P s 
 
 635 
 
 / 
 
 A VIRGINIA REEL 
 
 ^ 
 
 1^^^^ i A COMEDIETTA 
 
 IN TWO PARTS. 
 
 PRINTED AS MANUSCRIPT. 
 
Qass P 5 fe 5 5 
 Book ^^ V ^7 
 
A VIRGINIA REEL, 
 
 A COMEDIETTA 
 
 IN TWO PARTS. 
 
 PRINTED AS MANUSCRIPT. 
 
 FEB 23 1888 7-) / 
 
 HARTFORD, CONN.: 
 Press of The Case, Lockwood & Brainakd Company. 
 
 188 8. 
 

 CHARACTERS. 
 
 Valebia Honiton ; a sentimental spinster. 
 Edith Merriville; her niece. 
 Barnabas Sylvester; a cautious bachelor. 
 Leander Meredith; a reckless bachelor. 
 Ralph Oliver; an unsentimental young man. 
 
 Time of representation ; fifty minutes. 
 
 Copyrighted, 1888, 
 
 By The Case, Lockwood & Bbainabd Company. 
 
 All rights reserved. 
 
 TMP92-007465 
 
A Virginia Reel, 
 
 PART I. 
 
 {A parlor in a country house. Edith discovered alone. She has 
 been reading a note icMch site tosses aside impatiently.) 
 
 E. The same thing over and over! I believe it was better 
 before he took to notes. I used to think it was bad enough to 
 meet them both at every turn, but Mr. Sylvester expressing 
 himself in writing at all sorts of odd times is worse yet, if any- 
 thing. Between trying to find out if he is preferring any re- 
 quest at all, and if Mr. Meredith knows what in the world he 
 is requesting, my reason is going. Now, here, for instance is 
 what Mr. Sylvester says: {reads) " Esteemed Miss Merriville." 
 Now can anything be more diplomatic than that ? There is 
 nothing compromising in esteeming anybody — he knows that. 
 (reads) " The dance to-morrow evening is to be brought to what 
 we may venture to hope will be a happy close, with the Vir- 
 ginia Reel. Am I to see the charming Miss Merriville" — 
 Charming is more dangerous than esteemed — I am sure Mr. 
 Sylvester felt that — but, then, " it is a term" — "I can hear him 
 say this {with an air of mimicry) it is a term of almost universal 
 application." " Woman " — Mr. Sylvester always addresses his 
 compliments to woman — ' ' woman at large is always charming. " 
 {reads). "Am I to see the charming Miss Merriville winding 
 through the mazes of that dance ? May I be allowed to take 
 her fair hand and lead her through certain of its complications? 
 "Will she grant me the favor of meeting her in this old fash- 
 ioned, but always inspiring, contra dance ? 
 
 ' ' Hoping that her reply may be favorable, 
 
 "I am, her attached friend, 
 
 "Barnabas Sylvester." 
 
 Now does he want me to dance it with him or not ? "Who 
 can tell from such a note as that, and why need he write such 
 
4 A VIRGINIA REEL. 
 
 a note any way! I see him ever}'' day. " Meet him ? " Of 
 course I shall meet him — everybody meets everybody else in 
 the Virginia Reel. I wish I had somebody to help me out of 
 these ridiculous difficulties ! Aunt Valeria is of no use at all. 
 
 R, {outside). Is this the room? Well, I'll wait here till you 
 find out {enter Ralph). 1 beg pardon! I didn't know — why, 
 it certainly is — Edith Merriville! 
 
 E. Why Ralph ! When did you come into this part of the 
 country ? I'm so glad to see you. 
 
 R. Only just come. I ran up to see Meredith, an old friend 
 of the family — young friend of the family, rather — had some 
 business to transact. But there is nothing interesting to tell 
 about me — same old grind all the year round. Tell me about 
 yourself. 
 
 E. {sigliing). Well, I believe I will. I'm longing for a confi- 
 dant, {they sit r). You are always turning up when I want 
 particularly to see you, Ralph. I'm awfully afraid you'll 
 marry or something, and then you'll be of no use to confide in. 
 
 R. {positively). You need not be afraid, Edith. If there is 
 
 one thing I don't mean to do, its that. Marry ! wliy 
 
 But what is it you are going to tell me? 
 
 E. You are sure you are not even engaged ? Of course I 
 wouldn't tell a man anything I wouldn't tell the girl he was en- 
 gaged to, but I'd rather, you know — tell them separately. 
 
 R. {seriously). One can't be too sure about these things, I 
 know. They come on one suddenly sometimes, but to the best 
 of my knowledge and belief I'm not anywhere near being 
 engaged. 
 
 E. Well, then, I'm so annoyed by two admirers. 
 
 R. I suppose you would be less annoyed if there were three. 
 Feminine annoyance always in the inverse ratio of admirers. 
 
 E. (laughing). But it isn't I that they admire, my dear Ralph, 
 it is uncle Joshua's money. 
 
 R. Poor old gentleman ! Posthumous attention isn't always 
 gratifying. When he was alive he admired it himself more 
 than anybody else. 
 
 E. Well, you see nobody knows just how it was left except 
 Mr. Nute the lawyer. Even Aunt Valeria and I don't know 
 beyond a certain point, and it won't be known until one of us 
 is engaged. 
 
A VIKGINIA REEL. 5 
 
 E. Won't — ahem! — won't Miss Honiton know until — 
 until she's engaged? 
 
 E. Not unless I'm engaged first. 
 
 R. I guess — if she's curious at all — you'd better be engaged 
 •first. 
 
 E. But I don't want to marry. 
 
 R. I know just how you feel about it. Neither do I. 
 
 E. But that isn't the difficulty so much as the attention of 
 these two men at present staying in the house — Mr. Sylvester 
 and your friend, Mr. Meredith. 
 
 R. By Jove ! Is he in the running, too ? But I'm not sur- 
 prised — he likes to go in for almost anything. 
 
 E. Almost anything! What delicate flattery to the recipient 
 of his attentions. 
 
 R. {easily). Oh, well — matrimony, I mean. 
 
 E. Mr. Meredith is the more reckless of the two. 
 
 R. He is naturally reckless. 
 
 E. But Mr. Sylvester is persistent. I don't quite like to say 
 anything to Aunt Valeria. She — well, she knows them herself, 
 you know. 
 
