one of your own class--a lady? What is her name?" + +"I would rather not mention it. Give me your hand and let us part in +peace." + +"Tell it me," she pleaded. "What name do you call her by?" + +"Ethel." + +"Ethel and Bella. Ah, Ethel is far the nicer name. We didn't think +once that you would ever be telling me you were going to be married +to someone else, did we? It feels queer, and it hurts me--a little, I +think. Good-bye, Jack. I see now why you could not kiss me--it would +not be right of you. She is a young girl and she might find it hard +to forgive you if she knew. I am going. You used to have a bell on +your table, I recollect, with a little white knob that you pressed +when Mary was to go to the hall door. Do you use it still? Oh, I see. +Let me press it instead of you, may I? I sha'n't feel so much as if +you were turning me out. Good-bye." She said the word lingeringly, +tenderly. "Say 'Bella' once again, for the sake of old times." + +Jack Chetwynd took the slender trembling hand in his with God knows +what of anguish and pity stirring at his heart. + +"Good-bye--Bella." + +And the door fell to. + +She was gone. + +He could hear her hollow cough as she passed down the tesselated +corridor. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +It was two days later. Sir John Chetwynd sat in his big easy chair +with an open letter before him. "We are surprised to have seen and +heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after +the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I +fully anticipated an early visit from you. But such a busy man as +yourself and one so much in request, both socially and +professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the +common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she +has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels +herself a wee bit neglected. You must have been _professionally_ +engaged last night, I presume, since we were obliged to dine without +you and go to see Sarah Bernhardt alone." + +He had spent the whole evening in his consulting rooms, totally +forgetting his promise to escort his _fiancee_ and her mother to the +theatre. + +Well, he would see them both on the morrow and make his peace, and +then--he dropped his head on his hands and fairly groaned. It was +useless to argue with himself, to bring commonsense to bear upon the +point, to count up the advantages to be derived from this union with +Lady Ethel; look at it which way he would, the fact remained the +same, that he had no longer the remotest desire to marry again. + +The knowledge had certainly come tardily, but not the less surely. + +He did not, he told himself, love Lady Ethel as a man should love the +wife of his bosom. Middle-aged, worn, and unemotional though he might +be, he knew that he was yet capable of a much deeper feeling than she +had evoked and he had wakened to a realisation of this since he had +again seen Bella. + +He was no fool; he was, on the contrary, a shrewd, clever, +quick-witted man of the world and it was impossible to shut his eyes +to the trouble. He thought of Bella as she was when he had first +married her; he recalled their courtship, her pretty half shy, half +tender ways--the girlish prettiness which time had turned into shame. + +She had left a scrap of lace on his table for her throat or her +veil--Heaven knew what--and his eyes grew blurred and dim as he gazed +at it. He repeated mentally phrases which had fallen from her, +piecing them together and trying to weave the pattern of her life out +of the fragments. + +She had changed pathetically. She had acquired the manner that her +sister used to have, and which he had so strenuously objected to--the +slangy, devil-may-care tone, the total absence of which in the old +days had made his little sweetheart so conspicuously different from +her environment. She wore now the impress of evil, from her Regent +Street hat to her Paris gown. Manifestly she had risen in her +vocation, but he knew that her salary alone had never supplied the +costume or the rings, and his heart ached. + +That night he sat at the Duchess of Huddersfield's table facing his +_fiancee_, and for the first time he wondered if sang-froid or +perfect equanimity were all that a man such as himself might desire. +She was, as Bella had put it, "One of his own class--a lady," which +she had never been, poor Bella! but he did wonder just a little how +much of real heart beat under the dainty laces that shrouded Lady +Ethel's bosom. He had reflected once and not so long ago that that +portion of a woman's anatomy was superfluous, but he wavered in his +belief now. He could stake his professional honour, his hopes of +eternity--of--everything--on the absolute purity of this girl; +nothing would ever tempt Lady Ethel to swerve ever so little from the +path of rectitude and decorum. The cold, proud patrician face spoke +for itself, and yet--he was in a brown study when the voice of his +prospective mother-in-law brought him out of the clouds. + +"And now," she said in a significant tone and with a glance full of +meaning, "now I suppose you young people have lots to talk about, and +will forgive me if I run away." + +And the silken draperies swept themselves across the floor and the +door closed softly upon her Grace. + +Ethel lay back in a low, lounging chair with a big ostrich feather +fan in her hand, and she looked up expectantly into her lover's face. +There was nothing else for it, and he took the plunge valiantly--and +with precisely the correct amount of maidenly hesitancy, Lady Ethel +named a day for their marriage. And then--somehow there seemed +nothing more to be said; each sat silent. + +Sir John felt rather than saw his companion yawn behind her fan, and +realised desperately that he must break the silence. + +"Ethel," he said gently; "I am old compared with yourself, and grave +and sad even beyond my years; are you sure I can make your future +happy?" + +She looked at him with a good deal of surprise, and a frown puckered +her smooth brow. + +"Why not? Why should we wish for rhapsodies and commonplace +love-making? We can leave all that to the Chloes and Daphnes of a +by-gone age. It would be boring to the last degree. One must take +pleasure just as much as sorrow, with a certain amount of equanimity. +If there is one thing more than another that I hate, it is to be +ruffled. Emotion of any sort ages a girl so terribly." + +The sword would never wear out the scabbard so far as Lady Ethel was +concerned! He doubted if she were capable of any great depth of +feeling. But he did not say now as he would have done a week ago--"So +much the better;" he no longer felt that it was altogether desirable. + +He looked at her more scrutinisingly than he had ever done before, +and for the first time he told himself that the beautifully moulded +mouth was hard and unloving, and that the chin spoke of self-will and +an amount of resolution unusual in such a young girl. + +He hastened to change the subject. + +"You would like to visit Switzerland or Italy?" he asked. + +"No; I don't care for scenery much, or nature! I like human nature +best; it is much more interesting, I consider. I should prefer Paris +or Vienna." + +"Then Paris or Vienna let it be, by all means," he hastened to reply, +and Lady Ethel smiled, well pleased. + +"Mamma," said Sir John's _fiancee_ an hour or two later, when mother +and daughter were alone. "Do you know who Mrs. Chetwynd was?" + +"My dear Ethel, it is much better that subject should not be +discussed." + +"I don't agree with you. Since I am going to marry John it can only +be right and proper that I should be made aware of every detail +connected with his former marriage." + +When Lady Ethel adopted that tone, her mother knew by past experience +that it was a saving of time and temper to yield. + +"I only know that she was beneath him in position--a dancer, I +believe, and she ran away with someone else. Really providential, I +consider; it must have been a happy release for poor Sir John." + +"He was plain Mr. Chetwynd." + +"Yes; but already very popular. It was exceedingly fortunate that he +did not get his baronetcy earlier, for had he done so, she would +probably have refused to be faithless." + +"I wonder if he felt her desertion much?" + +"The world says not; they had lived unhappily for some time before, +and the general impression was that he did not care in the least." + +"But you spoke of her to him when he asked your consent to our +marriage?" + +"Yes, Ethel, I did; I referred to it as delicately as possible, of +course. I believe I said, 'your early misfortune,' or something to +that effect." + +"And what did he say?" + +"Well, he spoke very nicely; he said he was aware that it added to +the disparity between a man in his position and my daughter." + +"And you?" + +"I believe I replied that because a bad woman had caused him misery +and suffering in the past, it was no reason why he should not win and +hold the love of a good girl, and that because of the sorrow he had +endured, I felt the more assured in trusting my child's happiness +into his keeping." + +"That was sweet of you, mother; but did it not occur to you that +there was just--a little risk?" + +"How?" + +"I don't think that John is a man who would forget easily." + +"Good Heavens, child! what do you mean? you cannot doubt the +sincerity of his protestations of affection for you, surely?" + +Her daughter laughed. + +"I certainly do not wish him to be more demonstrative, mother dear; +love-making is the most boring process imaginable; but still, I +should prefer, I must confess, that there was no under-current of +feeling for wife number one." + +"You amaze me, Ethel, by suggesting such a horrible idea. The woman +may be dead for anything I know; at all events, she left England +before he obtained his divorce, and no one has heard anything of her +since. It is extremely improbable that she will ever return to this +country." + +But in this, as we know, the Duchess was in grave error. + +At that very moment Bella was sitting by the open piano in her cosy +apartments in a street off the Strand, idly striking a note here and +there and humming the air of a new song; but her cough, which was +incessant, made singing almost out of the question. + +"I believe I'm getting worse," she cried, rising and flinging herself +on the sofa, "I'm sure I was not so bad as this three months ago--not +so bad when--he never came. Ah! why should he? How could I expect it? +Perhaps to-day may have been his wedding day! Come in." + +The door opened noisily, and Saidie Blackall, very much over-dressed +and distinctly rouged and made up, entered, followed by Mr. and Mrs. +Doss, looking precisely the same as on that memorable night when they +had been the innocent cause of so much trouble to Bella's husband. +The old music-hall singer and his wife had lost no time in looking +her up when she returned from the States, and were really +well-meaning, kindly folk. + +"Hallo, Bella, you look done up!" + +"I am," admitted the girl wearily. "It was as much as I could do to +pull through to-night, and I have got a beastly new song to tackle." + +"I don't like your cough, my dear," said Mrs. Doss, looking +distressed; "it shakes you to bits." + +"I've got a little more cold, I fancy; but I'll be all right in a day +or two." + +"You're not looking the thing--I saw you from the front +to-night--and--well, I guess it was a bit of a heffort to sing at +all, eh?" + +Bella turned quickly and looked sharply into Mr. Doss's face. + +"If you have got anything disagreeable to say, don't be afraid, out +with it. I suppose you have jumped to the notion that I'm dying?" + +She tried to laugh, but it was a piteous attempt, and ended in a fit +of coughing which left her white and trembling in every limb. + +"There, there!" cried Mrs. Doss, compassionately; "you must not +excite yourself; we will do the talking, and you keep quiet." + +Bella lay back on her cushions, weak and exhausted, and when the +Dosses at length went away she gave a sigh of relief. + +"What did they come for to-night?" she said thoughtfully. + +"Well, Bella, Doss had heard a bit of bad news and thought it as well +to put you on your guard; but finding you like this put it out of his +head, I suppose." + +"Bad news? What do you mean? He's not married, is he?" + +Saidie stared at her. + +"Not that I know of--why, he would have you to-morrow; you know that +as well as I do! you are treating him in a rough way; there's no +mistake about it." + +Bella fell back again relievedly. + +"Oh, you're talking about Charlie, are you?" she said. + +"Who should I be talking about? There isn't no one else as wants to +make an honest woman of you, is there?" + +The shaft fell short of its mark. Bella did not even wince. + +"Well, it strikes me, my girl, you'll have to fall in with his +views," Saidie continued presently; "for if what has come to Doss's +ears is true, you'll be out of a berth before you can say Christopher +Columbus." + +"What on earth do you mean?" + +"The management are getting dissatisfied, and we know what that +means." + +The pale face flushed poppy red. + +"They can't help themselves," she said eagerly. "I have a contract +for six months. They cannot cancel it, you must know they can't, and +it's not very likely I shall allow myself to be played fast and loose +with as the fancy takes them." + +"But if you're not able to fulfil your share of the contract--" + +"Who says I am not?" cried Bella fiercely. "Old Robertson is a fool, +and if he thinks I'm going to put up with any hanky-panky, he's jolly +well mistaken. Let him try it on, that's all! I should immediately +take steps to enforce my rights, the law is on my side, that's clear +enough." + +"I don't know! You heard what Doss said--about how you looked from +the front; and others have got their eyesight as well as him, and can +see you are not well and not--" + +"Not fit to sing--that's what you are driving at?" + +Saidie was silent. + +"I tell you I will sing. Nothing and no one shall stop me. I shall +just defy them all, and go on, and there's no law in England to stop +me." + +"If you are not a goose, Bella, I never saw one! What in all the +world keeps you on the boards, I cannot see. Here's a man come over +from N'York with the intention of marrying you; a man who is earning +his hundred dollars a week, and you turn up your nose at him. I can't +understand you. You seemed proud enough of him a week or two back; +but now all on a sudden, for no earthly reason, you show him the cold +shoulder." + +"I suppose I can please myself," answered Bella, and her lip +quivered, and the tears began to roll down her cheeks. + +"I wish to God I had never left--Jack," she said weakly. + +Whereupon Saidie gave her what she was pleased to call a "piece of +her mind" as to the insane folly of any such speech, the result of +which was that Bella wept and coughed herself into a state of +collapse, and had to be carried off to bed. + +Things did not mend. Bella persisted, ill though she was, in +appearing night after night in public until at length what Saidie had +predicted came to pass, and she received a formal notice cancelling +her engagement at the Empire on the ground of the extreme delicacy of +her health. + +Mr. and Mrs. Doss happened to be with her at the time she received +the notice, and Bella partially appealed to them. + +"You will help me, won't you? You won't allow them to impose upon me +so shamefully. They have no right to do it. It's infamous--'annul my +engagement' indeed! They shall find out who they are dealing with. It +would be ruin for me, it would simply spoil my career. I shall go +down at once and see Robertson. It's a likely thing that I'm going to +sit down calmly and quietly and accept my dismissal. Not if I know +it. I'll give Robertson beans." + +"I wouldn't do it if I were you," said Mrs. Doss quietly. + +"Not do it; what do you mean? You must be dreaming. It is the only +thing to be done." + +And now Mr. Doss, obeying a pathetic glance of his better half, put +in his oar. + +"Be a bit patient; wait and see how things turn out; don't do +anything in a 'urry--that's our advice--the old gal's and mine." + +"Yes, take things heasy, I say," chimed in the "Rabbit Queen." + +"I don't see what there is to wait for. Show me what is to be gained +by waiting, and I will consider it." + +"Well, Bella; Doss here will tell you what we was thinking of; he +puts things clear like." + +"What was in our mind was to talk the thing over first. Allus talk +the matter well over, was my motto as a boy. It saves a peck o' +bother and a deal o' doing. Don't flare out about it, but take it +gently and conversational." + +"Fussing over things won't make you no better," echoed Mrs. Doss. +"Lor', bless me, didn't I have a sister what killed herself fussing! +Fussed herself into the grave, she did! And might have been here, +leastways in Camberwell--alive and hearty at this minute." + +"The question is--am I too ill to fulfil my engagement? and I say +'no,'" cried Bella, angrily. + +"And me, the missis and me--we says, certainly you are, and so +heverybody says. You want a thorough rest, and then you will pick up +again." + +"That may be your opinion; it is not mine! you may talk till +doomsday; you won't convince me. I may surely be allowed to be the +best judge of my own state of health. I shall not wait a day--not an +hour. I'm going at once down to Robertson to have the matter out with +him." + +The distressed pair exchanged glances, and then Mrs. Doss said in a +coaxing way, "If you must go, you will let me come with you, my +dear." + +Bella hesitated. + +"If you're on my side and mean to stick up for me, all right; but if +you're going to hum and haw and look grave, and take the part of the +management, you had best stay away." + +Mrs. Doss tucked Bella's arm within her own and trotted upstairs to +the bedroom, where Bella arrayed herself in total silence, and her +friend, beyond a vigorous sigh or two, was mute also. + +Mr. Robertson was disengaged, and the ladies were at once ushered +into his presence. + +"Now then," began Bella, dashing into her subject, "I have come to +know what all this means. You cannot dismiss me at a moment's notice, +and you know it just as well as I do. Ain't you satisfied with me?" + +"Perfectly. It is no question of that sort--but in your present state +of health you are not up to your work, and there was no other +alternative." + +"Oh!" said Bella disagreeably, "does anybody else say I am not up to +work except you?" + +"My dear Miss Blackall, I regret that this has been necessary. I am +exceedingly sorry that we brought you over from America and then are +compelled to terminate your engagement so soon, but in your present +condition--" + +Mr. Robertson flung out his hands with an eloquent gesture. + +"Well, look here; I'll give up my dance--that does shake me a bit, +I'll grant; but you must let me sing the new song--you really must; +I'm a nailer at it and I'll wrap up! My cough will soon go: give me +another chance!" + +Her cheeks were flushed with excitement and her eyes were +sparkling--she really did not look so very ill this morning; perhaps +after all, things had been exaggerated. Mr. Robertson wavered. Bella +was quick to see her advantage and to press it. + +"Withdraw your notice," she said, "and let me come on for one song +only for a week or two." + +"It would really be better, I think, if you were to have an entire +rest for a month or so." + +"Yes, for someone else to step into my shoes! Thank you for nothing." + +"I will pay you a fortnight's salary in lieu of longer notice; and if +you are desirous of returning to your friends in the States, perhaps +something might be arranged." + +"I have no friends here or there," said Bella simply; "my profession +is all I have." + +"Well, well, we'll give it a week's trial. If at the end of that time +you are sufficiently recovered to do your work properly, well and +good; but if not, you must really consider your engagement at an +end." + +All this time Mrs. Doss had said nothing. Bella had talked so volubly +and so fast, there had really been no chance of getting in a word; +and when the manager rose to his feet to intimate that the interview +was at an end, there was nothing to be done but to follow Bella out +into the street. + +"There!" she cried triumphantly, "I told you I would bring him to his +senses. You saw how soon he caved in. It is not a question of my +health at all; you may bet your bottom dollar I have an enemy, but I +flatter myself I've routed him." + +Her breath was coming in gasps and she spoke with difficulty. Now +that the excitement was over and the necessity for bearing up at an +end, there came the reaction. + +"I think I had better go home and lie down," she said, "or I shall +not be at my post to-night, and I must, you know, I must." + +"Poor child, I could fairly have cried," said kindly Mrs. Doss to her +spouse after Bella had been safely escorted home. + +"I'm not satisfied with you, old girl," said Mr. Doss, shaking his +head mournfully. "I can't 'elp thinking you might ha' managed things +better. If Bella Blackall goes on a singing at the Hempire, you mark +my words, she'll sing herself into 'eaven." