(He offers her his arm.Lady Patriciarises unsteadily, stares for a moment wildly before her, then sits down again.)
(He offers her his arm.Lady Patriciarises unsteadily, stares for a moment wildly before her, then sits down again.)
Lady Patricia.
I haven’t the strength—I haven’t the strength to go to him.... My knees tremble. Bring him here and leave us together....
Dean.
(Calling.) John.
(Johnre-enters.)
(Johnre-enters.)
John.
Yes sir?
Dean.
Ask Mr. Cosway to come here.
John.
Yes sir.
(Johngoes out.)
(Johngoes out.)
Mrs. O’Farrel.
Cheer up, Patricia!
Lady Patricia.
A little since and I was glad, but nowI never shall be glad or sad again....
A little since and I was glad, but nowI never shall be glad or sad again....
A little since and I was glad, but now
I never shall be glad or sad again....
Dean.
I—er—beg your pardon?
Lady Patricia.
Swinburne.... For the last time—for the last time, Aunt Eileen, I ask you to spare me.
Dean.
Perhaps, after all, we had better——
Mrs. O’Farrel.
No! Don’t be a fool, Dean! No, Patricia, you’ve got to go through with this. Believe me, the result will astonish you.
Lady Patricia.
What do you mean?
(Michaelenters from the house.)
(Michaelenters from the house.)
Dean.
Ah, good morning, Cosway.
Michael.
(Standing still at the back and looking atLadyPatriciawith startled eyes; whispers.) Patricia!... Have you told her?
Dean.
Hsh!
(Without greetingMrs. O’Farrelhe goes toPatricia, who stares straight before her.)
(Without greetingMrs. O’Farrelhe goes toPatricia, who stares straight before her.)
Michael.
Patricia, dearest.... I—I didn’t expect to find you here.
Lady Patricia.
Nor—I—you....
Dean.
Lady Patricia wants to speak to you privately. We—er—will leave you together.
Michael.
(In a whisper.) Privately?
Mrs. O’Farrel.
Good morning, Michael.
Michael.
Er—good morning.
Mrs. O’Farrel.
Delightful weather!
Michael.
Yes—er—ver—very nice.
Mrs. O’Farrel.
Come along, Dean. (Takes his arm and leads him to the house.)
Dean.
(As they go in.) Poor woman!
Mrs. O’Farrel.
Fiddlesticks!
(They go into the house.)
(They go into the house.)
Michael.
You—you look so white and strange, dearest. Are you ill ... Patricia?
Lady Patricia.
I am thirsty.... My throat is parched.... Please give me some milk....
Michael.
Milk?... Yes, dear. (Moves towards the house.) I’ll be back in a moment.
Lady Patricia.
No—no. It is on the table.
Michael.
The milk?... Oh, yes. I see.
(Pours her out inadvertently some of the hot milk for the coffee, and kneeling at her side, offers it to her.)
(Pours her out inadvertently some of the hot milk for the coffee, and kneeling at her side, offers it to her.)
Lady Patricia.
(Taking milk.) Don’t kneel to me—don’t kneel to me! (She takes a sip of milk and hands itback to him with a wry face.) It is boiled.... (He places it back on the table.)
Michael.
(Returning to her.) Patricia!
Lady Patricia.
No—no—no—no! Don’t look at me—don’t touch me—stand up—stand away from me....
Michael.
Patricia!
Lady Patricia.
Do as I say.
Michael.
(Getting to his feet with a terrified face.) They—they have told you—they——
Lady Patricia.
Hush!... don’t speak. Give me time.... I—I am a broken woman.
Michael.
No, no, no! I will cherish you—I will worship you—I will serve you on my knees——
Lady Patricia.
(Genuinely puzzled.) Michael!
Michael.
All the rest of my life—every hour—every moment—will be given to making up for my sin.
Lady Patricia.
(Amazed.)Yoursin?
Michael.
My crime then.
Lady Patricia.
Your——!
Michael.