 R. Yes, I know. 
 
 E. But do help me out of it. {rises, goes l). When you see 
 me alone with either of them — come to the rescue! 
 
 R. (l).. You may depend on me. But is there any special 
 difficulty just now ? Will it be necessary for me to order a 
 coat of mail immediately, in which to fight your battles ? 
 
 E. Perhaps not, but solve me this riddle. {She gives Mm ilie 
 note loliich he glances at). Does he want me to dance with him? 
 
 But hush, don't say anymore — here comes Aunt Valeria. 
 
 {Enter Miss Valeria Honiton, c.) 
 
 V. Ah ! here you are, my dear Edith — but 
 
 E. Surely, you remember Mr. Oliver — Ralph — Aunt 
 Valeria? 
 
 R. {boicing). 1 hope I am not forgotten? 
 
 V. {adjusting Jier glasses). Why, Mr. Oliver, of course! You 
 must forgive me, but I go through the world so carelessly — 
 like a child, I am absorbed in the Present, always the Present 
 — and sometimes I forget ! Sometimes the Past with its me- 
 mories is as if it had never been! 
 1* 
 
6 A VIRGINIA REEL. 
 
 R. {aside). No, that's a mistake on her part. Not by daylight, 
 any way ! 
 
 V. That is why I did not instantly recognize you. {sits l). 
 
 E. Ralph has ceased to be a memory of the Past, and be- 
 come a part of the absorbing Present. Isn't it nice he has 
 turned up just now ? {sits). 
 
 V. Charming ! Just in time for our country festivities. 
 Mr. Oliver, it is foolish, foolish, the way in which I throw my- 
 self into these passing joys! But I am such a child ! {dapjnng 
 lier hands). I am so excited about to-morrow night — the ball. 
 
 E. So are we all. 
 
 V. Are we? I am afraid I am selfish. I feel only my own 
 emotions. 
 
 R. But how awkward it might be, Miss Honiton, if you 
 felt all ours, too. 
 
 V. {archly). True. But at the ball I must learn not to be 
 myself. 
 
 R. And why ? 
 
 V. We have just decided to make it {pause for effect) — a 
 fancj' dress affair ! 
 
 E. Fancy dress! So late as this? 
 
 V. Yes, so late as this. But it is to be thoroughly im- 
 promptu. It was about my costume that I came to consult you, 
 dear child. 
 
 R. Then I can be of no further use, I am sure. I shall look 
 up Meredith, {to V.) Miss Merriville has been giving me in- 
 structions, {to 'El.) I will carry them out, Edith, certain as I 
 am to get myself much disliked. 
 
 V. But you will appear to-morrow night, Mr. Oliver, in 
 character ? 
 
 R. Oh, certainly, certainly. Miss Honiton. {aside to Edith). 
 In as much of it as is left me. {exit). 
 
 E. {sits by V.). How can I help you, Aunt Valeria? And 
 what shall I be myself ? 
 
 V. {with agitation). Oh, my dear, I am so disturbed. I never 
 think! That is the trouble with me — I never think! Oh, Edith, 
 dear child, as you grow up, think — think often. Sometimes 
 it seems to me as if I had never thought ! 
 
 E. Oh, Aunt Valeria! 
 
 V. {firmly). Yes, my dear, it does! Now, for instance, why 
 
A VIRGINIA REEL. 7 
 
 could I not have seen that I was inspiring something deeper 
 than mere friendship in two noble hearts? 
 
 E. Two noble hearts? 
 
 V. Yes — two. Mr. Meredith's and Mr. Sylvester's — one 
 noble heart each. 
 
 Yl. (somewhat surprised). Oh, have you? (aside). Mr. Mere- 
 dith and Mr. Sylvester! Has my anxiety been a mistaken one? 
 
 V. (giving her a note). Read that ! See how one of them is 
 throbbing with restless eagerness, and learn that the other is 
 waiting beyond to hear my decision on the same subject. 
 
 E. (icalJcs c). " Esteemed Miss Honiton " — (aside). I detect 
 the pulsations, (reads). ' ' The dance to-morrow evening is to be 
 
 brought to what Virginia Reel. " (aside). The 
 
 style is not unfamiliar! (reads) " charming Miss Honiton 
 
 certain of its complications her attached friend 
 
 Barnabas Sylvester." (laughing.) He must use a hectograph 
 
 but he doesn't keep his duplicates. This is delightful. 
 
 He may possibly lose himself in "certain of tlie complications," 
 I'm afraid, (goes l). Well, Aunt Valeria, this is the one throb- 
 bing with restless eagerness, I suppose. What are you going 
 to do about it ? 
 
 V. Yes, dear Edith, what am I ? I cannot bear to disap- 
 point either. My heart is so tender — and as for them, you 
 know that " the heart that has truly loved never forgets, but 
 as truly loves on to the close." 
 
 E. I've heard so, but the fact has never come under my per- 
 sonal observation. 
 
 Y . (reproachfully). Little skeptic! But you cannot have failed 
 to remark that Mr. Sylvester is another person when I am 
 present. 
 
 E. (aside). That must mean that he is a double dealer! 
 
 V. He seems to find difficulty in expressing himself. 
 
 E. I have remarked that. 
 
 V. The difficulty, my dear, is in his heart. 
 
 E. I fancied it was in his head. But shall you dance the 
 Reel with him? 
 
 V. Can I ? (sentimentally). And leave dear Mr. Meredith 
 out in the cold? To such a nature as his, neglect is an icy blast, 
 
 E. (aside). If I know Mr. Meredith he will soon find means 
 to come in where it is warm! 
 
8 A VIKGINIA REEL. 
 
 V. (stghivg). How mighty a responsibility is woman's empire! 
 Such a wealv hand as mine often feels the weight of the scepter! 
 
 E. I only carry mine on public occasions (aside). Particu- 
 larly when I don't know who my subjects are — which I cer- 
 tainly don't just now. Ralph may not find much to occupy 
 
 him! 
 
