French's International Copyrighted (in Engfland, her Colonies, and the United States) Edition of the Works of the Best Authors. I tJ^rnxS No. 118 | t t * 1 Z^- * i ■ : THE I i TWO MR. WETHERBYS I * a flDt&5le=(r[ass ComeftB in Ubree Hcts * ■* New York SAMUEL FRENCH PUBLISHER i I <* BY ^ I ST. JOHN HANKIN | ^ "Life is a comedy to those who think, a tragedy ^ to those who feel." ij_ ^ HORACK WaLPOLE. ^ 1^ ^ 1 — ••• — ^ !^ Copyright, 1907, by Samuel French ^ I ^*^ t I * "•p CAUTION : — Professionals and AmateuoB are hereby notified ^ <^ that this play is fully copyrighted under the existing laws of <^ >€^ the United States Government, and nobody is allowed to <^ <^ do this play without first having obtained written ^ 4i> permission of Samuel French, 24 West 22d St., ^ ••til New York City, U. S, A. (^ <; PRICE 25 CENTS t London ^ SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. $ 26 Southampton St. ^ STRAND * <^ 24 WEST 22 D STREET FRENCH'S STANDARD DRAMA. Price 15 Cents each.— Bound Volumei $1.25. VOL. I. 1 Ion S FmIo 1 Tha L«dy ot Lvont 4 RlchaKcu t Tb« Wife • Tb« Hou«7a.MD 7 The School lot Scandal I Money VOL. IL t The Stranger 10 Grandfather Whitehead 11 Richard III I» LK>Te'i Sacrifice IS The Gametter 14 A Cure for the Heartach n The Hunchback It Don Ceetar de Baian VOL. III. 17 The Poor Gentleman 18 Hamlet 1» Cbarlei II «0 Venice Preierred 81 Piiarro 91 The Love Cfaaie 98 Othello S4 Lend me Five Shllllnn VOL. IV. n Vlrglnlut S( KJni; of the Commoni 57 London Anurance 88 The Rent Day S» Two Gentlemen of Verona 80 The Jealom Wife 81 The Rivali 53 Perfection VOL. V. [Debti «8 A New Way to Pay Old 54 Look Before Yon Leap 55 King John 8S Nervoui Mas «7 Damon and Pythiae 58 Clandeitiae Marriage «» WilHaa Tell 40 Day after the Wadding VOL. VL 41 Speed the Plough 41 Romeo and Juliet 48 Fendal Timet 44 Charlet the Twelfth 46 The Bride 48 The Folliei of a Night 47 Iron Cheit [Fair Lady 48 Faint Heart Never Won VOL. VIL 4f Road to Ruin 10 Macbeth (1 Temper (8 Evadne 13 Bertram (4 The Duenna »6 Much Ado About Nothing H Th« Critic VOL. VIIL S7 The ApoiUte 68 Twelfth Night 69 Brutal •0 Slmpton A Co f 1 Merchant of Venice •8 Old Headi& Voung Hearts •3 MoCntalneer* [riage 64 Three Weeki after Mar- VOL. LX. <6 Lore (6 Ai You Like It «7 The Elder Brother 68 Werner 49 Gldppui IJ Town and Country f 1 King Lear 79 Blue Devlli VOL. X. 78 Henry VIII 74 Married and Single 75 Henrv IV 76 Paul I'ry 77 Guy Mannering 78 SweethearU and Wives 79 Serioui Family •0 She Stoops to Conquer VOL. XL 81 Julius Csetar 91 Vicar of Wakefield 83 Leap Year 84 The Catspaw «6 The Passing Cloud 86 Drunkard 87 Rob Roy 88 George Barnwell VOL. XII. 81 Iiigomar 90 Sketches in India 9 1 Two Friends 9^ Jane Shore 93 Corsicau Brothers 94 Mind your own Business 96 Writing on the Wall 96 Heir at Law VOL. XIII. 97 Soldier's Daughter 9>t Douglas 99 Marco Spada 100 Natuie's Nobleman 101 Sardanapalus lO'i Civiliration 103 The Robbers 104 Katharine and PetruchIo VOL. XIV. 105 Game of Love 106 Midsummer Night's 107 Ernestine [Dream 108 Rag Picker of Paris 109 Flying Dutchman 110 Hypocrite 1 1 1 Therese 119 La Tour de Nesle VOL. XV. 113 Ireland At It Is 114 .Sea of Ice 116 Seven Clerks 116 Game of Life 117 Forty Thieves 118 Bryan Boroihme 1 19 Romance and Reality 120 Ugolino VOL. XVL 191 The Tempest 122 The Pilot 123 Carpenter of Rouen ■ -4 King's Rival 26 Little Treasure 126 Dorabey and Son 2" Parents' and Guardians 118 Jewess VOL. XVIL 129 Camille VM Married Life 131 Wen look of Wenlock 132 Rose of Ettrickvale 133 David Copperfield 134 Aline, or the Rose of 35 Pauline [Killarney 136 Jane Eyre VOL. XVIII. 37 Night and Morning 138 ^thiop 139 Three Guardsmen 140 Tom Cringle 141 Henriette, the Forsaken 142 Eustache Baudin 143 Ernest Maltravers 144 Bold Dragoons VOL. XIX. 145 Dred, or the Dismal [Swamp 146 Last Days of Pompeii 147 Esmerald* 148 Peter WilWins 149 Ben the Boitswaln 150 Jonathan Bradford »•« 51 Retribution 162 Mineral! VOL. XX. •• 53 French Spy 154 Wept of Wish-ton Wish 155 Evil Genius 156 Ben Bolt 157 Sailor of France 158 Red Mask 159 Life of an Actrsit 160 Wedding Day VOL. XXI. Ill All's Fair in Lor* 16* Hofer 163 Self 164 Cinderella 16* Phantom 166 Franklin [Moscow 1*7 The Gunmaker of itSThe Love of a Prince VOL. XXII. 169 Son of the Night 170 Rorv O'More 171 Golden Eagle 172 Rieuxi 173 Broke., Sword 174 Kip Van Winkle 175 Isabelle 176 Heart of Mid Lothian VOL. XXIIL 77 Actress of Padua 178 Floating Beacon 179 Bride ofLammermoor 180 Cataract of the Gangei 181 Robber of the Rhine 2 School ot Reform 3 Wandering Boys 184 Mazeppa VOL. XXIV. 185 Young New York 186 The Victims Romance after Marriage 188 Brigand 189 Poor of New York 19v Ambrose Gwinett 191 Raymond and Agnes 192 Gambler's Fate VOi.. XXV. 193 Father and Son 194 Maseaniello 195 Sixteen String Jack 196 Youthful Queen 197 Skeleton Witness 198 Innkeeper of Abbeville 199 Miller and his Men 200 Aladdin VOL. XXVI. 201 Adrienne the Actress 208 Undine 203 Jesse Brown 204 Asmodeus 205 Mormons 206 Blanche of Brandywlne 207 Viola 208 Deseret Deserted VOL XXVII. 209 Americans in Paris 210 Victorine 211 Wizard of the Wave 212 Castle Spectre 213 Horse-shoe Robinson 214 Armand, Mrs. Mowatt 215 Fashion, Mrs. Mowatt 216 Glance at New York VOL. XXVIII. 217 Inconstant 218 Uncle Tom's Cabin 219 Guide to the Stage 220 Veteran 221 Miller of New Jersey 222 Dark Hour before Dawn 223 Midsum'rNight'sDream [L.iura Keene's Edition 224 Art and Artifice VOL. XXIX. J25 Poor Young Man 226 Ossawattomie Brown 227 Pope of Rome 228 Oliver Twist 2'.'*PauTrette 2.3(jMan in the Iron Mask 23j Knight of Arva 96* Moll Pitcher VOL. XXX. 233 Black Eyed Susan 2.S4 Satan in Paris 235 Rosina Meadows [ess 2.36 West End, or Irish Heir- 237 Six Degrees of Crime 238 The Lady and the Devil 239 Avenger; or Moor of Sicl- 240 Masks and Faces [ly {French's Standard Drama Continued on jd page of Cover.) VOL. XXXI. 241 Merry Wives of Windsor 242 Mary's Birthday 243 Shandy Maguire 244 Wild 6at8 245 Michael Erie 246 Idiot Witness 247 Willow Copse 248 People's Lawyer VOL. XXXII. 249 The Boy Martyrs 250 Lucretia Borgia 251 Surgeon of Paris 252 Patrician's Daughter 253 Shoemaker of Toulouse 254 Momentous Question 255 Love and Loyalty 266 Robber's Wife VOL. XXXIIL 257 Dumb Girl of Genoa Wreck Ashore 259 Clari Rural Felicity 261 Wallace 262 Madetaine 263 The Fireman 264 Grist to the Mill VOL. XXXIV. 265 Two Loves and a Life 266 Annie Blake 267 Steward 268 Captain Kvd 269 Nick of the Woodi 270 Marble Heart 271 Second Love 272 Dream at Sea VuL. XXXV, 273 Breach of Promise 274 Review 275 Lady of the Lake 276 Still Water Runs Deep 277 The Scholar 278 Helping Hands 279 Faust and Marguerite 280 Last Man VOL. XXXVf. 281 Belle's StraUgem 282 Old and Young 283 Raffaella 284 Ruth Oakley 285 British Slfva 266 A Life's Ransom 287 Giralda 28!S Time Tries All VOL. XXXVIL 289 Ella Rosenburg 290 Warlock of the Glea 291 Zelina Beatrice 293 Neighbor Jackwood 294 Wonder 295 Robert Emmet 296 Green Bushes VOL. XXXVIIL 297 Flowers of the Forest 298 A Bachelor of Arts 299 The Midnight Banquet 300 Husband of in Hour Li>ve's Labor Lost ;i02 r.aia.l Queen .303 Caprice 304 Cradle of Liberty VOL. XXXIX. 305 The Lost Ship 306 Country Squire 307 Fraud and its Victims Wb Putnam soy King and Deserter 310 La Flammina 1 A Hard Struggle 312 Gwiniiette Vaughan VOL. XL. 313 The Love Knot [Judge ^14 Lavater, or Not a Bad 315 The Noble Heart 316 Coriolanus 317 The Winter's Tale 318 Eveleen Wilson S19 Ivanhoe 320 Jonathan In Englaul SAMUEL FRENCH. a6 West aad Street, New York City. New and Explicit Descriptive Catalojrue Wailed Free on Request. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS H /llMDMe==(Ilas5 ComeD^ In XTbree Hcts BY ST. JOHN ^lANKIN "Life is a comedy to those who think, a tragedy to those who £e^." Horace Walpolb. Copyright, 1907, by Samuel French Caution: — Professionals and Amateurs are hereby notified that this play is fully copyrighted under the existing laws of the United States Government, and nobody is allowed to do this play without first having obtained written permission of Samuel French, 24 West 22d St., New York City, U.S.A. New York - SAMUEL FRENCH publisher 24 WEST 22U STREET London SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 26 Southampton Street, STRAND OCT 84 190s* jj Copynghf Sntjy SSi> XXc, No. COPY a THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. Scenes. Act I. The Drawing-room at the James Wetherby's. Act II. The Dining-room at the James Wetherby's. Act III. Same as Act I. The curtain is dropped for a moment half-way through Act II to represent the lapse of three hours. Cbaracters. Richard Wetherby. . Tlie bad Mr. Wetherby, living in a bachelor fiat in London. Constantia Margaret's sister, married to Rich- ard but separated from him. James Wetherby The good Mr. Wetherby, living en famille at Norwood. Margaret His wife. Aunt Clara Aunt to Margaret and Constantia, a pious old lady of 65. Robert Carne Her nephew, a solemn prig with no digestion. Maid At the James Wetherbys'. Scene :— Mr. James WetharlJy's house at Norwood. The action of the play takes sonie 20 hours, from the afternoon of one day to the forenoon of the next. 2 Cast of the Original production before the Stage Society at the Imperial Theatre, London, on March 15, 1903. Richard Wetherby. . Mr. Nye Chart. CONSTANTIA Miss Nahcy Price. James Wetherby Mr. A. E. George. Margaret Miss Ellen O'Malley. A UNT Clara Miss Henrietta Gowen. Robert Garne , Mr. Dennis Eadie. (The play produced by Mr. Charles Rock.) properties* ACT I. Knitting. "] Ball of wool. { ■c^ A i. ^1 Work basket, f ^^^ ^^"* ^^ara. Walking-stick. J Newspaper. Tea cloth. Tea things for four. Plate of thin bread and butter. Plate of biscuits. Cake. Cheque book in drawer of writing-table. Pen, ink and blotter on writing-table. Printed appeal for a charity (Robert.) Largish lacquered Japanese tray. Conspicuous photograph of James in frame. Small brass clock on mantelpiece. Silver framed calendar on writing-table. A few other knick-knacks which Margaret will collect J souvenirs in Act III. 3 PROPERTIES. ACT II. Table cloth. Dinner things for three. Dessert things for three. Spiire dinner things on sideboard. Coffee cups for three ;. sugar, milk. Small tray for serving coffee. Large tray for clearing table. Tray for whisky and soda. Crumb scoop and salver. Tantalus or decanter for whisky. Syphon. Three or four tumblers. Cigar case containing cigars and cigarettes (Dick), " Empire " programme. Smoking jacket (for James). ACT in. Japanese tea-tray. Photograph of James in frame. Small brass clock Silver framed calendar. Knick-knacks for Margaret to collect. ) (D Dl THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. ACT I. Scene.— The James Wetherbys^ drawing-room at Norwood. A door r. leads to Hall. French windows at hack, closed, give on to surhurlan garden. Fireplace l., writing-tahle with chair down L. facing audience. Circular settee to seat three, one with hack to audience, the other two facing l. c. and R. c, occupies centre of stage. General furnishing of room philistine hut not shahhy. A profusion of plush photo- graph frames on mantelpiece and on upright piano which stands against wall n. One of the most conspicuous frames on mantelpiece contains photograph of James Wetherby. {When Curtain rises Aunt Clara, an old lady of sixty-five, is discovered in armchair making a crochet shawl. James is sitting near her on set- tee c. reading a newspaper aloud) James, {in hored voice) "It is, however, abundantly clear that the Government possesses Note. The Stage Directions throughout this play are given from the standpoint of the audience, R. meaning the Audience's Right, L. tlie Audience's Left. 5 6 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. the confidence of the country and that unless some unforeseen diJQficulty arises, the present adminis- tration will remain in power at least until the autumn — " {yawns slightly) I beg your par- don, Aunt Clara. " Meantime it is for the Prime Minister and his colleagues to take measures to prevent any diminution in that confidence, and to see to it that when the Next General Election takes place, the Conservative party are not merely returned to Power, but returned with an even larger majority. Only in this way can the ene- mies of this country be convinced that her destiny is in strong and capable hands, and be restrained from embarking in enterprises hurtful to her interests or damaging to her prestige." (yawns) " To hand over the task of forming a Government to the disunited factions of the Opposition would be " Aunt Clara, {in hard clear tone) Will you kindly pick up my wool, James? It has rolled under the settee. James. Certainly, Aunt Clara, {grovels for it, and after disentangling it from various chair legs, etc., returns with it triumphant, 'but flushed with exertion) Here it is. {Places it on table beside her) {She replaces it on her lap tvhere it is obvious that it will once more fall in a minute or two) Now where was I ? Ah, here we are. {Resuming bored voice) " It is however abundantly clear that the Government possesses the confidence of the country — THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 7 (Aunt Clara^s hall again seeks the floor) and that unless some unforeseen difficulty arises the present administration will remain in power, etc." {reads on as before) Aunt Clara, {feeling for wool) There! It's gone again ! James. {Jbored) Where is it now, Aunt? Aunt Clara. On the floor. I had it on my lap a moment ago. It must have rolled under that chair. Will you give it me, please? (James puts down paper with the least possible suggestion of irritation and recommences grov- elling. Finally again emerges successful and places it on table) {replacing it on lap) Thank you, James. James, {eyeing the manoeuvre with strong dis- favor) Wouldn't it be better to leave it on the table? Then it wouldn't be so likely to slip off. Aunt Clara, {placidly) No, I'm used to hav- ing it on my lap. James. Very well, Aunt. Shall I go on? {picks up paper again) " It is however abun- dantly clear that the Government possesses the confidence of the country and that unless some unforeseen difficulty arises — etc." {yaivns again) Aunt Clara. {in her hard clear tones) Haven't you read that part before?' James. It does sound rather familiar. Aunt Clara, {severely) I'm afraid you're not reading with much attention, James. James. I suppose not, I'm rather tired. {smothers another yawn) 8 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. Aunt Clara, (offended) Perhaps we had bet- ter put aside our reading for this afternoon, then. James, (putting doicn paper with sigh of re- lief and rising) Very well, Aunt, (strolls to- wards garden c. up r. to c.) Aunt Clara, (quite unconscious of this man- amvre) We might talk a little instead. After luncheon when I'm not being read to, I like to con- verse for a few minutes. It prevents me from going to sleep. James, (to her, turning hack from garden) You're sure you wouldn't rather go to sleep? Aunt Clara. No, James. I do not approve of this modern habit of sleeping during the day. (James sighs dismally and goes to fire where he stands with hack to mantelpiece looking pro- foundly hored) (putting down crochet, etc., on tahle) Has Con- stantia come yet? James. No, she won't be here much before tea, I expect. Aunt Clara. And Richard? James. Dick comes about the same time. Aunt Clara, (reproachfully) I cannot think how you could have asked Richard to stay here! After the way he treated Constantia ! James, (casually) Oh, Dick's not a bad fel- low. He didn't get on with Constantia, of course, but he's got his good points all the same. Aunt Clara, (severely) I have never been able to find them. His treatment of your sister-in-law was shameful. I am sure with your high princi- ples you would be the last to defend it. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 9 James, {hastily) Of course, of course. Still one mustn't judge too harshly. Aunt Clara. I hope I do not, James. Indeed it would be hard to do so in this case. James, (hored) He's only coming for one night. And after all he is my brother. Aunt Clara. T/ta* scarcely seems to me to be in his favour. You are too forgiving, James. Per- sonally I don't approve of this modern habit of forgiving people. It encourages them. And to invite him here! What will Constantia think? James. I did it partly to oblige Constantia. When the separation between her and my brother was decided on, it was arranged that the two parties should meet once a year. It was thought that this might open the way to a reconciliation later. When the date for the meeting approached, the question immediately arose where should it take place? Constantia wished it to be at her house here in Norwood. Dick declined this, and suggested his flat in Maddox Street. Each of them, in fact, wanted it to take place on his own ground. To put an end to all discussion I sug- gested that it should be here. And here it is to be. (smothers another yawn) Aunt Clara. Ah, James, you are always thoughtful for others! If only your brother had been like you ! But he has no heart. James. Dick's all right. He's been a little wild, but he'll settle down, {looks at watch) I suppose he'll be here about half-past four. (crosses r. to c.) Aunt Clara. Robert will arrive rather earlier. 10 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. James, {endeavouring to conceal Ms disgust) Robert! Why, he was here to luncheon. Aunt Clara. Yes, but he is coming back to tea. In Constantia's interest he thought as many of her relatives as possible should be present during the interview — to support her. James, (grimly) I don't think Rol)ert would be much support. Aunt Clara. You never can tell. A man of his high principles ! James, [impatiently) Oh, his principles are all right. Aunt Clara. I am sure you do not under- value such things. James, (hastily) My dear Aunt Clara, cer- tainly not. Still Robert is not exactly a strong man, is he? — except in principles, I mean. (crosses to l. c. ahove tahlc) Aunt Clara. My poor nephew certainly enjoys wretched health. James. I wonder whether he has enough to do? (at lack of tal)le l. c.) Aunt Clara. (complacently) Robert has plenty of occupation. He comes to see me every day! James. Yes, he's generally here, I notice. Aunt Clara. You are so hospitable. And Robert is devoted to his relations. That shows such a nice nature. James, (hored) No doubt. Aunt Clara, (enthnsiastically) And then he does so much good. Always busy about collect- ing subscriptions for some deserving object. I THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 11 call that such a useful life. His means, poor fel- low, don't allow of his contributing himself, but he collects quite a large sum from others. James, (grimly) Yes, I've noticed that! Aunt Clara. I am sure you are grateful to him. He is always pointing out to you institutions where money may be safely bestowed. Ill health, which makes most people selfish, has not been able to spoil my nephew. James. Poor Robert, he is certainly a martyr to indisposition, (struck hy an idea, r. c. al)OVG sofa) Do you think, Aunt Clara, that the air of Norwood really agrees with him? Aunt Clara. I have not noticed that his health grows any worse. James, (eagerly) Oh yes, it does. He pines, Aunt Clara, positively pines for a more bracing air. The East coast, for instance ! Aunt Clara. Ah, James, always considerate. {complacently) But Robert will never go any- where where he cannot constantly come and see me. That I am sure of. Indeed it would not be good for him, he has so few distractions. James. (depressed) That's true. (vanes down R. and turns, hrightening again) But why shouldn't you go, too. Aunt Clara? I'm sure it can't be a good thing for you to remain in one place for so long together. Don't you think a change would do you good? Aunt Clara, (virtuously) I was never a gad- about. And I disapprove of this modern mania for change. Besides with only my little an- nuity 12 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. James. (interrupting eagerly) Yes, yes, I know. (crosses to l. of Aunt C.) But for Robert's sake? You might take him with you, and of course I should be delighted to contrib- ute — Aunt Clara, (patting his shouider affection- atchj) No, no, James. Your heart is ever gener- ous, but in this case there is really no necessity. The air here suits me excellently, and Robert is quite as well as can be expected. Besides there is Margaret to be thought of. I could not leave her! James. I'll look after Margaret, (hack to fireplace) Aunt Clara. I am sure you would. I know how devoted you are to her. But Margaret likes to have her own family about her. James, (ruefully) So she does. (c7'osses to writing-tahle l.^ sits) Aunt Clara, (affectionately) So you mustn't think any more about this. It was generous of you to propose it, but I am quite contented here. Living in your house, James, with Robert and Constantia coming in every day, I have everything that I need for happiness, (wipes tear from her eye) Ah, here is Robert. (Enter Robert r., a cadaverous shamhling man of five and thirty.) Robert, (nods to James) Good morning, Aunt Clara, (shakes hands) You weren't down for lunch. Aunt Clara. No, I had a little soup in my room, I had a bad night. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 13 Robert, {sitting on settee l. c. gloomily) Ah, mi/ insomnia is chronic. Aunt Clara, {bravely) But we must not complain. On the whole my health is wonder- fully good. Robert. I wish I could say that. After the Otaheite mission meeting last night I felt posi- tively faint. Aunt Clara. Did you see James? Robert. No, was he there? Aunt Clara. Of course. You know his inter- est in Otaheite. James, {hastily) Oh, in a large meeting like that it is so easy to miss a face. Robert, {in a hard voice) I shouldn't have called, it a large meeting. James. {hurriedly) Relatively large! Of course it wasn't crowded, Robert. I should think not. Why, there were scarcely a hundred people there. James, {judicially) Indeed? I should have thought more than a hundred. {to Aunt C, with rapid change of subject) Shall I begin to read to you again, Aunt Clara? Aunt Clara. Not now, thank you, it is almost time for my walk. Robert. By the way, James, I have here an appeal for a good object which may well claim your support. The Mahommedan Conversion Fund. A most deserving field, {produces paper from pocket) James, {irritably) Oh, come, I hardly think 14 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. we need go as far as the Mahommedans to find a deserving object. Robert. I don't see that. After all Arabia is nearer than Otahite. James, (indifferently) I dare say. Robert. And as you took the trouble to go to the meeting last night — I can't think how I came to miss you there, by-the-bye, where were you sit- ting? — I should have thought James, (rising hastily and going over to him c.) My dear fellow, you're quite right. Convert- ing the Mahommedans is a most useful field. Leave me that paper and I'll look through it. (takes paper and walks up r.) (Enter Margaret r. u. e. with Aunt Clara's hon- net and shawl.) Hullo, Maggie. Been lying down? (kisses her.) Margaret. For half an hour, (to Aunt C.) The sun is shining brightly now, Aunt Clara. Hadn't you better have your walk? (behind tal)le) Aunt Clara. I hardly feel up to it. James, (going to her l. of her chair) Oh yes, I really think you should, just a turn or two in the garden, (helps her to rise) Aunt Clara. Very well, perhaps a few steps. (is helped into honnet and shawl) And which of my dear nephews shall escort me? (beam- ing) James, I think. James (hastily) No, no. Aunt. Robert shall go with you while I look through this Mahom- medan Appeal. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 15 Aunt Clara (much touched at this fresh evi- dence of self denial) Ah, James, always willing to deny yourself. Come, Robert. Robert. {rising heavily) Very w^ell. Per- haps a gentle walk will do me good. {Exit Aunt Clara to garden supported ly Robert. ) (Margaret escorts hoth as far as windoio. James with a sigh of relief goes to writing-tahle l. with Mahommedan Appeal, eyes it with strong disfavour, glances at a page or two, then with a wry face takes out cheque 'book and writes cheque. Margaret returning from window goes to him, and noticing his depression, lays hand on shoulder.) Margaret. Tired, dear? {behind James) James. A little. {There is a pause, during which Margaret pats James affectionately on shoulder while he fidgets ivith paper knife, etc.) James {diffidently) Don't you think, Mag- gie, that Aunt Clara might sometimes go and stay with someone else? Margaret. {puzzled) Whom can she stay with? James, {hopelessly) Thafs just it, whom indeed ! Margaret. You see she has no one except us — and Constantia. James. That wouldn't be much change for her! Constantia's always here anyhow. 16 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. Margaret, {gently) Not much change cer- tainly. (There is another perceptible pause.) James, {with an effort) Well then, Robert? Don't you think he might come rather less fre- quently? Margaret. My dear! He only comes to lunch- eon occasionally. James. Half a dozen times a week. Margaret. No, no, James, only three or four. James. Is that all? It seems oftener! Margaret, {kneels by him^ fondling his hair) What's the matter with you, dear? You seem out of spirits. James, {taking her hand and pressing it) It's nothing. Only we never seem to get any time to ourselves, do we? Margaret. Not very much, perhaps. James. And it would certainly be more com- fortable if we did, eh, little girl? {looking up at her face) Margaret, {gently) But we mustn't think only of comfort, must we? James. What an angel you are! {takes her hand and kisses it) {Enter Servant r. u. e.) Servant. Mrs. Richard Wetherby. James. Confound 1 {Enter Constantia, an imposing figure, hand- somely dressed in blacky rather as if she had THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 17 gone into half mourning to mark her sense of her separation from her husband.) Margaret, (putting hand over his mouth) Hush! {rises to greet her sister) Good after- noon, Connie, {kisses her) {They meet r. c. Constantia crosses l. c. after kissing Margaret.) James. {rising) How are you? {shakes hands. ) Constantia. {in her elaborate manner) Thank you, James, I am tolerably well. Has Richard arrived yet? James. Not yet. Constantia. I am glad of that. I would rather be here to receive him. I shall feel more at home. (James makes a face, which Margaret observes, and turns up r. c. to garden window.) Margaret. Aunt Clara is in the garden. James, {hurriedly) Yes. She has just gone out with Robert, {insinuatingly) Oughtn't you to go and say " How do you do " to her? Constantia. Very well. Perhaps I had better do so. I shall not be long, {going up l. c.) James, {as soon as she is out of the room) Pray don't hurry. {Exit Constantia c. to garden.) {There is a third significant pause during which Margaret crosses down r. and sits c. James 18 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. crosses to settee c, repossesses himself of his wife's hand, and sits down hy her quietly.) [Reflectively) I suppose it wouldn't be possible to get Constantia to move, would it? Margaret. Move? James. Yes, go away from Norwood alto- gether. Margaret. Oh no, she likes being near us. James [gloomily) I was afraid so. Margaret, [kissing him) How silly you are this afternoon. I've never seen you like this be- fore. Why shouldn't Connie live near us? James, [petulantly) Why should she? Why doesn't she go and live with her husband like other women? Margaret. With Richard? But you know her principles. James, [hored) Here's another of them. Margaret, [not understanding) Wliat dear? James, [recovering himself) Nothing. Only I seem to have heard rather a lot about principles to-day. Margaret. As a member of the married wo- man's Protection League, Constantia naturally has a high ideal of a husband's duty to his wife. A very high ideal. So has Aunt Clara. So has Robert. James. They're a remarkably unanimous fam- iiy- Margaret. Constantia would have considered it tvrong to condone Richard's infidelity. James. There was no proof that Dick was unfaithful. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 19 Margaret. What other explanation could there be of his late hours, his constant absences from home ? James. Was he ever asked to explain them? Margaret. Of course. Constantia never al- lowed Richard to be out after midnight without demanding an explanation. She felt it to be her duty. James. What did Dick say? Margaret. He laughed at her. (James shotvs a tendency to laugh also) Jim! I believe you're laughing too! James. Well, the interviews must have been rather comic. Constantia proclaiming the rights of women and the wickedness of husbands, and old Dick grinning away on the hearthrug, {he- gins to laugh again) Margaret. (shocked) Oh, Jim! I never thought you would make a joke of such a thing. James, (pulling himself up) No! No! Dick didn't behave at all well. Still I think Constan- tia might have managed him better. Margaret. Constantia never attempted to manage her husband. She had too much sense of her own dignity. She merely insisted upon her rights. James. Rather a maddening attitude that? Margaret. Richard was in fault. James. Perhaps there were faults on Constan- tia's side as well? Margaret, (pained) Oh, Jim, I thought you never judged people harshly. 