Authoir Title Imprint 1»-4T87 HEARTSEASE CHARLES KLEIN & J. I. C. CLARK SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 West 38th St., New York HEARTSEASE ^ plan tn Sfisxnt ^ttsk By CHARLES KLEIN & J. L C. CLARK Revised, 1916, by J. I. C. Qark Copyright, 1916. By SAMUEL FRENCH ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CAUTION. — All persons are hereby warned that " Hearts- ease," being fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States, is subject to royalty, and anyone presenting the play without the consent of the owners or their authorized agents will be liable to the penalties by law provided. Application for amateur acting rights must be made to Samuel French, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York. Application for the professional acting rights must be made to the Ameri- can Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York. NEW YORK SAMUEL FRENCH PUBLISHER 28-30 WEST 38TH STREET LONDON SAMUEL FRENCH. Ltd. 26 SOUTHAMPTON STREET STRAND ^ Especial notice should be taken that the possession of this book without a valid contract for production first having been obtained from the publislier, confers no right or license to professionals or amateurs to produce tlie play publicly or in private for gain or charity. In its present form this play is dedicated to the reading public only, and no performance of it may be given, except by special arrangement with Samuel French. SECTION 28.— That any person who wilfully or for profit shall infringe any copyright secured by this act, or who shall knowingly and wilfully aid or abet such infringment, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by im- prisonment for not exceeding one year, or by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or both, in the discretion of the court. Act of March 4, 1909. DEC -3 lare ©CLD 4564::» HEARTSEASE. CAST OF CHARACTERS. Lord Neville Major Twombly Padbury Sir Geoffrey Pomfret Captain O'Hara Darville DOXTON Chairman QUIGG Lady Neville Margaret Alice Temple Eric Temple Lady O'Hara HEARTSEASE ACT I. Scene: — Drazving-room at Lord Neville's. A sumptuously furnished apartment, style Louis XVI. Entrance c. at hack. Entrance with portiere, r. i e. Entrance l. 3 e., to conserva- tory. A small console l. c, and chair near it. Table r. c. with gong. Desk up r. with paper, quill-pen, and ink. Sofas, arm-chair, and other chairs. A cabinet stands l. DISCOVERED :— Lady Neville r. c. Sir Geof- frey at mantel. Major at table with two guests playing chess; Margaret and Lady O'Hara seated on sofa to L. Capt. O'Hara leaning over hack of sofa. Major. I protect my king. Guest. (Sir Geoffrey) Bravo, Major! Lady Neville. (Rings hell Enter Doxton c.) Doxton, announce Mr. Temple the moment he arrives. (Crosses to c.) Sir Geoffrey. (Coming down l. c. taking snuff) Egad, 'tis come to a pretty pass ; and how long must we wait upon this jingle maker? Lady Neville. Patience, cousin Geoffrey, what- ever detains Mr. Temple, I'll wager 'tis unavoidable. Capt. O'Hara. (l.) That's true for you, Lady Neville. Sir Geoffrey. (Leaning lazily against harpsi- chord) Your Ladyship seems deeply interested in this Mr. Temple? 4 HEARTSEASE. Lady Neville. (Affectedly) Oh, no, I love — music. (Everybody laughs) Sir Geoffrey, (l. c. Aside to Lady Neville) Your motive may be misconstrued. You discover this fellow, you make yourself known as his patroness. You give this musicale to exploit his genius, invite the impresario, Darville, draw Lord Neville blindfolded into your scheme. 'Gad, we're all made parties to your Ladyship's intrigues ! Lady Neville. (Indignanily) Sir Geoffrey! Major. Mr. Temple has been delayed, no doubt. Sir Geoffrey. For my part, this delay is a pleasant one. We shall hear the less of the fellow's music. Margaret. Ah, Sir Geoffrey, like all musicians, you are professionally jealous. Sir Geoffrey. Scarcely that, since in music I am but an amateur. Capt. O'Hara. (Coming down r.) Egad, his music tells that louder than words. (General laugh) Sir Geoffrey. Ah, Temple's friend. Capt. O'Hara. I am, and whose friend are you? Major. Mine. (Rising) Lady Neville. So, so, my good Captain, you ap- prove of Mr. Temple's music. Capt. O'Hara. (Coming c.) Many a time on the weary march, we have been made the happier for it. Lady O'Hara. A soldier, too. Capt. O'Hara. And a gallant one he was. Lady O'Hara. Why did he leave the army? Capt. O'Hara. His father died, leaving an orphan daughter, small means and big debts. There's a campaign at home, said he to me, that I must go back and fight, and so he left the boys who loved him, to enter on the hardest battle he ever faced. Lady Neville. Ah! How brave! But he will be the success, the triumph of my musicale. I vow. HEARTSEASE. . 5 Sir Geoffrey, you will declare his music ravishing, such brio, such allure, such regelmdssigkeit. Sir Geoffrey. {Coming down) Zounds! Does it take three languages to praise the fellow's semi- quavers? — The plain English of it is, it would give a cat the vapors {Laugh from Major.) Lady Neville. Come. Margaret shall put you in a better humor with Mr. Temple's music; she thinks highly of it. We will wait no longer. (Servant enters, d. r. To Servant) I shall order the musicians to begin. {All rise) {Enter Doxton, c.) DoxTON. Mr. Padbury, a city gent, desires to see Mr. Temple on pressing business. {Enter Padbury c. General titter.) Lady Neville. Mr. Temple has not arrived. Kindly await him here! (Lady Neville exits r. Lady O'Hara and Margaret cross and exit r. t. Sir Geoffrey and Major cross up to Padbury) Sir Geoffrey. Mr. Temple's friends are more original than his music — (Sir Geoffrey and Major exit R. I. e.) {Music off R.) Padbury. Ah, Captain O'Hara! {Coming down c.) Capt. O'Hara. Padbury, what is this pressing business that brings you here? Padbury. Well, I might have pressing business, if I pressed my notes. 6 HEARTSEASE. Capt. O'Hara. So you come here like a dirty dun. Padbury. Why can't he introduce me among his friends? (Padbury produces letter) My dear Padbury: Though ever inindful of your goodness to me in many zvays, I cannot invite you where I am hut a guest. I ain't pressing him for the money, but only to introduce me to his friends. Why don't he ask them to invite me? Ain't I good enough? I may be Lord Mayor of London yet. I have been Alderman twice. I am rich. I want to be among fashionable folks, so that when the King comes to knighting of me I shan't be afraid to say " How do you do " to dukes. {Sits in chair r.) (Capt. O'Hara is behind him, drawing his sword.) Capt. O'Hara. By my soul, I shall be after knighting you myself! {Clapping him on the shoulder with sword) Rise, Sir Peter Padbury, and depart. Padbury. Ain't I to stay, after all the trouble I took to get in ? Capt. O'Hara. Faith, you will find it much easier to get out. {Drawing Padbury over to the left) (Lady Neville enters r., unobserved.) Padbury. Ain't he beholden to me for his father's debts? And he won't even introduce me to his friends ! Lady Neville. (Aside) In debt to him! (Aloud) Captain O'Hara, what does this man desire ? Capt. O'Hara. I know what he deserves, my lady. Lady Neville. (Laughs) Will you excuse me, Captain, I wish a few words with Mr. Padbury. Capt. O'Hara. (Crossing r. around table) Be- HEARTSEASE. 7 lieve me, my lady, my friend is not to blame for this intrusion. Lady Neville. Go! Go! (Exit Captain O'Hara r. I E.