 (Enter Barnabas Sylvester c.) 
 
 B. (aside). Ah, both of them here! Well, perhaps it is not 
 a disadvantage. There is sometimes safety in numbers — even 
 where there are only two (boioing). Good morning ladies, Miss 
 Honiton — Miss Merriville. 
 
 V. (l. in a loio tone). I have just been reading your note, Mr. 
 Sylvester. 
 
 B. Ah, yes; and may I venture to hope 
 
 E. (l. in a low t'>ne). I have just been reading your note, Mr. 
 Sylvester. 
 
 B. Ah, yes; and may I venture to hope (a pause. V. and 
 E. icait for Ms ansioer) — to — to — hope (aside). There can 
 never be any harm in hoping — none whatever — everybody 
 hopes. 
 
 E. (secretly amvsed). You are very kind, Mr. Sylvester, to 
 express so much interest. 
 
 B. Interest, my dear Miss Merriville — Miss Merriville — 
 is perhaps not the whole expression of one's ideas, but it 
 — it conveys a certain something — without which — it means 
 more — more than another term — which means — which means 
 less. 
 
 E. (laughing). It is not the principal, you mean — but it is 
 something that, under the circumstances, j'ou can't quite afford 
 to do without? 
 
 V. (sentimentally regarding B.). You have spoken of Hope, 
 Mr. Sylvester. Hope, like Truth, crushed to earth will rise 
 again. But how hard — how hard for the iron heel that 
 crushes it! 
 
 E. (aside). Harder for Hope, I should think? 
 
 V. Alas ! Mine, mine is sometimes that iron heel that must 
 force it down — mine is that ruthless hand! 
 
 B. And are they my hopes — that is — my anticipations — 
 well (desperately), my hopes that are to be crushed. Miss Honi- 
 ton? 
 
A VIRGINIA REEL. 9 
 
 V. I'm afraid, Mr. Sylvester, that I cannot dance the Vir- 
 ginia Reel with 
 
 B. {hastily). What, not at all ? not at all? Am I not to see 
 you threading its mazes? (aside). There's no harm in seeing 
 her threading it — any one could see her threading it without 
 committing himself to anything ! (aloud). I hoped you would 
 dance it — I really did. 
 
 E. But I am going to dance it, Mr. Sylvester. I have no 
 idea of declining 
 
 B. (hastily). No, pray do not decline. Miss Edith. When, 
 when your hand is solicited for the Reel, smile on the happy 
 man — smile, through him, upon us all. (goes r) 
 
 E. (aside). He will have to be a more transparent person 
 than you are, Mr. Sylvester! 
 
 V. Another waits outside 
 
 (Enter Ralph l.) 
 
 R. But I'm not going to wait outside any longer, Miss Honi- 
 ton — I am cording in. Are the costumes arranged yet? 
 
 B. (aside). Another suitor for the hand — that is to say, the 
 hands — 
 
 V. Mr. Sylvester, this is an old friend of my niece, Mr. 
 Oliver. He is to join with us in our merry plans for gathering 
 rosebuds while we may — while there is sound of revelry by 
 night — as the poet put it so beautifully. 
 
 R. (aside). New figure for the German — gathering rosebuds 
 to the sound of revelry, (aloud). So are we all, aren't we, Mr. 
 Sylvester? Do I not see before me the happy man who is to 
 dance the Virginia Reel with 
 
 E. {making in and speaking loud and fast). Yes, Ralph, of 
 course you do. Certainly, Mr. Sylvester is going to dance the 
 Virginia Reel — and you are always happy, aren't you, Mr. 
 Sylvester? (aside to Ralph). Do be careful! 
 
 (V. has been looking archly at B. who struggles to look non-com- 
 mittal). 
 
 B. I — yes, Miss Edith, I — I try to be. Not exactly happj^, 
 perhaps — that is not always best — but resigned. 
 
 R. I have been sent to announce that the gentlemen will 
 not be expected to be in fancy dress to-morrow evening 
 
 E. (aside to Ralph). Oh, dear! And I did so hope Mr. Syl- 
 vester would go as Scylla, and Mr. Meredith as Chary bdis! 
 
10 
 
 A VIRGINIA REEL. 
 
 R. And to beg the attendance of the ladies at a secret coun- 
 cil in the blue room, where certain important details are to be 
 settled. Shall I have the pleasure of escorting them? {aside to 
 Edith). This is the best I can do for you. Were you being 
 much annoyed by Mr. Sylvester's persistency? 
 
 E. Well — no. When there are two of us, he is more an- 
 noyed himself than anybody else. If we didn't know him very 
 well, I don't know that one would suspect him of being any- 
 thing warmer than — resigned. 
 
 {Exeunt c E. and V. followed by R ) 
 
 B. {wiping his brow, with a sigh of relief). Ex-ceediugly try- 
 ing ! Ex-ceedingly trying ! I thought it best to send them both 
 a note. There is no use being exclusive until one knows where 
 the money is. There is nothing in that note — those notes — 
 that 1 regret — nothing. Warm it may be — they maybe — 
 but not beyond the bounds of friendship. I kept a copy {takes 
 out a small, neatly folded bit of paper). 
 
 " Esteemed Miss " — blank filled in in each ^ase with proper 
 name — I esteem them both — nor can Miss Merriville find any 
 fault with my esteeming Miss Honiton, or Miss Honiton with 
 my esteeming Miss Merriville — in case anything should come 
 of my friendship with any of them. " Take her fair hand " 
 — both — all four of — their hands are fair — "and lead her 
 through certain of its complications." There's the point! Cer- 
 tain of its complications — hwt {triumphantly) I have not said 
 which of its complications! The Virginia Reel is one of those 
 dances in which it doesn't make much difference about who is 
 one's partner — that's why I like it. You see as much of any- 
 body as of her. Now, if I dance with Miss Honiton, I shall turn 
 her so, and then lead Miss Merriville through the complications 
 which arise as we go down the middle — so. {Turns an invisible 
 V. and E.) Or if I dance with Miss Merriville, I shall turn her 
 so, and lead Miss Honiton so. {Repeats business. Ralph enters 
 c. unobserved.) 
 