(Pouring forth the words in a torrent of passionate entreaty.Lady Patriciastands staring at him first in bewilderment, then in amazement, then in dawning comprehension, finally in arctic realisation.) It was cruel of them—it was unfair to steal a march on me like this. For your sake—for mine—they should have left the confession to me. I would have withheld nothing. I would have told you all of my own free will. But they’ve spoken. And I see it—they’ve put the vilest construction on the few words they overheard last night. They have made you believe the worst of me. But it’s not true, Patricia. I swear it. It’s not true. (Lady Patriciamakes a gesture as though to speak.) No, no, letmespeak!... I have been faithful to the letter of our marriage vow—I have been unfaithful to the spirit. I am a man with a man’s passions, but for your sake I fought and kept my sinful love pure. Doubt all else—but believe that. You must believe it. You shall.... I am not trying to excuse myself. There is no excuse for what I have done. But O, Patricia, you know that to love and notto love isn’t in our control. And if I never loved you with all the passion I pretended ... I’m really deeply attached to you. It was for your sake I pretended. I felt it might kill you should you ever dream that your wonderful love was not returned in full ... that I loved ... elsewhere.
Lady Patricia.
(In a cold, level voice.) What are you talking about?
Michael.
(Floored.) Eh ...?
Lady Patricia.
You appear to be under the impression that the Dean and Aunt Eileen have told me something unpleasant about you.
Michael.
Well, haven’t they?
Lady Patricia.
They have told me nothing.
Michael.
Oh.... I—I thought they had....
Lady Patricia.
And now perhaps you will kindly explain the meaning of all this.
Michael.
I—I’ve told you everything.
Lady Patricia.
Who is the woman?
Michael.
Clare Lesley.
Lady Patricia.
Clare—Lesley!... I don’t believe it—it’s impossible. I don’t believe it!... (Michaelis silent.) Do you mean to tell me that you don’t adore me?
Michael.
I’m—I’m very fond of you.
Lady Patricia.
Fond of me? Then all your passion has been a sham, and you’ve been making love to that—that—oh, what is the horrible word?...
Michael.
(Deferentially.) Er—impossible ...?
Lady Patricia.
No—no ... with two “p’s.” ...
Michael.
Appalling ...?
Lady Patricia.
No.... Flapper.... Oh, how I’ve been fooled! And they know it—the Dean and Aunt Eileen. You’ve made me a figure of fun—something to point and jeer at.... Oh, I could kill myself and—you!
Michael.
I am not worthy to live.
Lady Patricia.
And to think of all I have gone through for your sake—how I’ve forced myself to take your kisses and return them—how for months and months I fought and struggled to keep down the one great passion of my life. All for your sake—all because I thought you loved me! Oh, the bitter irony of it!
Michael.
What do you mean by this?
Lady Patricia.
But now the one obstacle to my love has been removed. I will go to him now—I will put my arms around him. He shall love me and I will love him.
Michael.
What are you saying, Patricia? Are you mad? Of whom are you speaking?
Lady Patricia.
Bill. Bill O’Farrel—Bill, whom I love and who loves me.
Michael.
Bill O’Farrel!
Lady Patricia.
For two years he has been the passion of mysoul. He will now become my heart’s delight. Yes, Michael, you have taken my wonderful and unrequited love for you too much for granted. You have played the infatuated husband so artistically that I believed in it to the extent of playing the infatuated wife in return.
Michael.
You!
Lady Patricia.
Yes, I! I remained with you—I pretended to be absorbed in you, because I thought it would kill you if you realised that I wanted something more than you.
Michael.
Bill O’Farrel....
Lady Patricia.
Yes—Bill O’Farrel!
Michael.
Does any one know of this?
Lady Patricia.
They all know.
Michael.
That you’ve tricked and fooled me and made a laughing-stock of me? Oh——
Lady Patricia.
What have you done with me?
Michael.
When did they find it out?
Lady Patricia.
They overheard us last night.
Michael.
You and O’Farrel?
Lady Patricia.
Yes.
Michael.
In the tree—when they overheard us?
Lady Patricia.