— Aloud) Ah, Mr. Padbury, sit down. (Padbury sits) If you have missed Mr. Temple, you can at least hear his music as it drifts this way. Padbury. Yes, my lady. Lady Neville. I have heard Mr. Temple say you have some interest in him aside from friendly rela- tions ? Padbury. (l. sitting, rejoiced) Oh, he 'as m.en- tioned me ! Yes, my lady, I'm his patron. I'm his creditor. Lady Neville. How very interesting! Then Mr. Temple is somewhat — in your debt ? Padbury. Som.ewhat? I hold that thick of his father's notes with his endorsement. He ain't got a penny but it's mine ; not a penny. Lady Neville. Ah, then you are his Maecenas ? (Rising) Padbury. His what? (Rises, comes c.) More like his Moses, m.y lady. It all began with me lending money to his father for his horse-racing. Then when the father died, young Temple comes and says he'll pay his father's debts some day, and so he endorses his father's notes. Oh, he's got pluck and spirit, he has, even if he does play the fiddle! (Seeing that Lady Neville does not listen, he stops) (Stop music.) Lady Neville. (Rises, seeming to forget Pad- bury) Struggling and involved — ! If this weight were lifted from his shoulders, surely he might feel more than this — gratitude — (r. of table) Padbury. (c. coughing twice and fidgeting) Your ladyship doesn't 'ear what I'm saying. Lady Neville. (Standing back of table) On 8 HEARTSEASE. the contrary, I was thinking how fortunate Mr. Temple is in having such a friend! (Corning c.) Padbury. That's what I tell him. But he says to me, my Lady, sometimes he wishes I was in my strong-box along with his father's notes. (Goes L. C.) Lady Neville. (Suddenly' — aside) Indeed! Mr. Padbury, will you call on me to-morrow ? Padbury. (Surprised) Will I call? Your lady- ship, I will call in a chariot ! Lady Neville. (Mysteriously and hurriedly) You need not wait to see Mr. Temple now. Come early to-morrow, and don't mention it to anyone. Padbury. No, my lady Lady Neville. Not even to Mr. Temple — and, Mr. Padbury Padbury. Yes, my lady Lady Neville. Bring Mr. Temple's notes with you. (Enter Pomfret and Twombly.) Padbury. Does your ladyship mean ? Lady Neville. Hush! Padbury. (Aside) Your ladyship seems very fond of music ? Lady Neville. Gentlemen, this is Mr. Padbury ; Sir Geoffrey Pomfret, Major Twombly— (Com^ R. e.) Padbury. How do you do, Sir Geoffrey ? How do you do, Major? Nobody never takes no notice of me. (Goes up c.) Lady Neville. (At entrance R. bowing. Exits R.) Gentlemen! Major. (Both l. of table) Lady Neville seems interested in Mr. Temple's friends as well as Mr. Temple. Sir Geoffrey. (Front of table r.) It's mon- strous. Lord Neville shall be informed, but how ? HEARTSEASE. 9 Major. Why not a squib in the Chronicle ? Sir Geoffrey. One that would make him squirm. Major. Have it placed under the Court News. Sir Geoffrey. Good. His Lordship always reads that. I'll write it now. Major, take him aside, pump him, and learn how he stands with Temple. (^Goes to desk R.) Major. Mr. Padbury. (Offering hand) Padbury. (Coming c. from l.) Major — (De- lighted. Shakes hands ivith Major) Major. So you are a friend of Mr. Temple ? Padbury. A friend ! A friend indeed ! (Signif- icantly) I was a friend in need. Major. So he is in your debt ? Padbury. He is up to that in debt with me — promissory notes of every kind. Why, I could clap him in jail, but I have a good heart. (Turns away) Sir Geoffrey. (Coming l. of table) Major, read that. (Padbury goes L.) Major. (Reading) How long will it be before the old Lord, her husband, will rhyme with his own name and send the young composer to the devil — devil — Neville. (Laughs) A fellow in the City ? Sir Geoffrey. By the way, what did you learn from that city brute? (Indicating Padbury) Major. He owns Temple, spurs and feathers — Deep in Padbury's debt! Sir Geoffrey. Good, Padbury must be got to squeeze him for the money. Twenty guineas if you land Temple in the sponging-house. Major. Done! (Claps hands. Turning to Vkd- BURY — going to him) IVIr. Padbury, when shall we see you again ? I know a gentleman who might take up one or two of Mr. Temple's notes. Padbury. (Slighted, iwzv sivelling with pride, as he advances) Sir, I have the honor to wait upon 10 HEARTSEASE. Lady I'^^ville to-morrow. Perhaps we shall meet here at Eurton House. Sir Geoffrey. What, here at Burton House? Padeury. By her ladyship's special invitation. Sir Geoffrey, (r., half -aside) Incredible ! Padbury. (l. c.) Oh, it's true. My lady told me to be sure and come — and — between gentlemen, I don't mind telling you that I've found a purchaser for Mr. Temple's notes. {Look between Sir Geoffrey and Major.) Major. Indeed, sir, and may I ask the gentle- man's nam.e? Padbury. {As if remembering his promise to Lady Neville) It ain't no gentleman. Ha! Ha! Major. A fellow in the city? Padbury. I don't mention no names — {Goes up) Major. {To Sir Geoffrey) Could it be Lady Neville? Sir Geoffrey. No, no, pay a man's debts? (Sir Geoffrey looks r.) Take him away. Major. Come, Mr. Padbury. I will return with you to the city. {Music.) Padbury. With pleasure, Major. I hope her ladyship won't feel hurt at my not saying good-bye ? Major. Oh, no — and then, to the Chronicle. {Exit L. c. zvith Padbury) Sir Geoffrey, (r. above table) Paying Temple's debts ! No, even she Vv^ould not be so rash — paying his debts. At any rate I don't think the fellow will call so frequently at Burton House. {Exits r. I. E. Enter Doxton) DoxTON. This way, Mr. Temple. (Eric and Alice enter. Eric hands note to Doxton. He then exits) HEARTSEASE. n Alice. Eric, the music has begun — we are late ; and, brother, how can we explain ? Eric. Explain? The truth will do that, dear. The way was long. I came on foot. Alice. Oh, Eric! Eric. Courage, dear, only courage. See, my opera here in Burton House ! Almost in Darville's hands. Do you not know what that may mean to us ? Alice. (Shakes her head) No! Eric. Debts, difficulties, troubles, all at an end. We two free, out of the shadow into God's glad, laughing world, and through you, my work, into which I have poured all the fancies, longings, pas- sions, that were born with me, that have grown with my growth and have strengthened with my strength, until they have burst into one triumphant song of love. Alice. Love ? Eric. Yes, that which I shall sing to-night shall tell her of my hopes, my fears, will lay here my soul, which with this poor song I dedicate. (Reads) '^ Heartsease, to Margaret. Eric Temple.*' Alice. Lord Neville's daughter — a beauty of rank and pride, brother dearest. (Clings to him) We two have been all the world to each other, have we not? We have suffered, hungered, hoped to- gether, we are together still. Eric, dear, come away from this new world. Come while there is time, come back into obscurity, into the shadow if it need be, only come. Come away from Miss Neville; forget your love for her. Eric. (r. c.) Forget my love for her? Ask me to forsake my music, to put away ambition, to for- get my hopes, deny my dreams ! — Don't bid me de- spair. She shall reach down from her high firma- ment to me as I strive on, until some day I shall scale the heights to happiness. (Music stops. Enter Captain O'Hara.) 12 HEARTSEASE. O'Hara. Oh, Eric, my dear boy, I'm just long- ing to see you. (Goes to Alice, l., and takes her hands) Eric. Oh, I know. Jack ; you're always longing to see me, and then you might be blind for all you look at me. O'Hara. {Looking in Alice's face) Sure, I'm gazing at you in the prettiest looking-glass in the kingdom. {Going up c.) Alice. Captain O'Hara, I protest. You never said such a thing before ! O'Hara. I'm mostly dumb in your presence, but Eric's flint struck my steel, and then the sparks flew ; if they only fell on the tinder of your little heart ! Alice, (l.) It is not tinder, or tender, either, Captain O'Hara. {Goes up l.) {Enter Lady Neville and Darville, followed by Sir Geoffrey.) Jack. Eric, I'd like to discuss that subject with her. {Crosses up l.) Eric. Will your ladyship pardon my tardiness? Lady Neville. You have brought the opera with you? {Pause.) Will you not intrust it to me until to-morrow? Eric. Lady Neville, I commend it to your care. I cannot thank you, but if you ever hear it, it will tell you at least I know the duty I owe to you. Lady Neville. Surely it will give you back some part of all the thought you have spent upon it. It shall rest safely here, Mr. Temple. {Places it in cabinet l.) Eric. I thank your ladyship. Lady Neville. With what do you intend to de- light us ? Eric. A simple ballad which I hope will please HEARTSEASE. . 