20 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. James. No, no, dear. You misunderstand me. I only mean that perhaps Constantia did not show Dick much affection? She's not what you would call a demonstrative woman. Margaret, (gently) I don't think she ever failed in her duty. James. A woman must do a lot more than her duty if she's to make her husband happy. Margaret. Richard did not make her happy either, you know. James. That's it, you see! They're quits. Margaret. {affectionately) Its like you, dear, to try and defend Richard. You always make the best of everybody. Still he was greatly to blame. James. I'm afraid he was. (Slight pause.) But you won't do anything to prevent a recon- ciliation, will you? Margaret. No. But you mustn't ask me to encourage it. James, (rises, goes l. c.) Well, let's hope they'll patch it up between them, to-day. She's not seen Dick for a year. And she must have been fond of him once. Margaret. What does Robert think? James, (hastily) Oh, I don't think we need consult Robert. Margaret. By the way, Robert and I are going to the great meeting at Lambeth to-night in aid of the Bishop's Sustentation Fund. We shall dine in town. You don't mind? THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 21 James. What about Dick? He'll be here. Margaret. It is because of Richard that I am going. I was afraid it might seem rather marked if I were out the only night he's dining here, but what was I to do? James, {hriefly) Not go, I suppose. Margaret. I couldn't do that. Of course, I don't want to hurt Richard's feelings, but I would rather not sit at table with a man who is living apart from his wife. James. I should have thought it was no worse to sit at table with a man who is separated from his wife than with a wife who is separated from her husband. Constantia is here often enough ! Margaret, {slightly scandalised) The cases are hardly parallel. James. I should think they weren't ! Consid- ering that your sister is here all day and every day, I think you might manage to meet my brother at dinner once a year. Margaret, {pause, rises) I'm sorry you're vexed, dear. I hoped you wouldn't mind. {pause) However, it doesn't matter. I'll tell Robert I've changed my plans, and he and I will both have dinner with you here before the meet: ing. James, (l. c.) Heaven forbid! Robert was here at luncheon. He will be here to tea. I'm hanged if he shall dine here as well. Margaret, (c.) Well, dear, what can I do? I can't very well disappoint Robert. It would be unkind. James, {remorsefully) What a brute I am! 22 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. (kisses her) Of course you mustn't. Dine in town by all means. I'll make your excuses to Dick, and we'll go round to the club after dinner and play billiards. There, dear, I'm sorry I was cross. I suppose I'm out of sorts or something. (cross to tahle l.) Margaret, (crosses to l. caressing him) Poor Jim! You won't mind dining alone with him, will you? James. Of course not, he won't eat me. Be- sides I shall have Aunt Clara ! Margaret. Yes, I was forgetting Aunt Clara. James. Happy woman! (sits l.) Margaret, (laughing) You're evidently not well at all. I shall send for Dr. Long, and he'll give you some horrid medicine. That Otaheite meeting was over ever so late last night. I ex- pect that tired you. (They emhrace. Enter hy window Constantia^, Aunt Clara a7id Robert. Robert enters be- hind Aunt Clara^ who leans on Constantia^s left arm. He stands hy the window gloomily ohserving the emhrace^ then moves doivn r. Margaret moves the armchair a little l. Con- . stantia^ after depositing Aunt Clara, comes doivn L. c. to settee. .Margaret goes up to win- dow) James, (ruefully) Interrupted again! (rises, and crosses r. c.) (Constantia seats herself on settee c. Aunt Clara in armchair l. The latter resumes her crochet, Robert moons ahout.) THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 23 Robert. (r. looking at watch) Half-past four. Time for tea. James, (r. c.) Dick will be here directly. Robert, {unctuously) I'm afraid this will be a very painful meeting for all of us. James. That reminds me. I expect, Constan- tia, you'd rather have your interview with Rich- ard in private? {to Constantia standing be- tween her and Robert) Robert, {interrupting) I hardly think .James. My dear Robert, will you kindly allow Constantia to decide for herself? {to Constan- tia) Well? Constantia. Thank you, James, I think that will certainly be the best arrangement. James. Very well, then, {crosses l. hcloiv fire- place and stands hack to fire — rings hell) Jane shall show Dick into the library. Margaret and I will go there and give him some tea. You, Aunt Clara and Robert will have tea here. After tea I will bring Dick here and leave you to have your talk with him in private. {Enter Jane.) When Mr. Richard comes show him into the library, and let me know. Jane. Very well, sir. (Emt.f Robert. You are sure you would not rather have someone at hand? Constantia. Pray do not be ridiculous, Robert. I trust I am able to conduct an inter- 24 THE TWO MR. WBTHERBYS. view with my husband without outside assist- ance. James, (l.) Of course! And I hope the re- sult will be to bring jou together again. (CoNSTANTiA hoivs coldly.) Aunt Clara. James! James, {hastili/) That is, of course, if you are conscientiously able to forgive him. Robert, (rises — grunts) By the way, James, about that Mahommedan Appeal James, {impatiently) Oh yes, I've looked through it. There's a cheque in my pocket some- where, {cross R. c.) Here it is. {hands it to him R.) Robert, {sitting, after examining the amount) Thank you, James, I felt sure the good work would find a supporter in you. James, (r. c.) Yes, yes, of course. Always glad to do what I can. {cross to l. c.) {Front door is heard.) Ah, that must be Dick. Ready, Maggie? {to Constantia) Then you will see Dick alone here in say ten minutes. (Maid enters.) Maid. Mr. Richard is in the library, sir. James. Very well, {moves up l. c.) Take him some tea and bring some here. Come, Maggie. {Exeunt Margaret and James.) Aunt Clara, {seated hy fireplace) It must THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 25 "be very painful for dear James to meet his brother in these distressing circumstances. If only Richard were more like him. But the two brothers are quite different! {shakes her head mournfully) Robert. Richard is by nature incurably frivo- lous and vicious. CoNSTANTiA. {calmhj) I do not think any- thing is to be gained by exaggerating my hus- band's failings. (Enter Jane icith tea. Moves table a little l. c. puts tea on table l. c. and brings down chair from up L. and puts it behind table.) There was always a regrettable levity about his behaviour which showed a tendency to increase with years. And, of course, his moral character is scandalous, {goes over to tea-table) But, these defects are not necessarily incurable. Tea, Aunt Clara? Aunt Clara. Thank you. CoNSTANTiA. Take this to Aunt Clara, Robert. (Robert rises heavily from chair, gets tea and crosses l. up stage.) Aunt Clara. I am afraid Richard's disposi- tion always lacked the note of seriousness which is so beautiful in James. {taJces frff)— Thank you, Robert — I remember people used to joke about it. They called Richard ''The bad Mr. Wetherby" and James "The good Mr. Wether- by." 26 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. (Robert stands hy r. of armchair) CoNSTANTiA. I remember. However, our sep- aration will have sobered him, no doubt, {gives Robert his tea) Aunt Clara. Let us hope so, my dear. Robert, (taking bread and butter, and cross- ing c.) Have you made up your mind what at- titude to adopt towards him? If I might advise I should urge that you receive his advances with the utmost reserve, (sitting settee c.) Aunt Clara. Yes, Robert is right! Do not allow your heart to betray you into any course which your reason would not approve. Constantia. (calmly helping herself to cake) I think you may count on me not to err in that direction. Aunt Clara. T am glad to hear it. Modern wives are far too ready to forgive their husbands. It is the cause of many unhappy homes. Constantia. (calmly) I did not say I shall not forgive Richard. Aunt Clara. My dear! Constantia. On the contrary. It is my in- tention to forgive him this afternoon, after he has duly expressed contrition and asked for for- giveness. Aunt Clara. But can you be sure that his repentance is sincere? Constantia. (philosophically) Of course there can be no certainty in these things. But I see every reason why it should be. He must have felt our separation acutely. In the early THE TWO MR. WETMERBYS. 27 days of our marriage Richard was by no means without tenderness. Robert, (in a holloiv voice) Constantia, is this wise? {he takes 'bread and butter) Constantia. I think so. After all, Richard is my husband. And I have not found my posi- tion since I decided to live apart from him alto- gether an agreeable one. Socially indeed it has great inconveniences, {rises and takes Aunt Clara's cup and j)laces it on tray — seating her- self again) More tea, Aunt? Aunt Clara, {putting down cup with ges- ture of dissent) Well, my dear, of course you must do what your conscience tells you to be right. Constantia. Exactly. I shall not pardon him too quickly. I shall just yield gradually to his protestations. {Eats some cake delicatelij) After all, a year is a long time and it is better to err on the side of lenienc^'. {pours herself out more tea) A year ago, I felt obliged to leave Richard — I could not endure his heartless be- haviour. Indeed a wife who condones her hus- band's irregularities, is wanting in her duty. And at the time I intended never to return to him. But, one must not be vindictive. And the position of a woman who is separated from her husband is not a comfortable one. It has all the disadvantages of widowhood without its compen- sations. Yes, on the whole I think Richard has been punished long enough. More tea, Robert? Robert, {rises, and bringing his cup) I 28 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. fear you are leaning unduly towards mercy. (Pause) I greatly fear it. (CoNSTANTiA pouTS out Robert's tea. Re takes it and sits again c. taking hread and hutter.) CoNSTANTiA. I am willing to take the risk. At least I shall feel that I have done what is right in forgiving my husband. Besides there are practical matters to be considered, the loss of income and so forth. When I left Richard I had to move into a smaller house and make other heavy sacrifices. The allowance he makes me, though suflScient, is considerably smaller than the income I enjoyed as his wife. Aunt Clara. I don't think you must allow that to weigh with you. After all what is money? Robert. (unctuously) What indeed! (he takes more bread and butter) CONSTANTIA. (frigidly) My dear Robert, of course I am above all sordid considerations in this matter. I shall do what I consider right in any circumstances. But there is no use in shut- ting one's eyes to things. Aunt Clara. (dismally) Well, well, my dear. I trust you will not find you have made a mistake. CONSTANTIA. (coldly) I do not usually make mistakes, I believe. I shall forgive Rich- ard this afternoon after he has expressed his re- gret in suitable terms. Of course I shall speak to him very seriously and caution him as to his future conduct. But afterwards I shall forgive him. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 29 {Enter Margaret r.) Margaret, (at door) Richard will come to you now, Connie, if you are ready to see him. CoNSTANTiA. Very well, (pours herself out some tea) Margaret, (going to Aunt Clara and helping her to rise) Come, Aunt Clara. Let me take you to your room, (to Robert) I think you had better go now, Robert. Robert. Certainly, (putting cup on chiffo- nier R. and finishing hread and hutter) (Exit Robert sulkily.) Margaret, (at door) Jim will bring Rich- ard to you in a minute or two. (Exit R. with Aunt Clara.) • (CoNSTANTiA piits down her cup directly they leave, rises, hut hearing voices, sits on settee c. There is an appreciable pause. Then enter R. James and Dick. The latter is a handsome, careless, jovial looking man of five and thirty, very cheerful and quite at his ease.) Dick, (going up to Constantia and shaking hands) How do you do, Con. Pretty well, I hope? CONSTANTIA. Thank you. I am quite well. Dick, (cheerfully) That's right. James, (at door) Now I'll leave you two to- gether. You may have things to talk of alone. (going) 30 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. Dick. Not at all, my dear fellow. Stay by all means. Con and I have no secrets. James, (awkwardly) But I think — (going again) Dick. (up c.) Nonsense, Jim. Sit down. What on earth should we have to talk about? Don't be absurd. James, (still going) Oh, but — Constantia said she would prefer to speak to jou alone. Dick. Ah, that's different. If Con has any- thing private to say to me I'm agreeable. I al- ways am. Off with you. I say what time's din- ner? (goes up to James r.) James. Seven. By the way, Margaret asks you to excuse her. She has to dine out. Dick. All right, (nods cheerily to James who goes out r.) Well, Con, what have you got to say to me, eh? Constantia. (with dignity) Have you noth- ing to say to me, Richard? Dick. (r. c.) I think not. Nothing special. Constantia. Then I hardly see the object of this meeting. Dick, '(cheerily) Nor do I. But you ar- ranged it, you know. Constantia. (stiffly) Pardon me! Dick. No? Ah yes, I remember. You sug- gested every six months. I thought once a year quite sufficient. You see I was right. (Cross behind settee l. c.) Constantia. (majestically) This is not an occasion for levity. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 31 Dick. My remark was not intentionally hu- mourous. {There is a pause during which Constantia shows signs of impatience. Dick, quite at his ease, strolls over to fire and warms himself. Pres- entUj he takes up framed photograph of James which stands conspicuously on mantelpiece.) I say, what a beastly picture of old Jim ! Don't you think so? {holds it up) Constantia. {icily) It seems to me a sat- isfactory likeness. Dick. No, it's so smug and solemn. Poor old chap, I expect he has a pretty boring time of it down here, eh ? Constantia. {with elaborate sarcasm) I have not heard him complain. Dick. I dare say not. He's a patient sort of chap is old Jim. (Shakes his head at photograph as he puts it hack on mantelpiece. Then seats himself in arm chair. There is another aivkivard pause.) Dick. By the way, do you still like living in Norwood, Con? Ghastly sort of place I used to think it. Constantia. It suits me well enough. I like to be near Margaret and James. Dick. Ah! Do they like that? Constantia. Certainly. Dick. Oh! {a pause) You're tolerably con- tented then, take it all together? S2 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. (CONSTANTIA 1)0WS.) That's right. So am I. CoNSTANTiA. Of coursG a wife who is separ- ated from her husband can never be very happy. Dick. No doubt. But a husband who isn't separated from his wife can be tolerably miser- able too. CoNSTANTiA. Yes, marriage is a tragedy. Dick. Just so, with comic relief. CONSTANTIA. (impatiently) Pray be serious. Dick. My dear Con, I never am serious. Why on earth should I be? CoNSTANTiA. Dou't you Understand that by adopting this frivolous tone you are letting a golden opportunity slip? Dick. No. Hang me if I do. CONSTANTIA. {risi7ig with dignity) Then no good can come of our continuing this interview. Dick, {rising also) Of course not. What did you expect? CONSTANTIA. {exttsperated) I expected that you would at least have seen the propriety of ex- pressing regret for your past conduct and prom- ising amendment in the future. Dick. What would have been the use of that? CONSTANTIA. {Mttcrhj) Oh, nothing. Noth- ing that interests you at all, I suppose. Only it might have led to a reconciliation between us. Dick. {l)y fire, raising his eyehroivs) I see. {deliberately) I confess that possibility had not occurred to me ! CONSTANTIA. {stlffly) Indeed! THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 3S Dick, (politely) Still it's very good of you to suggest it. CoNSTANTiA. {turning^ hotly) I did not sug- gest it. Dick. Oh ! I thought you did. CoNSTANTiA. {angrily) What I said was that had you suggested it Dick. Yes, yes, of course. What I should have said was it would have been very good of me to suggest it. No, that's not right either. Still I appreciate the generosity of your offer. CoNSTANTiA. (crossly) I made no offer. Dick. Dear me, I'm afraid I express myself very clumsily. CONSTANTIA. (savagely) You certainly do. {sits on settee c.) Dick, {crosses lelow settee to r. c. Mandly) You must put it down to excess of emotion. When a man has been separated from his wife for a year, and there is a suggestion — if that is the right word — that she might return to his roof he naturally feels it acutely. The affection im- plied in such a proposal — no, not proposal, hy- pothesis — is very moving. CONSTANTIA. I Said uothiug about affection. Dick. But it was surely implied? CONSTANTIA. (stemly) No, Richard. Please understand that my — {pauses for ivord) Dick, {sweetly) Mention? CONSTANTIA. — My mcution of a reconciliation was in no way due to affection. Had I returned to you it would have been solely because I con- sidered it my duty. 34 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYg. Dick, {insinuatingly) Is that quite a sat- isfactory foundation for domestic happiness? CoNSTANTiA. (impatiently) I was not think- ing of happiness. (There is a pause.) Dick, (calmly) Well, Con, I won't ask you to make such a sacrifice. CoNSTANTiA. (virtuously) I don't mind sac- rificing myself. Dick, (quietly) Ah! 7 do! CONSTANTIA. (vising angrily) Then there's nothing more to be said. Dick. (holding out hand) Except "good- bye " Con — till next year. (CONSTANTIA vefuses hand and sweeps out r. with dignity. Dick stands looking after her with a grim smile. The front door closes sharply.) CURTAIN. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 35 ACT II. Scene. — The Dining-room at the James Weth- ERBYS'. Dinner is half over. At the tahle in the middle of stage are Aunt Clara^ facing audience, James at one end, Dick at the other. The side of tahle next the audience is empty. The room is the conventional sicrhurhan din- ing-room, ivindows curtained behind Aunt Clara. Sideboard behind Dick l. Fireplace flanked by two leather easy chairs behind James r. Door l. {Pause. The Maid hands two sweets. James, tvho looks bored and ill, helps Aunt Clara to jelly. Dick helps himself. James refuses.) Dick. My dear chap, you eat nothing, {at- tacks jelly on his plate) Does he, x\unt Clara? Aunt Clara, {coldly) James has never a large appetite. James. I'm not hungry to-night. Dick. That's bad. {filling his mouth) There's nothing like eating! It helps a man through life wonderfully. James. No doubt. Dick. In fact it's very morbid not to eat. It's not at all a thing to give way to. {To Maid) Bring me some more of that. {Helps himself) 36 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYg. James. My dear Dick, what nonsense you talk. Dick. I dare say. If you talked more non- sense you wouldn't look so beastly seedy. Eh, Aunt Clara? {attacks food) Aunt Clara (coldly) I had not noticed that James was looking unwell. Dick. He does though. And he looks beastly serious too. That's bad. A man should never be serious at meals. Indeed I'm not sure he should ever be serious at all. (Maid takes James's and Aunt Clara's sweet plates and puts two cheese plates.) Aunt Clara. Really Richard ! Considering the solemn cause which brought you here to- day— Dick. Yes, Constantia is solemn, isn't she? That's why we didn't get on. (Maid changes plates^ etc., during this scene, afterwards hands Mscuits and cheese.) Aunt Clara, (severely) It is a pity you are not more like her. (Maid gives Dick cheese plate.) Dick. That's what I never can understand about you solemn people. You're all propagan- dists. You're not only as solemn as owls your- selves — you want everybody else to be solemn too. James. Oh come, you were preaching the vir- tue of talking nonsense just now. Dick. So I was. But only to you, Jim. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 37 {Takes cheesey which the other two refuse.) You see I like you. But Aunt Clara doesn't like me. {to Aunt Clara) Oh, no you don't. So why on earth she should want to convert me to anything I don't know, {eats his cheese and Ms- cuit) Aunt Clara. I do not expect you to appre- ciate my motives. (Dick grins.) James. Aunt Clara means that you aren't an altruist, Dick. (Maid removes plates, h rushes cloth and puts on dessert during this scene, then Exit.) Dick. No, I'm not. But I've got a good tem- per and a rattling good digestion. That's enough for me. James. Is this the way you used to talk to Constantia? Dick. Yes. James. Then I don't wonder she left you. (Dick laughs.) Aunt Clara. {rising) I cannot be a wit- ness to any more of this levity. Dick. {genially) Don't go. Aunt Clara. Stay till after dessert. Aunt Clara. No, I will not — I never eat des- sert at night. James, give me your arm. 38 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. (James and Dick both rise. Dick opens door, James helps Aunt Clara out hy door l. When he returns Dick is J)ack in Jiis chair, cracking nuts and pouring himself out a glass of port.) Jambs. What a brute you are, Dick! You've made Aunt Clara furious. Dick. Very sorry, my dear chap. I did my best to amuse her. James, (grimly) Well, you didn't succeed. She's gone straight to bed in a tearing rage. Dick. Fiery old lady! Nuts, Jim? James. No, thanks. Dick, {taking some more, then looking at James keenly hut kindly) My dear old man, what's the matter? You really do look awfully pulled down. James. Nothing. We were rather late last night. Perhaps it's that. Dick. {laughing softly to himself) Yes. How did you account for the fact here? James, {with a wry face) As usual — Mis- sionary Meeting — I nearly got found out, by the way. Dick. How was that? James. That fool Robert. He was there too. It wasn't a crowded house apparently, and he can't make out how he didn't spot me. (Dick laughs more.) That's right! {ivith a snarl) Laugh away! I suppose it is funny — to you. Dick. I should think it was. James. It isn't to me. It makes me sich THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 39 Fancy a man of my age who has to pretend to his wife that he's been to a cursed missionary meeting because he can't tell her he was amusing himself at your club playing cards. Dick. Why didn't you tell her? James, (crossly) How can I? She'd never forgive me. Margaret's a dear little girl and she's awfully fond of me, but she's tremendously strict in her ideas. Besides I've got such a confoundedly high character to live up to. If I were just an ordinary person, I dare say she wouldn't be so much shocked. Margaret's not a fool. But she's got it into her head that I'm a sort of saint, and to please her, I've got into the habit of pretending to be one, and now I can't give it up. Was there ever such a beastly tangle ! Dick. Why not make a clean breast of it? James. I can't, I tell you. It would be bad enough merely to have to tell her that I'm not the good young man they all think me down here. But I should have to own that I'd been deceiv- ing her almost ever since our marriage. She'd never be able to respect me again, and I should never be able to respect myself. [Utterly] In- deed, I can't do that now. Dick. My dear chap, you take the whole thing too seriously. {Door opens — enter Maid.) James. Hush ! here's coffee. {Coffee is lianded—exit Maid.) Dick, {reflectively) It must be a curious 40 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. thing being so highly thought of — especially by one's wife ! James, {crossly) Well, you needn't sneer at it. Dick. I wasn't. Still it seems odd — to me. What did they think of your asking me down here? James. Aunt Clara was rather shocked. Rut she puts it all down to my high principles. Dick. How does she manage that? James. I'm supposed to be such a thoroughly saintly character that I can't judge anyone harshly. Even a beast like you. Dick. Ho! Ho! James. Yes. That's one advantage in having a good reputation. Whatever you do, people al- ways attribute it to the loftiest motives. If you ask a fellow who's a bad lot to dinner, it's sup- posed to be because you've such a forgiving dis- position. You can't say that ! Dick. I don't want to, my dear fellow. And after all, a bad reputation and a good reputation amount to pretty much the same thing in the end. James, (disgusted) I'm hanged if they do. Dick. Oh yes. You can dine with whom you please because you've such a high character. / can dine with whom I please because I've no character at all. My position is every bit as good as yours. Indeed, I prefer it. (takes cigar and pushes case across to James) James, (shocked) Ah, you've no conscience. Dick. No. Have you a match? THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 41 James. Here you are. {gets fnatchhox from mantelpiece) Dick. Won't you smoke? James. No. Margaret doesn't like it. Dick. Poor chap! {lights cigar) By the way, don't you find the high moral game rather fatiguing? James, {sighing) Sometimes. Dick. I thought so. That's why you're look- ing so fagged. James, (complainingly) And jet I'm not naturally a hypocrite. I'd like to be as straight- forward as the day. But circumstances were against me. When I fell in love with Margaret, I really did give up all the old bachelor ways. She was so good, {enthusiastically) so wonder- fully good and sweet, and I determined I'd be like her. For a time, I ivas like her. It was up- hill work, but I was. (Dick grins.) What are you grinning at? Dick. Nothing. Go on. James. Of course she thought me a perfect saint. I ivas a perfect saint, in fact. And so we were married and came to live down here. And after a time — six months or so — I found I couldn't keep it up. I wanted amusement. But by that time I was saddled with my ghastly rep- utation. And I've been groaning under it ever since. Dick. Much better have told her. James, {irritably, fidgeting with cigar case 42 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. which remains on tahle all through scene) I couldn't. Margaret believed \u me; so did they all. I couldn't undeceive them. It would have been simply brutal. Dick. So you took to hypocrisy. James, (savagely) Oh well, you needn't get virtuous over it. Dick, {calmly) Not at all, my dear chap. James. (gruniMing) It isn't as if I'd been anything very bad. I'm not a vicious man. I only wanted to amuse myself, Music Halls, an occasional race meeting, a game of cards at the club. If she'd only thought me just an ordinary sort of chap, I'd have told her fast enough. But with iuy character! Good Lord! Dick. You'd much better have adopted my system, {rises, cross r.) James, {snappishly) Yojir system ! Dick. You needn't sniff at it. It's a lot better than yours. James. What is your system? Dick, {getting up from, tahle) It's very sim- ple. And it's based upon the easiest of all the virtues — Truth ! James. Pshaw ! Dick. Oh, yes it is. {goes over to fire, selects armchair and seats himself lazily) I hate pre- tending things. It's such a fag. So I've gone in for perfect frankness. In fact, I may say I've carried frankness to a fine art. James. ' What rot ! Dick. 'Tisn't rot at all, my dear chap, and so you'd have found if you'd tried it. Truth's a THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 43 spleDdid thing in married life. It keeps a home together wonderfully. James, {sarcastically) You seem to have found it so! Dick, {easily) Oh, it sometimes breaks one up too. But it's awfully useful either way. James. I'm glad you think so. Dick. You see in marriage what one has to aim at is a quiet life. You tried to get it by pre- tending to be as good as Margaret thought you. That wasn't very successful. I tried to get it by never pretending anything at all. The result has exceeded my most sanguine expectations. James, {ironically) You're easily satisfied. Dick. That's my beautiful nature! After I married Constantia, I found she hadn't the same ideals as I had, not the same ideals at all. James. Your ideals! Dick. Come, my dear chap, your ideals haven't shown up particularly well. As I was saying, Con and I wanted different things. She liked regular hours, church on Sunday, afternoon tea parties, bazaars, that ass Robert and his sub- scription lists. Aunt Clara and her crochet — by the way, how do you like Aunt Clara? James. Hang Aunt Clara! {rises irritahly and begins to put away decanters^ etc., in a rest- less manner into sideboard l.) Dick, {hlandly) That's exactly what / said. Well, I soon realised that either Constantia's view of life must prevail or mine. I rebelled, late hours, golf on Sundays, no tea parties, no bazaars, no Robert, no Aunt Clara. Before long 44 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. I bad established a reputation as a complete libertine and was allowed to do as I pleased. James. I remember. Your conduct was dis graceful. Dick. Not at all, my dear fellow. I never did anything bad. I'm no more vicious than you are. My bad reputation is as hollow as your good one. We're both frauds together. James, {impatiently) Anyhow Constantia believed you were vicious. Dick. Yes. That was part of my system. In this world, Jim, if you aren't always going about saying you're very good, people end by believing you're very bad. That was what happened to me with Constantia. James, {crosses to r. of tabic ^ leaning against chair) You deceived her then. Dick. No, Constantia deceived herself. {airily) I took no interest at all in the matter. James, {scornfully) Well, the result was a pretty abject fiasco. Dick. Fiasco! Why it was a triumph! Con- stantia sulked for six months and then announced her intention of leaving me. For once my perfect candour deserted me. I feigned distress. But it would scarcely have been decent to do otherwise, eh? (James makes inarticulate murmur of reproba- tion. ) So one auspicious day the lawyers were called in, an amicable separation was arranged, the parties THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 45 to meet once a year. Aud that's what brought me here to-day. James, {indignantly) I think it's perfectly shameful. Dick, {laiigliing) Oh, come, look after the beam in your own eye, old man, and leave me my little mote. James, (disgusted) Don't joke about it. You're always joking. Dick. That's why I keep so jolly well. {rises, pushes James) (James hegins to laugh, finally hursts into a roar. ) That's right, laugh away, old man, and thank Heaven this deadly lively place hasn't robbed you of the faculty. {icalJcs to l. of taMe) {From this point to end of scene James grows in- creasingly cheerful and his gloom quite disap- pears. He goes over to fireplace and takes other armchair) James, {crosses and sitting heloiv fireplace) But don't you feel any remorse? Think of Con- stantia. You've ruined her life. Dick. Not a bit of it. I know Constantia. She's as happy as possible. She doesn't know it, but she is. She's a good woman and she's got a grievance. What more can she want? James. Still you made her life miserable while you were together. Dick. Well, she made my life miserable too— at least she did her best. We're quits. James. Quits! Ha, ha! I remember that's 46 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. what I said to Maggie. Do you know, Dick, I hoped you two might patch things up this after- noon and live together again? Dick. No, thank you. I've no ill feeling to- wards Con. I even like her in a way. But I'm not going to live with her. Con is one of those characters who are much more admirable when you aren't married to them, {crosses l)ack to armchair adove fireplace and sits) James. You're quite happy as you are? Dick. Quite! I sleep well, eat well — you don't, Jim — I make no i)retence of being better than I am. Rather the contrary. And I find the world a very pleasant amusing place. James. I wonder how you two ever" came to marry ? Dick, {shrugging shoulders) Lunacy, I sup- pose! We haven't a taste in common. Constan- tia has no sense of humour. She likes solemn asses like Robert. / don't. By the way, I sup- pose you see a good deal of Robert? (James nods laughing.) I thought so. And Aunt Clara? James. She lives with us. Dick. Poor chap! Now, Jim, can you seri- ously imagine my having Aunt Clara to live with riicf And Robert dropping in every day? James. I don't think I can. Dick. Why don't you turn them out? James. My character! Dick. Oh, it's that again, is it? James. I'm supposed to be so awfully kind THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 47 and considerate and all that. That's the worst of it. If I were only a brute like you ! Dick, {triumphantly) Notv you begin to see the point of having no character. Try it, old man. Try it in your bath, as the advertisements say. James, {ruefully) I can't. I've Margaret to think of. Dick. She'd get over it — if she's really fond of you. James. I daren't face the risk. Dick. You'd better. James, {peevishly) I can^t, I tell you. No, I've got to go on in the old way with Aunt Clara I)ermanently on the premises, Robert dropping in to collect subscriptions and Constantia living next door but one. And I've a rejKitation for amiability. Dick. Poor old chap ! James. 