You, too! Ah, I see it all now—I see it all. She said I must confess to you—that aunt—she said the result would astonish me. And now—now she’s hugging herself with vindictive joy at having humiliated me to the dust. But she has not finished with me yet. No! I can still strike back—and strike I will! You have no love for me. Very well. I know where to go for love.
Michael.
What do you mean?
Lady Patricia.
Bill loves me—he loves me—he worships me. I shall go to him—I shall hold him to me—I shall love him.
Michael.
I forbid it.
Lady Patricia.
Who are you to forbid me?
Michael.
I am your husband.
Lady Patricia.
You! You are no husband of mine! He is my husband because he loves me!
Michael.
If you go to him, I will return to Clare.
Lady Patricia.
To Clare!
Michael.
To the girl who loves me with all the strength of her young heart and soul.
Lady Patricia.
You shall never do that!
Michael.
And who’s to prevent me?
Lady Patricia.
I.
Michael.
You—the woman who has tricked me—fooled me, and now threatens to leave me for another!
Lady Patricia.
Threatens! I don’t threaten. I mean to do it.
Michael.
Very well, then. Leavemeto go my own way.
Lady Patricia.
Go to her. Go to her. And I will go to him.
(She turns and moves towards the house. He takes a step or two to the left, then stops with an exclamation.)
(She turns and moves towards the house. He takes a step or two to the left, then stops with an exclamation.)
Michael.
Clare!...
Lady Patricia.
(She turns, looks to the left, and starts with a faint cry.) Bill!
(They both stand irresolute and embarrassed.BillandClareenter from the left, also irresolute and embarrassed.)
(They both stand irresolute and embarrassed.BillandClareenter from the left, also irresolute and embarrassed.)
Bill.
Er—good morning, Cousin Patricia.
Lady Patricia.
Good morning, Bill.
Clare.
Good morning, Mr. Cosway.
Michael.
Good morning, Clare.
Bill.
(A pause. He says in a whisper toClare:) I say—youtell them.
Clare.
(In a whisper.) No—you.
Bill.
Awfully—er—jolly morning, Cousin Patricia, isn’t it.
Lady Patricia.
Yes ... very ... jolly.
Clare.
I’ve been for—for a walk, Mr. Cosway.
Michael.
Oh, yes—it’s nice weather for walking. Are you tired?
Clare.
Oh, no, thank you. (ToBillin a whisper:) Tell them....
Bill.
I say ... I say, Michael.
Michael.
Sir?
Bill.
You’ll be glad—I mean you’ll be awfully surprised to hear that I—that Clare and I—that’s to say, that we’re—Clare and I, you know——
Clare.
(In a whisper.) Oh, get it out!
Bill.
Well, you see—we’re engaged.
Lady Patricia and Michael.
Engaged!
Bill.
Yes. We hadn’t meant to be—but ... we are.
Clare.
We tried awfully hard to hold out for—for the sake of others ... but——
(She goes impulsively up toMichael, puts her hand on his arm and speaks in a low voice.)
(She goes impulsively up toMichael, puts her hand on his arm and speaks in a low voice.)
I’m awfully sorry, Mike. I’m a beast, I know. But I can’t help it....
Michael.
(Rigid and staring before him.) How long have you loved him?
Clare.
Oh ... ages ... I ought to have told you, but——
Michael.
I don’t wish to hear another word.
(Bill has gone up toLady Patricia, who stands motionless with a tragic face, staring before her. His appearance is that of a naughty schoolboy, hat in hand and shifting from one foot to the other.)
(Bill has gone up toLady Patricia, who stands motionless with a tragic face, staring before her. His appearance is that of a naughty schoolboy, hat in hand and shifting from one foot to the other.)
Bill.
(ToLady Patricia.) I—I—I—I’m sorry—I’ve behaved rottenly—but I—I—I’m awfully fond of you.... Of course I ought—but you see—I—that’s to say—but she—she’s—you know what I mean—I’m——
Lady Patricia.
Enough....
(Billgoes toClare, who gives him her hand.)