13 your ladyship, and which I have called *' Hearts- ease " (Exeunt, O'Hara and Lady Neville. Song off R. Sir Geoffrey gets Ms, from Cabinet l., looks over its pages.) Sir Geoffrey. That opera will make him famous. (Puts Ms. back. At end of song, ap- plause) Margaret is the first to congratulate him. That opera shall never reach Covent Garden. {Goes up) Margaret. (Enters r. looking at song) "Heartsease, to Margaret. Eric Temple.'' (Sees Sir Geoffrey) Ah, Cousin Geoffrey, why were you not listening to the music ? Sir Geoffrey. Is it so very wonderful? Margaret. Wonderful — to me it seemed like no other music I ever heard ; both words and music. Sir Geoffrey, (l. c.) If I could only touch your heart with words, with music, or with my love ! Margaret, (r. c.) Geoff rey, not again ! (Goes L.) Sir Geoffrey. Ah, I have loved you since you were a child ; then I could wait, but now you are a woman, I must have my answer, Margaret. I speak with your father's sanction, Margaret; tell me my love is returned. Margaret. Hush, cousin, here come Mr. Tem- ple. Sir Geoffrey. S* death! Is there nothing but this Temple in the air — his genius, his opera? (Crossing l.) Margaret. Yes, more, more, see this song he has dedicated to me. Sir Geoffrey. *"' Heartsease, to Margaret. Eric Temple." Odd! So poetic, and to some purpose, Mr. Temple ! 14 HEARTSEASE. IMargaret. Write one like it if you can, Cousin Geoffrey. (Crosses l. c.) Eric. (Enters r. Comes c.) Ah, Sir Geoffrey! (Crosses to c.) I had hoped to have your opinion of my song. Yours is a judgment I should have valued. Sir Geoffrey. To me it has a striking fault. (Crosses to c.) Eric. (r. c.) Indeed, and that? Sir Geoffrey. The dedication. Margaret, (l. c.) Since Miss Neville is pleased to allow the dedication, I cannot see how it con- cerns Sir Geoffrey Pomfret? Eric. Miss Neville, I thank you. Sir Geoffrey. (To Eric) We will discuss this at another time. ('Cello Solo off r.) Eric. At any time you choose. (Exit Sir Geoffrey up c.) Ah, Sir Geoffrey and I were never friends, Miss Neville. Even in the old days at Rugby we were rivals. Margaret. Never fear, Mr. Temple, he could never rival this, your song. Eric. If it pleases you. Miss Neville. Margaret. It seems to fill the air, the room, with witchery. You are a conjurer, sir. What is the secret of your power? Eric. It is only in the inspiration, in the senti- ment that fills my heart as I write. Margaret. (Seated at liar psi chord) It almost seems to speak. Eric. I wish it could, that it might speak for me. Margaret. I wonder what, then, it would say? Eric. Cannot you guess the words ? Margaret. No, I only know it is very sweet. Eric. And yet the sweetest song that time has HEARTSEASE. 15 ever sung to life is singing in my heart as I stand fnus with you. It is the song of love. Margaret. (Rises) Mr. Temple! Eric. Ah, let me speak. Margaret. No, no. Eric, (c.) Have I offended you? But what could I do? Love has so filled, so overflowed my heart that I cannot hold the words in check, or if I did, my love for you must find an echo in my voice, if I should say the day is beautiful. I did dare hope you had seen it written in my song. Have I looked too far above me? Must I turn my eyes to earth again? Have I dreamed too fair a dream? Margaret. Ah, it is too sweet! It will be too bitter when the dream is past. Eric. Can my devotion count for me, cover my poverty and my faults and lift me nearer to you? I^^Iarcaret. Ah, no, it is not that, but pride, the father's dreami of an almost royal wedding for the child he loves. (Goes tip) Ah, Eric, for your own sake I would have you Vv'in the success you are striving for. Reach for fame and honors, but should the struggle be too long, come to me, and I will join yon at my father's feet. Eric. Margaret ! You mean Margaret, Eric ! I love vou. Alice. (Off l. c) Eric! Margaret. (Releases herself and rushr.'^ to door R, Taking flo7vers from zvaisthand, she th- -^s them fo Eric) Heartsease for heartsease, there's a flower for your song. (Exits) (Enter Alice r. u. e.) Alice. Eric, what pretty flowers. Eric. Heartsease, Alice — Heartsease, and I bought them for a song! CURTAIN. i6 HEARTSEASE. ACT II. Scene : — Smne as Act I. DISCOVERED: — Lord Neville seated in arm- chair near table r. c, reading paper.) Lord Neville. (Dashing down paper) This fellow Pitt will never do. We want Lord North again. He'd put the Tories on their feet. (Rising — with sudden pain) Ah! The party has the gout, as well as — (Enter Doxton, with several folded nezvspapers on a salver) Well, what is it? DoxTON. Papers, my lud? Lord. I've read the papers. (Taking the papers) What's this scrawl? (Reads zvith glass) "Read under the heading of Court News — ?" (Turning over paper hastily) Another good friend, I suppose, turned out by Pitt to make room for a Whig. Ha. " Court News." (Reads) "At all the fashionable clubs, they are watching the intrigue of a young genius who comes of a profligate family." (Laugh- ing) Ha ! Ha ! Gad ! The town's full of 'em. (Reads) " He has dedicated a song to the Honor- able Miss — ^blank." (Alert) A musical genius! (Reads) " In order to cover his devotion to — (With grooving anger) the virgin's young step- mother." Eh! Zounds! (Reads) "Bets are offered as to how long it will be before the old lord, her husband" — Damme! is that for me? — "before the old lord, her husband will " — (Enter Pomfret. Mystified) — " rhyme with his own name and send the young composer to the devil!" (Enraged) Neville! Devil! (Tearing up paper, stamping on it, then he feels gout tzvinges, and sits dozvn) Sir Geoffrey, (c.) Why, what's amiss, my lord? (Seeing papers) H'ml HEARTSEASE. 17 Lord Neville. (Choking with rage) What's amiss? (Pointing at papers) The wasps, the scribblers — the assassins with blanks and dashes — and — and — rhymes Sir Geoffrey. (Sympathetically) Is it possi- ble? Rhyming on your lordship? (Stooping to pick up pieces) Lord Neville. Don't stoop to the damned thing! Read that! (Taking up paper in each hand from salver) Here! My friends want me to enjoy it. (Gives one to Sir Geoffrey and tears the other) Sir Geoffrey. (Looking slowly over paper) I can see no rhymes. (Lord Neville throws it dozvn and is about to stamp on it, hut does not, dreading a repetition of gout tzvinge.) Lord Neville. No, no rhymes! / make the rhymes ! Sir Geoffrey. You write poetry, my lord ? Lord Neville. No, damn it ! Look there ! Read that ! ( Takes snuff angrily ) Sir Geoffrey. (Reads paragraph zvith feigned astonishment) — Young genius — young stepmother — Lord Neville. Ah ! Sir Geoffrey. (Reading) — Sending the com- poser to the devil ! Devil ! ! Lord Neville. (Rising) You see, devil — • Neville. Sir Geoffrey, (c.) Why not Greville? Lord Neville. (Grasping at idea gladly) Ah! (Rejecting) No, Greville's a widower; not such an old fool as to marry again. Sir Geoffrey. I feared it. (Crosses to l.) Lord Neville. Feared what? Sir Geoffrey, (l. c.) A scandal. I hoped her ladyship would detect it, but this fellow Temple has presumed so adroitly, and it has gone so far. i8 HEARTSEASE. Lord Neville, (r. c.) So far? How far? Has — has he dedicated a song to Margaret ? Sir Geoffrey, (l. c.) Margaret innocently showed it to me yesterday — she suspects nothing. Lord Neville. (Rising) And Lady Neville? Sir Geoffrey. (Hesitating. Crosses c.) Lady Neville. (Pause) No doubt Lord Neville. (Rising, coming c.) Come, speak like a man, like a friend. Sir Geoffrey, (c.) No doubt, Lady Neville is a trifle dazzled by the fellow's genius — he's queer, suspicious — engaging after a fashion — and — young. Lord Neville. (Angrily) What the devil has his age to do with it ? Sir Geoffrey, (l.) But to suppose that Lady Neville — oh, absurd, shocking! The fellows who write these things ought — (Crosses to l.) to be pilloried. Lord Neville, (c.) You're dodging, Pomfret, speak out ; Lady Neville Sir Geoffrey, (l.) No, on my honor, white as the driven snow. (Bows) Lord Neville, (r. c. Recollecting) Why, the fellow's coming here to-day. His opera's here. I'm to speak for it — speak for it — speak for it — and to him. Zounds ! I'll have him forbidden the house — I'll — (Going tip) Sir Geoffrey, (c.) No, no violence. Your position's a trifle delicate. Let him come here — treat him civilly — (Coolly enjoying Lord Neville's impatience) hear his opera, say it won't do, and — show him out. Lord Neville. (Crossing c. to Sir Geoffrey) Do you take me for a Quaker, or a cringing tailor ? Sir Geoffrey, (l. of c.) Why wound Lady Neville ? Lord Neville. Odds life! They — (Crossing R. to table. Pointing to paper) make no face about HEARTSEASE. 