 R. {aside). By Jove ! As early in the day as this, too ! 
 Sad case, {aloud, coiyies down). Mr. Sylvester ! 
 
 B. {becoming serious). Mr. Oliver, I am pleased to see you. 
 I would like a few moments' conversation with you. 
 
 R. With pleasure. 
 
 B. You are an old friend of these ladies ? 
 
A VIRGINIA REEL. 11 
 
 R. Of Miss Merriville. I do not know that I can lay claim 
 to Miss Honiton's friendship, but she is, I believe, not un. 
 friendly where I am concerned. 
 
 B. Then possibly you can assist me in a delicate matter — 
 I may say, a matter of sentiment. 
 
 R. Not much in my line, Mr. Sylvester. I'm not a senti- 
 mental man, myself. 
 
 B. I am gratified to hear it, Mr. Oliver. Then you have 
 no matrimonial designs, yourself. 
 
 R. None at all. 
 
 B. Not on either of them ? 
 
 R. On neither of them. I have no idea of marrying — no 
 wish to do so. 
 
 B. Ah ! Miss Houiton is well provided for, I suppose. 
 
 R. (indifferently). I suppose so. 
 
 B. And Miss Merriville — probably she, too, is independent? 
 
 R. I have always found her so — remarkably so. 
 
 B. Possibly you misunderstand my question. 
 
 R. Possibly not. But I see no reason for discussing Miss 
 Merriville's position, financial or otherwise. 
 
 B. No ? But we may stand in different relations to Miss 
 Merriville. You yourself having no interest — 
 
 R. [icarmly). I did not say I had no interest. 
 
 B. No matrimonial interest ? 
 
 R. {aside). No matrimonial interest ! Neither has he ! 
 
 B. {hastily). I have not said that I have myself — and very 
 possibly Miss Merriville has personal qualifications which might 
 — which probably would — insure a man's happiness. 
 
 R. I should say she had. {aside, angrily). The fellow is 
 exasperating. As if Edith would ever think of marrying him! 
 
 B. {artfully). I have sometimes thought that Mr. Meredith 
 had serious intentions in that direction. 
 
 R. Meredith ? I did not know that Meredith's intentions 
 could ever be considered serious. 
 
 B. You have touched upon a great fault in his character — 
 his singular — volatility — I may call it. He makes me shud- 
 der — fairly shudder. 
 
 (Meredith's voice at the door ; he is speaking as he enters c. 
 hand in hand with Valeria r, and Edith l). 
 
 M. {to Edith). I have found the lodestar of my existence 
 
13 A VIRGINIA REEL. 
 
 {turning to Valeria) the two lodestars — both of surpassing 
 magnitude — 
 
 R. {goes c. to Edith). Mr. Meredith, it strikes me that is 
 more than your share. 
 
 M. What storm-tost mariner, my dear boy, ever found the 
 guiding rays that led him, more than his share ? Behold in me 
 the storm-tost mariner! Behold the two guiding stars which 
 shine with no uncertain light! 
 
 B. {aside). I told him he made me shudder. 
 
 V. Oh, Mr. Meredith ! Your poetic utterances chime so 
 with my own feelings. Sometimes it seems to me that my own 
 lonely existence is like that of the north star — the lodestar you 
 speak of; I stand apart, silent and cold — or like the North 
 Pole, encircled by ice which I am powerless to break through. 
 
 M. And yet to wanderers like myself — for I have long been 
 a wanderer — one gets in the habit of wandering, you know ; 
 here, there, everywhere — life is so full of interest — so full of 
 pleasant people, pleasant places, pleasant things — to a wan- 
 derer like myself, what so attractive as the path which leads 
 to the icy fastnesses of the northern Zone. Men are always 
 found to perish in Arctic explorations. Miss Honiton. 
 
 V. If I could but speak — could call I 
 
 M. You cannot — you cannot. Miss Honiton — 
 
 B. {aside). Not unless she speaks at the same time he does. 
 {goes-R.) 
 
 M. It is for us to come, for you to wait. And we shall find 
 the way. What so attractive, I say — unless it be {turns to 
 Edith) blooming meadows of spring flowers. There, indeed, 
 one can wander indefinitely. 
 
 E. (Icmghing, sits l). Without finding anj'thing worth hav- 
 ing, Mr. Meredith ? 
 
 M. {sits l). Without finding time to enjoy the many, many 
 blossoms which fix the eye with their beauty. I am so fond of 
 meadows — sunny days. I am in my element. With youth 
 and beauty I discover daily ties. Speaking of daily ties — 
 evening ties — how about the ball, to-morrow night ? I've al- 
 ways had such a fancy for balls ; they bring together so many 
 charming people. I love the glare and glitter of a ball-room. 
 In its tropical atmosphere I breathe freely. And this is to end 
 with the Virginia Reel. I used to dance the Viro-inia Reel a 
 
A VIRGINIA REEL. 13 
 
 great deal. There was one beautiful girl I used to dance it 
 with — but I'd like better to dance it with you. Won't you 
 dance it with me to-morrow night ? Won't you let me — 
 
 V. Edith, my dear, should we not go and prepare our cos- 
 tumes ? Only a day to review the course of history, ancient 
 and modern ! Only a day to select from the forms that crowd 
 the past, both of fact and imagination — only a day ! 
 
 E. Very well, Aunt Valeria — if we are to hold this sort of 
 review perhaps it will be well to begin. But I have no ideas. 
 Can you give me one, Ralph ? (Ralph goes l) . 
 
 R. Why, what's the matter with Folly, or — or — Evange- 
 line, oi: Mary, Queen of Scots, — or Santa Claus, — or some of 
 those things they always go as ? They all dress about alike, 
 dont they ? 
 
 B. {goes r. to V). Only a day, Miss Honiton, and yet how 
 much — sometimes too much — may be done in a day ! 
 
 M. {goes r. to V). And how much may not be done in a day 
 by some of your cautious people ! 
 
 B. And how many mistakes may be made in a day, by your 
 over-bold ! 
 
 V. {clasping her Jiands). Oh, gentlemen — you are both right ! 
 Yes, Mr. Sylvester — sometimes a day is so long. Ah! the 
 things that are done — and said, Mr. Sylvester, in a day! 
 