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +A week went by slowly: the hours crept like snails, and yet the days +were surely slipping away, bringing nearer and nearer the one which +was to give Sir John Chetwynd his second wife. + +He had hardly seen Lady Ethel since the evening when she had yielded +a coy assent to his not (it must be confessed) very amorous request +that she would fix an early day for their nuptials, and his state of +mind was anything but an enviable one. If ever a man was torn two +ways, halting between prudence and worldly consideration on one side +and the force and power of a love which he had honestly believed was +laid for ever in its grave, that man was Sir John. The idea of seeing +Bella again did not occur to him for some days, but when it fastened +on him he could not shake it off. It was stronger than himself. He +excused his temptation by the condition of her health, though in his +heart of hearts he knew well enough that this was not sufficiently +critical to serve for a reason. + +Twice he seized his hat with the intention of going to her, then laid +it aside, angry and disgusted with his own weakness. + +His profession no longer occupied his thoughts to the exclusion of +every other topic. He sat for hours buried in the newly awakened +memories that that one brief glimpse of her had conjured up, unable, +unwilling to rouse himself. + +And then he made a compromise with his own weakness and irresolution. +He would not go to Cecil Street, since by so doing he would be +offering a tacit insult to the woman he had pledged himself to marry, +but he would, he must see Bella, himself unseen and his presence +unsuspected, and this he could effect easily by going to the Empire. + +The notion pleased him, and that self-same evening he carried it out. + +Bella was worse. She could no longer deceive herself. It was only by +a superhuman effort that she could pull herself together sufficiently +to sing the one song which was all her part consisted of now. + +After she had got into her pretty sea-green skirts of lace and tulle +and shimmering silk, like so much sea foam, she had to lie still and, +let the poor over-strained lungs and heart recover themselves, and +then, when the summons came she called up a smile to her wan face and +pluckily did her best. + +But that night she looked up at Saidie after the last ribbon was in +its place. + +"I'll have to throw up the sponge, after all," she said wearily; "it +is beyond me. They are right and I was wrong,--I must have a rest." + +Saidie muttered something in reply, but when the door closed upon her +sister, she sighed. + +"She _is_ bad; there is no denying it," remarked the dresser, who was +busily stroking out the roses which were to garland Saidie's dress. +"It gives me a turn every time I see her go on the stage." + +"She looks worse than she really is," returned Saidie; "sometimes she +is as brisk and lively as you like--she so soon gets tired." + +"She is a tidy sight worse than 'tired,' and it strikes me her voice +was weak like to-night. Did you notice it, Miss?" + +"Oh, she varies so. I guess she would be as right as any of us the +moment she was on the boards." + +Nevertheless, although she was not going to confess it, Saidie was +troubled and uneasy. There was something in Bella's face she had not +seen before, and it frightened her--a little. She stood at the wings +with a quick-beating heart, but the next moment laughed at her own +fears. + +Bella was singing her very best. Not a falter in the clear, bell-like +tones, and her face was smiling and radiant. + +And then--her eyes fastened themselves on a box in the grand tier; +with a scared expression she shrank back a little, and her lip +quivered, but with a mighty effort she controlled herself and caught +up the refrain again--carolled a word or two, faltered, swayed +helplessly, uncertainly forward, and fell headlong on the stage. + +They were round her in a second, lifting her gently and tenderly. Her +head had fallen back and a thin stream of blood was welling over the +laces at her bosom. + +"She is dead!" cried Saidie. "Oh, will someone fetch a doctor, +quick!" + +But almost before the words were spoken he was there, and when Bella +opened her eyes they fell on the grave, anxious, kindly face of the +man whose wife she had been. + +"Jack! Jack! is this--the end?" + +"Hush--no--no! Keep still--perfectly still--you must not move." + +"I am not--in pain--a little dizzy--nothing more, and my head feels +light." + +"Drink this and don't talk. As soon as you are a little recovered we +will go home." + +"Home! Jack!" + +Oh, the wistful look in the deep blue eyes--the prophetic droop about +the perfect mouth! It was almost more than he could bear. + +"I will go with you myself if you will do what I tell you, keep +absolutely quiet--your life depends upon it." + +She looked up tremulously. + +"I don't care--a--cent _now_," she whispered. + +She bore the journey to Cecil Street better than they could hope, and +the bleeding from the lungs had ceased. + +Downstairs Saidie expressed a wish to remain all night with her +sister. + +"She ought not to be left," she said. + +"Most decidedly she must not be left," replied Sir John--"I intend +remaining with your sister." + +"You! Well, this beats all, upon my word!" + +So great was Miss Blackall's surprise that when she found herself +ousted from the position of head nurse and the door metaphorically +closed upon her, she had not a word to say, but called a hansom and +had herself driven to Bayswater, where she had been living since her +mother's death, now nearly a year ago. + +"And I used to think he didn't amount to a row of pins," she murmured +with an odd sort of penitence. "Well, I guess I was wrong, that's +all." + +Through the long hours of that never-ending night John Chetwynd +watched by Bella's bedside. For the most part, she lay mute and +inert, but towards morning she grew restless. + +"I must talk," she cried excitedly--"to see you sit there and to +think--to remember--oh! if only I had run straight, Jack--I don't +think I was meant for this, do you?" + +He had no words with which to answer her. He folded his arms across +his chest and looked out vaguely into the slant of room beyond. The +folding doors were open and on the sideboard he could see a basket +full of peaches, at this season an extravagance denied his own table. +On the mantelshelf to his right hand were some exquisite hot-house +flowers, carelessly crushed into a cracked, cheap little vase, and a +penny packet of stationery and a powder puff in a sprinkling of +chalk. + +She stretched out her arms so that her fingers touched him, and he +held them tightly in his own--rings and all. + +She was never meant for the life she had chosen! + +His heart felt breaking. + +The delicate features, the sweet, wistful, childish face, the pathos +in her regretful cry--the past with its load of gall and shame and +misery--which could never be obliterated. Never! + +"Why do you look at me like that? I am better. I know I am better. I +thought--I feared--I was going to die; if I had there was no one to +care but--Saidie." + +"Do you not think what it would mean to--me?" + +The words broke from him against his will. + +"To--you, Jack! then you care--still!" + +"Care!" + +He drew his hand away and walked over to the window. The morning was +breaking: morning in the Strand; and already there was a busy hum +without. + +Her eyes followed him wistfully, with a little wonderment in +them--and then the lids fell over them. + +"I feel strangely weak--but--so--happy, Jack," she said. Her breath +came more easily and she slept. + +Sir John Chetwynd was in his accustomed place at the accustomed hour, +grave, attentive and professional as was his wont; but after his +consulting hours were over, he went back to Cecil Street, leaving +word with Soames where he was to be found, if wanted, prepared for +another night's vigil. + +"She seems neither better nor worse," said Saidie, meeting him in the +little sitting-room and carefully pulling to the door behind her. +"She is very, very weak. Is there a chance for her?" + +"I am afraid to say--it depends so much on what recuperative power +she has. If the bleeding can be stopped, I shall be more hopeful." + +"What is she to do, poor Bella? She will never be able to sing again, +I suppose?" + +"Never." He spoke curtly, almost cruelly. Saidie burst into tears. + +At that moment came a smart tap at the door. + +"Mr. Bolingbroke, Miss," said a voice from without. + +"He can't come up." Saidie sprang from her chair. But she was too +late. The handle turned, and a tall, distinctly good-looking man +walked in. + +"Miss Blackhall--how unkind to deny me admittance. You must know how +fearfully anxious I am. How is she?" + +"There's the doctor--ask him." + +The stranger turned eagerly. + +"This is not serious, I trust. She was always delicate, but--it is +wonderful how she pulls together when the worst is over." + +For almost the first time in his life John Chetwynd was tongue-tied. + +Who and what was this man, and what was he to Bella? He forced +himself to give a professional opinion, and answered mechanically a +string of questions Mr. Bolingbroke poured forth, but he hardly knew +what he was saying. + +"If only she gets over this she shall never be bothered any more, +poor darling," he said brokenly. "I suppose I can go in, eh?" + +His hand was on the door--John Chetwynd sprang to his feet. + +"No one must see her," he cried excitedly. "I absolutely forbid it. +It would be most dangerous--most improper." + +The two men looked into each other's faces for the space of several +seconds; then Mr. Bolingbroke turned away with a sigh and an +impatient word. "Absurd! As if I could do her any harm," he said. +"Well, I will be round again later in the day," he added with a nod +to Saidie, and a minute later the hall door shut upon him. + +"Who is that man?" asked Sir John sternly. + +Saidie shrugged her shoulders. + +"You shall tell me--what is he to Bella?" + +"He is a good and noble man, and let me tell you there ain't too many +knocking around. If she lives to get over this he will make her his +wife." + +And there was silence--a silence in which John Chetwynd read clearly +his own heart at last, and stood face to face with facts--facts +stripped of false adornments--naked, convincing. + +Then he strode across the room and entered that in which Bella lay. + +She was asleep, and he drew his chair close to the bedside and fixed +his eyes on the wan, thin face, fever flushed, and fought the +fiercest battle of his life with his inner self; and when the +struggle was over, Pride lay in tatters and Love was conqueror. + +She slept at intervals almost the whole of that day. Waking late in +the afternoon, her eyes fell on the silent watcher by her side, and +she smiled happily, contentedly. + +Saidie bent over her and whispered a word or two. + +"No--no," cried Bella vehemently; "send him away. I don't want to see +him." + +"But he is so anxious, dear." + +"Is he?--poor Charlie! Tell him I am in no pain, and I should like to +think he will never quite forget me." + +"He will never do that," said Saidie, going away with her message but +half satisfied, and Bella turned a flushed cheek to her pillow. + +And then, for the second time, John Chetwynd asked, "Who is that +man?" + +And Bella tried feebly to tell him. He had been attached to her for a +long time, and had come over with her from the States. + +"And you--did you mean to marry him, Bella?" + +"I had thought of it--it seemed suicidal to say no to such an offer, +and then I--oh, Jack, when I saw you I knew I could never love any +other man!" + +He poured out a draught and held it to her trembling lips. + +"I feel so strangely weak," she said; "you are going to marry Ethel, +and I am nothing to you now?" + +John Chetwynd drew her close to him, so that the tired head rested on +his shoulder with the sweet familiarity of long ago. + +"Listen," he said. "I have been a coward, frightened of the truth. +The world was dearer to me than happiness, or I thought so, and I +hesitated, afraid of its contempt. But amid my weakness was one +thought, one impulse, which no amount of worldly prudence or +consideration could stifle, and Bella--my wife--that was my love for +you." + +"Jack, Jack, is it true?" + +"I have loved you always, through all my life, you and no other. I +see now how hard I must have seemed to you and how wild and +unreasonable I was in my expectation from you and how at last it +drove you from my side. The shame of it is not more yours than mine. +We both erred, we both sinned; but I was older and should have been +wiser; the burden of it should fall on me. The world is nothing to me +now--less than nothing. Let us take up life where we broke it off. +Give me back the past, which held for me all of happiness I have ever +known." + +She lay with a smile of peace upon her face, both hands clinging to +his. + +"I have communed with myself and thought it well out, and I believe +that to bind my life, with its memories of you, to the girl to whom I +am engaged, would be a cruel wrong and an injustice to her. She +deserves a better fate, and I honestly feel that the rupture will not +grieve her much. We will remarry, you and I. I will take you away +from England, I will guard and cherish you, and in my love for you, +you will grow stronger. Oh! my darling, my darling, if you knew what +life has been to me since you went; how I have blamed myself,--I who +ought to have shielded you against yourself, and have been a moral +backbone to your weakness. Then as time went on I persuaded myself +that I had succeeded in putting you out of my heart,--that I had +forgotten you,--and then--you came back to me, and the past leapt +living from the years that had no power to bury it, and I knew that +you were more to me than honour or fame or anything the world held. +Hence-forth I will be so gentle with you, so tender--so loving." + +"Will you--kiss me--Jack?" + +She had gradually pulled herself upright on the pillows. + +"Will you kiss me--and say--once more, as you used to--'God bless +you--wifie'?" + +Their lips met and clung together. + +"God bless you--wifie." + +And there was silence, a long silence, broken by a gasp, a sigh, and +a gentle unloosening of the clasping arms. + +"Bella--Bella--speak to me, my beloved." + +But the passionate cry fell on ears that heard not. + +The tempest-tossed soul was at rest; above were the pitying Angels' +wings, and over all the solemn hush of Death. + + * * * * * + + + + +ONE CAN'T ALWAYS TELL. + + +_From Miss Rose Dacre, Southampton, to Miss Amy Conway, 30, Alford +Street, Park Lane_. + +YACHT "MARIE," +SOUTHAMPTON. +_July 15th, 1901._ + +Dearest Amy, + +Here am I on Jack's yacht, anchored in Southampton waters. The weather +is perfect, and I am having a very good time. Jack's mother is on +board, and is really devoted to me. I am a lucky girl to have such a +sweet mother-in-law in prospective. She is the dearest old lady in the +world. The wedding has been decided upon for the last week in +September, so I suppose that I shall have to come back to town before +very long to see about my trousseau. + +There is really nothing so bewildering to anyone who sees it for the +first time as the exquisite order and dainty perfection of a yacht in +which its owner takes a pride, and can afford to gratify his whim. And +this is the case with Jack. The deck shines like polished parquet. The +sails and ropes are faultlessly clean, and Jack says that the masts +have just been scraped and the funnel repainted. The brass nails and +the binnacle are as perfectly in order as if they were costly +instruments in an optician's window. There is a small deck cargo of +coal in white canvas sacks, with leather straps and handles. And there +is the deck-house with its plate-glass windows and velvet fittings and +spring-blinds. + +Soon after I arrived I went down into the engine-room, where I saw +machinery as scrupulously clean as if it were part of some gigantic +watch which a grain of dust might throw out of gear. On the deck are +delightful P. and O. lounges with their arms doing duty for small +tables. All around the wheel and upon the roof of the deck-house, and +here and there on stands against the bulwarks, there are ranged in +pots, bright red geraniums contrasted with the yellow calceolaria, and +the deliriously scented heliotrope. Altogether, everything is charming. + +We go delightful trips every day, and it doesn't matter whether there +is a favourable wind or not, as Jack's is a steam yacht. We have slept +on board except one night when it was rather rough, and then Mrs. +Vivian and I stayed at the South Western Hotel. + +Altogether I am enjoying myself more than I have ever done in my life. +Jack is an angel and adores me, the darling. + +Fond love, +From your affectionate +ROSE. + +P.S.--There is a Mrs. Tenterden, a widow, coming down to the yacht on +Thursday to stay for a few days. Mrs. Vivian tells me that she is very +good-looking. + + +_From the Same to the Same._ + +YACHT "MARIE," +SOUTHAMPTON. +_July 22nd, 1901._ + +Dearest Amy, + +We are still here. Mrs. Tenterden, the lady I spoke about in my last +letter, arrived here on Thursday. + +I hate her! I hate her!! I hate her!!! + +You will doubtless wonder why I, who am, as a rule, a quiet, harmless +little dove, should indulge in such sinful feelings, but you will cease +doing so when I tell you the truth. + +Mrs. Tenterden has set her cap at Jack! He has--I know it--fallen +under the spell of the enchantress. And she is an enchantress. She is a +woman of about thirty, tall, fair, with striking features, lovely eyes, +and the most superb complexion I have ever seen. The best complexion I +ever recollect was that of a peasant girl's at Ivy Bridge in +Devonshire, but hers was nothing to compare with Mrs. Tenterden's. It +is perfect. I can say no more. + +Then she is extremely amusing, being a brilliant talker (for I heard +Jack say so) and very witty (for he is constantly laughing at the +things she says, and which for the most part I don't understand). + +But this I know, that since her advent I have changed from the happiest +girl in the world into one of the most miserable. + +Mrs. Tenterden is the widow of Colonel Tenterden, who was a brother +officer of Jack's father, Colonel Vivian. Her husband died in India +about six months ago, and she has lately returned to England. Jack had +never seen her before, but Mrs. Vivian, who knew her as a young girl, +asked her down here. + +She has made a dead set at Jack, and I feel (I can't help it) that he +has fallen a captive to her bow and spear, for his manner towards me +has entirely changed. He is not my darling, loving Jack, at all, but +merely a polite friend. + +Mrs. Vivian must be blind not to see what is going on. But I cannot +enlighten her, and what am I to do? Do give me your advice, dear Amy? + +Ever your affectionate +ROSE. + + +_From Miss Amy Conway to Miss Rose Dacre_. + +ALFORD STREET. +TUESDAY. + +My dearest Child, + +Just got yours. You ask my advice, and to use a phrase of my brother +Tom's, "I give it you in once." Don't be a little goose and bother your +pretty little head. I am older than you, and I understand women of the +Mrs. Tenterden type. They amuse men for a time, and very often take +them captive, but in nineteen cases out of twenty the prisoner escapes. +In other words, they are not the women who men care to marry. Fancy +your Jack, for instance, preferring a _rusee_ garrison hack, like Mrs. +Tenterden, to your own sweet self. It is absolutely ridiculous. + +Do nothing and say nothing. Don't worry yourself and all will come +right. The temporary infatuation will pass away, and Mr. Vivian will +love you all the better afterwards. You will see if I am not right. + +So be comforted, darling Rose. +Ever your loving +AMY. + + +_From Mrs. Tenterden to Mrs. Montague Mount_, 170A, _Ebury Street, +S.W._ + +YACHT "MARIE," +SOUTHAMPTON. +_July 23rd_, 1901. + +DEAREST LILY, + +I promised to let you know how I got on, and to write as soon as there +was anything to write about. So here goes. I am on board Jack Vivian's +yacht, and a ripper it is. That is to say, I am on the yacht in the +day, but sleep at the South Western Hotel. I hate sleeping on board a +yacht, and never do so if I can help it. It may benefit one's +health--daresay that it does--but I do like to take my rest on shore. +Well, now, as to my news. I have made a great impression on Mr. Vivian. +He is the easiest man to deal with I ever met in my life, and he is as +putty in my hands. That stupid girl, Miss Dacre, to whom he is supposed +to be engaged--I say supposed because he does not seem to be quite +clear about it himself--hasn't got a chance with