19 wounding me. Where's Margaret ? How dares this Temple dedicate — {Going upstage c.) Sir Geoffrey. Hush. Temple's sister is with Margaret in the garden. {Pointing r.) Lord Neville. {Coming down to l. of r. tahle-^ sitting) The whole family? {Sits r.) Sir Geoffrey. {Crossing to him c. r.) My Lord, under your favor, I hope to make Margaret my wife. I trust you will consider me when you think of violence towards Mr. Temple. A Httle tact, a little patience. {Enter Lady Neville at back, in street-dress. Sir Geoffrey bowing, l. u. e.) Good morrow. Lady Neville. Lady Neville. {Going dozvn L. Bowing) Good' morning, Geoffrey, calling on Margaret al- ready .'' (Lady Neville gives staff to page) Lord Neville. Your ladyship has been abroad? (R c.) Lady Neville, (l. c. A little taken back. Seated on sofa l.) I was carried through the park in my chair as far as my milliner's in Bond Street — Lord Neville. Any music at the milliner's? Lady Neville. {Laughs. Lord Neville goes up. After a pause) Music? Oh, lud. Her squeaking English! (Sir Geoffrey crosses — and up L.) Going, Geoffrey? Sir Geoffrey. I am waited for at White's, my lady. {Bows. As he passes up, motions Lord Neville not to show paper to Lady Neville. Lord Neville follows him up, paper in hand. Sir Geoffrey at back bows again, and smiles ma- liciously) Lord Neville. Come back to dinner. Sir Geoffrey. Delighted. {Business between them. Bows and exits up r. c.) Lady Neville. {Throws herself back languidly) Are you going out, dear George ? You can take my chair. 20 HEARTSEASE. Lord Neville. (Drily) Thank'ee, my lady. (Looks at papers and then at Lady Neville) Lady Neville. (Arranging her toilet and look- ing at Lord Neville) You won't forget that Mr. Temple is coming? (Lord Neville just about to sit, nozv jumps up) to play his opera, and that M. Darville Lord Neville. (Suddenly, goes over c.) My lady ! What are you coddling this music scribbler for? Lady Neville. (Rising, then zvith forced laugh, going gaily to him) You won't laugh? Lord Neville. Be sure of that — I won't laugh. Lady Neville. Well, I want to be a la mode. I want to be a patroness — a real lady patron of the arts — the discoverer of a genius. Lord Neville. H'm ! (Crosses r. and sits) Lady Neville. (Going over to Lord Neville, R. c.—over back of his chair) Just think of it, Lady Montgallop's husband is so much older than you, dear, and yet, because she discovered the poet of Teddington, she's toasted everywhere. (Crosses down R. back of table) Lord Neville. (Turning to her) What has my age to do with it ? Lady Neville. Pure coincidence, my lord. (Sitting r. of table) Then the young Marchioness of Tenley, who dicovered a Welsh bard at some un- pronounceable festival; has been thanked in the name of the Prince of Wales. Lord Neville. (Across table) And is the Mar- quis as old as Montgallop? Lady Neville. Older, still older. Lord Neville. Here's a new industry for young wives of old husbands. (Rising) Discover- ing a genius! (Goes l. c.) The genius, of course, must be young. There never was an old genius. Lady Neville. (Demurely) They should, if possible, be discovered young. HEARTSEASE. 21 Lord Neville. {Taking out watch) What time does this young genius of yours come here to-day? Lady Neville. (Rises — brightly) In an hour. Lord Neville, (c.) Well, I'll be here and Dar- ville won't. Lady Neville. (Crosses l.) He will. Lord Neville. (Crosses to r.) He won't. (Rings) Lady Neville. He will. Lord Neville. (Crosses r.) He won't. Lady Neville. (Crosses l.) Why not, my lord? Am I to have none of the privileges of a woman of quality? Must I be denied all the distractions proper to my age ? Lord Neville, (c.) This Temple's father was a profligate. Lady Neville, (l. c.) A pretty reason! (Goes up L.) Lord Neville, (r. c.) He's a Lovelace him- self — learned the art in Italy. Lady Neville, (l. c. going to him) Fie, my lord. Who was been abusing this worthy man to you? Lord Neville. Who? Everybody. Zounds, I don't like him! (Enter Doxton. Crosses to r.) Won't have him. Doxton DoxTON. Yes, my lord? Lord Neville. My compliments to M. Darville at Covent Garden Theater, and he needn't x rouble to come. Doxton. Yes, my lud! Lady Neville, (l. c.) My compliments to Dar- ville, and, and — and — (Confused) Oh, dear— (Stops at a look from Lord Neville) Doxton. Yes, my lady. Lord Neville. (To Doxton) Now, go! Doxton. Yes, my lady. Lady Neville. (To Doxton) No, wait. Doxton. Yes, my lady. 22 HEARTSEASE. Lord Neville. (To Doxton) Now, what's your message? Doxton. You don't like him and you won't have him, and he needn't trouble, my lud ! Lord Neville. (Down r. c.) Oh, go to the devil ! Doxton. Yes, my lud. (Exits hastily c.) Lord Neville. I'll leave the message myself. (Sits R.) Lady Neville. (Walking up and down stage) 'Tis fortunate I am no longer a dependent as well as a wife. (Enter Margaret r. i e.) Lord Neville. Your old aunt died with her two hundred thousand pounds in the nick of time, eh? To make you independent, and ride hobbies in spite of me, eh? (Margaret, seated r. of table, takes Lord Neville's hand) Margaret, you are a girl of common sense, I appeal to you. Lady Neville. Very well, my lord. (Goes c.) I shall retire. I don't relish an appeal to a daugh- ter who is only four years younger than her mother — (Up at door r.) although forty years younger than her father. (Exits at R. 3 e.) Margaret. What is it, father? (Crosses back of table) Lord Neville. This Temple dedicates a song to you — Insufferable ! Margaret. Why, father, it is an honor. Lord Neville. Bah ! It is only a cover to — the long and the short of it is, I don't wish Lady Neville's name to be publicly paraded with this fel- low. He is — a wholly unworthy person. Margaret. (Rises, goes c. Going c.) Oh, my lord, you are in error. He is a true, brave man, and in music, a genius. Lord Neville. Eh! You've caught the cant HEARTSEASE. 23 word, too ; you also are going about discovering, eh? Margaret, (c.) I don't understand. Lord Neville. Then you shan't. Margaret. (Crossing to him and kneeling at his knee) Father, tell me what you have heard? Lord Neville. All the clubs are talking about it. This Temple is one of those designing — ah — specious fellows who steal into women's hearts with a trick of a fan or a glove. (She rises) Ah! You've noticed the fellow's arts ? Margaret. No, father, it is — incredible. Lord Neville. (Rising, goes to her^ c.) Well, keep a sharp lookout — for my sake. Margaret. Father, I'll not hear of it — Lady Neville? (Going d. e.) Lord Neville. Then if you'll not concern your- self about it, leave it to me and your Cousin Sir Geoffrey. He has some sense of the family honor, and since you will be Lady Pomfret soon — maybe it's as well. (Crosses to c.) Margaret. I shall never be Lady Pomfret ; I do not love Sir Geoffrey. Lord Neville. Pooh ! A man with ten thousand a year. (Goes up c.) A musician — since you love music! You'll change your tune. Margaret. (Aside, goes up) Eric! Lady Neville ! Oh, I'll not believe it ! (Exit r. 2 e.) Lord Neville. (Looking after her) Could she? Oh, nonsense ! H'm ! The first thing is to vStop Darville. (Going up c. Enter Doxton with an- other hat and cane) Why couldn't you bring these at first, dolt? (Putting on hat) DoxTON. (In door) Major Twombly, and a City gent. Lord Neville. (In anger) Oh! Oh! (Goes R.) {Enter Padbury and Major, Padbury with some 24 HEARTSEASE. ribbons on his coat. Major in a new suit. Exit DOXTON.) Major. (Coming forward with a swagger down c.) Our duty, my lordship. {Bozving) Lord Neville, (r. buttoning coat) To what do I owe the — honor ? {Looking savagely at Padbury) Padbury. {Down l. of c.) We thought you'd be gone out, my lord. Lord Neville. {Going up c.) Oh, you did? Well, I'm going out. What do you want ? Padbury. {Crosses c.) Go straight out, my lord. It's Lady Neville I'm come to see, and the Major skipped along with me friendly-like. Major. {Crosses to Padbury) Allow me, Mr. Padbury. Padbury. {Crossing to Major) Allow me, Major? Lord Neville, (l. of c.) Oh, rot it, I'm in a hurry! What do you want ? {Goes "l.) Padbury. (r. c, coming doivn to him. Bozving) Lady Neville invited me to Burton House and here I am, so I said to myself, her Ladyship's bent on helping genius Lord Neville. Oh, you, too — ah ! Padbury. Me, too? -Loi^ Neville. {Backing Padbury to r.) Has Lady Neville been discovering you? Are you young? Are you a genius? Padbury. Don't kick, my lord. Lord Neville. Kick? Damme, you'd tempt Saint Peter — {Walking l., then up) Padbury. {FoUozving him) If everything goes right with my lady and me, I'll invite you, my lord, to the biggest feet shampeter — which means, my lord, a French feed in the open air. (r. c.) Lord Neville. {Going) Why don't you invite me to a bed? Padbury. {Up to him) Heartily welcome. HEARTSEASE. 