 B. Yes, they give me cold chills, Miss Honiton, they do, 
 indeed ! , 
 
 V. {somewhat disappointed). And oh Mr. Meredith, a day is 
 sometimes not half long enough, is it ? — for all that we have 
 to say ? 
 
 M. No, not half, when one sees so many persons, and has 
 so much to say to each one of them — to be sure it is the same 
 thing that you say — that is, it's always the same thing, M'ho- 
 ever you say it to — that is — it's the same thing in point of 
 time — 
 
 E. {to Ralph). But I'm not tall enough for Rosalind. 
 
 R. If I were Orlando, now, I could easily find an answer 
 — "high as my heart," you know, but I'm not anybody's Or- 
 lando — not even your's, Edith, — so I won't say anything 
 sentimental. 
 
 E. I'm sure no one is asking you to be anybody's Orlando. 
 2 
 
14 A VIRGINIA REEL. 
 
 R. Oh, I understand that. I'm merely here to frighten off 
 other Orlandos — I know that very well. 
 
 M. {aside, coming clown c). I wonder if Ralph has any infor- 
 mation that the rest of us haven't. Rather suspicious, running 
 down into the country on not very important business. Used 
 to run down into the country myself — pleasant place, the 
 country. Bad roads in winter, though — deuced hard getting 
 about, and I had to do a great deal of getting about. Knew 
 such a lot of pleasant people in every place. But Ralph isn't 
 that sort, would' nt mind the roads as much as I did. Now 
 there's Barnabas Sylvester. Thinks he knows what he's about, 
 and so won't be about anything. Bet a dollar he does'.nt ask 
 either of them to dance with him to-morrow night — for fear 
 he'll ask the wrong one. I'll ask them both for the Virginia 
 Reel. Fine plan! Then if I have asked the wrong one, at 
 least, I'll have asked the right one, too. It'll all come out 
 right. Ahva}fs does at the last moment. 
 
 V. {comes down). Oh, Edith, my dear, Mr. Sylvester and I 
 have thought of such a charming character for me to take. I 
 don't know that it is exactly my style, but Mr. Sylvester thinks 
 so. 
 
 E. {comes down c). What is it ? 
 
 V. The costume seems a little difficult to provide, but I 
 think it can be done. It is — Joan of Arc. 
 
 R. and E. Joan of Arc ! 
 
 M. Charming ! Charming ! My dear Miss Honiton ! I 
 seem to see you storming the town of — of — well, one of those 
 French — or was it English ? — those towns she stormed, with 
 her white banner — you really must carry a banner — and her 
 white plumes dancing, you know — and be your something or 
 other to-day, the helmet of Navarre ! 
 
 V. {flattered). Oh^ Mr. Meredith! Do you really think I 
 can do all that successfully? It is so much to undertake. And 
 I shrink so from battle! I have always been so timid. It 
 seems absurd, I know, perhaps affected, but — {with a depre- 
 cating laugh) I never could bear to be present at carnage — 
 death and carnage make me fairly shudder! 
 
 E. Oh, we're not obliged to have carnage, Aunt Valeria. 
 
 R. No ; we will draw the line there. 
 
A VIRGINIA REEL. 15 
 
 V. Do you think, Edith, dear, that paper cambric, or even 
 gray silesia, looks very much like a coat of mail? 
 
 B. (aside). I did not say it looked very much like it. But I 
 thought it would do — almost anything will do — she won't 
 look like Joan of Arc, anyway. I wish Id suggested some- 
 thing else. I never dreamed of her doing it. 
 
 E. Perhaps not, exactly, but silver paper will. Ralph, 
 don't you think you can find some silver paper? 
 
 V. If Mr. Oliver will be so good. I have not decided yet — 
 not entirely {glancing at Leandek), but silver paper will be 
 useful, anyway. If I went as Night or Morning, I should 
 want silver paper. 
 
 R. I go in search of properties. I suppose anything will 
 be welcome, from a diadem to a nutmeg-grater. I will be 
 general-utility man. 
 
 V. And I go and try to put myself into the mood of the 
 character I am to portray. I must try — it will be so difficult 
 for me ! — to feel hard and ruthless, {goes c.) 
 
 M. Ah, Miss Honiton, are you not ruthless enough as it is? 
 You — and Miss Edith, too — are Joans of Arc who slay us 
 with your glances. First I am slain by one, and then by the 
 other. 
 
 B. I. too — am — attacked {to V.) by your — {to E.) by your 
 — an arrow shot at a venture, as it were. 
 
 {Business of men escorting V. ; finally exit V. witli B. , who Jiad not 
 meant to go.) 
 
 E. {aside). It will certainly be an arrow shot at a venture 
 that touches Mr. Sylvester! He is proof against accurate aim. 
 
 R. {to Edith). I shall return, soon, to interrupt this inter- 
 view. So convenient to have no designs of my own — matri- 
 monial or otherwise, {exit). 
 
 E. {impatiently). I know that well enough! Perhaps it is 
 just as well. The rest of the men have too many. {sits). 
 
 M. {coming down to her side). And you, my dear Miss Merri- 
 ville, in what character beside your own charming one, or 
 instead of your own charming one, are we to see you to-morrow 
 evening? Will you, too, trample on your victims, as victorious 
 Joan of Arc? How appropriate — how becoming the steel 
 corselet and the helmeted head! {striking attitude). I seem to 
 
16 A VIRGINIA REEL. 
 
 see you bearing the standard of triumph over your fallen foe I 
 Joan of Arc, my dear Miss Merriville — 
 
 E. (somewJiai pettishly). But I don't want to be a paper-cam- 
 bric Joan of Arc! Or to be corseleted, or helmeted, or any- 
 thing. Why should Aunt Valeria and I be the same thing? 
 Is there no one in history or romance but Joan of Arc? I'm 
 tired of her. 
 