'Tisn't a pretty picture, is it? Dick, {jumping up) Look here, Jim, you want rousing. You're simply perishing of dul- ness. Hang billiards. Let's run up to town for an hour, go to the Empire and amuse ourselves. We can be back by twelve ! (James shakes his head.) Half-past eleven then. Come along, {pulls him up out of chair) ^Yhy shouldn't we? It'll do you a world of good. James, {wavering) If Margaret heard of it Dick. She won't. After all, 'tisn't the first 48 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. little jaunt you've had with me, without anybody being the wiser. You'll come? {pulls him out of chair hy his arm) James, (rising half unwillingly) I'm sure I oughtn't Dick. Bosh, old man ! Come along. I'll look after you. How do the trains go from this con- founded ijlace? James. Pretty often, (looks at watch) We shall catch one now if we hurry, (moves up n.) Dick, (dashing out for hats and coats and returning immediately) Here, get into this. (flings him overcoat) Hurry up. (puts on his own) James. Well, just for an hour. I think I do need shaking up. I feel regularly depressed and out of sorts. Dick, (dashing to tahle and pocketing his cigar case) Boredom^ my dear fellow. Strong men have died of it! (Takes his arm and hurries him out L. as Curiam falls.) (The Curtain descends for a moment. When it rises again the stage is dark. The scene is the same. Time three hours later. The sound of a latch-key is heard in front door. Then foot- steps in hall — then dining-room door opens let- ting in shaft of light from hall. Enter Mar- garet and Robert. Margeret, turns up elec- tric light, showing dining-room tvith cloth cleared and 'biscuits, syphon and glasses on tahle and whisky decanter on sideboard.) THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 49 Margaret, {wp l.) They're not back yet. At least, I don't see Jim's hat and coat. Robert. Where have they gone? {crossing r.) Margaret. To the Club, to play billiards. Robert, {gloomily) They'll be late then. {puts hat and stick on taMe) Margaret. I think not. Robert. You don't know Richard! {crosses R. to fireplace) Margaret, {comes doicn l.) Jim will bring him back in good time. Robert. I wonder if it was wise leaving them together? The influence of a thoroughly de- praved nature like Richard's is very insidious. Margaret. Oh, with Jim's high character Robert. Of course — Still there's always a risk. Margaret, {ivitli conviction) Not with Jim. {sits L. of tahlc) Robert, {goes to tahlc and takes three or four hiscuits ichich he eats till end of scene hy fire- place) It was curious that I did not see James at the Otaheite Meeting last night. Margaret. It's so easy to miss people. Robert. Yes. Still there weren't many there. {pause) Did you see Constantia after her inter- view to-day? Margaret. No. Robert. Then there has not been a reconcili- ation? Margaret. I have heard of none. Robert. I am glad of that. From what she said this afternoon, I was afraid Constantia was 50 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. - inclined to forget the past and return to Richard. It must have been a mere momentary weakness. Margaret. You don't think we should desire a reconciliation? Robert. My dear Margaret, how could we? With our principles! Richard is a libertine. That Constantia should so far forget her duty to morality as to forgive him would be deplorable. Think of the example to other men. If a man who treats his wife as Richard did is not to be pun- ished, there would be an end of married happiness altogether. Margaret. They have been parted for a year. Is not that sufficient punishment? Robert, (severely) Not in my opinion. However deep Richard's repentance, it is too soon to forgive him. Margaret. James thinks otherwise. Robert, (sternly) James is too good-natured. Too good-natured altogether. He is almost lax — • yes, lax is the word — he is not severe enough with his brother. Aunt Clara thinks so too. After the separation, he should have set his face against all further relations with him. Margaret. But they're in business together. Robert. Except business relations, of course. But to ask him down to stay under his roof! It was weak, Margaret — I am not sure it was not wicked, (virtuously) Certainly, it is not a thing / shall ever do. Margaret. I suppose not. Indeed I hardly think Richard would come. Robert. He knows my principles too well. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 51 {Sound of key in front door is heard again. Door slam. Then voices) Margaret. There they are. (rises) Robert, (crossing to tahle and taking up hat and stick) Then I think I'll be going.- I do not wish to see more of Richard than I can help. One must not touch pitch ! Margaret, (going lip to door and opening it) Is that you, Jim? (James enters icith Dick — hoth have hats and coats) James, (entering) Yes, dear, (kisses her) Hullo, Robert, just off? Robert. Yes. It's rather late. Good night. (Exit L.) Dick. Now I call that very considerate of Robert, (crosses to fireplace, putting coat on table) Margaret, (coming down l. c.) (to James) Enjoyed your billiards, dear? James, (coming doicn l.) Thanks, yes, very much, (throivs his overcoat on to Dick's on table) Margaret. Who was at the Club? Anyone I know? James, (turning aicay to sideboard) No, I think not. It was rather empty — in fact we saw no one. Margaret, (c.) How strange! I wonder why that was? 52 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. James, {diving into side'board for whiskey — sliglitly confused) Of course we were only in the hilllard room. There may have been lots of people in the other rooms. Drink, Dick? {puts spirits, etc., on table) Margaret. I see. Are you going to sit up, dear? James. For a little while. Why? Margaret. Hadn't you better change your coat? James. Oh, bother. I can't go all the way up- stairs, {gives Dick his drink) Margeret. Give it me, dear. I'm going now, and I'll bring you down an old jacket. {He half protests.) Oh yes, I will. It's no trouble. {Helps him off with dress coat) James. Angel! {kisses her.) Margaret. Goose ! {Exit J/argaret.) (James strolls over to fire.) Dick, {hy table watching James, taking out cigar and cutting off end) You're certainly a fluent liar, Jim. James. Yes. {ruefully) I've lots of practice, you see. Dick. Your sj^stem, eh? I prefer mine. It's not such a tax on the inventive faculties. James, {half bitterly) Just you wait till you're as fond of any one as I am of Margaret, THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 53 and you'll find yourself lying with the best of them. Dick. Pessimist ! (Margaret enters with old jacket^ James goes up to meet her, Dick crosses to and stands hy fire- place) Margaret. Here you are, dear, {helps him into it) Don't be late. James, {kisses her) Of course not. Good night. Margaret. Good night, {kisses him) Good night, Richard. {Exit with little nod.) Dick, {ivalks down l.) I'm afraid dear Mar- garet hasn't as warm a regard for me as I de- serve. James, {coming to fireplace) I should have thought she managed that! Dick, {turning) Bravo! You're quite epi- grammatic to-night. Wonderful what a differ- ence an evening's escape from domesticity makes. James. Sour grapes, my boy. You weren't happy at home so you want to pretend no one else is. Dick, {crosses, sits l. of table c.) Oh, come, don't pretend you haven't enjoyed yourself to- night. When Kitty Harding was singing "Keep your feet off the grass, dearest," you laughed till I thought you'd have a fit. 54 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. James, {giggling at the recollection) What a clever little beast she is ! Dick. A.-d that fellow who danced! What was the beggar's name? James, {pause tvJiile thinking) I forget. I've got the programme- in my coat, {goes to overcoat on table and feels in pockets) Where the deuce is it? {an aivfiil pause, during ivhich a look of terror comes into his face) Good heav- ens ! I believe it's in the pocket of my dress coat. (searches frantically) Dick, {comes doivn r. — placidly) It doesn't matter. We'll look in the morning. James. But my wife's got it. {throws coat into armchair down r.) Dick. So she has. But she's not likely to fer- ret in the pockets I suppose. James. Yes, she will. She always folds my things if they're lying about, and takes every- thing out of the pockets. Dick, {jumping up and coming to him down R.) What a way to treat a wife! Run upstairs at once. You may get there before she's found it. James, {pale tcith terror) But what can I do? She'd want to know what I came up for. Dick. Say you've left your handkerchief in the pocket — invent something as you go upstairs. You're a better liar than I am. Off with you! {pushes him across to c. and goes to fireplace) James. I daren't! Suppose she's found it already ! Dick. My dear chap, she wull if you don't go at once. Pull yourself together. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 55 (James goes to door, opens it and goes out, re- turning immediately and coming to armchair up R.) James (m a holloiv whisper) Too late. She's coming downstairs. What on earth's to be done? Dick. Steady, Jim. She may not have found it. James. If she has! Dick, (calmly) Then I should make a clean breast of it if I were you? James. About to-night? Dick. It would be a trifle late to do that ! James, {ruefully) I suppose it would. Dick. Tell her about everything. Save a lot of trouble in the end. And it'll make things easier for you in the future. James. I daresay you're right. But I simply haven't the pluck. Dick. Nonsense. Hush, here she is. Shall I make myself scarce? James. No. Back me up, for Heaven's sake. Dick. All right. Courage, old man. {leans his hack against mantelpiece and surveys scene) (Door opens enter Margaret — there is a long silence. She stands up l. near the door.) (aside to James) Better say something. James, (in a quavering voice) Do you want anything, dear? (S!J2e is still silent, looking at him steadily.) What is it, Maggie? Margaret. (programme in hand — sternly) 56 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. Where were you to-night, James, while Robert and I were out? James. Why do you ask such a question? Margaret. Is it such a strange question for a wife to ask? James. I went up to London with Dick. Margaret. Where ? James. To the Empire. (There is an aiclctvard pause.) {aside to Dick) Own up, can't you? Dick, {in his calm tone) It was my sug- gestion, Margaret. I'm the culprit. Margaret, {to James) Why did you go? {He is silent.) Dick. Fact is I thought he needed livening up. A surfeit of missionary meetings Margaret, {icily) I was speaking to my hus- band, {turning again to James) Why did you tell me you went to the Club? James. We did mean to go there. Margaret. But you didn't go? You've not been there at all? James. No. (Margaret makes gesture of repulsion and walks down L.) Dick. My dear Margaret, don't fret about us! The Empire's a very moral place, far more re- spectable than most clubs. Margaret. I hardly consider you a judge of morality, Richard, {to James) Why did you tell me what was not true? THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 57 James. I don't know — I suppose because it would have displeased you. Margaret, [bitterly) You were very consid- erate ! James, (stung hy Jicr tone — coming dotvn r. to RC.) Look here, Maggie, there's no use making a fuss about it. It was just a piece of folly, that's all. Margaret. Folly! To tell your wife a false- hood! James, (crossly) Oh well, there's nothing so startlingly original about that. Margaret. I didn't expect to hear a speech of that kind from ijou, James! With your high character James. Confound my character! Margaret (astonished) An evening in Rich- ard's company seems to have produced its effect. Or is that remark the result of your entertain- ment at a music hall? (James is silent.) Dick, (airily) Oh, 7'm the guilty party. The entertainment was irreproachable. Margaret. If you would kindly not interrupt, Richard. (Dick shrugs his shoulders.) Well, James, have you anything to say to me? James. Only that I'm sorry, Maggie. I am really. Margaret. Is that all? James, (r. c, goaded) What do you want me to say? I can't do more than apologise, can I? 58 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. The thing's done now. Come, Maggie, shake hands and say you forgive me. {goes c. towards her holding out hand) Margaret, (l. c, refusing hand) No, James, I shall not forgive you. (James falls 'bach.) You have deceived me deliberately. Dick, (shocked) No! No! (moves to r. c.) Margaret. Yes, deliberately. You are not what I thought you, and I will never forgive you. {turns to go, tvalking up l.) James, (alarmed) Maggie! Margaret, (coldly, turning at door) Have you anything more to say? Dick, (hi/ James c.^ to him aside) Now's your time. Make a clean breast of it. You'll be glad of it afterwards. James. (pulling himself together — speaking sharply) Stop, Margaret! (She turns again.) I have something more to say. {^he comes down l. again.) Dick, (softly — aside) Bravo, Jim! {hack to fire) James, (c.) Maggie, I've been wanting to tell you this for a long time — (hesitates) Margaret. Go on. {During this scene Margaret gets colder, and more angry; James gets more self-possessed.) James. Maggie, I'm — (hesitates) — I'm not THE TWO MR. WETHERBY§. 