25 Lord Neville. Oh, Intolerable! (Going up c.) Padbury. But, my lord Lord Neville. Oh, go to the devil! (Padbury turns) Damme now, I'll settle the genius. (Exits c.) Major. You've put your feet shampeter mto it, Mr. Padbury. Padbury. (l. c.) Why don't you back me up? Ain't I took you to my house? Ain't I filled you v^ith old beeswing port? (Crosses to c.) Major, (r. c.) Pooh! Answer a civil question. Have you clapped Temple into jail ? Padbury. (Smiling) No, I am merciful. Be- sides, how can I put him into jail if he pays his debts ? Major, (l. c.) Has he paid them, Padbury? Padbury. They're as good as paid ! Look here — (Taking out notes, points over shoulder) Her Ladyship invited me yesterday, and sent a chairman to-day with a billet doux telling me not to forget to come and bring the notes. Ha, ha, ain't it good ? (Enter Doxton r. 3 e.) DoxTON. (l. 2 e.) Her ladyship will receive Mr. Padbury. Padbury. (Nudges Major. To Doxton) Very good, sir. (Crosses c.) Major. H'h! H'm ! Fellow! Fellow! Padbury. (c. to Doxton) Very good, fellow. I'll wait upon her ladyship. (Comic business with Doxton and Padbury — Exits r. 2 e.) Major, you'll wait for me. Major, (c.) Paying Temple's debts! Here's news for Sir Geoffrey. (Enter Lady Neville and Padbury up r.) Lady Neville. Understand, Mr. Padbury, not a word ot this to anyone, not even to 26 HEARTSEASE. (Enter Doxton c.) DoxTON. Mr. Temple, my lady. Lady Neville. (Hesitates — pauses) Ask the gentlemian to await me in the garden. Doxton. Yes, my lady. (Exit Doxton) Lady Neville. (Up steps) Mr. Padbury, kindly remain here for the moment. (Exits r. c.) Padbury. Paid at last. (Enter Alice and Mar- garet) Oh, I have a good heart. (Goes l.) Margaret. Come, Alice. Alice, (c.) There's Eric and Lady Neville in the garden, and Captain O'Hara. Oh, Miss Neville, don't you think that I — that you — that we -? Margaret. Yes, dear, go to them if you wish. Alice. Oh, I don't wish. I merely thought that perhaps, — I think I'd better go. (Exits c.) Margaret. Mr. Padbury Padbury. (Coming down l. c.) Welcome, I say, Miss, the noble chance that led to this tooth- some taste of fashionable life. Margaret. (Smiling as if in spite of herself) You enjoy it, Mr. Padbury? Padbury. Enjoy it? Oh, hugely, I assure you, Miss — and I owe it all to my goodness of heart. Margaret. Lideed ? Padbury. Honorable Miss Neville, you wouldn't think I almost owned Mr. Temple up to a quarter of an hour ago? Margaret. Indeed ! Padbury. Why, he was up to that in debt to me — promissory notes of every kind. Oh, I've a good heart Margaret. (Eagerly) His debts are paid? (Back of table r.) Padbury. Oh, Lord Neville is his warm friend. Margaret. (Surprised — zviih interest) My father ? HEARTSEASE. 27 Padbury. (Hesitates) Well — not exactly your father — next door to it — almost the same thing — Lady Neville Margaret. {Going c. to him) Lady Neville? Padbury. (l. c.) Hush, it's a secret. I'll tell you all about it. Margaret, (r.) Mr. Padbury, I can hear no more. Kindly leave the house. Padbury. {Goes up c.) Well, the aristocracy is odd ! First they order you in, then they order you out! {Exits up c. L.) Margaret. {Sinks into chair l. of table r.) Lady Neville pay his debts ! {Enter O'Hara and Alice from garden l. c.) Capt. O'Hara. And what is your hurry, Alice? Sure, the flowers'll stop growing if you leave them so soon. Alice. Oh, Captain O'Hara, didn't you see Lady Neville wanted to talk to Eric? {Rises) Oh, Miss Neville — {Crossing to Margaret) (Margaret still shows signs of irritation.) Capt. O'Hara, {Aside) I want to talk to Eric myself. {As if making up his mind) Alice. {To Margaret. Coming down) Miss Neville, you are angry with me for staying so long in the garden with — Eric Capt. O'Hara. {Coming down c.) You see, she is very fond of Eric, and Eric is very fond of her. Margaret, (r. Smiling) Everybody should be fond of Mr. Temple's sister, Captain. Capt. O'Hara. {Coming to c.) That's what I say : " Love me, love my sister." Alice. Oh, Captain! {Crosses to l.) Capt. O'Hara. (r. c, aside) Gad, that's nearer 28 HEARTSEASE. than I ever came to saying it ! (Enter c. Eric and Lady Neville) Here comes Eric, I'll say it to his face : " Eric, I love your sister ! I love your sister." (Lady Neville goes to cabinet l. and takes out opera score. Margaret looks at Lady Neville with a pang of jealousy.) Capt. O'Hara. (To Eric r. c.) Eric, I have something to say to you. (Aside) " I love your sister ", " I love your sister '\ (Aloud) I've — something to say to you, Eric — I — I Eric. "Well, what is it, Jack? Capt. O'Hara. Well — well, I'll say it some other time. (Going r. — aside) I'll never be able to say it. (Turns tip c. to back) Lady Neville. (Advancing from r. — down l.) Mr. Temple, we should like to hear you play from your opera. Here is the score. (Handing the Ms. to Eric) Eric. I know it without this. This — (Touching score) is the orchestral score. To-day all the songs of spring are tingling through my spirit. Alice. (Goes to l. of table; to Margaret zvho is at r. e.) Oh, Miss Neville, won't you sing " Heartsease " for us — the song that Eric dedicated to you? Eric. Yes, I beg of you. Margaret. Yes, I'll sing " Heartsease " for the last time. (Exits, followed by Capt. O'Hara and Alice. Eric looks after Margaret, surprised.) Eric. Lady Neville, won't you join them? Lady Neville. One moment, Mr. Temple. I want a word with you. Be seated. (Eric and Lady Neville sit at table r.) We must make a little HEARTSEASE. 29 change in our arrangements. {Rings bell on table) Ivl. Darville is not coming. I have written him, see? — (Showing note) that the score will be sent to him at once, and your work will be heard, I am sure. {Enter Doxton up c. l.) Where's Green? DoxTON. Out, my lady. Lady Neville. Wilkins? Doxton. Out, my lady. Lady Neville. My chairman? Doxton. They're carrying my lud, my lady. Lady Neville. {Rising) I vv^ant a messenger at once. Call a chairman. A pubhc porter — anyone, but at once. Doxton. Yes, my lady. {Exits l. u. e.) Lady Neville. {Turns to Eric — tenderly) Well, am I doing my best for you ? Eric. (Rising, crossing c.) You are over-kind. I — I — don't know what to say. If I gave my feel- ings play, my words would seem extravagant. (Lady Neville pleased and almost tremulous, her eyes sparkling) My heart is full — I would speak, but J cannot — at least, not now. Lady Neville, (l. c.) Do not be afraid to speak. Eric, (c.) Oh, if I dared — Margaret! Shall I tell her of our love? Yes, I will ! Lady Neville. Come nearer, tell me, tell me what is in your heart? Eric. (Joyously) My heart? (Lochs towards music-room) Lady Neville. Yes. (Pause) Have you ever loved ? Eric. Loved ? Love is no longer a timid beggar at my door ; it is a welcome guest. Lady Neville. Ah ! (Goes and sits l.) Eric. With your goodness and kindness, Lady Neville, I feel I may confide. It is not alone that I have loved, but that I have loved almost without hope until yesterday, when two angel hands seemed 30 HEARTSEASE. reaching down to open the gates of my Paradise. (Lady Neville gives him her hand, smiling. He takes it respectfully) 1 have dared — you have guessed it — to love a sweet clear being moving in a world beyond me. {Music and song.) Lady Neville. Ah ! I was right — — (Margaret's voice is heard singing "Heartsease/*) Eric. (l. c.) Listen! (Pause. Listening) " Their melody divine, Is singing to my longing. My darling shall be mine." Eric. So lips and souls are saying, my darling shall be mine. Lady Neville. (Seated l.) The words thrill me. ( The music ceases suddenly off-stage. ) Eric. Such is my love. Lady Neville. Yes ! Yes ! (Enter Margaret; goes up c. Giving Eric her hand.) Eric. Bless your kind heart. Lady Neville, you knew my secret — (Bending over her hand. Mar- garet sees Eric and Barbara, stands transfixed and shudders) that all my hope in life, all the love of my being is centered — (In low voice) In Margaret. (Margaret, zvide-eyed, speechless, sinks hack through curtain. Enter Geoffrey l. u. e. Lady Neville is vexed and astounded. ) HEARTSEASE. 