 M. (easily). To be sure — there are plenty. History — I may 
 even say Romance, too — is full of female characters. Little 
 Nell, now (Editb sit akes lier Jiead); no, not Little Nell or her 
 grandfather, either; pretty characters, though, both of them — 
 but Dolly Varden, or Di Vernon, and Ophelia — pretty, all of 
 them — now why not Ophelia? Just your style — piquante — 
 
 E. (thoughtfully). Ophelia is very easily dressed — let your 
 hair down — a white dress — and a few weeds — 
 
 M. {loith enthusiasm). Ah, j^es! Ophelia — it must be! So 
 charming, so appealing — just the thing for you. In spirit I 
 shall be the unhappy Hamlet — velvet cloak, plumed hat, small- 
 clothes — in spirit. 
 
 E. (still thoughtfully). She ought to have light hair. 
 
 M. Why should she have light hair? Hamlet (bowing loto) 
 infinitely prefers dark hair. Hamlet — 
 
 E. (rising). I believe I will try it. It is simple enough, at 
 least, and the time is so short, (goes c, followed by M.) 
 
 M. Ah, would it were shorter! I long to step forward and 
 lead the fair Ophelia to a nunnery — that is to say to the dance. 
 You will give me the Virginia Reel, will j^ou not? (witJi exag- 
 geration). "Nymph, in thy orisons" — that is to say, in the 
 Virginia Reel — "be all my sins" — that is tc say, all my 
 wishes, my heart-felt wishes — "remembered." 
 
 (Exeunt E. and M., c. Enter \. and B., K ) 
 
 V. (archly). If I were only sure, Mr. Sylvester! If I were 
 only sure how you would best like to see me. Sometimes I 
 think something more sentimental — I have thought of Juliet! 
 But (hesitatingly) Juliet had a Romeo. 
 
 B. (drily). I remember she had. Perhaps it would be better 
 to take a single lady. 
 
 V. There are so few, Mr. Sylvester, so few! The great 
 women of history found, with few exceptions, some kindred 
 soul to meet their own. 
 
A VIRGINIA REEL. 17 
 
 B. In ancient history, tliat is. Tilings have somewhat 
 changed since then. 
 
 V. There was Charlotte Corday. Sometimes I have thought 
 I might have been a Charlotte Corday, if I had lived in that 
 happy, happy time! 
 
 B. {ilioughtfully). I should think Charlotte Corday might 
 do. Her name was not immediately associated with that of 
 any gentleman, I believe. 
 
 V. Ah, Mr. Sylvester, you are so careful of my feelings — 
 so careful ! 
 
 B. {aside). Her feelings! Doesn't she think I have any 
 feeling of my own? 
 
 V. But we must expect people to talk — thej^ always will. 
 
 B. {nervously). Who 's been talking, I wonder! What does 
 she mean? I hope Miss Merriville hasn't heard anything. 
 {aloud.} Least said, soonest mended — that has always been 
 my motto, Miss Honitou. 
 
 V. I do wish you would take a part ! There are lovely 
 things in the "Corsair." Something Byronic would just suit 
 your style, Mr. Sylvester. Wouldn't you like to be one of 
 those delightful, wild creatures? 
 
 B. {mo j-e nervously, aside). Wild creatures! Something By- 
 ronic! What a horrible idea! Who knows but they elope, or 
 something! They are very rash, I've no doubt, {aloud). But 
 I'm not to be anything, you know. Miss Honiton — or do any- 
 thing. I never mean to, if I can help it. {enter E. and R. 
 Aside). Thank Heaven! 
 
 E. {to Kalph). I hoped you had not gone. I had the greatest 
 difficulty in getting away from Mr. Meredith. I would not 
 promise him the Virginia Reel imtil he had seen my costume. 
 I told him if he did n't like me as Ophelia, I should n't dance 
 with him. 
 
 R. Oh, he '11 like you as Ophelia. He always likes every- 
 body as anything — confound him! 
 
 E. You are positively rude, Ralph. I suppose he might 
 possibly like me, even if he were a little difficult. 
 
 R. Why, of course he would — any man would. 
 
 E. 1 wish you were n't so — so general. 
 
 R. I thought that was what you wanted me to be. You 
 don't seem to care for these men that are particular. Look at 
 2* 
 
18 A VIRGINIA REEL. 
 
 Sylvester, now. I fancy from his expression tliat lie has been 
 drawn into a positive statement. 
 
 E. I don't believe it. {goes o). Is it to be Joan of Arc, 
 Aunt Valeria? 
 
 V. (rising). We have n't quite decided — have we, Mr. Syl- 
 vester? 
 
 B. {anxiously). Decided? No; we haven't decided any- 
 thing. 
 
 E. I think I shall surprise you. The more mystery, the 
 better. 
 
 B. {aside). Now they are both together. I think I like to 
 have them both together. I don't have to be so careful what I 
 say. {aloud). If the ladies — both the ladies — will allow me 
 to escort them to the library, they may there find books that 
 maybe useful to them. Printed directions are safer — more 
 reliable, I would say. 
 
 V. An excellent idea! Come, Edith, let us accept Mr. Syl- 
 vester's suggestion. Mr. Oliver, will you not join us? 
 
 R. (looks at his icatch). 1 am sorry, but I promised to meet 
 Meredith here at just this hour, (exeunt V., E., and B.) Poor 
 Edith! She is certainly in a singular position. She says these 
 two men have been following them about without doing any- 
 thing decisive, and she would like to have it over this time. 
 But it does u't look as if she would. I 'd dance the Reel with 
 her myself, with pleasure, but she says she 'd rather I 'd look 
 on and be ready to take her off at the end of it. Besides, she's 
 rather curious — (e/i^e?' MEREdiTH.) Oh, here you are, Mere- 
 dith — now for business. 
 
 M. Not just yet, my dear fellow, not just yet ! At least, not 
 that sort. I never cared much for business — pleasure, pleasure 
 has been my motto. ' ' I'd be a butterfly," you know. My only 
 books — woman's looks — but folly's not all they've taught me, 
 my boy, not all. Now, for instance (confidentially), I've been 
 finding out about the money — confidential friend sent me in- 
 formation. 
 