59 what you think me — I'm different — very different. (stops) Margaret. What do you mean? James. You think I'm an awfully good sort of chap, who doesn't care about amusement like other men. You think I'm only happy when I'm attending missionary meetings and reading to Aunt Clara. You're mistaken. Margaret, {sternly) So you weren't at the Otaheite Meeting! James. No, nor the Tobago Diocesan Confer- ence last week, nor the Hairy Ainos Protection Society, nor the Nova Zembla Mission, nor any of them. I don't like missions, they bore me. Margaret, (horrified) James! James. Oh yes, they do. You don't know it, but they do. I've gone on pretending for months that I liked them — and other things — just to please you. I've read Aunt Clara her newspaper and given Robert his subscriptions and generally made my life a burden because you liked it. I've done it long enough. I'm going to turn over a new leaf. Margaret, (icily) And all the time that you were pretending to go to these meetings, you were " amusing " yourself at low music halls, I sup- pose. Dick. Not low music halls. Margaret. Bah ! How you have fooled me ! James, (complacently) Yes, I'm afraid I've not been quite straightforward. But I'm going to reform from to-night. Margaret. How long has this been going on? 60 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. James. I don't know. A year — eighteen months. Margaret, (hitterly) And we have only been married two years. James, {almost genially) It was partly your fault, you know. You would put me on a sort of pedestal. Of course I tumbled off. You ought to have expected it. You see your standard was too high for me. I tried to live up to it at first, honestly, I did, but it wasn't a success; I wasn't strong enough. But I think you ought to share the blame. Margaret. Men always throw the blame on women. James. Only when they deserve it, Maggie. So you see, there's nothing to be angry about. It's just a case of faults on both sides. Shake hands, dear, and give me a kiss, {advances to- wards her) Margaret, {draws hack a pace or two up stage — putting hands 'behind her hack) No, James, I will not shake hands. You have fooled me and cheated me. Our whole married life has been a sham. James. No, no, Maggie, {goes down l.) Margaret. {above him — fiercely) Yes, a cheat and a sham! {stamps her foot) Oh, how I despise you! How I despise myself for having been deceived by you ! Did you ever love me at all, I wonder, {half crying — tvalking to c.) James. You know I did, dear. Margaret, {turning c, angrily) I know THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 61 nothing. You deceived me in everything else. Why not in that? James. Never mind, Maggie. Make it up and we'll start afresh to-morrow. Forget about all this; it's past, and I swear I'll always be open with you for the future. I will, really. Margaret. The future! (coldly) You don't suppose I can live with you again after this. (Dick raises eyehroics.) I should despise myself if I even thought of such a thing. James, [horrified) Maggie! Margaret. No, James, I shall leave this house to-morrow. I am no longer your wife. James, (alarmed) You can't. You have no right. Margaret. Not legally, perhaps. Morally I should do wrong to remain with you. James. I shall not allow you to go. Margaret. How will you prevent me? Cou- stantia left Richard for less. James. (growing more alarmed) Maggie, think! You're angry with me now. It is natural that you should be. But don't punish me too much. Don't leave me. Give me another chance. Margaret. And be deceived again? No, James! Indeed I don't think it would be right to forgive you. Men who behave as you have done deserve to suffer. James, (sadly) I didn't expect you would cast me off so readily, Maggie. Margaret. You are unjust. You know how 62 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. I hate to do it. But I must, {almost 'breaking down) Oh, Jim, Jim, why did you tell me all this? Why didn't you leave me in ignorance? James, {gently) You found me out, dear. Margaret. Only about to-night. I could have forgiven you to-night. It's all these months of deception that I can't forget. James. You will. Margaret, {bursting into tears) No, If it was only to-night it would be different, but now that I know your v/hole life has been a lie, I can- not live with you any longer', {with a gulp) Good-bye, James, {solemnly she walks up l. c.) James, {startled) Where are you going? Margaret, {through her tears) To b-b-bed. I shall leave this house to-morrow after break- fast. {En-it in a hurst of emotion.) {There is a pause during tvhich Dick looks half- humourously at James, iclio goes half tvay up to door as if to follow, and then turns, walk- ing down L. c. He looks unutterably de- pressed. ) Dick. Curious how much alike sisters are. James, {brusquely) What do you mean? Dick. I remember an almost similar scene a year ago with Constantia. The marriage tie seems to sit loosely on our family. James, {snappishly) I shall be glad if you won't jest about it. Dick, {coming r. c.) Steady, old man. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 63 Don't quarrel with your brother as well as your wife in one evening. James, (coming c, penitent) I beg your par- don. I'm knocked out of time by all this, {an- grily) But I won't have you sneering at Mar- garet. She's a saint. Dick My dear Jim, to say that a lady re- sembles one's wife isn't usually described as sneering. James, (impatiently) Oh, you know what I mean. Dick, (c, putting Ids hand on James's shoul- der) Poor old boy, you do take it bad ! (James puts his head on his hands and his shoul- ders heave with sohs.) I say, don't do that for Heaven's sake. Easy, Jim, easy. She won't go, you know. James, (turning away i..) She will, I'm sure she will. You don't know Margaret. Dick. And if she does, there are worse things than being a bachelor again ! James, (laughing in spite of himself) That's right— make a joke about it. Dick. My remark was perfectly serious. (goes to R. of table.) James, (turning again and coming to l. of table) And the deuce of it all is if I hadn't taken your advice and blurted out the whole story like a fool, she would have forgiven me. James, (grimly) So she said, (pours him- self out another drink) 64 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. James. And she would too. (crossly) I'll trouble jou not to question it. (Dick shrugs his sJioiilders.) This comes of your cursed policy of candour. After this I'll never speak the truth again as long as I live. Never! QUICK CURTAIN. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 65 ACT III. Scene. — TJie drawing-room at the James Weth- ERBYs/ The French windoivs on to garden are open. The sun shines hrilliantly. (Enter James and. Dick, the former looking wretchedly depressed. He goes to fire shiver- ing, and wa7ius hands.) Dick, {strolling iip to open tvindoiv and look- ing out) Jove, what a glorious morning! James. Is it? I hadn't noticed, (l.) Dick. You didn't eat any breakfast. How the deuce is a fellow to notice anything on an empty stomach.? James. I wasn't hungry. Dick. Ah. / was. (turning to him and no- ticing his depression. Then going to him more sympathetically) Fretting, Jim? James. I suppose so. Dick, (affectionately) What a soft-hearted beggar it is. Cheer up. James, (savagely) One would think being about to be separated from one's wife was an everyday occurrence to hear you talk! (crosses toe.) 66 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. Dick, {humouring him) No, no, not quite that. But will she go? That's the question. (L. c.) James. You heard what she said last night. Dick, (easily) Oh, I don't attach much im- portance to that! James, (r. c.^ Mtterly) I'm afraid I can't share your confidence. Dick. Not seen her to-day? James. No. She wasn't at breakfast, as you saw. Dick, {horrified) Has she had no breakfast either? James. I don't know. Dick, {holding up his hands) What a house- hold! Aunt Clara, too? ^She wasn't down. I assume she also is fasting? James. She always has breakfast in her room. Dick (cheerfully) I congratulate you. Rol)crt, I suppose you're never safe from? Servant, (announcing) Mr. Robert Carne! Dick, (sitting in armchair — sardonically) Ah, I thought so! (Enter Robert.) James, (crosses r., sulkily) Good morning. Robert. Good morning, James. I thought I should find Margaret here. James. She's not come down yet. Robert. Ah. I'll wait, (sits on ottoman) James. She won't be down for some time. Perhaps you'd better come in later. Robert. I've nothing special to do. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 67 (James makes gesture of despair at Robert's oh- tuseness hehind Robert's hack. There is a pause. Then he turns hack to Robert and speaks^ hesitating hctiveon each lie and obvi- ously taxing his powers of invention.) James. She may not be here for an hour. She has a headache. I advise you to go out for a stroll. She may be a long time yet. (r.) Robert, (c.) Well, perhaps I'd better come back. {Exit r.) (James gives a sigh of relief.) Dick. (l.) {looking at James .curiously) My dear Jim, do you never speak the truth? James. Eh? No. {bitterly) I suppose I've got out of the habit, {sits c.) Dick, {rises and comes c.) Why didn't you kick the beggar out instead of inventing all that rot about Margaret? James. I ought to have done so, I suppose. It would have been more straightforward. But I'm hopelessly demoralised. I can't bear hurting the feelings of anyone, even an ass like Robert. Dick. What a good chap you are ! James, {with a hitter laugh) Good! {Enter Margaret, she looks pale as if after a sleepless night. But there is no sign of soften- ing in her face. ) {rising and going towards her with outstretched hands) Good morning, Maggie. 68 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. Margaret. Is that you, James? I tlionght jou would have gone up to business by now. {ignores hand.) James, {drops hand to his side and turns away) Vm not going. I telegraphed up this morning. They'll let me know if there's anything important. Margaret. I came to collect a few things out of this room, which I should like to take with me. James, (l.) {hopelessly) You are still re- solved to go? Margaret. Quite, James. James. Where? Margaret. To Constantia in the first instance. I daresay she can find room for me for a time. Afterwards, some arrangement will have to be made between us, I suppose. But the lawyers can see to all that. They did in Coustantia's case, did they not? {she looks toivards Dick as she says this, hut does not address him directly.) Dick, {cheerily) Oh, yes. They'll manage it all right. In an amicable separation of this kind, they're invaluable. You leave it to them, {at hack) James, {goes to Margaret r. c, standing a little ahove her — in loiv voice) Is it quite use- less to urge you to pause before you do this, Maggie? Margaret. Quite useless, James. My mind is made up. (crosses to l. c.) Constantia will be here in a few minutes. I have written to her. Perhaps it would be better if you were not here when she arrived — either of you — it would be THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 69 painful to everybody, {including Dick in her looJCy hut still not addressing liim.) Dick. Quite right. Let's go out into the gar- den, Jim, and give Constantia a fair field, {goes towards window, where he stands looking grimly towards others.) James. I shall see you before you go? Margaret. If you wish it. James, {breaking out — crossing to her) Mag- gie, if you only knew how sorry I am ! How ashamed ! Margaret. {raising her hand) Please! If you wish to see me to say good-bye, I am willing, but don't try to change my resolution. You will not succeed. {Exeunt James and Dick c.) (Margaret, left alone , takes small tray from piano R., and wanders round room collecting various trifles, a small clock in case, a couple of hooks, a silver scent hottle, etc. She pauses hy photograph of James on mantle-piece, takes it up, looks at it for some time, half puts it down again, then seems to make up her mind and takes it, adding it to pile on small tahle up L. c.) Servant, {announcing) Mrs. Richard Weth- erby. (Enter Constantia.) {Exit Maid^ r.) Constantia. {fussily— going over to her l. c.) My dear Margaret, what has happened? I came 70 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. at once. Are you in trouble of any kind? Your note explained nothing. Margaret. I thought I would rather tell you myself. I have discovered that James lias been deceiving me, and I am leaving him. Can you take me in for a few days? CoNSTANTiA. (astonisJicd) Of course, dear, with pleasure — that is, I mean, are you really obliged to take this step? Margaret. I am obliged to do so. No other course is open to me. CoNSTANTiA. But, my dear, this is very sud- den. James, too ! So high principled as he al- ways" appeared! Are you sure there has been no mistake? Margaret. He has admitted everything. CONSTANTIA. How extraordinary ! I never should have thought that of James! But there • — you never knoAv men! {sits c.) When do you think of coming to me? Margaret. To-day, if you can have me. I am merely putting a few things together to take with me. {adding something to the pile on small tahle L. c.) CONSTANTIA. Quite right, dear. You can't be too careful about that. I left such a lot of things behind me, when I left Richard, that I wanted afterwards ! Plate, for instance, and knives ! I took not a single spoon or fork, and the same with table linen. Margaret, {crosses at hack, sits r.) I was not thinking of those things. I shall only take a few personal belongings, nothing of value. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS, 71 CoNSTANTiA. Is that wise^ dear? Of course James must make you a suitable allowance. My own from Richard was most meagre! And even a small establishment costs so much to start. The merest necessaries are so expensive. And they wear out in no time nowadays. Margaret, [listlcssli/) I dare say. CoNSTANTiA. But tcU me, dear, when did you find out this about James? Margaret. Last night. It seems that for months he and Richard have been spending most of their evenings in low dissipation. CONSTANTIA. Richard was the tempter, of course ? Margaret, (listlessly) I suppose so. CoN&TANTiA. {rising energetically) Margaret there must be an end of this. Richard must not be allowed to exercise his malign influence unfet- tered. My mind is made up. I shall put a stop to it! Mar<];aret. How will you do that? CONSTANTIA. (decidedly) By returning to his roof! As long as he is living as a bachelor there is no check on his depravities. But when / am with him I can at least see that he keeps within bounds, (r. c.) Margaret, (r.) You will go back to him? You will forgive him? CONSTANTIA. No. I shall not forgive him. He has not deserved that. But I shall go back to him. I cannot allow him to retain his liberty any longer. When I separated from him it was to punish his misconduct and give him an oppor- 72 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. tunity for repentance, not to enable him to plunge deeper into vice and folly, [crosses to fire.) Margaret. But Constantia ! Ought you to do this? Won't you be very unhappy? [rises) Constantia. {calmly) I shall be able to bear it. Indeed, I have not found my life apart from Richard so happy either. The house is very small and the dining-room chimney smokes. (sits at desk) Of course these things do not tvcigh with me, but they exist. And you must remember that it was (hity which made me leave my husband, not pleasure. The lot of a woman living apart from her husband has great incon- veniences. It may be right that she should do it, it may be right that you should, dear, but it is not pleasant! Margaret, [sits on ottoman — bitterly) The life of a woman who lives with a husband she no. longer loves is not pleasant either. Constantia. No doubt, (in a practical tone) Still, of the two, I think I prefer it. {pause) And in any case we can only take the course which we believe to be right. My duty is clearly to return to Richard and to watch over him more carefully in future. Margaret. Then you will not be able to take me in for a few days? Constantia. No, dear. I shall be going back to town with Richard this afternoon. But you can have my house for the present with pleasure. Houses are always better occupied, aren't they? And I shall probably not be able to let it im- mediately. 1:*HE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 73 Margaret, You intend to speak to Richard to-day? CoNSTANTiA. {briskhj) Yes. At once, if you will kindly send for him. Margaret, {rises) Very well. {rings hell) And now if you don't mind I'll go upstairs and finish my packing. {Enter Maid.) Will you ask Mr. Richard to come here, Jane? He is in the garden. Take these things upstairs when you have done so. {points to things on sofa and {Exits R.) (Maid exit c, returning a moment later with Dick.) {Then exits Maid icith tray full of things, r.) Dick. (l. c.) Hullo, Constantia! You here? You want to see me? Constantia. (l.). Yes, Richard. Dick. But this isn't in the agreement. The agreement said that we were to meet once a year. I really can't talk to you two days running! Constantia. This is not a time for jesting. Dick. It never is — with you, Constantia! {She makes impatient gesture.) Well, what do you want to say to me? Constantia. Richard, I have heard of youl* shocking behaviour. 