31 Eric. (Durmg above business) Will you not tell her that you know ? {Long pause — then rises — light laugh) Lady Neville. (In laughing irony — Crossing from L. to c. Seeing Pom fret) Ah, Geoffrey, you are just in time. Mr. Temple is about to play from his opera. He has it here, you know. (Indicating book) Pom FRET. (B Giving stiffly) Mr. Temple is un- usually gracious. (Crossing l. to Eric) This is the famous work we have heard of ? Eric. (Crossing from l. to r, in front) Lady Neville, I shall be pleased to play some passages from it. (Exits r. 2 e.) Pom FRET. (l. c. up) H'm! A pretty talent, eh, my lady? Lady Neville. (Pause R. c. to Pomfret) Geof- frey, you should not let the opportunity slip with Margaret. Mr. Temple may prove a dangerous rival in more than music. Be bold ! Be bold ! Pom FRET. Is that a challenge, or advice? (Lady Neville laughs tantalidngly and exits r. 2 e. Piano music heard off-stage. Pomfret looking after her) I can be bold when I see my way, Lady Neville. (Listens to music) That's cleverly turned. (Goes a step R. as if to go in, then halts) No, why should I applaud the fellow? Prove a dangerous rival? Not so dangerous, my lady. But if Margaret loves him? 'death — I must not let an oppori- 'iy sHp. (Sits R. table— picks up letter) A k;:er! " M. Darville, Covent Garden Theatre " — Lady Neville's handwriting — H'm. (Pause) All his hopes are built on this, with Lady Neville as the first story in his house of cards. (Rises — turns, goes back to table and faces audience) If that damned thing were destroyed, it — Dare I? V/hy not? (Music sivells forte. He starts to hurriedly open the Ms. on table r. Pause, then crossing quickly to table r.) Lady Neville's letter. (Sees it) Ah ! To Darville. 32 HEARTSEASE. (Laughs) It's a hundred to one hazard. (Writes on Lady Neville's letter. Crossing out address) " Major Twombly, White Horse Cellar, Windsor coach-room." (Sticking it under tapes of book) " To be called for." I can send for it there — and see if it is so wonderful. Any rate, he will not have DoxTON. (At sound of Doxton's voice Pomfret recovers himself) A chairman to take Lady Neville's letter is below, Sir Geoffrey. (Enter Chairman l. u. e. Crosses to c. then sees Pomfret.) Pomfret. Where are you going? DoxTON. To Lady Neville, for the chairman's fee. Pomfret. No. Can't trouble Lady Neville. (Throiuing coin) DoxTON. Thank ye, sur. (Exits with hook and letter up c. foUoived by chairman) Pomfret. (Rising) Now we may hear his music. (Laughing — stop music) And praise it, (Going r. Crossing over to r. arch) and then for the White Horse cellar ! (Enter Margaret r. c. down c.) Pomfret. (r. 2 e.) Mr. Temple is playing from his opera. Margaret, (r. at table) It does not interest me as you seem to imagine. Pomfret. Will you not join us? Margaret. Thank you, no. (Sits l. of table. Pomfret looks surprised and exits r. In subdued tone L. of table R.) Father was right — unworthy — base. (Enter Eric, radiant, r. 2 E.) HEARTSEASE. 33 Eric. {Takes her hand across r. of table r.) You should have been there, Margaret. It was the first time in years I played a note of the opera. And it sounded sweet, as though your soul was playing through my fingers. Margaret ! Margaret ! Margaret. {Rising, withdrawing hand) Stop! Eric. (r. c.) Margaret! Margaret. Do not dare to call me Margaret. {Crosses c. up) Eric, (r.) Why? In the name of our love? Margaret, (c.) Love? You profane it ! Eric. Margaret, what does this mean ? (r.) Margaret. I will tell you — once for all. Eric. For pity's sake ! Margaret, (c.) I cannot. It is horrible. You are false, false not only to me, but to those — {Bit- terly) who would help you with their patronage. Eric. {r. c. stupefied) Patronage! Margaret, (c.) Aye, patronage. You are false to everything. Eric. Margaret, you must tell me. Margaret. {Going l.) I will tell you nothing. Eric. God knows why you have done this. I have lived only to worship you — but, Margaret, dear, my love will clear all in the end. Margaret. It is the end {Enter Lord Neville.) Eric. Not that, Margaret. Lord Neville. {Advancing c. paper in hand — sternly) Mr. Temple! Eric. (r. c.) Lord Neville. Lord Neville. Read that, sir. (Eric looks at paper.) Eric. (r. c.) A vile slander. Lord Neville, (c.) Ha! We'll see! You did 34 HEARTSEASE. dedicate a song to my daughter — without my per- mission. Eric. (r. c.) Your permission ? I should have perhaps asked you, but Lord Neville. It was a gross impertinence. Eric. (Angrily) My lord! Lord Neville. Now, as to the rest Eric, (r.) The rest is infamous. Lord Neville. Infamous. That is the word — you intrigue with Lady Neville, play upon her vanity, to have me back up some stuff you call an opera, and then, by gad, I was fool enough to do it. Eric. Stop ! Lord Neville, (c.) Stop? Eric. Yes ! Viscount or varlet, I'll hear no more. No man could. Lord Neville. Does a man play and fawn upon a woman's vanity till she pays his debts ? (Enter Alice, O'Hara, and Lady Neville, r. i e. Padbury and Major c.) Eric. (Goes r.) It's a lie ! Like the rest — a lie ! Alice, (r. Gomg to Eric) What is it, dear? Eric. (r. c.) Insult, nothing but insult. Lord. Neville, (l. c.) Here is the man — (Pointing to Major) who told me of it. Speak, sir. Major. (Coming down with Fadbury l.) Well, here it is. Mr. Padbury told me that Lady Neville was paying Mr. Temple's debts. Eric. (r. c. stupefied) Padbury, speak, for God's sake ! You can refute it. Padbury. (c.) What's the use of it all, Mr. Temple? There are the notes. They are paid. Eric. Is that story true? Who paid them? (Padbury hesitates) Who paid them? Padbury. Lady Neville. Eric. Lady Neville? (Looks at her as if un- derstanding. Lady Neville looks imploringly at HEARTSEASE. 35 him Eric speaks aside to Padbury as if saying ''Go! Go!!'') (Padbury exits followed quickly by O'Hara and the Major.) Lord Neville. (Goes r. Crossing to Lady Neville. Margaret sinks on sofa l.) Lady Neville, am I — disgraced ? Lady Neville, (r. of R. table) My lord ! My lord! , ^ ^ Eric, (c.) One moment, Lord Neville. I ad- mit this assistance from Lady Barbara. I was hard pressed. I plead with her, begged her, and she at last consented, on condition that I should inform you and repay the debt as best I could through you. I needed the money, my lord. (Goes l.) (Lady Neville draws a long breath of relief.) Lord Neville, (l. c.) But you denied it a moment ago? (Suppressed anger) Eric. Yes. Lord Neville. Then you lied? (Violently) Eric. Yes, my lord. Give me my opera and let me go. Lord Neville. (Rings bell) Doxton ! Jenkms ! (l. u. e.) Give that man his opera and let him go. Pomfret. (r.) My lord, what is the meaning of this? Lady Neville. Where is it?— 'twas here— quarter of an hour ago. (Business— looking at table. Goes to cabinet) It must be in the music room. (Exits r. 2 e.) Lord Neville. Doxton ! Jenkins ! Get him his opera and show him to the door. Pomfret. (Soothingly) My lord, my lord! Lady Neville. (Entering in doorway) I can- not find it anywhere. 36 HEARTSEASE, Alice. {Crossing to Eric) Eric! Eric! Lord Neville. {To Pomfret) Ah! Perhaps he has taken it himself to get money out of me. That trick won't do. Eric, (c.) Thank you for that insult, Lord Neville. I want no quibbling, no evasion now. Alice, (r. of c.) It was there awhile ago. I saw it. Lord Neville, {Crossing down l.) Am I to understand it is lost, stolen, here among you all? Eric. Lost? Stolen? My God, the only copy! Lord Neville, (l. u.) Well, if it has been lost here, I can pay you for it. Eric, (c.) Pay me? Pay me for it! Can you pay me for my hopes, for my years of toil and struggle ? Can you pay me for these ? No, it shall be found! It shall be found! Lord Neville. {Scornfully — seated l.) Come, sir, how much ? Eric. I tell you there is not enough blood in your bitter, bitter heart to pay me for it, and — {Looking agonsingly at Margaret, whose eyes meet his for a moment) all that its loss means to me. Lord Neville. How much, sir? Margaret. {Crossing between Lord Neville and Eric, and laying her hand on Lord Neville's) Father ! Not that ! — not now. Eric, (c.) I thank you. Miss Neville. Margaret. Not for your sake, sir, but for my father's dignity. You have been false — false to trust — false to everything that man should hold in honor. (Lady Neville and Pomfret exeunt r. 2 e.) Lord Neville. {Rising and crossing r.) You're right, Margaret. {To Eric) My lawyer shall see you to-morrow. Come, Margaret. HEARTSEASE. 