me. What Jack Vivian +could have ever seen in her I can't guess. She is the usual type of +English Miss who can say "Papa and Mamma," and that is about all. I can +see that she loathes me, and I don't wonder at it. But I am perfectly +charming to her, and affect not to notice her palpable dislike. + +Mrs. Vivian--Jack's mother--seems not to have the remotest idea how +matters are shaping, and fondly imagines that her beloved son is going +to marry Miss Dacre. My dear Lily, as the Americans say, "it will be a +cold day in August before that event comes off." The fact is that Jack +pays her only the slightest attention and is absolutely engrossed with +me. If I, therefore, don't pull off this _coup_ I deserve to be hanged. +When I have actually landed my fish I shall take my departure for a day +while he breaks matters off with mademoiselle. You may not perhaps +approve of this, but I know what I am about. + +More in a day or two. + +Ever yours, +ALICE. + + +_From Mrs. Montague Mount to Mrs. Tenterden_. + +170A, EBURY STREET, +_24th July_ 1901. + +DEAREST ALICE, + +I was much interested in your letter. Needless to say that I wish you +the success that you are sure to attain. One word of advice. If I were +you, while you are at Southampton, I should manage to be a good deal +more at the hotel than you appear to be. You cannot have much +opportunity for conversation on board the yacht, but at the hotel you +can have Mr. Vivian all to yourself. And you can easily make excuses to +get off the yacht, and as he is evidently so _epris_, he will follow +you to the hotel, when you will have him more or less at your mercy. I +shall be longing to hear how the plot thickens. + +With fond love, +Believe me, +Your devoted friend, +LILY. + + +_From Mrs. Tenterden to Mrs. Montague Mount_. + +_July 29th,_ 1901. + +DEAREST LILY, + +Thanks for yours. My dear child, I have taken your excellent advice and +am very glad that I did so. Your plan of campaign has proved most +successful. I have had Jack with me for hours in the smoking room at +the hotel, where the ladies staying in the hotel as well as the men +always resort. It is a large room and affords ample opportunity for a +_tete-a-tete_. Of these opportunities I have availed myself to the +fullest possible extent. And with what result, you will naturally ask? +With the result, my dear, of making this man absolutely mad about me. +He has become an utter imbecile. _C'est tout dit_. His incoherent +raving would only bore you, so, like the kindhearted little person I +am, I spare you this infliction. Suffice it to say that he is mine body +and soul. I say nothing about his fortune, because that naturally goes +with the other two. + +Let me thank you sincerely for your wise counsels, + +And, believe me, +Ever affectionately yours, +ALICE. + + +_Miss Amy Conway to Miss Rose Dacre_. + +ALFORD STREET. +THURSDAY. + +DEAREST ROSE, + +I have been anxiously expecting to hear from you, but you have not sent +me a single line. I say "anxiously," not that I really feel the least +anxiety about you, being perfectly positive, as I am, that all will be +right. But, my dearest girl, I am so deeply interested in this affair +that, of course, I am anxious to hear how matters are going on. And you +are a very naughty child not to have written to me before. Repair your +sin of omission as soon as possible, and let me have a full account of +all your proceedings. + +With much love, +Yours ever, +AMY. + + +_From Miss Rose Dacre to Miss Amy Conway,_ 30, _Alford Street, Park +Lane_. + +YACHT "MARIE," +COWES. +_August 2nd_, 1901. + +DEAREST AMY, + +Pray forgive me for not having written sooner. But as the French say, +_tout savoir est tout pardonner._ And having been for many days in the +depth of despair, worried out of my life, and half dead with anxiety, I +have not really been able to put pen to paper. But now all is changed, +and I am able to address you with a light heart. + +I am sure, Amy, that you will be longing to know why, and for this +reason I will not for a moment leave you a victim to the most terrible +ailment that can attack our sex--unsatisfied feminine curiosity. + +Two days ago we were still at Southampton, and it was proposed that +after lunch we should take a little trip down the river Hamble--a river +which runs into Southampton Water. Well, we started--Jack, and a friend +of his, Captain Cleland, Mrs. Vivian, Mrs. Tenterden, and myself. All +went well for about an hour, when a breeze sprang up which soon +developed into half a gale. At least I understood the captain of the +yacht to say so. I didn't mind it in the least, but Mrs. Vivian, poor +old lady, was dreadfully ill and nervous, and though I did all I could +to comfort and reassure her, it was not of much use. As for Mrs. +Tenterden, she absolutely collapsed. In abject terror she uttered +incoherent cries, and no one could make out what she wished to be done. +Jack seemed very upset and tried to soothe her as well as he could, but +it was all to no effect, and indeed she once turned on him just like a +virago, saying, + +"I never wanted to come on your horrid yacht, but you would make me, +and see what has happened to me now." + +Poor Jack--I call him "Poor Jack" although he has behaved like a very +naughty boy--seemed to wince, but made no reply. + +Eventually we arrived opposite the village of Hamble, and there the +anchor was weighed--if that is the right expression. Jack suggested +that the three ladies, including myself, should go ashore in the dingey +and stay at the hotel. Mrs. Vivian said that she did not want to do +this, and Mrs. Tenterden positively refused. + +"Do you think that I am going to risk my life that jim-crack boat?" she +asked. "I am not quite an imbecile. Though I think I must be after all, +otherwise I should not have come on this idiotic cruise." + +Jack again made no reply, but there was something in his face that told +me that he was becoming disillusioned. + +Shortly after that he sent the skipper and a boy ashore, who returned +with some marvellous looking lobsters and a huge crab. It seems that +this place is famous for its shell-fish, and I can only say that I +never tasted anything more delicious than the crab in question. + +Mrs. Vivian managed to eat a little dinner, but Mrs. Tenterden retired +to her cabin and contented herself with some soup. + +I for my part, ate a most capital dinner, and I fancied that Jack +seemed sorry for the way he has been treating me lately; treatment +which I should never have put up with, except from a man whom I love so +devotedly--a man whom I meant to rescue (selfishly, I admit) from that +siren's clutches. In all I have done I have been guided by your advice, +and therefore to you remains all the credit, coupled with the life-long +devotion of your little friend. + +Well, we slept on board the yacht, and the morning brought its +revelations. + +Mrs. Tenterden was not present at breakfast, and came on deck very +late. And only imagine, my dear, how she had changed. That beautiful +pink complexion that I had admired so much, and even envied, had +disappeared altogether. Her face was of a greyish hue, and possessed no +shade of pink. Those beautiful pencilled eyebrows seemed to have +strangely altered, and to have unaccountably thinned down. The charming +woman-of-the-world manner had entirely disappeared, and, later on, when +we descended to the cabin, at luncheon time, Mrs. Tenterden cast +furtive and certainly not reassuring glances at the little mirror +hanging there. + +I confess that at first I was a wee bit sorry for her, but after all, +this Nemesis was thoroughly deserved, and when I saw the impression +that the metamorphosis had made on Jack--the darling goose can't +conceal his feelings--I must own to having been overjoyed. + +"The Enchantress" left for London the same evening, looking in her war +paint quite a different being. But this made no difference, for Jack, I +need scarcely say, had evidently altered his mind. + +Since her departure, everything has gone back to its old state. Jack, +poor fickle boy, is devotion itself, and I have not thought proper to +resist his entreaties to consent to an immediate marriage. You will not +blame me, darling, will you? + +Ever your affectionate and +Happy friend, +ROSE. + + + + +SONGS. + +AFTER VICTOR HUGO, ARMAND SILVESTRE, CHARLES ROUSSEAU AND THE VICOMTE +DE BORELLI. + + +DARLING ARISE. + +(AFTER VICTOR HUGO.) + + Pretty one, tho' the morning is breaking + Thy lattice is fasten'd close + How is it that thou art not waking + When awake is the rose? + + Darling, arise! for I am he + Thy lover who sighs and sings to thee, + Thy lover who sighs and sings to thee. + + Nature loud at thy lattice is beating: + I am Day says the morning above + I am music the bird sings repeating, + And my heart cries "I am Love." + + Darling, arise! for I am he, + Thy lover who sighs and sings to thee, + Thy lover who sighs and sings to thee. + + +ROSE. + +(VIELLE CHANSON DU JEUNE TEMPS.) + +(AFTER VICTOR HUGO.) + + I never thought at all of Rose, + As Rose and I went through the dell, + We fell a talking I suppose, + But yet of what I cannot tell. + + Pebbles below and mosses over, + Rippled a cool and limpid rill; + Nature lay sleeping like a lover + In the embrace of the woods so still. + + Shoes and stockings off she slipped, + And with her sweetly innocent air + Into the stream her feet she dipped, + Yet I never saw her feet were bare. + + I only talked, the time beguiling + As we wandered, she and I; + And sometimes I saw her smiling, + But now and then I heard her sigh. + + Only her beauty dawned on me + When silent woods were left behind, + "Never mind that now!" said she + And now I shall always mind. + + +REGRETS. + +(AFTER CHARLES ROUSSEAU.) + + Let me cherish in my sadness + Those fair days of youth and gladness! + Moments of delightful madness + Gone, alas, for evermore! + Vain regrets for misspent powers, + Wasted chances, faded flowers, + Vex my lonely spirit sore. + Had I only known before! + Let me cherish in my sadness + Those fair days of youth and gladness! + Moments of delightful madness + Gone, alas, for evermore! + + +TOO LATE. + +(PEINE D'AMOUR.) + +(AFTER ARMAND SILVESTRE.) + + When your hand was laid upon mine + 'Twas in painful dread that I grasped it, + For some hesitation malign, + Made tremble the fingers that clasped it. + + When you turned your forehead so near, + 'Twas in painful dread that I kissed it, + For some cruel prompting of fear + Made me timidly seek to resist it. + + Ah!--and my life thenceforward approved + Sorrow's bitterness had o'ercome me, + I only knew how I loved + The day that had taken you from me. + + +IF THERE BE A GARDEN GAY. + +(S'IL EST UN CHARMANT GAZON.) + +(AFTER VICTOR HUGO.) + + If there be a garden gay + Man has not molested, + Where blaze through the summer day + Flowers golden crested, + Where tallest lilies grow, + And honeysuckles blow + There, oh there I fain would go + Where thy foot, thy foot has rested! + + If there be a rosy dream + By true love invested, + Where all things delightful seem + Close together nested + Where soul to soul may tell + The joy they know so well + 'Tis there, oh there I fain would dwell + Where thy heart, thy heart has rested. + + +THE MESSAGE OF THE ROSES. + +(ENVOI DE ROSES.) + +(AFTER VICOMTE DE BORELLI.) + + Oh, if the fairest of these roses + With its red lips to thee shall tell + Such things as language knows not of, + As in thy bosom it reposes, + Then keep it well + It is my love! + + But if the sweetest of the roses + With its red lips shall silent be, + And only seek instead the bliss + Which thy delightful mouth discloses, + Return it me + It is my kiss! + + + + +LOVE WENT OUT WHEN MONEY WAS INVENTED. + + +"You're a very foolish man, John," said my sister Ruth. "You're worse +than foolish. A man never gets any happiness by marrying out of his +station." + +"You may be right," I answered, "but after all I have something to +offer. I am rich, and Marie is poor. I admit that she is a patrician +and that I am a plebeian. But money, after all, counts for something, +especially in these days. I don't see how Marie can spend a very happy +existence now, but I am determined to make her life a dream of +happiness. You will see, my dear Ruth, that my marriage will be a +success." + +"I think not," replied my sister, "and I therefore give you my warning +before it is too late. If you don't heed it and decide on marrying Miss +Dalmayne, I shall naturally do any little thing in my power to +endeavour to prove that I have been a false prophetess; but, mark my +words, John, I shan't succeed. And, to tell you the truth, my dear +brother, I tremble for the future." + +"You're a sweet little silly goose," I answered. "You let your +affection for me run away with your better judgment. Why in heaven's +name should I not be happy with Marie? She is beautiful, and I admit +that it was her rare beauty that first commended her to me, and she has +a sweet nature and character; and after all, goodness of character +outweighs even good looks. Then, too, she is very clever and bright, +and altogether she is exactly the sort of girl calculated to make a man +happy." + +"I hope that I may be wrong, and that you may be right, John," said +Ruth; "but I don't think that I am wrong, and, of course, time will +only show. At present we need say no more. Your mind is evidently made +up, and I shall urge nothing further to prevent you from following your +own inclinations. But in the time to come, don't forget that your +sister warned you." And with that last shaft Ruth left the room. + +My name is John Gardner, my age is thirty-six, and I am what is +generally known as "a self-made man." But had I really had the making +of myself I should have endeavoured to produce a different being. I +recollect at the grammar school in Cambridgeshire, where I received a +plain education, hearing one of the masters, Mr. Ruddock, mention a +Greek proverb, "Know thyself," and advise the boys in his form to act +upon the advice given by the Greek sage who pronounced these words. I +was not, as a rule, struck with much that fell from Mr. Ruddock's lips, +for he was a dull, stupid, and pompous man, possessing much more force +of manner than of character. But I did take this advice to heart and +endeavoured to act up to it, with the result that I know as much about +my own uninteresting self as most other human beings know about +themselves. + +Well, this is how I appear in my own eyes. A strong, healthy man with +an active disposition, and capable of, and a lover of hard work. A +blunt manner, and with an entire absence of tact in anything in which +strict business is not concerned. I know that I am truthful, for, in +addition to a natural hatred of lying which I must have inherited from +my dear parents, I have always recognised the fact that in business and +in everything else the truth always pays the best. During the sixteen +years that I have devoted to business I have endeavoured to act +squarely and fairly with everyone with whom I have been brought in +contact, and I may say without conceit that I have earned a good name +in addition to the three hundred thousand pounds that I have been able +to save. + +I have never got on particularly well with the other sex, partly, I +suppose, from my manners, which, to say the least, are not attractive, +and partly to the fact that up to the time I met Marie Dalmayne I have +never cared for a woman. I came across the girl that I have grown to +love so well in this fashion. I am interested in a West Australian mine +to the extent of about a hundred thousand pounds, and am one of the +three partners who control the concern. One of them is a member of the +great City house of Bleichopsheim, and the other is Mr. Ross, a wealthy +iron-master. It was at the latter's house in St. James's Square that I +met my fate. + +I took Miss Dalmayne down to dinner, and I think that my heart went out +to her from the first. I found her clever and sensible, and with +apparently little of the frivolity which characterises most of the +young women with whom I have been brought in contact. Her conversation, +if not absolutely brilliant, was at any rate bright and amusing, and +possessed a considerable amount of shrewdness. + +Miss Dalmayne was about twenty-three, tall and fair,' possessing a +perfect figure and the most beautiful and expressive hazel eyes. Her +hair was nut brown with a warm reddish sun-kissed glint, and her +features were regular and aristocratic. Her smile was delightful. In +short, I fell in love. + +Next morning I ascertained from Adam Ross full particulars in reference +to Miss Dalmayne. She is the only daughter of the Honourable George +Dalmayne, and is related to many of the highest English families. Mr. +Dalmayne and his wife are not well off, and the former is very much in +debt and has taxed the generosity of my friend Ross to a very +considerable extent. The Dalmaynes live in a small house in Eaton +Terrace. They have only one other child, and that is a son who is in +the Army and is at present with his regiment in India. + +There are some people that one feels one can confide in in matters of a +delicate nature, and there are others to whom one could never open +one's mouth. Now, Ross and I have been friends for ten years, during +which time we have never had the least difference. He is a man +absolutely to be trusted. I told him during this interview what a deep +impression Miss Dalmayne had made upon me. He said that he did not in +the least wonder at it, for she was greatly admired, and added that if +it were not for her father she would no doubt have made a brilliant +marriage already. I told my friend that I cared nothing about her +father, that I was not marrying him but his daughter--that is to say, +if I were fortunate enough to induce her to become my wife. + +"I don't think that there is much fear of a failure," answered Ross, +"old Dalmayne is looking out for a rich husband for Marie. Indeed, in a +confidential mood one day recently he told me almost as much himself. +And he is not likely in a hurry to find one so rich as yourself." + +"Well, I shall call upon him to-morrow," said I, "and ask his +permission to speak to his daughter." + +"I wish you every success, my dear friend," said Ross, "and I have no +doubt as to the result of your interview. And I don't see why you +should not be very happy. After all, as you say, you are not marrying +the father. You are marrying Marie, who is a very high-principled girl, +who is beautiful, who is accomplished, and who would, I am certain, do +everything to make her husband happy." + +And so it was settled, and next morning I called on Mr. Dalmayne. + +Mr. Dalmayne, a tall, aristocratic man of about sixty, received me with +great cordiality. Whether Ross, who had dined with him on the previous +night, had mentioned anything of my matter to him I don't know, but the +old gentleman did not seem to be the least surprised when I told him +what the object of my visit was. + +"Mr. Dalmayne," said I, "you will doubtless be wondering why I have +called to see you"--Mr. Dalmayne's face assumed a sphinx-like +expression--I will not keep you waiting for an explanation. The truth +is that I have fallen in love with your daughter. Our mutual friend +Adam Ross can tell you all about me, and I don't think that his report +would be an unfavourable one. My position is this. I have saved three +hundred thousand pounds, which produces an income of about twelve +thousand a year. And I am making at least another twenty thousand a +year from my share of our mine and other sound enterprises. Should you +permit me to address Miss Dalmayne, and should I be happy and fortunate +enough to induce her to become my wife, I should propose to settle two +hundred thousand pounds upon her for her exclusive use." + +"Your proposals are most generous," said Mr. Dalmayne, "and do you +credit. But in matters of this kind I should never dream of attempting +to control my daughter. You have, however, my full permission to speak +to her, and if she is willing to marry you, you both have my full +consent. My wife shares my views entirely. Marie is out with her mother +at the present moment, but she will be in all the afternoon, and if you +will call about four I will see that you have the opportunity for which +you are seeking." + +I thanked Mr. Dalmayne most cordially and promised to return in the +afternoon. When I again arrived at Eaton Terrace I was shown into the +drawing-room, where I found Mrs. and Miss Dalmayne and a sister of Mrs. +Dalmayne's. Tea was brought in, and shortly afterwards the visitor took +her departure. A few minutes later Mrs. Dalmayne made some excuse for +leaving the room, and I was left alone with Marie. My heart had beaten +hard from excitement as I had knocked at the door, but strange to say I +felt no nervousness now. I plunged into the matter that brought me +without delay. I told Miss Dalmayne of the wonderful effect produced +upon me by her beauty and