74 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. Dick. Not for the first time, I am sure. CoNSTANTiA. It appears, from what Margaret has told mc, that you now abuse your liberty as shamelessly as you formerly abused your posi- tion as a husband. In the one case you made my life wretched. In the other you lead others into temptation. Dick. Meaning poor old Jim? CoNSTANTiA. I mean your unhappy brother James. Dick, (nodding) I suppose it's the same per- son. CONSTANTIA. What I have now to say to you is, that I cannot permit you to be a source of moral contamination to others any longer. Dick. I see. You're going to keep your eye on me from Norwood? Very sporting of you to warn me beforehand. CONSTANTIA. No, Richard, I am going to re- turn to you as your wife! (rises) Dick, (his jaw di'ops) Oh no, you're not! (moves R.) CONSTANTIA. I beg your pardon. Dick. (r. c.) My dear Constantia, pray dis- miss this idea from your mind altogether. You will not return to me because I decline to re- ceive you. CONSTANTIA. (l. c. ttstonished) You refuse? Dick, (c.) Of course I refuse. You don't love me. You told me that yesterday. And now your only idea in returning to me is to keep an eye on my moral character. You don't suppose I shall like that, do you? THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 75 CoNSTANTiA. (l. c. ) {frigidly) It was not intended that jou should. Dick. Precisely. So I decline to submit my- self to the experiment. CoNSTANTiA. I shall insist upon it. (loftily) It is the duty of a husband and wife to live to- gether. Dick. It's taken you some time to find out that! (slight movement to r. c.) CoNSTANTiA. (tttkcs tt Step after him — after a pause) Tell me, Richard, what is your reason for this refusal? You must have a reason. Dick. My dear Constantia, it's simple enough, I no longer love you. Constantia. (starting hack to l. c.) You dare tell me that! Dick. Why not? You no longer love me. You told me so yesterday. Constantia. (walks down l.) There's some other reason. I'm sure of it. If you no longer care for me it must be because you have met someone else. Dick, (sits c.) My dear, don't be childish. Constantia. (turning) Oh, you can't put me off in that way. A man doesn't want to live apart from his wife in this discreditable manner unless there is some other woman he loves better. Dick. What shocking ideas you moral j)eople have. Constantia. (coming and standing over him c.) If you were not irreclaimably vicious you would welcome this chance of a reconciliation. 76 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. Dick. Vicious? Nonsense, I'm not vicious. I'm a very moral person. CoNSTANTiA. Then you deceived me grossly. You always told me you were vicious. Dick. I think not. CoNSTANTiA. Well, when I said so, you never denied it. Dick. I always used to let you have your own way. That's why you left me. Women like to be tyrannised over. CONSTANTIA. (sJic tttkcs tt fcw paccs doivn R., and turns — controlling herself with difficulty) Will you answer me one question? Dick, (blandly) No. I don't think I will. In fact this whole interview is most irregular. You must keep it for next year. CoNSTANTiA. You'i'e Unbearable. Dick, (rises, triumphantly) That's why we're so much better apart. I'm sure you feel that? CONSTANTIA. (coming up to him c, fiercely) You won't get rid of me so easily. Dick, (sweetly) Not altogether perhaps. But the relative freedom I at present enjoy suits me well enough. CONSTANTIA. (crosscs to him, L. c. — he gets R. c.) (Furious) I'll find a way of punishing you for this! Dick, (laughing) Threats! My dear Con, you shock me. Why should you object? You'll be happy enough. You'll have Margaret with you, you know. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 77 (CoNSTANTiA makcs a gesture of rage, She walks down L.) As for Jim he will share my flat in Maddox Street. It's b^'g enough for two. (James passes windoio front to r. Dick calls out) (r. c.) Won't you, Jim? James, (coming to window) What did you say? Dick. I was telling Constantia you and I were going to settle down together in Maddox Street. Constantia. (crosses to Dick with gesture of fury) Brute! (Exit R., in a towering passion.) Dick. Come in, Jim. I never could resist the temptation to chatf Constantia. James, (coming down l. c, sarcastically) I suppose she liked that? Dick. (r. c.) If she did, she concealed the feeling very successfully. But how about you, old man? You don't look very bright. Wife not forgiven you yet? James. No. She's determined to leave me. Dick. Lucky fellow! My wife wants to re- turn to me! I'm far more to be pitied, James, (irritahly) I wish to heaven you'd be serious sometimes. Dick. Serious? I'm deuced serious. Why, I tell you, my dear chap, if I hadn't been abso- lutely rude to Constantia, she'd have thrown her- 78 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. self into my arms and we should have had to be- gin married life all over again! I shouldn't have liked that at all. James. Why did she want to go back? It seems an odd taste. Dick. Taste had nothing to do with it. It was pure conscientiousness on her part. She thinks she ought to look after me. James. And you refused to take her back? Dick, (nods) Certainly. James, [disgusted) You must be an abso- lute brute, (sits c.) Dick. Why? She left me of her own choice. I-m not going to be sent about my business and then whistled back again at a moment's notice. What would you say (crosses to l. c.) if Mar- garet told you she'd altered her mind and wasn't going to leave you after all? James, (enthusiastically) Say? Why that she was the dearest, kindest, most forgiving little soul in the world. Dick, (horrified) My dear fellow! James. Confound you, Dick, can't you under- stand that I love Margaret — that there's nothing on earth I wish so much as to be reconciled to her? Dick. And go back to the old slavery? James. It wasn't slavery. It was happiness. (Dick gasps.) Dick. Well, you certainly have the most curi- ous conception of happiness. But there, go back to your Margaret, if you must! THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 'J'J James. If I only could! Dick. But don't expect me to take back Con- stantia, because I shan't. James. I don't believe you're serious. Dick. I'm perfectly serious, {looking at him keenly) Are you? James. About Margaret? Of course. (Dick shrugs his shoulders.) Dash it, man, one would think it was unusual for a husband to want to be reconciled to his wife! Dick. 'Tisn't what you'd call common! But there, it's your taste. Send her down to me. Say I've something to say to her. (James rises.) I daresay I can bring her to reason, (in an off- hand way.) James. She won't come. Dick. Oh yes, she will — from curiosity. (Exit James r.^ disgusted at this parting piece of cynicism. ) (While he is atvay Dick strolls about room, ex- amining Philistine decorations with every sign of contempt. Notices gap on mantelpiece tchere Jim's picture used to he. Whistles. Enter Margaret. He turns hurriedly and stands with hack to fireplace.) Margaret. You wish to speak to me? Dick. Yes. Sit down. Margaret, (sits c, l. of ottoman) I should 80 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. tell you at once that if your intention is to plead on James's behalf, you are only wasting your time. Dick, {airily) Oh, it isn't. I think Jim's rather well out of it. Margaret, {tvith frozen dignity) I beg your pardon? Dick. It isn't half bad being a bachelor again, at least that's my experience. Margaret. James is not of your opinion. Dick. He will be. Not at first of course, but afterwards, and anyhow he'll get accustomed to it. It's astonishing how quickly men get itsed to things. He'll drop back into the old bachelor ways. No Aunt Clara! {impressively) No Rob- ert ! Oh, Jiell be happy enough. You needn't fret about him! Margaret. It's not true. James is not like that. Dick. My dear Margaret, men are very much alike. He'll get to enjoy his freedom as I have done. Margaret, {fiercely) He won't! He won't! You're heartless and selfish.- You don't feel at all. Jim loves me. Dick, {pause — quietly) I used to love Con- stantia. Margaret. Used to love! Dick. Yes. {with obvious sincereity) People say that love never dies. On the contrary love is killed, oh so easily. A word, a look, moments of temper, inopportune tears. How they kill love ! Margaret. I don't believe vou. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 81 Dick. Oh yes, you do. And besides these, there are other things — boredom, relations — you're not very fortunate in the matter of rela- tions, are you? Little failures of tact and taste, little errors of judgment, all these contain a drop of the poison which may help to kill love ! Margaret, (wondering) Why do you speak to me like this? You are quite serious. I thought you were never serious. Dick. I'm not often — fortunately. Margaret, [puzzled) But why now? [ris- ing angrily) I see what it is. This is a trap. You want to make me forgive James. Dick, [in his most exasperating manner') My dear Margaret, be sensible. Sit down. Why on earth should / want you to forgive Jim? I like him! Margaret, [stung) What do you mean? Dick. You see if you leave Jim / shall see a lot more of him than I do now. As far as I am concerned the more completely you sever your connection with him the better. Margaret. [triumj)hantly) But he wouldn't be happy. Dick. Ah, we don't agree about that. Margaret, [sitting down) Then why did you send for me? Why have you spoken to me at all? If you would rather I left James why need you do anything but just leave us to part as we tvere doing? Dick. Were? Your resolution is wavering, you see. [moves slightly towards her) Margaret, [hotly) It is not! g2 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. Dick, (calmly) I misunderstand you then. So much the better for me. / get Jim instead, you don't ! Margaret, {bewildered) I don't understand. You haven't told me yet why you're trying to bring us together — if you are trying. Dick, (dispassionately) It's a sort of ran- dom benevolence on my part. I have fits of it. Margaret, (peevishly) What do you mean? Dick. The fact is I was talking to poor old Jim a few minutes ago, and he really did seem most awfully fond of you and all that, in spite of the way you've behaved Margaret. (rising angrily) Vvc behaved! Thank you, Richard. That will do. I told you it was useless for you to plead on James's behalf. I 'am now sure of it. (going up r.) Dick, (laughing) Come back, Margaret. You misunderstand me. If you would kindly have let me finish my sentence. Margaret. Well? (turns to face him hut docs not come hack.) Dick. Let me see, where was I? Oh, I found that Jim was awfully fond of you — absurdly so it seemed to me — and you're awfully fond of him too, you know, though you won't admit it at present. Margaret. I don't see that that is any reason why you should have interfered. Dick, (impatiently) My dear Margaret, when I see a woman deliberately throwing away her own happiness, I think it's only kind to warn her. That's all. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 83 Margaret. Her happiness? Dick. Yes. (pause) Jim will get over this all right, as I said. Men do. They're tough. And they've lots of distractions. It's different with women, (coldly) So I thought I'd just give you a hint before it was too late. Margaret, (sarcastically) Isn't it rather late for tjou to begin to consider me? Dick. I dare say. But it's not too late for you to consider yourself. Margaret, (haughtily) I haven't the least idea what you mean by that. Dick. Sit down and I'll try to make myself clear. (She sits. He sits Uside her. Both sit on ottoman. Margaret r. Dick l. of it.) Margaret. Well ? Dick. Do you know what passed between my- self and Constantia this morning? Margaret. Yes. A reconciliation. Dick No. Your sister wished for one. At least she wished to patch up our marriage some- how. I refused. Margaret. You refused? Dick Yes. (pause) I'm happier as I am. Margaret. And Constantia? Didn't you think at all of her? Dick. Constantia made her choice a year ago. She can't alter it now. Margaret. And are you never going to live with her again? Never at all? 84 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. Dick, (cheerfully) Never! On that point I am quite clear, (there is a pause) Margaret, (slowly) I still don't see what all this has to do with me. Dick, (airily) Merely a parallel case. That's all. Margaret, (in a ivhisper) Parallel? Dick, (sternly) Yes. I loved Constant ia once. Jim loves you now. Constantia sulked with me, badgered ine, bored me, finally left me as you are leaving Jim. Poor woman, she thought she would be happy living alone. At least she thought she would be contented. So do you. She was mistaken. You can see it in her face, the lonely look of the woman who has no home. x\nd we have only been separated a year! Yet she so hates her present life that this morning nothing but my direct refusal to receive her pre- vented her from returning to me. What a situa- tion! How humiliating and disastrous! Think carefully, Margaret, before you do as she did. Margaret, (half to herself) What an escape! What an escape! Dick. You will think carefully? Not for Jim's sake, Margaret, htit for your oicn! (Margaret hursts into tears.) (rises) There, there, that's all right, dry your eyes and then go and make it up with Jim. • Margaret, (trying to stifle her sohs) B . . . b . . but will he forgive me? Will he make it up? Dick, (grimly) Oh yes, he'll forgive you all right. THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 85 Margaret, {rising and drying her eyes) It'« very imjiist. Men always have the best of it. They do wrong and we suffer. Dick. Ah well, you manage to make it pretty disagreeable for them too sometimes ! Margaret, {half crying) I thought I w^as do- ing right. Jim behaved very badly. It was my duty to punish him. Dick. You don't call punishing your husband duty? I call it pleasure. Margaret, {laughing through her tears) You're very horrid! But you meant this kindly. You're not really had, Dick. I see that now. Dick, {hacks up l., alarmed) For Heaven's sake don't begin putting me on a pedestal ! It wouldn't suit me at all. {going to door, opens it and calls) Jim! Jim! {to ;Margaret) Come, summon up a smile to greet your husband. Ever such a litle one! {She smiles faintly. She crosses l. and turns to- wards him up stage.) {Enter Jim.) Jim, go to your wife and tell her you're heartily ashamed of yourself and will never do anything wrong again, and perhaps she'll forgive you. I'll go upstairs and finish packing. I sha'n't be two minutes. {Emt R.