(Billgoes toClare, who gives him her hand.)
Clare.
Now for the pater....
Bill.
Help!...
(They go into the house.MichaelandLady Patriciastand motionless, with clenched hands, staring before them. A long pause. The gateway bell rings. A pause.Johnenters from the house and opens the wicket door.Baldwinenters.)
(They go into the house.MichaelandLady Patriciastand motionless, with clenched hands, staring before them. A long pause. The gateway bell rings. A pause.Johnenters from the house and opens the wicket door.Baldwinenters.)
Baldwin.
’Scuse me, Mr. John, but I think as I lef’ my ’ymn-book and prayer-book on the lawn.
John.
I haven’t seen ’em.
Baldwin.
That’s them yonder. (Distant sound of churchbells.) Lord, if that ain’t the first bell! (Johngoes out.) Beg pardon, m’lady. Beg pardon, sir. I jest want my prayer-book an’ ’ymn-book. (Picks them up.) Thank ’ee, m’lady. They was given me by Mrs. Baldwin as was me first wife. I thought as ’ow I’d lef’ them on ’er grave jest now when I went to ’ave a look at it. But——
Michael.
That will do, Baldwin.
Baldwin.
Thank ’ee, sir.
(He is just about to go out when the house door opens and the ringing laughter ofBillandClarebrings him to a standstill. They enter, followed by the voice ofMrs. O’Farrel: “Be off—both of you!” and her laugh.)
(He is just about to go out when the house door opens and the ringing laughter ofBillandClarebrings him to a standstill. They enter, followed by the voice ofMrs. O’Farrel: “Be off—both of you!” and her laugh.)
Bill.
I say, darling, weren’t they corking?
Clare.
(Pointing to the motionlessMichaelandLady Patriciaand putting a finger to her lips.) S-sh!...
Bill.
Oh....
(Very sedately they pass up the path to the gateway, but just as they go outBillpasses his arm throughClare’sandsqueezes it. They disappear.Mrs. O’Farreland theDeanenter from the house, followed later byJohnandRobert.)
(Very sedately they pass up the path to the gateway, but just as they go outBillpasses his arm throughClare’sandsqueezes it. They disappear.Mrs. O’Farreland theDeanenter from the house, followed later byJohnandRobert.)
Dean.
(Jovially.) So much for tact and diplomacy!
Mrs. O’Farrel.
And common-sense!
Dean.
(Lowering his voice and indicating the rigidMichaelandLady Patricia.) And these two?
Mrs. O’Farrel.
Best leave them alone.
Dean.
No, no!...
(Goes up toMichaelandLady Patricia, whileMrs. O’Farrelgoes out;John, standing near the door, waits for theDean.)
(Goes up toMichaelandLady Patricia, whileMrs. O’Farrelgoes out;John, standing near the door, waits for theDean.)
Are you not going to join us in church? (A pause.) My dear friends, on such a morning as this we should all sing theTe Deum, and forget everything but the joy of being alive....
(He looks smilingly from one to the other, then goes out, followed byJohn.Robertwaits at the door. A pause.Baldwinstands hesitating.Lady Patriciaturns toMichael.)
(He looks smilingly from one to the other, then goes out, followed byJohn.Robertwaits at the door. A pause.Baldwinstands hesitating.Lady Patriciaturns toMichael.)
Lady Patricia.
Michael!...
Michael.
Yes.
Lady Patricia.
Under the great rose window in the south transept our pew is now full of purple and amber lights and shafts of chrysoprase. Shall we not sit there again together?
Michael.
I don’t see what else there is to do.... Patricia!
Lady Patricia.
Michael!... Repentance is very exquisite, and how beautiful is forgiveness. Come....
(Followed at a respectful distance byBaldwin, they go out together in silence side by side, and the Curtain falls as they pass under the gateway.)
(Followed at a respectful distance byBaldwin, they go out together in silence side by side, and the Curtain falls as they pass under the gateway.)
The End.
The Gresham Press,UNWIN BROTHERS, LIMITED,WOKING AND LONDON