37 (Margaret crosses to Lord Neville and takes his hand, draws herself proudly up, then passes r. with Lord Neville hut does not halt, and passes off r. 2 e. Eric stands amazed, utterly overcome, looks wistfully after her, his hand wanders over the hack of the chair r. Tears start to his eyes as he hows his head. Alice comes tenderly to him, her hand steals into his; he grasps it spasmodically, turns quickly to- wards the door, his arm ahout his sister, hows his head, hroken utterly and in tears, and goes slowly as curtain falls.) CURTAIN, ACT III. Scene: — The box-tier at Covent Garden. A stair- case on l. side. The hack of the hoxes seen l. Three of the hox-doors practical. A tremend- ous and prolonged hurst of applause off-stage follows the end of the music as the curtain rises, DISCOVERED: — Padbury and Major coming down-stairs, Padbury. {At foot of stairs) Steady, Major, steady ! The King^s in the house. Major. {Drunk) Long live the King! Long live Sir Geoffrey Pomf ret ! Long live " Hilde- brand." {Crossing to c.) Padbury. Sir Geoffrey won't like you in this state. Major, (l.) Won't like me? He's got to like me. He's got to stand by me — wait and see. {Exeunt l. 3 e. ivith Padbury) 38 HEARTSEASE. (Enter Alice, O'Hara and Lady 0*Hara l. i e.) Capt. O'Hara. Aunt, I didn't know it was Pom- fret's opera, or by the powers, we wouldn't be here. (Alice up stage. Group 2 passes upstairs — one re- maining on balcony.) Lady O'Hara. (l. c.) I thought it didn't mat- ter where you were, so long as Alice was with you. (Enter Quigg at back l. u. e. He comes down to O'Hara, touching his hat. Lady O'Hara joins Alice up c.) Capt. O'Hara. To be sure, but — what is it, Quigg. If you please, Captain, Mr. Eric Temple is arrived from Paris at your lodgings, sir. Capt. O'Hara. At my lodgings ? Quigg. (l. c.) He said his letter explained all. Capt. O'Hara. (r. c.) Dear, dear, now, I got no letter. (Aside) And he's there, and Alice is here, and I'm here, too. (Aloud — sympathetically) And how does she look, Quigg? Quigg. Poorly, sir-— disappointed-like. Capt. O'Hara. Of course, not finding his sister. Quigg. Captain, shall I tell Mr. Temple to come ? Capt. O'Hara. (l. c.) No — ^yes. (To Quigg) Yes, tell him to come — ^to Lady O'Hara's box. (Crosses to R.) Quigg. (c. Saluting, turning away and then turning) Beg pardon, sir, a little supper, Captain, after the opera? Capt. O'Hara. Yes, yes, Quigg, for two, and the best to be had. Quigg. Very good. Captain. (Exits l. u. e.) Capt. O'Hara. Aunt — (Lady O'Hara goes to HEARTSEASE. 39 him) did you hear that? Eric Temple's in town, and coming here? Don't tell Alice. Lady O'Hara. And why not? Capt. O'Hara. You know, Aunt, you'd give her a shock. Leave it to me. I'll break it gently to her. Lady O'Hara. i'd like to see you break anything gently, Jack, but come. (Captain and Lady O'Hara go upstage) (Enter Padbury afid Major l. u. e., crossing to r.) Padbury. Steady Major! Here come the nobs. {Slight applause. Door of box No. 2 opens, and enter Lord Neville, folUnved by Pomfret zvho is uneasy, and Darville, who is enthusiastic. Movement of interest among the ladies and gentlemen as Lord Neville co^nes forivard. O'Hara halts an instant as Pomfret enters, then bows to couples and exits L. u. E. with Alice and Lady O'Hara.) Lord Neville. {Turning to Pomfret) By Gad, you've hit 'em, Geoffrey ! Didn't yon hear *em ? Don't be nervous now, mn.n. How Barbara clapped ! Split her gloves, I do believe. Pomfret. (r. c. uneasily — trying to smile) I thank you, I thank you, my lord. (Lord Neville and Darville go up, attracted by a lady and gentle- man whose bozv he returns. Lord Neville and Darville chat, dozvn r.) I\fargaret did not con- gratulate me, she never moved. {Goes l.) Major. {Seeing Pomfret) Hi, Paddlebnry, there's Sir Geoffrey ! Damme, I'll congratulate him. (l. c. — crosses to Pomfret, and slapping him on the back) Pomfret forever! (Pomfret ti'rns and scozvls) What did I tell you. Sir Geoffrey ! We Eric, you said that as if you loved her. Eric. With all my soul. (Captain O'Hara and Eric touch glasses silently, drink, and sit quietly.) Capt. O'Hara. I see, it was not the loss of your opera that broke your heart. Eric. {Slightly inebriated) Jack, there are steps and grades in loss on loss, before heart-break comes. {Looks tozvards candlestick and drazvs it towards him, looking at it) Jack, when my father died the golden sands ran out of life's hour glass for me. Fortune went. {Extinguishes a candle) But the star of music, mystic, luminous, fascinating, rose and drew me after it — as the star drew the shepherds' Kings. Jack, then music died away. (Puts out the second candle) Still one light burned — the lamp of love. It shone out clear and mellow, and still I lived. Jack, still I lived ; but, oh, Jack, since that pure flame is quenched and dead, and HEARTSEASE. 63 shines for me no more, it is utter darkness — as it is here now. (Extinguishes third candle. Pause) Capt. O'Hara. Bedad, you've made it dark for both of us. Eric. (Grasping decanter) Yes, black and blank, but — (Pausing) still there's something to do. (Drinks) Capt. O'Hara. Eric, your hand will never be steady, and it has need to be. Eric. (Rising) Why, I haven't a nerve. I feel like a man freezing to death. (Goes to mantel- piece at R. H.) A man should be warm till he dies. I'll drink your health, Jack ; I feel as if I could sleep. Capt. O'Hara. Faith, that's an idea, somebody says that sleep knits up the ravelled socks of care. (Eric sits in large armchair near fire, hack to audience.) Eric. (Captain O'Hara brings cloak and puts it about Eric) Is this rest at last? Bless you, Jack, bless you! (Falls asleep) Capt. O'Hara. Poor fellow ! A little sleep will do him good. Half an hour yet. (Going to r. u. e. calling off in low tone) Quigg! Quigg! (Enter Quigg) Clear away, Qui^fg. (Knock at outer door L. H. Quigg moves table to back as told) I'll go myself. It can't be they already. (Exits l. 3 e. Pause. Door closes. Voice of Padbury, off-stage) Padbury. Captain ! Captain ! Capt. O'Hara. Whist! (Enter Padbury, followed by Captain O'Hara L. 3 E.) Padbury. (l. c.) Where's Mr. Temple? Capt. O'Hara. (c.) He's asleep; you'll wake him — there he is. Padbury. (Crossing to r. c. Looking at Eric) 64 HEARTSEASE. Don't he look pale ? Poor chap, he looks as if he had his share of trouble. Capt. O'Hara. Trouble, is it ? Enough to make him what he was to-night, a madman. Padbury. What for? Capt. O'Hara. For accusing Sir Geoffrey Pom- fret of having stolen " Hildebrand " from him. Padbury. Did he do that? Capt. O'Hara. Yes. Padbury. Then I can prove he wasn't mad, and that is why I came to you to go with me to Burton House, and Lord Neville would listen to the facts from you. Capt. O'Hara. Go on man, what is it? Padbury. You know Sir Geoffrey's friend the Major? He was in his cups to-night, and had some words with Pomfret. In his drunken indignation he confessed to me he had assisted Sir Geoffrey to steal Mr. Temple's opera. It was given to the chairman who was called to Lady Neville's, directed to the White Horse cellar to be called for, and the Major called. Capt. O'Hara. Oh, by the powers! Padbury. Shortly after hearing this, I had rea- son to leave the opera house and I found the very chairman that took the package; he is waiting for me outside. Capt. O'Hara. I'll wake Eric and tell him ! No, I'll let him sleep, poor fellow. Padbury. (Louder) Lord Neville ought to know it. I'd tell him myself if I didn't think he'd kick me for talking to him. Oh, I've had enough of nobs. (Crosses to Captain O'Hara, going to door, L. u. E.) Capt. O'Hara. Sh! You'll — you'll waken him. CPadbury goes up steps. L. c.) Now you can go to bed, Quigg. You're not wanted to-night, no matter what you hear, understand ? Quigg. (r. c, at sideboard) Yes, sir. HEARTSEASE. 