^ hastily.) James, {coming doicn r.) Margaret! Is it true? Will you forgive me this time? Margaret, {to him c.) Yes, Jim, if you'll 86 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. promise never to hide anything from me again. {Enihraccs hhn.) James. Angel ! Of course I promise. I'll never hide anything from you in future. And I'll never go anywhere with Dick again as long as I live! Margaret. Oh no, Jim, you mustn't say that. I've changed my opinion about Dick. I believe he's quite good really, nearly as good as you are, only not so serious. I should like him to come and stay with us. He's fond of you, Jim. James. What will Aunt Clara say to that? Margaret. Aunt Clara will not be here. She must go away; and Robert too. In future we must have our house to ourselves, and live our lives in our own* way. James, (emhracing) Margaret, you're a trump! But I'll deserve it. I swear I will. I'll do whatever you wish, {draws her down on sofa 'beside him.) Margaret. Dear old Jim. {strokes his hair affectionately) {Enter Dick with hag and overcoat.) Dick. Hullo, not finished yet? (Margaret moves away from him hastily.) James. Confound you, Dick, don't interrupt. {possesses himself of Margaret^s hand.) Dick. Not for worlds. But as my train goes in ten minutes, I thought you might find time to say good-bye to me. {comes down r. c.) THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 87 James, {rises and going r.) You're not going before lunch? Margaret. Do stay. Dick. No. {getting into coat) The atmos- phere of this place is altogether too connubial. (R. c.) I must get back to my lonely flat in Mad- (lox Street, where no wives are admitted. Good- bye, Maggie. Good bye, Jim. Don't be too good either of you! And when you see Constantia, tell her I've (James and Margaret go l. c. together.) decided to remain a grass widower permanently. {Turns to go, picking up hag and hat. Margaret and James stand hand in hand. As he reaches door R. etitcr Constantia dressed as for jour- ney. In her hand she carries a dressing hag.) Hullo, Con, I was just speaking of you. What is the use of that confounded agreement if you keep poi)ping up in this way? What are you doing here? Constantia. I came to find you, Richard. Dick. But this is quite out of order. You were to see me once a year, not twice a day. Be- sides, I'm just off to London. Constantia. I also am going to London. Dick. By this train? Constantia. Yes. Dick, {cross r. c. to r.) Very well, l^ou've just time to catch it. {sits down r.) I'll take the next. BS THE TWO MR. WETHERBfS. CoNSTANTiA. No, Ricliard, we shall go to- gether, {comes down r. c.) Dick. What ! CoNSTANTiA. I have made up my mind to for- give jou. I consider it my duty. Dick, {with the calmness of despair) There seems to be a perfect epidemic of forgiveness down here just now. Here's Margaret who has made it up with Jim, and there they stand hold- ing one another's hands in a manner that's per- fectly sickening. (Margaret jmlls licr hand away guiltily.) And now yon want to forgive me! I don't want to be forgiven ! I won't be forgiven ! CONSTANTIA. {stemly) Margaret! Is this true? Margaret. Yes, Connie. CONSTANTIA. Tudecd ! Well, I only hope you will not live to regret it. You appear to me to have acted with undue precipitation ! James, (l.) We're going to risk it! Constantly, (c. with grunt of disapproval, turning to Dick) Well, Richard. I am ready. Dick, (r.) I'm not. I decline to allow you to come with me. CONSTANTIA. {firmly) Nothing but physical violence will prevent me. Dick, {rises ^ reproachfully) Look here, Con, is this fair? I allowed you to leave me when you wanted to. You\e no right to change your mind now. It's fickle, that's what I call it. Beastly fickle! THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. 89 CoNSTANTiA. This IS not a moment for jesting. Dick, {disgusted) It certainly isn't! CoNSTANTiA. {stcrnly) Then if you will take up your bag, perhaps we had better start. Dick. I'm dashed if I will. I can't take you to Maddox Street. You'd be awfully uncomfort- able there. CONSTANTIA. I shall do very well. You said there was room for two only this morning. (Dick makes a cjestnre of despair.) Margaret, (l. c. — coaxingly) Dick, be nice to her. You're not hard-hearted really, though you like to preteud to be. Take her back. Dick. Look here, Maggie, I call that pretty rough. Is this my reward for reconciling you to your husband? Margaret. Well, I'm only trying to reconcile you to your wife. Dick, (r.) {disgusted) Dash it all I Don't joke about it. One humourist is enough in any family. James. Make it up, old man. It isn't half bad being married after all, eh, Maggie? And you can't prevent her from coming unless you call in the police! Y^ou only separated by mutual consent. Dick, {resigning himself) Very well. Look here. Con, if you'll say you're sorry for the way you've treated me, and will let me do everything that I please in future and always laugh at my jokes, I'll forgive you. I can't say fairer than that. 90 THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS. Margaret. Say jevS, Connie. Dick, {to her more kindly) Come, Con, dr. the thing handsomely. Is it yes? CoNSTANTiA. Yes, Richard. (They shake hands.) CURTAIN. (At second curtain Constantia is hy door fol- lowed hy Dick, carrying BOTH the hags.) THE END. {French' s Standard Drama Continued from 2d page of Cover.) vol.. X\.\. Th« Piraw's Ugacj- The Ch»r.o»l Burinr Adelgitb* Seoor Valiente Kore»t Kose Duke's l)»ug;hter Camilla's Hutband Pure Gold VUL. XLII. Ticket of Leave Man Fool't Revenge O'Neil the Great Handy Andy Pirate of the Islei Kauchon Little Barefoot Wild Iriih Girl VOL. XLIIL Pearl of Savoy Dead Heart Ten Niehta in a Bar-room Dumb Boy of Manchester Belpheifor the Mounteb'k Cricket on the Hearth Printer'! Devil Meg'» Diveraion VuL. XLIV. ;i45 Dniiikard's Doom 'JA% Chimntv Corner iil Fifteen Vearsnf a Drunk- :i4S No Thoroughfare I ard's M-i Peep O' Day L Life XnO Everybody's Friend MX Gen. Grant 'ii-i Katiile^B Mavourneen VDL. XLV. ;i53 Nick WhifHes - .■i54 Fruits of the Wine Cup 355 Drunkard's Warning :<56 Temperance Doctor ibl Aunt Dinah 358 Widow Freeheart 359 Frou Frou 360 Long Strike VOL. XLVf. 361 Lancers 36i Lu. ille 363 Randall's Thumb 364 Wicked World 365 Two Orphans 366 Colleen Bswn 367 'Twixt Axe and Crown 368 Lady Clancarthy VOL. XLVn. 36» SaraU)ga 37U Nerer Too Ijite to Mend 371 Lily of France 372 Led Astray 373 Henry V 374 Unequal Match 375 May or Dolly's Delusion 376 AUatooiia VOL. XLVIIL 37T Enoch Arden 378 Under the Gas Light 379 Daniel Rochat 380 Caste 381 School 3b2 Home 383 David Garrick 384 Ours VOL. XLIX. .385 Social Glass 386 Daniel Druce 387 Two Roses 388 Adrienne 389 The Bells 390 Uncle 391 Courtship 392 Not Such a Fool VOL. L. 393 Fine Fealbers 394 I'roiiipter's B»i 395 Iron Master 396 Engaged 97 Pygmalion k 0«l»t»» .W8 l.eah .i99 Scrap of Papsr 400 Lost in lK>ndoa VOL. LI. 401 Octoroon 402 Confederate Spy 403 Mariner's Returm 404 Ruined by Driak 405 Dreams 406 M. P. 407 War 408 Birth VOL. LII. 409 Nightingale 410 Progress 411 Play 412 Midnight Chug* 413 Confidential Clerk 414 Snowball 415 Our Regiment 416 Married for Mosey , Hamlet in Three Act* Guttle ramas for Boys Drawing-room Monologues Elocution, Reciters and Speakers Ethiopian Dramas Evening's Entertainment Fairy and Home Plays French's Costumes French's Editions French's Italian Oper.is French's Parlor Comedies French's Standard and Minor Drama French's Standard and Minor Drama, bound French's Scenes for Amateurs Frobisher's Popular Recitals Grand Army Dramas Guide Books for Amiiteurs Guide to Selecting Plays Hints on Costumes Home Plays for Ladies Irish Plavs Irving's t'lays Juvenile Plavs Make-Up Book Make-Up Box Mock Trial Mrs. Jarley'i Wax Works New Pl.tys New Recitation Books Nigger Jokes and Stump Spaeckes Parlor Magic Parlor Pantomimes Pieces of Pleasantry Poems for Recitations Plays for Male Characters oaJy Round Games Scenery Scriptural and Historical Dnumu Sensation Dramas Serio-Comic Dramas Shadow Pantomimes Shake«peare's Plays for Amftt««rs Shakespeare's Plays Stanley's Dwnrfs Spirit Gum Tableaux Vivants Talma Actor's Art Temperance Plays Vocal Music of Shakespeara's Plays Webster's Acting Editioa Wigs, etc. {French's Minor Drama Continued from 4th page of Cover.) I Love [Letter VOL. XLT 321 Adventures of 3S2 1 ost Child 323 Conrt Cards 824 Cox and Box 325 Fortv Winks 396 Wonderful Wom»» 327 Curious Case 328 Tweedleton's Tail Coat VOL. XLH. .■?29 As Like as Two Peas 330 Presumptive Evidence 331 Happy Band .^■?2 Pinafore 333 Mock Trial .S.34 My Uncle's Will 335 Happv ''a'r 330 My Turn Next VOL. XLHL 337 Sunset S.'iS For Half aMniion 339 C.ble Car ;un Early Bird .Ul Alumni Play 342 Show of Hands ;U3 Barbara 344 Who's Who VOL. XLTV. 346 Who'8 To Win Him 346 Which is Which 347 Cup of Tea 348 Sarah's Young Man 349 Hearts 360 In Honor Bound [IJkW 361 Frttilng a Motbar-io- 362 My Lord In Llrery SAMUEL FRENCH, 26 West 22d St., New York City. New and Explicit Descriptive Catalo8:ue Mailed Free on Request. FKKJVCH S MINUK DKAMA. Price 15 Cents each. •ep- VOL. I. 1 Tke Irish Attorney 2 Boot* at the Swan 3 How to Pay the Rent 4 The Loan of a Lover 6 The Dead Shot C Hie Last Lesrs 7 The [nvisible Prince 8 Th* Gol.ien Farmer VOL. II. 9 1'ride of the Market 10 Used Up 11 The Irish Tutor 12 The Barrack Room 13 Luke the Laborer 14 Beauty and the Beast 15 St. Patrick's Eve 16 Captain of the Watch VOL. ilL 17 The Secret IJP 18 White Horse of the Pi 1 J The Jacobite 20 The Bottle 21 Box and Cox ?2 Banihoozliug 23 Widow's Victiia 24 Robert Macaire . VOL. IV. 95 Secret Service 26 Omnibus 57 Irish Lion 28 Maid of Croissy 29 The Old Guard 30 Raising the Wind 31 Slasher and Crasher 32 Naval Engagements VOL. V. 33 Cocknies in California 34 Who Speaks First 36 Bombastes Furioso 36 Macbeth Travestie 37 friah A.mbassndor 38 Delicate Ground 39 The Weathercock [Gold 40 All that Glitters is Not VOL. VI. 41 Qrimshaw, Bagshaw and Bradihaw *2 Rough Diamond 43 Bloomer Costume 44 Two Bonnycastles *5 Born to Good Luck 16 Kiss in the Dark O"''*^'' 47 'Twould Puzzle a Con- t8 Kill or Cure VOL. VH. 49 Box and Cox Married and 50 St. Cupid [Settled .M Go-to-bed Tom 52 The Lawyers 53 .Jack Sheppard 54 The Toodles ^F, The Mobcap 6» Ladies Beware VOL. VIIL bl Morning Call 58 Popping the Questioi 59 Deaf as a Post 60 New F.Kitiaan 61 Pleapant N''ighbor 62 Paddv the Piper 63 Brian" O' Lin a 64 Irish Assurance VOL. IX. 65Temptalinn 66 Paddv Carey 67 Two Gregories 68 King Charming 69 Po-ca-hon-tas 70 Clockm.aker's Hat 71 Married Rake 72 L«ve and Murder VOL. X. 73 Ireland and America 74 Prettv Piece of Business 75 Irish i^oom-inaker 76 To Paris and Ba Five Pounds 77 That Blessed Baby 78 Our G.al 79 Swiss Cottage 89 Young Widow for VOL. XI. 81 O'Flannigan and the F 82 Irish Post [r 83 My Neighbor'* Wife 84 Irish Tiger 85 P. P., or Man and Tig h6 To Oblige B^nton 87 State Secrets 88 Irish Yankee VOL. XIL 89 A Good Fellow 90 Cherry and Fair Star 91 Gale Breerely 92 Our Jemimy 93 Miller's Maid 94Awkward Arrival 95 Crossing the Line 96 Conjngal Lesson VOL. xin. 97 My Wife's Mirror 9S Life in New York 99 Middy Ashore 00 Crown Prince 101 Two Que^-ns 102 Thumping Legacy 103 Unfinished U'-utlem an 104 House Dog VOL. XIV. 105 The Demon Lover 106 Matrimony 107 In and Out of Place 108 I Dine with My Mother 09 Hi-a-wa-tha 110 Andy Blake 111 Love in '76 [tie- 12 Romance under Difficul- VOL. XV. 13 One Coat for 2 Suits 114 A Decided Case 115 Daughter [no rity 116 No Tor, the Glorious M'i- 17 Coroner's Inquisition 18 Love in Humble Life 119 Family .Tars 120 Personation VOL. XVL 21 Children in the Wood 122 Winning a Husband 23 Day After the Fair 124 Maki Your Wills 25 Rendezvous 26 My Wife's Husband 27 Monsieur Tonson 28 Illustrious Stranger VOL. XVII. 29 Mischief-Making [Mi nes 30 A Live Woman in the 31 The Corsair 32 Shylock .■53 Spoiled Child ■M 1£\'11 Eye 35 Vothing to Nurse 136 Wanted a Widow VOL. XVIIL 37 Lottery Ticket .38 Fortune's Frolic 139 Is he .Jealous? 140 Married Bachelor 141 Husband at .Sight 42 Irishman in London 43 Ani iiai Magrjeti'sm 44 Highwavs and By-W ays VOL. XIX. 45 Columbus 16 Harlequin Bluebeard 47 Ladies at Home 148 Phenomenon in a Smock Frock 49 Comedy an(J Tragedy 50 Opposite ^^eighbors 151 Dutchman's Ghost 52 Persecuted Dutchman VOL. XX. 53 Musard Ball 54 Great Tragic Revival 56 High Low Jack & Game 156 A Gentleman from Ire- 157 Tom and Jerry [land 158 Village Lawyer 59 Captain's not A-miss 60 Amateurs and Acto LIBRARY OF CONGRESS fill ixy [Pi Milki! di( 014 432 993 4 % |' lOne 170 1-liram Mireeui 171 Double-Bedded Room 172 The Drama Defended 173 Vermont Wool Dealer 174 Ebeneier Venture [ter 175 Principles from Charac 176 Lady of the Lake (Trav) tOL. XXUl. 177 Mad Dogs 178 B.^rney tlie Bnron 179 Swiss Swains 180 Bachelor's Bedroom 181 A Rol.and for an Oli 182 .More Blunders th 183 Dumb Belle 1^4 Liuif-rick boy VOL. XXIV. 185 Nature and Philosophy 186 Teddy the Tiler 187 Spectre Bridegroom 188 Matteo Falcone • 189 Jenny Lind 190 Two'Buz.zards 191 Happy Man 192 Betsy Baker VOL. XXV. 193 No. 1 Round the Corner 194 Teddy Roe 195 Object of Interest 196 My Fellow Clerk 197 Bengal Tiger 198 Laughing Hyena 199 The Victor Vanquished 200 Our Wife VOL. XXVI. 201 My Husband's Mirror 202 Yankee Land 203 Norah Creina 204 Good for Nothing 205 The First Night 206 The Eton Boy 207 Wandering Minstrel 208 Wanted, lOOO Milliners VOL. XXVll. Poor Pilcoddy ?10 The Mum.ny [Glassei 211 Don't Forgft your Opera 212 Love in Livery ■J 13 Anthnnv and Cleopatra •.'14 Tr\ingh On 215 Stage Stnn-k Yankee 216 Young Wife A Old Um- brella VOL. xxvin. 217 Crinoline 218 A Family Failing 9 Adopted rhild 220 Turned Heads 221 A Match in the Dart 222 Advice to Husbands 223 Siamese Twins 224 Sent to the Tower VOL. XXIX. 225 Somebody Flse 2 '6 Ladies' Battle 227 Art of Acting 228 The Lady of the Lions 229 The RichU of Man 230 My Husband's Ghost 231 Two Can Play at that Game 232 Fighting bv Proxy VOL. "XXX. 233 Unprotected Female 2,34 Pet of the Petticoats 235 Forty and Fifty [book 236 Who Stole the Pocket- 37 My Son Diana [sion 238 Unw.arrantable Intru- Mr. and Mrs. White 240 A Quiet Family (French's Minor Drama Continued on fd page of Cover.) ^DUTTUt. to r«urse 251 A Lucky Hit 252 The Dowager 253 Metamora (Burlesque) 254 Dreams of Delusion 255 The Shaker Lovers 256 Ticklish "..nes VOL. IxXIIL .'57 20 Minutes with a Tiger 258 Miralda ; or, the Justice of Tacon 259 A Soldier's Courtship 260 Servants by Legacy 261 Dying for Love 262 Alarming Sacrifice 263 Valet de Sham 264 Nicholas Mckleby VOL. xxxiv; 265 The Last of the Pigtails 266 King Rene's Daughter 267 The Grotto Nymph 268 A Devilish Good Joke 269 A Twice Told Tale 270 Pas de Fascination ^71 Revolutionary Soldier 272 A Man Without a Head VOL, XXXV. 273 The Olio, Part 1 274 Tne Olio, Part 2 275 The Olio, Part 3 [ter 276 The Trumpeter's Daugh- 277 Seeing Warren 278 Green Mountain Boy 279 That Nose 280 Tom Noddy's Secret VOL. XXXVL 281 Shocking Events 282 A Regular Fix 283 Dick 'J'urpin 284 Young Sc imp 285 Young Actress 2.^6 Call at No. 1—7 2><7 One Touch of Nature ■iHii Two B'hoys VOL. XXXVII. 289 All the World's a Stage V90 Quash, or Nigger Prac- 291 Turn Him Out [tice 292 Pretty Girls of StiUberg 293 Angel of the Attic 294 Circumstancesalter Cases 296 Katty 0'.Sheal 296 A Supper in Dixie VOL. XXXVIIL i^t Tci on> Parle Francais 298 Who Killed Cock Robin 299 Declaration of Independ- 300 Heads or Tails [enqe 301 Obstinate Family 302 My Aunt 303 That Rascal Pat 304 Don Paddy de Bazan VOL. XXXIX. [ture 305 Too Much for Good Na- 306 Cure for the Fidgets .307 Jack's the Lad 308 MuchAdoAboutNothing 309 Artful Dodsrer 310 Wiiming Hazard 311 Day's Fishing [Ac . 312 Did you ever send your, VOL. XL. 313 An Irishman's Maneurer 314 Cousin Fannie 31 5 'Tis the Darkest Hourbe- 316 Masquerade [fore Dawn 317 Crowding the Season 318 Good Night's Rest 319 Man with the Carpet Bag 320 Terrible Tinker SAMUEL FRENCH 26 West 22d Street. New York City. New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogfue Mailed Free on Kequest.