 R. Whose money? 
 
 M. Old Joshua's Houitou's. When one of them is engaged 
 it is divided. 
 
 R. You might have known that, any time, by asking. 
 
 M. Yes, but — here's the point. You never saw such a 
 
A VIRGINIA KEEL. 1& 
 
 man as I am, my boy, for coming to the point. Always used to 
 say about me, "Meredith never wastes any time on unimpor- 
 tantdetails!" Just my way, that's all. Never could. "If you 
 have anything to say, say it," — that's what I've always said. 
 
 R. Yes, good idea ! If you have anything to say, say it. 
 
 M. Exactly, my dear boy. Some men talk all around a 
 thing, you know, before they get to it. That was never my 
 way. If there is a point go straight to it. 
 
 R. {impatiently). Yes, if there is a point. 
 
 M. That's what I say — if there is one. Sometimes there 
 isn't any. Never tell that sort of a story myself. Now, here, 
 for instance, is this point. I have reason to think that the 
 money goes to the one that is engaged first. Sort of reward of 
 merit, you know. Most natural thing in the world, you know. 
 Joshua wanted them both to marry. Of course he leaves his 
 money to the one that needs it most. 
 
 R. I don't see why that isn't the unmarried one. 
 
 M. Not a bit of it. What does she v/ant of any more than 
 enough to live on — has that any vj&j. Depend upon it, it's 
 the other one. Now, here's where I am safe. {triumpJiantly). 
 I've reason to think that the Virginia Reel will prove a decisive 
 occasion, and I've asked them both for it ! 
 
 R. {aside). Confound his impudence! But how will you 
 dance it with them both ? 
 
 M. Won't have to dance it with both. Easy enough — so 
 many changes. All will come out right at the last moment 
 — always does. And I'll ask them both to appear as Ophelia! 
 And I'll tell them both I shall consider myself Hamlet! Don't 
 see how I am to get left, do youV eh? One of them is sure to 
 take me — and then there's the first engagement, and the money. 
 How's that? Now there's Sylvester — so afraid he will get the 
 wrong one, daresn'task either — lose the money whichever he 
 succeeds in getting, because he is too slow. See? 
 
 R. {shortly). Yes, I see. {aside). Edith shan't marry him, I 
 know that. Put a stop to it myself, {aloud). Now for that 
 matter of business 
 
 M. {looliing off). Have to go into another room for that. 
 Here comes Miss Merriville and Barnabas Sylvester. He's 
 doing his best not to say anything, and to talk a good deal. 
 Come this way. {Exeunt r. Enter E. and B. l.). 
 
20 A VIRGINIA REEL. 
 
 E. Yes, Mr. Sylvester, I'm to be Ophelia. I was going to 
 keep it a secret, but I really think everybody in the house 
 knows except Aunt Valeria. I shall surprise Joan of Arc at 
 least. 
 
 B. Nice character, Ophelia, (aside). She died unmarried, 
 too. {aloud). Glad I knew of the picture for you. {aside). Very 
 good picture — represented entirely alone, {aloud). Its in this 
 book over here, {go r. behind screen j business with book. Enter 
 Valeria l.). 
 
 V. Such a charming idea of dear Mr. Meredith's! I just 
 met him in the hall and he suggested that I should appear as 
 Ophelia. He said there was something about me that always 
 brought Ophelia to his mind. I wonder what it is. I think 
 we have somewhat of the same retiring disposition. I, like her, 
 would prefer to be apart from the glare and glitter of life. I 
 don't know that I would go qxiite so far, to escape it, as to 
 drown myself — not quite so far. But she was light-headed 
 when she did that, and of course I don't resemble her after she 
 became light-headed. He put it so prettily ^ so delightfully. 
 Leander Meredith has a truly poetic soul. He said that though 
 he was forbidden by the rules of the evening to appear as Ham- 
 let, he should be Hamlet in spirit — velvet cloak, plumed hat, 
 small clothes — that was the way he put it — in spirit. Such 
 delicate flattery. That is one of Leander's — Mr. Meredith's 
 strong points — he never overdoes it. That book must be over 
 here, and I must take it away with me, before any one suspects 
 — {goes R. E. and B. have just risen and laid aside the book). 
 
 E. No, I thank you, Mr. Sylvester, I don't care to take it — 
 
 V. Why, Edith! 
 
 E. Why, Aunt Valeria! I did not see you come in. 
 
 V. And I did not know you were here. 
 
 B. {aside). Very compromising to be found alone with either 
 of them, {aloud). I — we are glad to see you. I — I hoped 
 you would come. Miss Houiton. 
 
 E. Thank you, Mr. Sylvester, I am sorry to have detained 
 you. 
 
 B. Not at all, not at all! I enjoyed it. It was delightful to 
 have a few moments alone with you. 
 
 V. Thank you, Mr. Sylvester. I am sorry I interrupted 
 you. 
 
A VIRGINIA REEL. 21 
 
 B. Indeed, it was a pleasure. I was glad to be interrupted. 
 I — I always am. 
 
 E. Now that I Lave obtained my information, I will leave 
 you, with thanks, Mr. Sylvester. 
 
 B. {loatcMng V. with anxiety). I have not done anything — 
 not anything at all, Miss Merriville. A very pretty and appro- 
 priate character, however. 
 
 V. (archly). You don't know mine yet, Mr. Sylvester. 
 
 B. {hastily). No, don't tell me, pray don't tell me ! I'd 
 rather not know. It will be — such a pleasant surprise. [Re- 
 treats c). 
 
 V. (r.) But about the Reel, Mr. Sylvester. 
 
 E. (l.) Yes, Mr. Sylvester, about the Virginia Reel. 
 
 B. {retreating with hollow laughter). Oh, yes — certainlj'' — 
 the Virginia Reel. Hope to see you both — of course — natu- 
 rally — 
 
 {Curtain.) 
 
 Valeria. Barnabas. Edith. 
 
 PART II. 
 
 {The same. Waltz mtisic from next room. Enter Barnabas, 
 miicli agitated.) 
 