charm, and in the fewest words possible I +asked her to be my wife, promising that she would never repent it. + +"You have done me a great honour," said Miss Dalmayne, "but I must have +a little time to think over what you have said and to consult my +parents. You shall hear from me at latest the day after tomorrow." + +I shortly afterwards took my leave, and departed buoyed up by the +strong hope that the desire of my heart would be obtained. + +Nor was I disappointed. On the day she had promised I received a letter +from Miss Dalmayne saying that she was willing to accept me, but +frankly confessing that she had no love for me as yet, though admitting +that she liked me. "If," she continued, "you are willing to take me on +this understanding, I am ready to be your wife." + +Needless to say I was willing to accept these terms, and three months +afterwards we were man and wife. + +It was in the month of July that we were married, and we went to +Aix-les-Bains for the honeymoon. A few days previously Mr. Dalmayne +asked me to lend him a thousand pounds, which I did cheerfully, for +after what my friend Ross had told me I was fully prepared for such a +request. + +My wife had never been to Aix before, and seemed to amuse herself very +much. She played a little at the tables, and with a considerable amount +of success. I must admit that she was very kind to me, and though of +course I easily saw that I did not at present possess her real +affection, I was not discontented, and hoped for the time to come when +we should be all in all to each other. We had met very few +acquaintances at Aix, for it was not a good season as far as English +visitors were concerned, owing to attacks on our country and Government +by the French papers. But when we had been there about three weeks a +Captain Morland came upon the scene. Captain Morland, who was an +officer in the Grenadier Guards, had known my wife since she was a +child. They seemed very pleased to see each other again, but there was +a certain sadness that I noticed in the young officer's manner. He had +just been invalided home from South Africa, where he had been on active +service during the time with which my narrative deals. He was a +handsome young man, tall and well built, and with kind and expressive +blue eyes. He was singularly reticent as to his exploits during the +war, though I heard from a friend of his who was with him at Aix that +he had been mentioned in despatches and had been recommended for the +D.S.O. He was a man to whom the merest chance acquaintance was certain +to take a fancy. I am bound to say that I did so myself, and I hope +that in what I am calmly relating I shall not be considered to have +intentionally failed to do him justice. + +It was the second week in August, and as the weather was very hot, my +wife and I had determined to leave Aix and go to Trouville for a little +sea air and bathing. Three days before our departure I returned to the +hotel to dress for dinner. I was just going through the corridor when I +heard voices in our sitting-room. They were the voices of my wife and +Captain Morland. + +I don't think that I am naturally a mean man, but I was mean enough to +listen on this occasion. + +"You mustn't blame me, Hubert," said my wife, "we were all on the verge +of ruin, and I was bound to marry him." + +"How could you consent to do such a thing? You don't care for him in +the least." + +"No," said my wife; "nor shall I ever do so if I live for fifty years. +I care for no one but you. But I shall always do my duty to my husband, +who is a kind and good man and lives entirely for me." + +"If he died, you would marry me?" asked Captain Morland. + +"Of course I would, and, as the children's storybooks say, 'live +happily ever afterwards.' But don't let us discuss deplorable +futurities." + +This was enough for me. I saw, now that it was too late, how wise my +sister Ruth had been, and how foolishly I had acted. There was nothing +to be done, however, to remedy matters, in view of the words spoken by +my wife, and words which breathed of truth. I went out quietly into the +garden of the hotel and came back a few minutes later. I asked Captain +Morland to dine with us, and he accepted my invitation. I carefully +watched him and my wife during the evening, and clearly saw that the +case was hopeless from my point of view. + +On the morrow I made my will, and left everything to my wife with the +exception of fifty thousand pounds for my sister Ruth. I then wrote the +little history of my mistake, and am posting it from the top of Mont +Revard to my friend Ross, and have asked him to act as he thinks best. +It is hard to die, but, in my position, it is still harder to live. + +Having set my entire affections in one direction, and having been +hopelessly unsuccessful, there is only one thing to be done, and that +is to end matters. And I shall end them to-night. + + * * * * * + +Extract from an Aix-les-Bains newspaper:-- + +"The body of a rich Englishman, named Gardner, who was staying at the +Hotel de l'Europe, was found lying at the bottom of the precipice +between Aix and Mont Revard. It is, of course, pure conjecture how the +unfortunate gentleman met his fate, but no foul play is suspected, as +his money and valuables were found upon his body. We anxiously await +developments. The police are maintaining a strict reserve." + + * * * * * + + + + +A PUZZLED PAINTER. + +WRITTEN IN COLLABORATION WITH THE LATE SIR AUGUSTUS HARRIS. + + +CAST. + + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY, an Artist. + +MRS. TEMPENNY, his Wife. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER, an Artist. + +MRS. SYLVESTER, his Wife. + +ROSALINE, a Model. + +HENRICH SCHERCL, an Art Dealer. + +ROBERT ADDISON, a Sporting Man. + +SARAH ANN, a Maid-of-all-Work. + +SUSAN, Parlourmaid at the Tempenny's. + +GROGGINS, a Sheriff's Officer. + + + + +A PUZZLED PAINTER. + + + + +ACT I. + + +(SCENE I. TEMPENNY'S _Studio Doors R.L. and in Flat. As Curtain rises a +knocking is heard at D.R_.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_off_). + +Rembrandt--Rembrandt! + +(_Door opens, enter_ MRS. TEMPENNY; _followed by_ MRS. SYLVESTER.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +He isn't here. Come in, dear; I am sure he will be pleased to see +you--we will wait. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +_My_ husband hates to be disturbed in his studio. He says he can never +work again all day. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Artists are so different; Mr. Sylvester is more highly strung than +Rembrandt, I sometimes think. Rembrandt likes to see his friends in his +studio. I wonder where he has gone. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Gone to have a drink, I daresay. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Adelaide! + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +He does drink, doesn't he--when he's thirsty anyhow? And artists are so +often thirsty. Charles is often thirsty. He says it is a characteristic +feature of the artistic temperament. Ah! my dear. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Why that sigh? + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_sighing again_). + +Heigh ho! + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_affectionately_). + +Adelaide? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Eugenia! + +(_They touch each other's hands sympathetically_.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Aren't you happy, Adelaide? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I am married to an artist, Euna! I wouldn't say as much to anybody +else, but we were girls at school together. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +But, dear Addie, everybody knows you are married to an artist. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I mean I would not say to anybody else that I am not entirely happy. + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_enthusiastically_). + +Do tell me all about it. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I am jealous. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Of whom? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Oh no one--of everybody; of my husband's past, which I know--of his +life to-day, which is too circumspect to be sincere. + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_with misgiving_). + +But--but Rembrandt's life is also circumspect. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Poor child. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +You pity me? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Horribly. To be married to a painter--what a fate! To have a husband +who is shut up alone all day with a creature who--who wears-- + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Rembrandt's models _do_--. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Wear--? + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Plenty! + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_gloomily_). + +Clothes sometimes cover a multitude of sins. They are no guarantee. +Rosaline wore them! + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Rosaline? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +You have not heard of Rosaline? + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +No. A model? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +A serpent! + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +The wretch. Pretty of course? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Serpents are always pretty. One day, not long after we were married, I +came across her photograph--I was tidying up an old desk of Charles', a +photo, my dear, with an inscription that left no doubt what their +relations had been. I tore it up before his face; and for a time, +excepting for the girlish illusions he had shattered, that was an end +of the matter. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +But only for a time? + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_impressively_). + +Two years ago I went into his studio, and found her there. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Horrible. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +You may well say so. She was sitting on a table drinking brandy and +soda as bold as brass. Of course he swore that he needed her for a +picture he was going to work on--and, I don't know, perhaps it was +true. Still considering what had been, her presence there was an +outrage, and I shall never forget the quarrel there was between Charles +and me. That was the last I have seen of Rosaline--she went flying. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +And was it the last that Mr. Sylvester has seen of her? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +So far as I know. But there is always the lurking, horrid doubt. You +know now why I am not the light-hearted girl you remember, and why I +distrust artists as a class. + +_Pause_. + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_meditatively_). + +I don't see why you should distrust Mr. Tempenny because Mr. Sylvester +is not steady. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Are you quite contented? + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +No--we are too hard up, but I believe Rembrandt loves me, and I love +him. + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_heavily_). + +Poor child. + +(_Enter_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _door in flat. He wears long +hair, and a brown velveteen jacket, and is smoking a short pipe_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Eugenia? And Mrs. Sylvester? Why, bless my soul, how nice, what a +surprise! Don't move--don't. (_Stands peering at them with his hands +over his eyes._) What a charming effect of light on your profile, Mrs. +Sylvester--how rich--how transcendental! Glorious! (_Comes down._) +Well, well, well, and so you ladies have come to pay me a visit. Can I +offer you anything? + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +I called on Mrs. Tempenny to inquire whether you would dine with us +to-night, and she said she could not answer without consulting you. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +You have no engagement, Rembrandt? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I am quite at liberty, Eugenia, quite. I shall be most pleased and +delighted. (_Aside._) Another confoundedly dull evening, I know! +(_Aloud._) Sylvester is well? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Sylvester is always well. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Happy Sylvester! Myself, I am a wreck. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +I want some money, Rembrandt. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_disconcerted._) + +Eh? Oh! (_To_ MRS. SYLVESTER.) And working hard I have no doubt. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I believe so--he is out all day. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Admirable--what industry! + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +(_Aside to_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.) Rembrandt, I want some money--have you +got a couple of pounds you can let me have? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_affecting not to hear_). + +The hardest working people under the sun are artists, I always say so. +Hard worked--hard worked! (_Fills his pipe_). + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +May I look round your studio, Mr. Tempenny? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_waving his hand_). + +Charmed, positively! + +(MRS. SYLVESTER _moves up_.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_insistently_). + +Rembrandt, all the neighbourhood knows the butcher summoned us, and +none of the tradespeople will serve us with anything unless we pay +cash. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Well, we're going out to dinner. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Oh, you drive me wild with your improvident, Bohemian ways. There's +to-morrow. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Sufficient for the day is the dinner thereof. Don't be greedy. + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_looking round_). + +You have sold most of your canvasses, I see, Mr. Tempenny. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +I thought she wouldn't find the gallery extensive, I must really do +something to-day, I must indeed! (_Aloud_.) Sold? Yes, yes. I am +starting on a fresh commission now. There's a little sketch up there +you may fancy;--a mere impression, but full of tenderness, I think, and +rapture. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Rapture? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It is the newest word by which we explain the inexplicable. "Rapture!" +It says everything, does it not? + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_vaguely_). + +Yes--yes, indeed. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +I made it up myself on the spot. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +(_Laying her hand on his arm earnestly_). Rembrandt-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Yes, dear, I know what you're going to say. The other tradespeople know +we haven't paid the butcher and you want two pounds. I'll give it you +this evening--(_Aside_.) If I can borrow it. + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_coming down_). + +Then we shall see you this evening at seven sharp, Mr. Tempenny? I am +going to take Eugenia round to the house with me now, to spend the +afternoon. You'll find her there when you come. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Good. (_Aside_.) I wish they'd go! (_Aloud_.) You don't mean to run +away yet? + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_doubtfully_). + +I think so. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_with alacrity_). + +Well, if you really must-- + +(_Opens door_ D.F.) + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Till seven o'clock. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Till seven. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Au revoir, dear. (_Aside to him_.) You won't forget the--? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Aside to_ MRS. TEMPENNY.) The two pounds, and the butcher; I won't +forget 'em. I only hope the _butcher_ may forget _me_. + +(_Exit_ MRS. SYLVESTER.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +By-bye, sweetheart. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Ta, ta, Duckie. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Don't do too much--remember your precious health. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +All right, my love. + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_blowing a kiss_). + +There. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_blowing a kiss_). + +There. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +My own darling husband! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +My angel. + +(_Exit_ MRS. TEMPENNY.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_with a deep sigh of relief_). + +Thank heaven! (_Sinks into armchair, and puts his feet on the +mantelpiece_) The corner is getting tight, Rembrandt. This sort of +thing won't boil the pot. It won't, sonny, I assure you! Where's the +sketch of my _magnum opus_. 'Pon my word, I haven't seen the thing for +a month or more. (_Gets up and rummages in a portfolio_.) Ah, here we +have it! (_Holds up and contemplates a small charcoal sketch_.) +"Susannah before the Elders" beautiful! composition charming! +Rembrandt, old pal,--I congratulate you! But where's the picture of it? +"Oh where, and oh where!" Rembrandt, you're developing into a +thorough-paced loafer. You always had a talent that way, but of late +you've broken your own record. I'll turn over a new leaf; I will, I'll +be a new man. Why not? We've the new woman; why not the new man? +Excellent idea. Rembrandt Tempenny, the new man--the coming man--by +George the GREAT man! I'm in earnest, I'm in a fever. I bubble over +with noble resolutions. I wish the tradespeople didn't want +cash--tradespeople who want cash are so damping to noble resolutions! + +(_Gets out Easel and canvas, and takes off coat_.) + +(_Door in Flat is kicked open. Enter_ ROBERT ADDISON.) + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Hullo! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Hullo! + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +How are you, old chap? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I'm the new man. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +The devil you are! What does it feel like? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Unfamiliar--like somebody's else's boots. I say, dear boy, can you lend +me a couple of thick 'uns. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Eh? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It's for the tradespeople. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Oh really--on principle you know--I never pay tradespeople. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Well, not to put too fine a point upon it, it's for my wife. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +I warned you not to marry. Now you see how right I was--she wants two +thick 'uns. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I know it's rough on you. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +It is. I'm a sociable chap by nature, and I'm rapidly being left +without a friend to bless myself with. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I don't grasp! + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +They all borrow my money, and then they say they're out the next time I +call. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I have got a big thing on, only temporarily I'm in a hole. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +I never knew a fellow in a hole who hadn't a big thing on. What is it? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +The hole? + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +No, the big thing--the stable tip? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It's nothing to do with the turf. Look here, Schercl--you know Schercl? + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +I know him. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +He gave me a commission for a picture six weeks ago; he's going to pay +three hundred for it. He advanced a century when I accepted the offer. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +They are wonderful terms, Tempenny, for _you_. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Seems rather funny, doesn't it,--but it's a fact. "Nobody more +astonished than the striker," I confess. + +ROBERT ADDIS ON. + +Well, where's the picture? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Turning round the big blank canvas_). There! + +ROBERT ADDISON (_with a whistle_). + +Oh my sainted mother! How does Schercl like it? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It's good work, isn't it? Fine colour and tone! How do the harmonies +strike you--correct? + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Unbosom, what does it mean? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Dear boy, it means it was a royal order, and that I've been on the +royal loaf on the strength of it; and, now that I repent me, I haven't +got a model. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +No model? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +The subject is to be Susannah--Susannah before the Elders. You know the +kind of thing--(_whispers_). + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Yes, of course, and I suppose--? (_whispers_). + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Yes, and--(_touches his arms and chest, signifying a fine +woman_--_whispers_). + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Exactly. I think I can recommend the very model you want. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +You? Where did you meet her--on a racecourse? + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +I know her--and she's worth backing. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +My dear friend, you have saved me! Where is she? + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +I'll look her up. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +To-day? + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Now if you like. Her name is Rosaline, and she's a ripper. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +"Rosaline the Ripper," Robert, fetch her. No wait a moment, I can't do +the picture here; I daren't. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Why not? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Well, you see, my wife wouldn't approve, and I blush to say that in the +exuberance of early matrimony I encouraged her in an inconvenient habit +of running into my studio at all hours. I'll have to work in a pal's. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +All right, I'll send her there. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Well, you might bring her now, if you can, and I'll arrange the +sittings with her. Does she hang out in the neighbourhood? + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Over a coffee-shop in Golden Street. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Go! And I'll stand you a swagger supper when the picture's done, and +Schercl parts. By the way-- + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Yes? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Touching the two quid? + +ROBERT ADDISON (_giving the money_). + +Here you are. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I do touch 'em. Ecstasy! Bob, you're a brick; now cut along and get +back with the damsel sharp. (_Knock heard at_ D.F.) Hullo, whom have we +here? Come in. (_Knock repeated_.) Come in. (_Knock again_.) Come in, +you fat-headed, lop-sided, splay-footed, bandy-legged jay; come in! + +(_Enter_ SCHERCL). + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +Schercl! Good Lord! He's come to see the work. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +(_Aside to_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY). I'm off. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Aside to_ ROBERT ADDISON). No, I say, Bob, wait and see me through +it. + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +Rosaline may go out--I must hurry. See you again in half an hour. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Aside to_ ROBERT ADDISON). What shall I do? + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +(_Aside to_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY). Lie! Ta-ta. I say--! You don't think +it possible old Schercl has made a mistake and taken you for Tempenny +the R.A.? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_staggered_). + +What!! + +ROBERT ADDISON. + +It would explain the terms, that's all, dear boy. Au revoir. (_Exit_ +ROBERT ADDISON D.F.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +Good Lord! (_Aloud, blandly_). My dear Mr. Schercl, this is a pleasure +indeed. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I do not know dat it is a great bleasure, but pusiness must be attended +to, hein? Vell, my friendt, and how is the bicture, eh! Let us see how +it has brogressed. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +The picture is going well--well, very well,--excellently. I am a modest +man-- + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Humph! (_Aside_.) This is a very boor blace for zo famous a bainter. I +do not understand it! But I have certainly done goot business mid him! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_disconcerted_). + +I say I am a modest man, Mr. Schercl, but I feel safe in declaring that +you will be satisfied with your bargain. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +"Bargain?" I do not tink dat ven I pay tree hundred bounds for a +bicture it should be called a "pargain." Tree hundred bounds is very +large brice; I shall have not made a pargain. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Er--quite so. You misunderstand me. I should have said your +"contract"--you will be satisfied with your contract. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +If you should have said "gontract," vy did you say "Pargain." Vell, +vell, let us see the bicture. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_With a desperate attempt to throw enthusiasm in his voice_.) It is +the best work I have done. I look to "Susannah" to advance my position +enormously. People will talk about "Susannah." It is--er--full of +rapture. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +"Rapture?" Vat is "Rapture?" + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +_You_ know what "rapture" is. It is the term best understood by the +movement of to-day. It is our watchword, our ideal. "Rapture!" + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Puzzled, but not wishing to appear ignorant_.) Oh "Rapture," I did +not understand you. Of course I know what rapture is. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Of course you do. Well, "Susannah" brims over with it. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Goot, goot. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It is the very apotheosis of rapture. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I gongratulate you. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It exudes with rapture. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Is dat so? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It is bathed in rapture. (_Aside_.) I can't go on much longer. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Now show it to me. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_with feigned surprise_). + +Show it to you? I can't show it to you--it isn't here. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Vat is dat you say? Not here? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Certainly not. I am working on it in a friend's studio, not my own. The +light here is not nearly good enough for a work like that. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +You have always found it goot enough, I pelieve? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_with enthusiasm_). + +But not for "Susannah"--not nearly good enough for "Susannah," +"Susannah" demands so much; she is exacting--she must be humoured. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Vell, I am very disappointed; I came expressly to see how you had +brogressed. Will you make me an abbointment? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Certainly I will. I will write you to-morrow. I am anxious to have your +opinion. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Who is the friend in whose studio you vork? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Eh? In Mr. Sylvester's--Charles Sylvester. You should hear him talk +about it. By Jove, he does think a lot of it. I blush to repeat what he +says. He considers it magnificent. + +(_Enter_ SYLVESTER.) + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Afternoon, Rembrandt. Ah, Mr. Schercl, how-d'ye do. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Sylvester himself--the devil. (_Aloud_.) Dear old man, we were talking +of you! I was just telling Mr. Schercl what you are kind enough to say +of "Susannah." + +(_Kicks him aside_.) + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +You think it goot, Mr. Sylvester, yes? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +He thinks it superb, so far as it has gone. + +(_Kicks him again_.) + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +What's that? Who is "Susannah?" + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +"Who is Susannah!" (_With a sickly laugh_.) What a chap to chaff you +are. "Who is Susannah?" Ha, ha, ha. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +But in pusiness I do not like the chokes. Let us be serious if you +please. What is your opinion, Mr. Sylvester, of the vork? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_desperately_). + +Yes, I quite agree with you, Mr. Schercl, I quite agree--there is a +time for all things. Tell Mr. Schercl what you think of it, Charlie, +do. + +(_Kicks him savagely_.) + +CHARLES SYLVESTER (_aside to_ TEMPENNY). + +You'll break my ankle directly, hang you. What do you want? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside to_ SYLVESTER). + +Intelligence. I'll break your neck in another minute, you born fool! +(_Aloud suavely_.) Mr. Schercl is naturally anxious to hear how the +picture he had given me a commission for is getting along. I was +telling him how much you think of it but he would like to hear your +views from your own mouth. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Oh--oh!--now I know what you're talking about! Well, I have a very high +opinion of the work indeed, Mr. Schercl--a very high opinion. (_Aside +to_ TEMPENNY.) What's the subject? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside to_ SYLVESTER). + +"Susannah before the Elders"--pitch it strong. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +The conception of Susannah, and in fact the entire treatment if I may +say so, is bold in the extreme. He makes a school, our friend here. You +will be surprised when you see the work, and impressed. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Vell, we will make the abbointment soon, Mr. Tempenny. I am sorry I +could not see it to-day. So I shall be imbressed? That is goot. +Gootday, gentlemen. We will make the abbointment very soon. + +(_Exit_ SCHERCL.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Calling after him from open door_.) Mind the bottom step, it's +awkward. Got it? + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_off_). + +It is so dark your staircase. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Yes, it is dark, isn't it? Good afternoon. (_Closes door.)(To_ +SYLVESTER.) Phew! You couldn't have arrived at a worse time. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Thanks. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I don't mean to be inhospitable, but the ice was thin. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Have you done anything to "Susannah?" + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Not a stroke, but I commence to-morrow in earnest. I've a model coming +this afternoon, and if you'll let me use your studio, I shall knock in +enough in a week for old Schercl to see when he calls again. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Why do you want my studio--what's the matter with this? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Well, the fact is my wife is always popping in here, and if she found +me with a model posed as Susannah she'd go into hysterics. You +understand me? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Understand you. I'm a married man. + +(TEMPENNY _looks at him silently, and then puts out his hand_. +SYLVESTER _grasps it_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I don't want to gush, but--I feel for you, old chap. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER (_gratefully_). + +I know--I know. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_offering pouch_). + +Smoke? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER (_producing pipe_). + +Thanks. + +(_They fill their pipes without speaking and puff sympathetically_.) + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Not but what she is a good sort--I don't want to say anything against +her. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Of course not. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +But--I suppose she's too fond of me. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It's a way wives have--they repay the superabundance of your devotion +during the courtship. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Exactly. She's jealous. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Of whom? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Of nobody--of everyone. Of my past, which was rather more decent than +most fellows--of my life to-day, which is a pattern for a County +Councillor. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Poor beggar. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +You're sorry for me? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Devilishly. To be married to a jealous woman!--what a fate. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER (_with a groan_). + +Ah! Tempenny, there was a girl I used to know when I was a +bachelor--she was a model. My wife found her likeness one day after we +were married. A likeness, nothing more--I thought I had destroyed it. +Well, if you'd have heard the ructions she made; you'd have thought +she'd found a harem. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Ah! + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +A year or two ago the girl turned up again--walked into my studio, and +wanted to sit to me. As it happened I could have used her very well. +Just as I had given her a drink who should march in too, but my wife. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +The devil. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +I _said_ my wife--but-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Yes, go on. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +She recognised my visitor in a moment from the photograph--abused her, +insulted me, and raised a royal row. The girl cleared out like a shot, +and I pledge you my word I have never seen her since, but from that +hour to this not a day passes without Mrs. Sylvester making some +allusion to the incident. I am the most moral man alive, and I'm +watched and suspected as if I were a criminal. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +We must see more of each other than we have of late. When I work in +your studio we shall be company for each other. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +I shall be very glad. Well, I'll be off, now. See you to-morrow then? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +To-morrow! Au revoir, dear boy. + +(_Exit_ SYLVESTER.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Poor old Sylvester! Had no idea Mrs. Sylvester was such a termagant. I +must cheer him up a bit. So there was a girl, was there, and Mrs. +Sylvester is jealous of her? Wonder who she was! Nice girl I +daresay--Sylvester's taste was always good excepting when he married. +Where is Bob with my model?--time he was back! (_Goes to window_.) +There goes Sylvester--funny thing you can always tell a married man by +his walk. There is a solidity about it--a sort of resignation. (_Turns +looking off the other way_.) And here comes a pretty girl.--What a +pretty girl--Funny thing you can always tell a pretty girl by her walk. +There is a consciousness about it--a thanksgiving. She is stopping +here. Lovely woman stopping here! + +(_Throws up window, and leans out more and more till gradually only a +small section of his legs remain on the stage_) + +ROSALINE (_off_). + +Is this Mr. Tempenny's studio? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It is. I am Mr. Tempenny. Come up do. + +ROSALINE. + +No kid? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Not yet--I am recently married. + +ROSALINE. + +I mean you are really Mr. Tempenny. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Really and truly. (_Withdraws from window, wreathed in smiles_.) How do +I look? (_Smoothes his hair before mirror_.) Perhaps she is a buyer--I +had better appear busy--or inspired. (_Seats himself and adopts a +far-away engrossed expression_.) "Rembrandt Tempenny at Home." + +_Knock at door. Enter_ ROSALINE. + +ROSALINE. + +May I come in? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Enter pray. An idea has struck me. May I beg you to sit down a +moment,--In a moment I shall be at your service. + +ROSALINE _sits_. REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _stares raptly before him as if +lost in composition. (Business.) He starts up and rushes to small +canvas, making violent sketch upon it. Then brushes his hand across his +brow, and turns to her_. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I dared not lose it--my idea! Forgive me--I have it down now, it is +saved. What can I do for you? + +ROSALINE. + +Mr. Addison sent me. He said you wanted a model. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Oh--you are Rosaline? + +ROSALINE. + +You have guessed it in once. He could not come back with me, so he sent +me here alone. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Oh! + +ROSALINE. + +What do you think of me? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I think you a charming young lady. + +ROSALINE. + +Then what is the matter? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Well, I thought you were somebody else, that is all. So you are +Rosaline. + +ROSALINE. + +You keep telling me I am Rosaline--I know I am. The question is how do +I do? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +How do you do? + +ROSALINE. + +You misunderstand me. The question is how do I suit you? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Quite so--you bring me to the point. You suit me entirely. Mr. Addison +perhaps explained to you the subject of my picture? + +ROSALINE. + +"Susannah." Susannah is a very ugly name--. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +But she will be a very pretty girl, won't she? + +ROSALINE. + +Oh, go away with you. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Humour, only my humour! You musn't think any familiarity was intended. +I am not that sort of man at all. + +ROSALINE. + +No? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Not a bit. As I told you out of the window, I'm married. + +ROSALINE. + +Well, I am sorry to hear it. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Now you are flattering me--now _I_ must say, "go away with you." + +ROSALINE. + +I am sorry to hear it because I prefer sitting to single artists. Wives +sometimes make rumpuses. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Oh, you have found that? + +ROSALINE. + +I have indeed. I shall never forget one of my experiences as long as I +live. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Really? You interest me. + +ROSALINE _(sentimentally)_. + +I loved a man with all my soul, and _he_ loved _me_. He married! No, +you must not blame him for it--he was weak, and the temptation came. +"To err is human,"--he married. Oh, my heart! (_She presses her hand to +her side_.) Forgive me while I shed a tear. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Shed two. + +ROSALINE. + +I forgave him; I struggled to subdue the rage within me. I forgave him, +and went to see him again. I had conquered my scorn--my better nature +had triumphed--I went to him with all the old tenderness that I had +lavished on him in the days gone by. He was startled, even cold, but +still I feel I should have won him back to me had not something +happened. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Something so often happens. It is an aggravating way of something. + +ROSALINE. + +His wife came between us. All was over. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Designing wretch! + +ROSALINE. + +I have never seen him since; I have banished his image from my mind. +But that time has left its mark on me for ever. It transformed a simple +credulous girl into a hardened worldly woman. I shall never feel a +liking for wives again. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +One cannot blame you. + +ROSALINE. + +I felt you would say that. (_Presses her handkerchief to her eyes_.) It +was cruel. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +But in my case you will not be troubled by my wife. The sittings won't +take place here, and so she will not see you. + +ROSALINE. + +How is that? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Well, it is very odd, but Mrs. Tempenny has the same objection to +models that you have to wives. It is ridiculous, in fact it is wicked +of her, but I find it best to humour her prejudices. Will you go +to-morrow to Sycamore Place, Number five? + +ROSALINE. + +I'll be there--on one condition. No wives, or I throw up the job. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_alarmed_). + +For Heaven's sake don't talk of doing that--my whole life hangs on the +picture. If you don't sit to me I'm a ruined man. Rosaline, I swear to +you no wives shall cross your path. + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_off_). + +Rembrandt, Rembrandt. + +ROSALINE. + +Who's that? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Mrs. Tempenny, but I won't let her in. + +ROSALINE (_angrily_). + +Wives already!--Everywhere--wives. + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_off_). + +Rembrandt, I must see you. Where are you--quick! + +ROSALINE. + +Here, I know the pattern of this! Let me go! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_alarmed_). + +No. No. I'll get rid of her. (_Runs to window, and leans +out--calling_.) Don't wait, my dear. I'm busy. I'll be with you soon. + +ROSALINE (_contemptuously_). + +Why, you're scared out of your life of her I can see! I have had enough +of this,--I don't want the job. (_As if to go_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Leaving window and running back to her_). I tell you if you don't sit +to me I'm a ruined man. Rosaline, I implore you! + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_off_). + +I am coming up at once. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_rushing to window again_). + +On no account, my darling, I can't be disturbed. + +ROSALINE. + +I'm off. Ta-ta. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_back to her again_). + +You shan't go--I'll lock you in first. There! (_Locks door, and takes +out key_.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_off_). + +Rembrandt, I must come up. Something is the matter. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +No, no, no. Go home, and see the tradespeople, catch! (_Takes out the +two sovereigns, and runs to window again: in his excitement he throws +with the wrong hand--throwing out key_.) Good Lord! I've thrown her the +key. (_Leans out of the window_.) She is coming upstairs. Skip inside +there till she goes. Hurry! (_Motions_ ROSALINE _off R_.) + +ROSALINE (_scornfully_). + +Wives, wives, wives! + +(_Exit Rosaline_.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Rembrandt! Why did you keep me waiting--there's a sheriff's officer on +his way here with a warrant. He has been at the house, and the servant +ran round to Sylvester's to tell me. You must escape. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Escape? + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Fly! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I can't fly--I am not built for flying. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Then you must hide. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Where? + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +(_Pointing to room where Rosaline is concealed_.) There! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +No, no, Hark! + +(_Very heavy steps are heard ascending stairs_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I hear a footfall. + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_in terror_). + +Hide yourself--quick. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_in terror_). + +I can't. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Why not? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_loftily_). + +A hero never hides. Ah, I have it. I'll jump from the window. + +(_Struggles into his coat and hat_.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +There is the conservatory underneath. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I'll jump clear of it. Don't let him in for a minute. + +(_He plants a lay-figure in front of canvas, with its back to door in +flat, then proceeds to dress it up to resemble himself at work. Brush +in hand, etc_.) + +GROGGINS (_off_). + +Mr. Tempenny! + +(_Knocks at door_.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Who's there? + +(_She goes to door, half opening it, so that_ GROGGINS _has a partial +view of lay-figure_.) + +GROGGINS. + +I have a warrant here for Mr. Rembrandt Tempenny--matter of forty pun'. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Sh! He is painting. + +GROGGINS. + +I can't help whether he's painting or not, marm. The question is +whether he is paying or not. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Man, my husband cannot be disturbed. Don't you see?--he is inspired. + +GROGGINS. + +Well, he'll be in--Wandsworth if he don't part. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Sh! talk softly. Your voice will jar upon him. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +Now for it. (_At window_.) One--two--three--I don't like the look of +that glass-house much. + +_(Hesitates)._ + +GROGGINS (_decisively_). + +I must come in, marm--out of the way if _you_ please. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +Oh! It's now or never. + +(_Jumps out. A tremendous crash of broken glass is heard_.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_with a shriek_). + +Ah! + +GROGGINS (_pushing her aside_). + +What's that? (_Aside_.) Oh, there he is. (_Aloud_.) Here you Mr. +Tempenny, sir, I've a warrant 'ere on a judgment summons.--Suit of Cole +the butcher. (_Addressing lay-figure_.) Do you pay up, or come along o' +me? + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_at window--aside_). + +He's picked himself up--he waves his hand--all is well. + +GROGGINS. + +Which is it, sir? I allus likes to do business pleasant, only you must +make up your mind, you know. Pay up, or lock up--take your choice. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +(_At window. Excitedly aside_.) He disappears--he's lost to view--the +danger's past. + +GROGGINS. + +Well, if you _won't_ speak, you _won't_, of course! I've done my 'umble +best to do my dooty affable, and since you're sulky, why--(_Going up to +lay-figure_) Mr. Rembrandt Tempenny, I've a warrant for your arrest. + +(_He slaps the lay-figure on the shoulder, it collapses with a crash_). + +GROGGINS (_falling back in terror_). + +Got 'em again, as I'm a sinner! + +(MRS. TEMPENNY _runs to_ D.F. _as if to go_. ROSALINE _half opens_ R.D. +_and pops her head out with an ejaculation_.) + +_Act drop, quick_. + + + + +ACT II. + + +SCENE:--SYLVESTER'S _Studio_. (_The next day_.) _Doors R. and L. At +back cupboard_. TEMPENNY _discovered painting_, ROSALINE _posed_. + +ROSALINE. + +I'm getting tired. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Sh! (_goes on working frenziedly_). + +ROSALINE. + +I say I'm getting tired. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Wait a minute, and you shall rest. There! now you can move if you like. + +ROSALINE (_stretching herself_). + +Thank goodness. Let us look! (_Looks at canvas_.) Oh! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +What do you think of it? + +ROSALINE. + +Not much. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Ah, that shows your profound ignorance of the School. It promises to be +a superb example. (_Contemplates it sideways_.) Exquisite! + +ROSALINE. + +I say, where is your friend? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Who? + +ROSALINE. + +Didn't you say this studio belonged to a friend of yours? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Oh yes; he hasn't come yet. I expect he will be here this afternoon. + +ROSALINE. + +What's this? (_picking up Mandarin's Wig_.) One of his props? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +That? That is a Mandarin's wig. Yes, of course it is one of his props. +He has just been engaged on a great work: "The Decapitation of a +Mandarin after a Chinese Reverse." The gentleman who sat for the +Mandarin wore that wig. + +ROSALINE. + +What a funny subject to choose. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Rather playful, isn't it? He likes 'em like that. That's his forte. + +ROSALINE. + +What is his name--do I know him? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Charlie Sylvester; and a rattling good chap he is, let me tell you. + +ROSALINE (_with a shriek_). + +Oh, my heart! This is fate! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_alarmed_.) + +I beg your pardon? Don't go off like that. What's the matter? + +ROSALINE. + +It is _He_--_He_ who--! Oh, I am going to faint. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +No,--no, for goodness' sake, don't do that. What do you mean by "he?" +Here, I say, compose yourself. + +ROSALINE. + +It is the man I love. The finger of Fate is in it. Where is he? Bring +him to me! Charlie, my own! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_very flustered_). + +Oh I say--look here, you know--? (_Aside_.) This is the devil and +all--Charlie will never forgive me! (_Aloud_.) My dear good girl, he +_isn't_ your "own," I assure you he isn't. There is a Mrs. Sylvester, +as you know very well. (_Aside_.) If he comes in and finds her here, +there's an end of all my sittings. What a piece of infernal luck to be +sure! + +ROSALINE _(resolutely)._ + +Where is he? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_sullenly_). + +I don't know--I suppose he is at home. + +ROSALINE. + +Fetch him then--let me see his dear face again. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +What??? + +ROSALINE. + +Bring him to me--now, this instant! We have been divided too long +already. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +You have, have you? + +ROSALINE. + +Far, far too long. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +I must humour her. (_Aloud_.) Well, perhaps you _have_, on second +thoughts. Yes, it is a long time. + +ROSALINE. + +I have never forgotten him. I have always treasured his memory in my +soul. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_soothingly_). + +That was very nice of you. You are a very nice girl--I saw it at once. + +ROSALINE. + +_He_ used to say that--he used to call me his "Toppett." + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +His little "Toppett?" It is a pretty name, and I am sure he will be +delighted to find you here, when he comes. It will be a surprise for +him, won't it; quite a surprise! (_Aside_.) A perfect devil of a +surprise! + +ROSALINE. + +For all he knows I might be dead--dead with the violets blooming over +my tomb. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Yes, yes,--buttercups and daisies. (_Aside_.) I shall get the giddy +push from here when he does come; I see it sticking out a foot. +(_Aloud_.) I say, Poppett--I mean "Rosaline," do you feel equal to +going on with the sitting till he arrives? + +ROSALINE (_passively_). + +As you please--I must live. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside._) + +It is doubtful whether Sylvester will see it in the same light. +(_Aloud_.) Well, then, suppose you take up your position again. + +(_He poses her with much difficulty, as each time he places her arms in +the required attitude, she moves to wipe away a tear_). + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +There, now we've got it at last. (_He goes back to the easel, and +commences to work_). + +ROSALINE. + +(_Bursting into sobs, and collapsing altogether_.) Boo--hoo--hoo! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_despairingly_). + +Oh, great Jupiter! This is too much! Can't you contain your emotion? I +know it is very praiseworthy, but can't you bottle it up? How on earth +am I to paint you while you keep going on like this. + +(_The street-door bell rings_). + +ROSALINE (_joyously_). + +He! (_She clasps her hands and listens_.) My heart tells me so! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_disagreeably_). + +It _ain't_ he--because he never rings. So your heart's told you a lie. + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_off_). + +Mr. Sylvester--is he in? Not in? What do you mean? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Snakes!--it's his Missus. + +ROSALINE (_passionately_). + +_Another_ wife? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +No, it is the same one--do you think he is the Grand Mogul?--but she +will be enough for _you_ if she finds you here, and for _me_ too! + +ROSALINE. + +I do not fear her. I am doing no harm--I am your Model, brought here by +you. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_in terror_). + +Now look here, you know, don't say that; I won't be mixed up in it! I +tell you I'll have nothing to do with the matter! I didn't know who you +were, or I wouldn't have brought you within a hundred miles of the +place. Hark. + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_off_). + +I will wait in his studio till he comes. He ought to have been here +long ago. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_in terror_). + +_Ought_ he! I won't be seen here--I can't. She is a friend of my +wife's. I won't be found in your company. I'm a moral man, and she +knows you. + +ROSALINE (_indignantly_). + +What? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Here, hi, I will be a lay-figure. By George, I've got it--I will be the +Mandarin, see! + +(_He disguises himself with Rosaline's assistance as a Mandarin, and +sits cross-legged at back, wagging his head_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +How is that? + +ROSALINE. + +Beautiful. Hush! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Am I sufficiently impregnated with the Chinese sentiment? + +ROSALINE. + +I don't know what you mean. Sh! Here she is. + +(_Enter_ MRS. SYLVESTER _L_.) + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_aside_). + +A young woman--who is this? + +ROSALINE. + +Good morning, madam. Who do you wish to see? + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_with a start_). + +Can I be deceived? Is it possible you are the--ahem--the person I take +you for? + +ROSALINE. + +I really don't know who you take me for. My name is Rosaline, and I'm a +model. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I knew it! How dare you come here--how dare you? Two years ago I +forbade you ever to enter my husband's studio again. + +ROSALINE. + +I did not know it was your husband's studio when I came. I am here to +sit to a friend of his. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I'm the friend. + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_to_ ROSALINE). + +What did you say? + +ROSALINE. + +I did not speak. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Now let me quite understand you. Do you mean to say that it was not Mr. +Sylvester who brought you here? + +ROSALINE. + +Certainly I do. I came to Mr.-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_in terror aside to_ ROSALINE). + +Mr. Brown. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Who did you say? Who is Mr. Brown? + +ROSALINE. + +I did not say "Mr. Brown." A gentleman engaged me to sit to him, and +told me to come here this morning at ten o'clock. He said he was a +friend of Mr. Sylvester's. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Then you did know that this was Mr. Sylvester's studio! + +ROSALINE. + +I did not. He said it belonged to a friend of his, but did not mention +his name. + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_impatiently_). + +Whose name? + +ROSALINE. + +His friend's name. + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_passionately_). + +Who was this friend, girl? Who told you to come? Answer me. + +ROSALINE. + +Oh, that is very easy. I was engaged by Mr.-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside to_ ROSALINE). + +Mr. Smith. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I do not know any Mr. Smith. Where has he gone? + +ROSALINE. + +I never said "Mr. Smith." + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +What? + +ROSALINE. + +Certainly not. I have no reason to mind telling the truth. I am +naturally a truthful girl. His name was-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside to_ ROSALINE). + +Robinson. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Once and for all--will you tell me the man's name? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside to_ ROSALINE). + +No, never! + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +You refuse? + +ROSALINE. + +No. + +MRS. SYLYESTER. + +Then why did you say "never?" + +ROSALINE. + +I never said "Never." + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I warn you, girl, my patience is nearly exhausted. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +So am I. My legs ache at the joints. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +You will either make a clean breast of it, or I shall take steps-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside to_ ROSALINE). + +Let her take steps--that's what I want her to do. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Ah, wait--doubtless my husband is in hiding. I will see. + +(_She opens_ R.D. _and exit_.) + +ROSALINE (_going up to_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _angrily_). + +What do you mean by getting me into all this trouble? What do you mean +by it? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Oh, you be hanged--you're a perfect nuisance. + +ROSALINE. + +What! + +(_She slaps his face_. MRS. SYLVESTER _re-enters_.) + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I heard a noise. + +ROSALINE. + +I was playing with the idol, that is all. + +(REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _wags his head mechanically_. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +This is a dignified position for a husband and a ratepayer!--the butt +of a bad girl! + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Your frivolity will avail you nothing. If you were indeed brought here +by a friend of Mr. Sylvester's, I can guess who he is. His name is +Tempenny, and I shall enquire into the matter at once. (_Going_.) + +ROSALINE. + +Of course his name is Tempenny--I never denied it. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY and MRS. SYLVESTER (_aside_). + +What? + +ROSALINE. + +I am nobody's accomplice--I am an honest woman earning a living. I will +tell lies for no one. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +The cat! + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +Oh, this is infamous! So Mr. Tempenny assists my husband to deceive me, +does he? We will see what his wife has to say to it. Birds of a +feather--as I always thought. Abandoned wretches both! + +(_Exit L_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_springing up_). + +You mischief-making little beast--what have you done? + +ROSALINE. + +Don't you talk to me like that--I won't have it! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_furiously_). + +You won't have it! + +ROSALINE. + +No, I won't. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +You--you--! You smacked my face! + +ROSALINE. + +And I'll smack it again if you aggravate me. If it weren't that _he_ +will be here later on, I'd walk straight out of the studio, and never +come into it again. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I've a good mind to bundle you out neck and crop, I can tell you. That +woman has gone off to complain to my wife. Here, get me out of these +things. (_He divests himself of the Chinese wig and costume_.) I think +I had better go. I don't know how I'll do the picture--I'll _never_ do +the picture. I think _you_ had better go--if Charlie Sylvester finds +you here after this, he will murder you. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER (_off_). + +Tempenny!--Tempenny--are you upstairs? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_agitated_). + +He! Oh, I say, you know--don't yer know--this is awful! + +ROSALINE (_rapturously_). + +I know his voice. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_dancing with terror_). + +Yes, so do I! He'll kill you--I warn you he will make a corse of +you--or _me_. I won't meet him. I can't. Get rid of him for the Lord's +sake--I'll hide in there till he has gone. + +(_Exit R_.) + +ROSALINE (_taking out powder puff_). + +After years we meet again! + +(_Enter_ SYLVESTER _L_.) + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Why the devil couldn't you answer, Tempenny, I say-- + +ROSALINE (_turning_). + +Charles! Ah! once more! + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Great Scott! My dear girl, what on earth are you here for? + +ROSALINE. + +It is like that you greet me? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +"Greet" you? Well, upon my word I don't quite know what you expect. I +thought it was understood between us last time we met that--that--we +weren't to meet? You see I've got a wife, and-- + +ROSALINE. + +I know. I have just seen her. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +What's that you say? You have just seen my wife? + +ROSALINE (_nodding_). + +She has been here. She has only just gone. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +The devil! What did she say to you--what did she think? + +ROSALINE. + +She thought you knew about it--she was angry! + +CHARLES SYLVESTER (_furiously_). + +And very rightly too. You have no business here--why did you come? + +ROSALINE. + +Mr. Tempenny brought me. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +What? Are _you_ his model? This is really too bad. Where is he? + +ROSALINE (_pointing R_.). + +He has gone in there. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +What for? (_Calling_.) Tempenny! I say, Tempenny, I want you! + +(_Enter_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _very nervously_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Ah--er--good morning, dear boy. What weather, eh? What weather we're +having to be sure. (_Aside to_ ROSALINE.) You malicious, +base-hearted--(_Shakes his fist at her_.) Oh! + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Look here, you know, Tempenny, this won't do. You have no right to +bring the girl here. I don't think it was at all friendly of you. I--I +consider it a damned liberty of you in fact. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_shrinking_). + +I was afraid you would be vexed, but don't be cross, dear old man; +don't be "put out" about it. (_Trying to laugh_.) There are worse +troubles at sea, as they say--worse troubles at sea! + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +(_With rising indignation_.) But I _am_ put out. Damn the sea--what's +that got to do with it. Mrs. Sylvester has been in and seen her, I +understand? You have served me a very shabby trick, Tempenny--I am very +sorry about it! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Still trying to laugh it off_.) All comes out in the wash, old +chap--all comes out in the wash, I assure you! (_Slaps him on the +shoulder_.) + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Don't do that--I don't like it! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_nervously_). + +Ha, ha, ha! (_Does it again_.) + +CHARLES SYLVESTER (_shouting_). + +Don't! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_collapsing_). + +All right, I won't. + +ROSALINE (_advancing_). + +Charlie! + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Don't call me "Charlie"--I don't like it. + +ROSALINE. + +Once-- + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Well, then, I don't like it twice--do you hear! This is all your fault, +Tempenny. You have got me into a pretty mess upon my word. My wife +won't believe me, and I shall never hear the end of it. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +And what about mine? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Yours? + +ROSALINE. + +Yes, she has gone to tell her. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER (_roaring with laughter_). + +Ha, ha, ha! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_miserably_). + +Remarkably funny, isn't it? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Ha, ha, ha! + +ROSALINE. + +Ha, ha, ha! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_To_ CHARLES SYLVESTER; _pointing to_ ROSALINE.) That girl is a +perfect devil. She smacked my face just now when I was posing as a +mandarin. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER (_staring_). + +As a what! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I was a mandarin when your wife came in--I thought it best--and this +ex-mash of yours took advantage of me, and smacked my face. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +(_To_ ROSALINE.) I tell you what it is,--I think you had better go. You +had better be off--I can't have you here. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I quite agree. _I_ don't want her--she is more trouble than she is +worth. + +ROSALINE. + +You are very rude to me, both of you. (_To_ CHARLES SYLVESTER.) Your +manners have not improved with matrimony, my friend. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +I am not going to discuss my manners-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +No, he is not going to discuss his manners. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +The point is-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +The point is--git! + +ROSALINE. + +The point is that if you don't ask me properly, I shall do nothing of +the kind. Now you've got it. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +(_To_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _angrily_.) What the devil do you mean by +bringing such a firebrand here? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Now don't lose your temper again. (_To_ ROSALINE.) Will you go? + +ROSALINE. + +No, I won't. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +That settles it. (_The two men look at each other helplessly_.) + +(_Enter_ SARAH ANN.) + +SARAH ANN. + +If you please, sir, there is a gentleman downstairs who wants to see +Mr. Tempenny. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Me? What's his name? What does he want? + +SARAH ANN. + +He says his name is Mr. Schercl. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I'm out. Go and tell him so. It only wanted this to complete my +happiness. I won't see him, do you hear? + +SARAH ANN. + +If you please the gentleman said he must see you, but if you was +engaged, he'd wait. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +You won't get rid of old Schercl in a hurry, if he has advanced you any +of the "ready." + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Tell him I'm out. Then let him come up if he likes. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +What are you going to do? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I am going to dissemble. I am going to be an Eastern potentate, and I +am going to spoof the old boy. (_To_ SARAH ANN.) Menial, slope! (_To_ +CHARLES SYLVESTER.) Help me. + +ROSALINE. + +This is the rummiest studio that ever I was in! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Yes, originality is what we pride ourselves on. (_He disguises himself +as the Maharajah of Slamthedoor_.) + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +And what am _I_ to do? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +You must be very deferential. I think you had better salaam when you +speak to me. Try it. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Like this? (_Salaams_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +That's it, only more so. And mind, if he wants to see Susannah, you +don't let him look at it. It's only just begun. How do I look? + +ROSALINE. + +You look like a Guy Fawkes. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Dear child! how pretty she talks! Where did you originally find such a +treasure? + +(_Enter_ HENRICH SCHERCL _L_.) + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Ah, Mr. Sylvester, how do you do? Where is Mr. Tempenny? I hoped to see +him. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +He has been compelled to go out on most important business. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +The business of you gentlemen is always "most important" excepting when +it concerns them that find you the wherewithal. (_Aside_.) What a nice +girl! + +(ROSALINE _smiles at him_.) + +CHARLES SILVESTER. + +I don't think, my dear Schercl, that you have much cause to complain. +You don't lose by us; now confess! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +My dear sir, if I lost by you how do you think I should garry on my +business? One must live. But you artists don't give us much chance. You +are always bleeding us for what you call "a bit on aggount." + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_coming down_). + +Your conversation is very interesting, but I wish to see Mr. Tempenny. +He is not here, and if he is not coming I shall go. Allah Bismillah +Remdazzlegefoo! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Aside to_ CHARLES SYLVESTER.) What does he say? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +(_Aside to_ HENRICH SCHERCL.) He's swearing because Tempenny is out. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I wanted to buy some of his great works. The Maharajah of Battledore +told me that he was one of your most favourite painters. + +ROSALINE (_aside_). + +Good old Rembrandt Tempenny. What larks! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Aside to_ CHARLES SYLVESTER.) Let _me_ deal with this sportsman. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +(_Aside to_ HENRICH SCHERCL.) Bosh, why should you? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Do you want to sell your "Battle of Agincourt?" + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Of course I do. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +How much? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Two hundred--you know that! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +A hundred ready? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Yes. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +You will have a jeque to-night. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +On your word? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +On my word. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +An open one? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Yes, my dear young friend. Now oblige me by skipping. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Right you are. Allow me to introduce to your Highness, Mr. Schercl--Mr. +Schercl, the Maharajah of Slamthedoor. + +(_Exit R_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Allah Bismillah Pottamarmala Goo! + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_aside_). + +He's swearing again. (_Aloud_.) I am sorry your Royal Highness has been +kept waiting. These artists are such gurious people. Your Highness +broboses to buy bictures, yes? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I have built a new palace at Slamthedoor, and I must have, of course, +some pictures for my galleries. + +ROSALINE. + +Does your Highness want any slaves too? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Aside to_ ROSALINE.) Go away, girl--go away! One deal at a time! +(_Aloud_) May I make so bold as to enquire the size of the new palace, +Oh glorious One? (_Salaams_.) (_Aside_.) I think that is right! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +The size? It is no bigger than my other one--it is about four times as +large as your Buckingham Palace. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Great heavens! And you will have a vast picture gallery, Oh Light of my +Eyes! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Five--five picture galleries, and I desire to fill them. That is why I +am looking up these artists. My cousin the Maharajah of Battledore has +given me several introductions. + +ROSALINE. + +_Doesn't_ your Royal Highness want any slaves? Ye before whose radiance +the sun pales and the stars grow dim--no slaves? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Can you dance, damsel, as I would see you? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Aside to_ ROSALINE.) Go away--go away--go away. Oh, demmit, will you +go away! (_Salaaming_.) Most Serene One-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Proceed. But be quick--I am impatient to be gone. Allah Bismillah, be +quick! + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_aside_). + +What a temper he's got! (_Aloud_.) Be guided by your servant. I have +your Royal Highness's interest at heart. (_Aside_.) Also my own. +(_Aloud_.) These bainters are so queer--they do not understand business +at all, at all. Nach, they know nothing about it--at least very few of +them. The less you have to do with them directly the better for your +Royal Highness. If your Royal Highness wishes to fill the picture +galleries of your new palace I'll take on the job at contract. I'll +save you sixty per cent, s'welp me! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +That is very kind of you. Why should you do it? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Well, your Royal Highness, I was struck by your demeanour and to tell +your Royal Highness the truth, except with the Brince of Westphalia I +have never done any business with royal families before. + +ROSALINE (_aside_.) + +Modest violet! There's nothing like being frank! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +You do not advise me then to see this Mr. Tempenny, or the other +painters whose names I have? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Certainly not, your Royal Highness. Let _me_ arrange everything. Here's +my card--Heinrich Schercl, 41 Golden Square. + +ROSALINE. + +(_Aside to_ HENRICH SCHERCL). Look here, what am I to have for this. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Aside to_ ROSALINE). For what? + +ROSALINE. + +(_Aside to_ HENRICH SCHERCL). I can queer your pitch. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Aside to_ ROSALINE). We will talk later--we will talk later. Don't +bother me! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +My dear Mr. Schercl, I am delighted to have met you. You are quite +confident you can _fill_ my galleries? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +With genuine works of art. (_Aside_.) Poor Gamboge died last week; I am +sure he hasn't sold more than three pictures during the last ten +years--I can get the lot cheap. Only there must be 200 at least. What +with all the other stony devils I can lay hands on, I'll soon decorate +the old josser's walls. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Well then, I shall wait no longer--there is no need now. I shall call +upon you, and settle our business together. Good-bye, miss, for the +present. This is your daughter, I suppose? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Eh--oh, yes, my youngest--my ewe lamb. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I congratulate you. She is worthy to be a Princess. + +ROSALINE (_aside_). + +This man's a flyer! I thought he was a mild young mug, but he fairly +takes the merry little bun! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Good day, sir. My time in London is short. If I cannot call upon you, I +will ask you to come to me at Claridge's. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Charmed, your Royal Highness. I shall be entirely at your disposition. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +That is well. + +(_Exit R_. SCHERCL _and_ ROSALINE _salaam_). + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Skipping with ecstasy_). Jampagne! Little girl, I will stand you +jampagne to zelebrate the deal. + +ROSALINE. + +Good biz! (_Opens L.D. and calls_). Here Mary, Matilda, Susan, or +whatever your name is, you're wanted. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +And you are a very charming girl, that is a fact. (_Lighting a +cigarette_). I think I must give you a sovereign, yes? + +ROSALINE. + +I don't mind if I do. (_Taking cigarette from his case_). A +"sovereign?" What are you talking about? My commission on this is a +tenner--and I'm cheap at that! + +(_Enter_ SARAH ANN _L_.) + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Giving her money_). Fetch me a bottle of jampagne, and bring two +glasses, eh? + +SARAH ANN. + +Yessir. + +ROSALINE. + +And look slippy. Go on, I'm parched. Mind, the _best_ champagne. (_To_ +HENRICH SCHERCL.) Got a light? + +(_Exit_ SARAH ANN _L_.) + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +What is your name, my dear? (_Gives her light_). + +ROSALINE. + +Rosaline--you may call me "Rosie" if you like. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +May I--why? (_Chuckles_). + +ROSALINE. + +Well, I was struck by your demeanour, and to tell your Royal Highness +the truth I have never done business with such a nice gentleman as you +before. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Ha, ha, ha! You are a sharp girl too! You are too good to go to India +to be a slave. You could do better in London. + +ROSALINE. + +(_Coquettishly_). Think so? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +You shall have a slave of your own--a slave who would love you. + +ROSALINE. + +It sounds very well. In the meantime what about the tenner? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Taking out his notebook_). You shall have it. There! Will you give me +a kiss for that, my Rosie, with your rosy-posy lips? + +(_Enter_ SARAH ANN _L. with champagne and glasses_). + +ROSALINE. + +Not before the child! Put it down, my girl, that'll do--Come on, +Heinrich of the Golden Square, come and pour out the fluid. + +(_Exit_ SARAH ANN _L_.) + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Lifting his glass_). Gezunteit! + +ROSALINE. + +Very likely. (_Aside_.) This is the best day's sitting I've ever done. +(_Aloud_.) Now this is what I call comfortable: a bottle of the boy, a +cigarette, and a cosy chat. I am very glad to have met you. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Putting his arm round her waist_). Really--is that so? + +ROSALINE. + +That is really so. But mind you, an hour ago, I should not have let you +do this. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I am so blessed we did not meet an hour ago. + +ROSALINE. + +It is true. An hour ago I was in love, but I have been treated very +badly. Just now my heart is at the rebound. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Leedle heart--let me gatch it! + +ROSALINE. + +Now you are making fun of me. I am not so simple as you think. Why, we +have only just met. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +But we can meet again. Besides, I am not going yet--I will stop and +talk to you. You shall tell me all about your love-trouble, and I will +gonsole you. Hark, what is that? + +ROSALINE. + +Somebody is coming upstairs. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Then I will step into the next room. It would not look vell that I +should be found trinking jampagne mid a pretty girl like you. When they +are gone I will come back. + +ROSALINE. + +Mr. Sylvester is in there. Here, if you don't want to be seen, get into +this cupboard. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Is it glean? Are you sure? + +ROSALINE. + +Clean as a new pin. Come on if you mean it, there's no time to waste. +Now or never? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Going into cupboard, gingerly_). I am certain it is not glean. + +(ROSALINE _shuts the door and turns as_ MRS. SYLVESTER _re-enters with_ +MRS. TEMPENNY). + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I told you so! Here she is as bold as brass. Now what do you say to +that? + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +If indeed my husband brought her here--if he has really assisted Mr. +Sylvester to deceive you-- + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +(_Scornfully_). "IF!" The creature does not deny it. Speak, girl. + +ROSALINE. + +Good afternoon. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +"Good afternoon?" It isn't a "good afternoon" I want you to say. Speak, +I tell you. + +ROSALINE. + +What shall we talk about? + +(_R.D. slowly opens a little_--_showing_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _and_ +CHARLES SYLVESTER _listening_). + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Aside to_ CHARLES SYLVESTER). Can you do it, do you think? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +I can do it. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Threaten to punch my head. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Yes, yes--and you had better be very violent too. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I twig. Wait a moment. + +(_They withdraw_). + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +(_Bursting into tears_). I will never forgive him as long as I live. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I should think not. When I see Charles--! + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Oh, and when I see Rembrandt--! + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +I _will_ see him, if I stop till midnight! + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +And _I'll_ see him, if I don't go home for a week! + +(_Enter_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _backwards, very disordered attire_--_his +entrance to suggest that he has been flung in_. CHARLES SYLVESTER +_follows_). + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +(_With affected fury_). If you did not bring this person here, sir, how +did she come? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +How? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Yes, sir--how? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +How do I know? + +MRS. SYLVESTER and MRS. TEMPENNY. + +What is all this? Oh, good gracious, the men have been fighting! + +ROSALINE (_aside_). + +_I_ know what it is--it's spoof. + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +(_Rushing to_ CHARLES SYLVESTER). Charles--Charles, compose yourself! + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +(_Rushing to_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY). Rembrandt, be calm. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Don't interfere, Adelaide. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Eugenia, this concerns us alone. Mr. Sylvester accuses me-- + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Yes, sir, I accuse you-- + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Throwing himself upon him_). Ah! + +(CHARLES SYLVESTER _throws him off_). + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +The best of wives-- + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Don't you dare to mention Mrs. Sylvester's name, sir! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I am talking about Mrs. Tempenny. I say you would lead the best of +wives to suppose that I--I--introduced this creature into your room. +(_Weeps_.) + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +And through you I may be falsely suspected by Adelaide. (_Weeps_.) + +(ROSALINE _whispers to_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _aside_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Aside to_ ROSALINE.) Great Jupiter! + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +All this is very fine--but who _is_ the man who brought her here if you +didn't? Answer that. + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Yes, if neither of _you_ did it, who did? Where _is_ the man? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Throwing open cupboard triumphantly and disclosing_ SCHERCL _covered +with paint_.) There! + +_Curtain_. + + + + +ACT III. + + +SCENE:--_Drawing-room at Tempenny's house._ + +TIME:--_Next day_. + +(SUSAN _discovered dusting. As Curtain goes up bell is heard off_.) + +SUSAN. + +Was that the bell again? It is not the sort of place I am used to, +this--where the master's afraid to see half the people who calls for +him. I only hopes my wages is right. They was precious particular about +_my_ references when they took me. Was I sober, honest and industrious, +and the Lord knows what? Wish I'd been equal particular about theirs. +The master ain't remarkably industrious, that I do know, for he often +don't paint nothing for a week at a time; and he frequently ain't +sober. Whether or not he is honest I shall find out at the end of my +month. (_Bell rings again_.) It _was_ the bell--I'd better go and see +who it is. + +(_Exit L_.) + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_heard off_). + +Mr. Tempenny in? Nonsense. Then I'll wait till he is. + +SUSAN (_expostulating_). + +But, sir, if you please, sir, really-- + +(_Enter_ HENRICH SCHERCL _followed by_ SUSAN.) + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I tell you I mean to see him. Now let us have the truth, girl, where is +he? + +SUSAN. + +Mr. Tempenny, sir? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +"Mr. Tempenny, sir?" Yes, ma'am, who else? Now, is he at home? + +SUSAN. + +No, sir, he isn't; he has gone out. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Not to his studio, for I've just been there. + +SUSAN. + +No, sir, he has gone to his dentist. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Then I'll just sit down here till he comes back. You may go in and tell +him so. + +SUSAN (_confused_). + +I hope you don't think I tell stories, sir? If Mr. Tempenny's out how +can I take him your message? + +(_Enter_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _R_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_briskly_). + +Now, you understand, Susan, I am out to everyone, and if a Mr. Schercl +calls--(_seeing_ HENRICH SCHERCL--_aside_). Good gracious! (_Aloud_.) +Beg him to wait till I return--I want to see him. + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_sardonically_). + +He _is_ waiting, sir. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_affecting surprise_). + +My dear friend, how glad I am--how very glad! (_Aside_.) This is the +very devil! (_Aloud_.) All right, Susan, you can go. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I want a leedle talk with you, my friend, without delay. + +SUSAN (_aside_). + +I hope the master'll enjoy himself, I'm sure! I did _my_ best for him +anyhow! + +(_Exit L_.) + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Mr. Tempenny, I am here to demand an exblanation, sir--an exblanation +of your strange behaviour of yesterday. And there is something else, +sir. I find you are not Mr. Tempenny at all, sir, you are an imposter. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +He did take me for Tempenny R.A., Addison was right! (_Aloud_.) An +imposter, Mr. Schercl? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Zertainly, sir. I took you for _the_ Mr. Tempenny--it was to _the_ Mr. +Tempenny, I brobosed to give my commission. You 'ave cheated me, you +fellow. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Now, now, take care! How was _I_ to know you took me for somebody else? +You came to me, and you made me an offer, and I accepted it. How could +I tell you thought I was another--I may say an _inferior_--Tempenny? I +say how could I know you were making a mistake? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +You knew it very well. I would not pay tree 'undred pounds to _you_! +What do you think I am--a fool? You 'ave obtained an order from me +under false pretences, do you hear. I say you 'ave robbed me. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Gently! gently! this is slander, old gentleman. It will cost you a good +deal _more_ than three hundred pounds if you aren't more guarded in +your remarks. + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_spluttering_). + +What? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +It will really. I shall owe it to myself to have you up for slander, +and it would be a very good advertisement for me too. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +What! what! what! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +A really excellent advertisement. And what a fool you'd look! Come, +come, you don't suppose your other Tempenny would have done you a work +of this size for three hundred, do you? Nor as good either? No, no! As +to the affair of yesterday, my wife was very much to blame--I am very +angry with her. You see she has such curious ideas, and when she found +you hidden in a cupboard with a paint-pot upset over you she thought it +strange. It _wasn't_ strange, of course--(_airily_) most natural thing +in the world, but she couldn't see it. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I felt very hurt to be so misunderstood. The only person who abbeared +to have any zympathy for me was your model--the Miss Rosaline. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Nice girl! charming girl, isn't she? Full of feeling, and--I say, +Schercl, you've made a conquest there, and no error. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Nonsense--go away mid your rubbidge! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Well, you have, you know! She made an awful scene after you left--said +you were the only man she ever saw look dignified with a pot of paint +upset over him. It is a pity in one way she _is_ so taken with you--I +feel for her. + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_flattered_). + +Vat rot you talk. Why should you feel for her? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Because you meant nothing by your attentions, Schercl, and the poor +girl doesn't know that. She is thinking about you--not to put too fine +a point upon it, she has fallen in love with you; and what do _you_ +care?--you laugh! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +No, I do not laff--I have a 'eart, have I not? I have the emotions and +sensibilities. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +You have, you have. But you do not realise how serious an impression +you have made. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Well, now about Susannah. You can do it as well as your namesake. Yes? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Ah! (_Enthusiastically_.) Wait till you see it! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +It still progresses? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Superbly. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +"Zuperbly!" But I do not see it, and to me you never abbear to paint. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +My dear friend, how can you doubt the success of the picture after you +have seen the model who is sitting for it? Fair--beautiful +form--exquisite arms--er-- + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Yes, yes, yes. So Miss Rosaline sits for your Susannah, eh? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Won't it be worth the three hundred--won't it be a dream. + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_eagerly_). + +I will come in one morning when you are at work! Yes, I am satisfied +with the gontract--I say no more. I will come in when she is sitting. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNV. + +No, you don't, my boy--oh no, you don't! The picture is what you get +for your money--the real, living, breathing woman ain't included. Not +much! Oh, no, Schercl, you old rogue--only the picture, sonny, no more. +Ha, ha, ha! + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_confused_). + +You misunderstood me quite--I had no idea but of my business. I do not +think of other things. Er--when will the picture be done, Tempenny, I +would like it soon? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Ha, ha, ha! Control yourself, Romeo, it's coming on. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +But according to our contract, it should be done in a week's time. If +you disappoint me, my friend, we shall fall out again. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +It strikes me you'll be precious lucky if you get it at all. The +infernal "contract" is the bane of my life. (_Aloud_.) All right, +Schercl, I will push on with it--I want the other two hundred, you +know. I shan't delay for my own sake. (_Enter_ CHARLES SYLVESTER _L_.) +Hallo, Charlie, how d'ye do. How are things at home? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I see another of yesterday's gulprits. However I have forgiven you. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +That's all right. (_Aside to_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY:) Rosaline's +downstairs--wanting to see you. Where is your wife? + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Out. (_To_ HENRICH SCHERCL.) That poor girl has followed you here. +Perhaps out of pity you ought to go down to her and say a kind word. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Miss Rosaline--she is here? Well, I never! Yes, I will go down and +speak to her. Where is she? + +(_Enter_ ROSALINE _L_.) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +Damn it, in the drawing-room! Look here, Schercl, you can't go till +_she_ does. If my wife comes in and finds her, she is your affair. +Don't leave her for Heaven's sake. + +ROSALINE. + +Good morning, gentlemen. Oh, Mr. Schercl! What a pleasure--how _do_ you +do? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I am very well, I thank you. And you?--I need not ask, you look most +beautiful. + +ROSALINE (_aside_). + +Dear man! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +(_Aside to_ CHARLES SYLVESTER.) Why is Tempenny so afraid his wife +should see her? You too--why are _you_ so afraid? Is she not of a good +character, this Miss Rosaline? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +(_Aside to_ HENRICH SCHERCL.) The girl is a paragon. They are jealous +of her, that's all. She is too good-looking for 'em. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Ha, ha, I see! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +I think we'll leave you, old man. Rosaline, Mr. Schercl, has something +to say to you--we shall be in the way. (_Aside to_ CHARLES SYLVESTER.) +Come on, old chap--I wouldn't risk being found in the room again with +the girl for a monkey. + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Yes, I have some business to discuss with Mr. Tempenny. If you will +excuse us-- + +(_Exit R._) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +(_Aside to_ HENRICH SCHERCL.) Take her away soon, there's a trump, or +there will be another row. I give you five minutes to get her out of +the house, Take her to breakfast--or--or--wherever you like, only +hurry! (_Exit L._) + +ROSALINE. + +How funny to be left alone like this, isn't it, I really called to know +when Mr. Tempenny proposed to continue the sittings. Do you know? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +No, I have no idea. But I am very glad you called--our conversation +yesterday was so inderrupted. + +ROSALINE. + +Yes, and we were getting on so nicely too, weren't we? Do you like my +new hat? I bought it out of the tenner you gave me. What do you think +of the bow--isn't it a duck? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +You do not sit to Mr. Tempenny in a hat, I think. + +ROSALINE. + +In a--? Oh no, not in--. The subject is classical. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Zo I understand (_he sighs_). + +ROSALINE (_sighing_). + +Ah! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Why do you sigh? You are not happy? + +ROSALINE. + +Did I sigh? I was thinking. + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_sighing_). + +Heigho! + +ROSALINE. + +But now it is _you_ who sighs. Aren't _you_ happy? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I alzo, I was thinking. + +ROSALINE. + +Of what? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +If I was to tell you, you would call me "sentimental old fool." + +ROSALINE. + +Not _old_. Never a _fool_. (_With sudden persuasiveness_.) _Tell_ me! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I was thinking then, of you. + +ROSALINE. + +Of little me? What of me. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I was wishing I was this Mr. Tempenny. + +ROSALINE. + +Why? (_Realising reason, and covering her face bashfully_.) Oh! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I mean you go to him every day, and your zociety is very fascinating. +That is all. + +ROSALINE. + +Of course, if you were Mr. Tempenny, you would see more of me. I should +have said you would see me "_oftener_." + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Heigho! + +ROSALINE. + +Heigho! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +The little that I _have_ seen has made a great impression on me, +Rosie--I shall never forget your face. + +ROSALINE. + +Really? + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_eagerly_). + +Yes, yes, really--it is true. + +ROSALINE. + +I am only a model, you know--a poor girl. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +You are a model of perfection. I zympathise with you. + +ROSALINE. + +You do not think the less of me because? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I assure you I think of you the more. Nevertheless I do not like the +idea. + +ROSALINE. + +And why? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +You must find it zo chilly in the winter. + +ROSALINE. + +I have got used to it. And besides I am fortunately of a warm +temperament. The wind is tempered to the shorn lamb. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I have not ever in my life seen a young lady who did make me feel for +her the strange attraction that I feel for you, Rosie. I am jealous of +this Mr. Tempenny. + +ROSALINE. + +Jealous! Do you mean you are in love with me? (_Aside_.) Oh, my +goodness, what a joke! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +And if I did, would you laugh at me? Supposing I was to say to +you--"Rosie, I would like to marry you," what would you answer? + +ROSALINE. + +Say it, and see. (_Aside_.) He's in earnest. I do believe. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I am a very rich man. I could give you lots of such hats, and +jewellery, and a big house. + +ROSALINE (_sentimentally_). + +I wish that you were poor. + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_in a fright_). + +No, no, for goodness sake, don't say that! Why? + +ROSALINE. + +You would not doubt my sincerity then. Now, you may think-- + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +No, no, I do believe you. Do you care for me a little, Rosie? + +ROSALINE (_archly_). + +Perhaps I do--a little. No, you are making game of me! (_Turns up_.) + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I am not--I am not! I love you desperately. Rosie, will you be my wife. +Say "yes" my darling. + +ROSALINE. + +Yes. Now you may kiss me. + +HENRICH SCHERCL (_kissing her_). + +This is paradise. And Rosie-- + +ROSALINE. + +Yes, Mr. Schercl. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Ah, no, you must say Heinrich. + +ROSALINE. + +Yes--Heinrich? + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +You will not sit to Mr. Tempenny any more? It is not fit, now that you +are to be Mrs. Schercl, that you should earn your living in such a way. + +ROSALINE (_doubtfully_). + +He will be very disappointed. He can't finish "Susannah" without me, +and if he don't finish it, he won't get the two hundred pounds. + +(_Enter_ MRS. SYLVESTER _and_ MRS. TEMPENNY. _L. dressed for walking_.) + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +Sir! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Ah, my friend Tempenny's wife. And Mrs. Sylvester--how do you do? + +MRS. SYLVESTER. + +This creature again? + +MRS. TEMPENNY. + +By what right, sir, do you bring this person again--and into my private +house. + +ROSALINE. + +Creature! Stand up for me, Heinrich. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I will, my treasure. (_To_ MRS. TEMPENNY.) I must trouble you, my good +madam, to speak in terms of more respect of a lady who will shortly be +my wife. + +MRS. TEMPENNY } + } (_aside_). +MRS. SYLVESTER } + +Schercl's wife! We must be very civil to her! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Let me introduce you: Mrs. Tempenny, Mrs. Sylvester--the future Mrs. +Heinrich Schercl. + +(_The two women gush up to her and shake her hands_.) + +(_Enter_ TEMPENNY _and_ SYLVESTER. _L._) + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +What's this I see, do I dream? + +CHARLES SYLVESTER. + +Are visions about? + +MRS. TEMPENNY (_aside to_ TEMPENNY). + +Why on earth didn't you tell me? They are engaged--I might have +offended him for life! + +MRS. SYLVESTER (_aside to_ SYLVESTER). + +How stupid you were! They are going to be married. Why, you might never +have got an order from him again! + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY. + +Dear, dear, dear, but my very good friend, if this lady is going to be +your wife, how about "Susannah?" + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +Forgive me, "Susannah" cannot be. I release you from the contract. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_). + +Tidings of joy! (_Aloud_.) But--but--this is very hard on me. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I release you, and I pay you just the same. + +REMBRANDT TFMPENNY. + +But she has had the money for a dozen sittings. + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I pay. + +(_Enter_ SUSAN.) + +SUSAN. + +If you please, sir, there's a hofficer of the law downstairs and he +wants Mr. Tempenny or forty pun', sixteen shillings and ninepence. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_waving his hand_). + +Schercl! + +HENRICH SCHERCL. + +I pay--and I gif you the balance by a jeque. + +REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_with mock despair_). + +Pay--you pay? But the work of my life unfinished.--What money can +compensate for that? + +(_Sinks forlornly into chair_.) + +_Curtain_. + + + + +THE END. + +PRINTING OFFICE OF THE PUBLISHER. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of If Only etc. +by Francis Clement Philips and Augustus Harris + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IF ONLY ETC. *** + +***** This file should be named 15219.txt or 15219.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/2/1/15219/ + +Produced by Martin Agren, Leonard Johnson and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/15219.zip b/15219.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..effc08f --- /dev/null +++ b/15219.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7ab379f --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #15219 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/15219) |