65 Capt. O'Hara. Good-night. QuiGG. Good-night, Captain. (Exits r. 3 e.) Capt. O'Hara. (Aside) I can be back before they come. Who'll let me in? I'll leave the door ajar. (Takes hat and goes L. up steps) Padbury, if you're an old grocer, you've a good heart. Padbury. I always said so, Captain. (Captain O'Hara stops his mouth.) Capt. O'Hara. Whisht, and come on ! Padbury. I'm a comin' — Fve a good lieart. (r. Exits L. u. E. following Captain O'Hara) (Long pause: thirty seconds. Hear tease played on cello, off — a light tap heard as on wainscot outside, and after an instant it is repeated. Margaret appears in hall, comes cautiously forward and down one step, looking around.) Margaret. (Low tone) Captain O'Hara! (Descends another step) Mr. Temple! — Mr. Temple! (Reaches floor) Am I too late? I heard — I know Geoffrey will force him to fight, I cannot bear it. (Crosses r. upstage) Mr. Temple. Mr. Temple! (Sees Eric asleep) Ah, safe! — asleep! (Approaching Eric and three-quarters facing audience. Kneels r. c. near chair) My love! My love ! You cannot hear me, but I have come, dear, to lift the shadow from your soul. You told me of your love for me through shame and suffering. They said you were mad, but when your song, my song, " Heartease,'* came to my ears in the opera to-night, I knew then you had but reclaimed your own — and here upon my knees I ask you to forgive me, to forgive me ! (Eric's hand moves. He is seen to turn his head slowly towards Margaret and to lean towards 66 HEARTSEASE. her as if she were a vision. She extends her hands towards him. He leans forward, touches her, starts hack, rises.) Margaret. Mr. Temple! Eric. In Heaven's name, what brings you here? Margaret. Justice! I am here to right the wrong I helped to fasten on your life. Eric. No, no, think of the awful risk — alone, here in the rooms at midnight. You must not stay. Rather a thousand wrongs than you should tarnish your fair name. Margaret. I know Sir Geoffrey Pom fret to be a thief. I know that he will challenge you. I know that it is planned to murder you. Eric, I know you spoke the truth. Eric. You believe in me ? Thank God for that. With your faith, I am murder-proof. Margaret. You must not meet him. Eric. Must not meet him? Margaret. You must not. Promise me you will avoid this meeting. Eric. No, no. He stole my work; he shall not rob me of my honor. Margaret. Wait until you have regained the first. Do you not see he will force this meeting to prevent your doing so? Eric. Why should I fear to meet him? I have lost more than life itself — and life is worthless to me now. Margaret. Think of my life — my life that is bound up with yours. Ah, Eric, Eric, I love you so. Eric. Margaret — ^bless you for those words, and if I live Margaret. You must, you shall. Eric. Ah, dearest, go. Go, I entreat you. If they should return and find you here — ? Margaret. (Passionately) Ah, then he has HEARTSEASE. 67 challenged already. I will not go until you promise not to fight Sir Geoffrey. Eric. I cannot! Margaret. Eric, Eric, your life is mine. Eric. Yes, but honor is above our lives, and I must think of yours. Go ! Go ! Margaret. Not till you swear that you will not fight Sir Geoffrey ! Eric. I cannot swear. Hush ! They are coming. Sir Geoffrey and Captain O'Hara. Who let you in ? Margaret. I found the door ajar. Eric. Then we must not be surprised. (Looks about) Margaret, in behind the curtains. (Goes to curtains) In this room ! For pity sake's, quick ! Margaret. No! Eric. Think, if they find you here ! If you stay, your name is blasted, your honor gone. Margaret. Then it is my honor against yours. Eric. Your honor or mine? Margaret. Yes : your honor or mine. {Knock- ing heard again, and voices) Eric. Ah, no, not that. Do not put me to that cruel test. You will let me keep all I have left, my honor ? Go ! Go ! Margaret. No! Not until you swear you will not fight Sir Geoffrey ! Eric. You will not? Margaret. No! Eric — (Stands silent in horror) Let my honor go! (Margaret gives a swift look towards entrance L. then goes behind the curtains c. at back. Captain O'Hara's voice heard off) Capt. O'Hara. (As he raises his foot) Eric! Eric! (Eric takes candlestick from mantel-piece, wipes perspiration from his forehead and goes up L. and off like a man dased and crushed; lock shoots back. Bustling entrance of Captain O'Hara. - Goes R. ^ Enter Major followed by Pomfret wrapped in cloak. Major comes l. c. Pomfret goes dozvn L. Major carries swords. Enter Eric, who stands c.) Now then, to business. 68 HEARTSEASE. Eric. Gentlemen! There will be no fight. (Captain O'Hara starts, thunderstruck.) Pom FRET. Coward, as well as liar! Major. (Intervening) Leave the word to me, Sir Geoffrey. We will accept no apology. Capt. O'Hara. 'S blood, Eric, we can't stand that! (Eric stands helpless — hanging his head) Eric ! You heard them ! Eric. I cannot fight them! Pom FRET. Fight, damn you, you cannot crawl! Capt. O'Hara. Insults to my friend, while the affair is in my hands, are insults to me Eric. (Stopping him) No, Jack, no. Pom FRET. (Goes to Eric c.) Has the coward no more to say? Has the liar lost his breath? H you will not fight, speak. (Eric bozvs his head and clenches his hands) If you will not speak, kneel! (Eric turns a face of misery to Pom fret) Insulting dog ! Crawling hound ! Cur ! You dared accuse — ^you dared to strike! Well, then a blow. (Striking Eric in the face with glove) There! (Strikes again) There! (Enter Margaret through curtains with a wild cry.) Margaret. Coward! Eric, kill that man! Eric. Ah ! (Pom fret throws off cloak l. Eric draws sword from Major, who holds them c. Pomfret at sound of Margaret's voice has hacked aivay l. Pomfret drazvs sword. They rush together and fight furiously — Eric disarms Pomfret. Padbury's voice heard off l. u. e. just as fight ctdminates. Enter Lord Neville wearing cloak. He stands an instant at the head of steps. ) HEARTSEASE. 69 Lord Neville. Stop ! This fight goes no further, gentlemen! (Lord Neville descends and goes c.) (Alice runs to Eric l.) Alice. Eric! Mr. Padbury brought me here! Pom FRET. In good time, my lord, to take home your daughter, whom I found in this man's rooms at midnight. Lord Neville, (c.) Silence, sirj You are speaking of my daughter. Mr. Temple, what of this charge you made to-night ? Eric. My lord, it was was not " Hilebrand " you heard to-night, but my stolen opera " King Lear." Lord Neville. I know it, sir. (To Pomfret) Your confederate confessed in his cups to-night: the messenger who innocently aided the thief has been found. The proof is complete. Padbury Yes, Eric. I told his lordship all about it. (Major is sneaking to door) Ah, Major, don't be in a hurry. Major. Excuse me. I've got an important en- gagement in Lambeth. {Exits l. u. e.) Pomfret. {Crosses r.) All this sounds most ingenious, but you have not a particle of proof. No one can dispute my authorship of " Hildebrand." Margaret. {Comes down -l. of c.) Yes: I can! Pomfret. What, you. Miss Neville? Do you dispute it to ? Margaret. Yes! Mr. Temple's song of " Heartsease " is in the final act of " Hildebrand." I heard it. I knew it to-night. Pomfret. A mere coincidence. Margaret. Too exact for that: it was note for note. Eric. Yes, Alice it was there, the same melody, the same harmony. You see, my lord, I stole my best to give to her. Lord Neville. Mr. Temple,' I thank you, but if 70 HEARTSEASE. you have been wronged, as I most firmly believe, neither my name, Lady Neville's, nor yours, Sir Geoffrey, shall be spared in the investigation. Pom FRET. Your lordship seems to threaten. Lord Neville. Sir Geoffrey, it is you who seem to fear, but where I have done wrong, there will I set right. Pom FRET. (Winces, but assumes bold front) It is positive charity to assume that his lordship is in his dotage. Lord Neville. (Going up) Go to the devil! (Pom FRET goes up. Padbury hands him in succes- sion, his cloak, sword, hat and gloves, each with a bow) Your cloak, your sword, your gloves, and your hat. Don't hurry. Pom FRET. (On steps) I always told your lord- ship that you would have all Cheapside in the family. (Exits, followed by Padbury l. u. e.) Lord Neville. Mr. Temple, how can I ever re- pair the wrong I have done you? Eric. My lord, the one inspiration in my work, the reward, the light, toward which I battled through the darkness — was love. When that is won, all else were well lost. Lord Neville. And Margaret? Margaret. You know I love him, father. Lord Neville. (To Eric) Take her, sir. It was he who discovered you, after all. (Music of "Heartsease'* heard off-stage.) Eric. Real, breathing, loving. It is no dream. God does not give us more than we can bear. Margaret. For us, love always, love unalterable. Eric. Yes, and the "Heartsease" that comes with love. CURTAIN,