 B. It is fortunate I am not a rash man. I can conscien- 
 tiously say I was never a rash man. Consequently I never 
 make great mistakes. Otherwise I might have made a great 
 mistake in this case. I've just learned from reliable sources 
 that uncle Joshua's — brother Joshua's — money is to be divided 
 at the announcement of Miss Honiton's engagement, if she is 
 engaged tirst, at the announcement of Miss Merriville's, if she 
 is engaged first; and that iimpressii^ely) the greater part of it 
 goes to one of them — in all probability the one that is left. 
 There can be no reasonable doubt of it — none at all. Of 
 course, the one that marries will be taken care of anyway — 
 ought to be if she isn't — so the other one is provided for by 
 uncle Joshua — brother Joshua. Now see the advantage of not 
 being in haste. / marry the one that is left. Now there's 
 Meredith — rash man, Meredith ! — he's sure to marry the first 
 one. That is Miss Honiton. He has committed himself to 
 Miss Honiton — I'm sure of it — always is committing himself. 
 
22 A VIRGINIA KEEL. 
 
 He has asked her for the Virginia Reel. I have asked Miss 
 Merriville. I sent a note addressed to " Ophelia," and she has 
 read it by this time. I'm sorry to be so late, but I'm in time 
 for that, anyway. 
 
 {Enter Ralph, laughing.) 
 
 R. Delicious! Two of a kind, and Meredith gettirfg 
 "scanter of breath" every moment, trying to look after both 
 of them. Oh, Sylvester, you have come, have you? Almost 
 time for the Reel. 
 
 B. Yes; I know. I dance it {firmly) with Ophelia. 
 
 R. Which? 
 
 B. Ophelia, I said, {tcith dignit)/ ; Reel music). 
 
 R. Oh! {aside). Doesn't seem to know there are two. 
 Chance for further complications. Edith will be delighted. I 
 shan't interfere, {aloud). Good thing. Glad of it. 
 (Meredith crosses tJie stage.) 
 
 M. My dear fellow, the Reel has begun! And I can't find 
 my partner, {exit). 
 
 B. And I have n't even seen my Ophelia, {exit). 
 
 R. I must go in and see the excitement. I don't see why 
 Edith does not marry somebody, and get rid of matrimonial 
 annoyances. If I was a marrying man, myself, I 'd try to nuike 
 her take me, for I "ve always been more than half iu love with 
 her. But then, I 'm not a marrying man, and I don't mean to 
 be. {a pause; 'walks about). Still, there is this to be said: 
 Perhaps it would be better for her to take somebody that is n't 
 a marrying man! By Jove! that's an idea! Sylvester and 
 Meredith are both marrying men, and neither of them has the 
 ghost of a chance. Now if — {listens). She is dancing the 
 Reel now. I *11 slip in and ask her. {exit). 
 {The music goes on. Miss H. and M. dance doicn the stage, as if 
 they had just "come doicn the middle.") 
 
 V. {dressed as Ophelia). Do you know, I hardly knew who 
 my partner was that time — reall}'; we were all together so at 
 the end. 
 
 M. For an instant that impudent fellow, Sylvester, usurped 
 my place — but not for long. There can't be two Hamlets in 
 the same play — when my Valeria is the Ophelia! 
 
 V. Oh, Leander! But it all seems so strange — so sudden I 
 Do you really mean — 
 
 I 
 
A TIRGENIA REEL. 23 
 
 M. Yes; I really meant that I would let this dance decide 
 my life and fortunes, and should claim you at the end. At 
 the end of the dance, I mean — not of mj^ life and fortunes — 
 very un-satisfactory thing to do. Everything happened so 
 favorably, {aside). Could n't help happening favorably. 
 
 V. But it isn't the end, Leander. {archly). How impa- 
 tient you were to lead me away from the ballroom — 
 (Sylvester dances in alone, much perplexed.) 
 
 M. Somebodjr else impatient, too, I guess. Where 's your 
 partner, Sylvester? 
 
 S. {slowly). I — I was dancing with Miss Merriville — 
 
 V. And where is the dear child? 
 
 B. I don't quite know. I thought I was dancing with her 
 
 — you know you can't always tell in the Virginia Reel whom 
 you are dancing with. I used to like it on that account. Don't 
 care so much for it now. We started to come down the middle, 
 and I kept on but — I don't think she did. 
 
 {Enter Edith and Halph dancing and laughing, as the music 
 
 stop>s.) 
 E. How did you manage it? 
 R. Easy enough. Stepped in as you all marched around 
 
 — just ahead of Sylvester, and all the rest of them. Let me 
 keep the place, Edith — may I not? — just ahead of all the rest 
 of them? 
 
 E. {laughing). What a sentimental proposal ! 
 
 R. Oh, I can put in any amount of sentiment afterwards. 
 
 E. Canj^ou? Are you sure? 
 
 R. Quite sure. 
 
 E. Well — we'll see. 
 
 {The others come doion c). What! Is everybody here? 
 
 V. So Mr. Oliver was your partner after all, Edith? Mr. 
 Sylvester, there must have been some misunderstanding. 
 
 B. Perhaps there was. 
 
 E. How unfortunate. I am so sorry, Mr. Sylvester. 
 
 B. {loith a change of tactics). I did not know there were two 
 Ophelias, Miss Honiton. 'Mj note — I wrote a note to Ophelia 
 
 — must have been received by Miss Merriville. If — if you 
 had received it 
 
 V. Oh, Mr. Sylvester, it would have been too late. I have 
 chosen — Leander! Speak for me! 
 
^[^^4-^^- 
 
 24 A. VIRGINIA REEL. 
 
 R. You are already spoken for, Miss Honiton, we can see 
 that. No more change of partners. We are all satisfied — 
 aren't we, Mr. Sylvester. 
 
 B. We — -we seem to be. (aside). Both engaged at the same 
 time as far as I can see. Equal division of property I suppose. 
 (aloud, sadly). It makes some difference after all, with whom 
 one dances a Virginia Reel. 
 
 Curtain. 
 Valeria. Barnabas. Edith. 
 
 Leander. Ralph. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 Illlllllillillll 
 
 255 703 8 ^