(He takes her hand, which she allows for a moment to rest in his. SuddenlyMollentrave'svoice is heard outside.Sir Josephfalls back.The door opens andMollentrave enters,perking and smiling, followed byMargaret.)
(He takes her hand, which she allows for a moment to rest in his. SuddenlyMollentrave'svoice is heard outside.Sir Josephfalls back.The door opens andMollentrave enters,perking and smiling, followed byMargaret.)
Sir J.(awayR.aghast) Margaret!
Mollen.(very volublyR. C.) My dear fellow, Miss Messilent has had the charming idea to comehere and fetch you. Miss Messilent, let me introduce you to my daughter, Lady Claude Derenham. An admirer of your fiancé—like us all!
Sir J.(R.blankly) Oh!
Marg.(C.shyly) Peters told me where you had gone—I thought—
Mollen.(R. C.beaming) Sweet of you! Balsted, I've told the young lady how immensely pleased we all are! And how lucky we think you, at your time of life, to have secured so lovely a bride!
Sir J.(clearing his throat) I—er—I—
Mollen.My dear Balsted, I am sure I am not speaking my opinion alone when I say that never did—November—find so delicious a May! When is the wedding to be?
Sir J.(awayR.savagely, beneath his breath) Wedding, wedding—
Marg.(sitting on stoolC.Lady C.sitsL.ofC.table—coyly) He made me promise it would be soon—
Mollen.(chuckling) Ah, he did, did he? At our age, you see, a man's in a hurry—eh, Balsted? Well, you're all coming with us to Swanage to-morrow—
Marg.(surprised) Swanage?
Mollen.Yes—we've arranged with Sir Joseph. He didn't tell you? Very remiss, of course—very remiss. He's a trifle dictatorial, I'm afraid—but you mustn't mind that—you mustn't mind that!
Sir J.(trying in vain to get hold ofMollentrave) Mollentrave, I want—
(Sir J.goes upR.toL.ofLady C.,who rises)
Mollen.(toMargaret) When you marry a distinguished—andelderlyman, my dear, you must of course put up with a few little drawbacks. May must be content with November's—ivy! Eh?
Marg.(rising and awayR.to sofa and sitting) Oh, but he's not so very elderly—
Mollen.(following her toR.) Oh no, I married a much older last week! I'll show you his photograph. (shows photograph)
(He draws close toMargaretand whispers merrily to her,Sir Josephgoes toLady Claude.)
Sir J.(L.) He has done it! I can't retreat now! It's impossible!
Lady C.(L. C.) No—I'm afraid.
Sir J.(Both go upL. C.) (wildly) Oh, that father of yours! Well, there it is—we must start—disillusioning! Senile!—ha! and the rest! There's nothing else for it! You'll help me?
Lady C.Of course I'll do what I can!
Marg.(rising) Joseph!
(Sir J.crosses toR.)
Marg.(UpR. C.holdingSir J.'sarm, he is on herL.She turns toLady Claude) Good-bye, Lady Claude, I need (upR. C.) scarcely say my husband's friends will be mine.
(Mollen.goes upR.to open double doors.)
Sir J.(upR. C.groaning) Husband!
Marg.Good-bye, Mr. Mollentrave—(sweetly) Come, Joseph!
Sir J.Oh!!!
(TheyExit R.)
(She passes her arm beamingly through his and walks him off.Mollentraveturns smiling toLady Claudeand rubs his hands.)
(She passes her arm beamingly through his and walks him off.Mollentraveturns smiling toLady Claudeand rubs his hands.)
CURTAIN.