*" ITYOP RNIA . r- y%/N ' THE BENEFIT OF THE 'DOUBT THE PLA YS OF ARTHUR W. P1NERO WITH INTRODUCTORY NOTES BY MALCOLM C. SALAMAN Paper cover, is. (xt. ; cloth, 2$ . 6d. each In i6mo VOL. 1. THE TIMES II. THE PROFLIGATE III. THE CABINET ^MINISTER IV. THE HOBBY-HORSE V. LADY 'BOUNTIFUL VI. THE ^MAGISTRATE ,, VII. "DANDY 'DICK. VIII. SWEET LAVENDER IX. THE SCHOOLMISTRESS ,, X. THE WEAKER SEX XI. THE AMAZONS Also In small O[7BT A COMEDY In Three *Acts BY ARTHUR IV. PI NERO LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN Mncccxcrt Copyright 1895 tAll rights reserved Entered at Stationers Hall Entered at the Library of Con- gress, Washington, U.S.A. This Play ivas produced at the Comedy Theatre, London, on Wednesday, October i6th, 1895 THE TERSONS OF THE TLAY MRS. EMPTAGB (a widow) CLAUDE EMPTAGE (her *on) JUSTINA EMPTAGE ) - (her daughters) THEOPHILA FBASER J SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD, M.P. (Iwr brother) MRS. CLOYS (her sister) RT. REV. ANTHONY CLOYS, D.D., Bishop of St. Olpherts ALEXANDER FRASER " Fraser of Locheen " JOHN ALLINGHAM OLIVE ALLINGHAM DENZIL SHAFTO ) ,- (Alliny ham's friends] PETER ELPHICK J MRS. QUINTON TWELVES HORTON ( xervant at Mm, Employe's) QUAIPE (a xercant at Mr. Allinghairi'*) The scenes are placet! at Mrs. Bmptagiti house, in the neigh- bourhood of Regent's Park, and at " The Lichens," Mr. AUinyham's cottage at Epsom. Tlte events of the first and /Second Acts occur on the same day t/i<>*f <>/' the Third Act about fifteen hours aftenrards. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT THE FIRST ACT The Scene represents a drawing-room in MRS. EMPTAGE'S house neftr Regent's Park. At the back are double doors, opening on to a further drawing- room, and these face a window, over which the blinds are drawn, to moderate the glare of the sun, which nevertheless streams through them, for it is a fine afternoon in early summer. The rooms are furnished and decorated in a costly and tasteful fashion. MRS. EMPTAGE is reclining upon the settee, her eyes closed, a bottle of smelling-salts in her hand. JUSTIN A is pacing the room between the door and t/te icindow. MRS. EMPTAGE is a pretty, carefully- preserved woman unth dyed hair and " touched- up " face : she is old enough to be t/te mother of a A 2 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT daughter of nine-and-twenty. JUSTINA is of that age, good-looking, " smart," and already somewhat passe. Both are fashionably but sombrely dressed. MRS. EMPTAGE. Tell me the time once more, 'Tina. JUSTINA. [Referring to her watch J] A few minutes to four, mother. MRS. EMPTAGE. Does the judge of the Divorce Court invariably rise at four o'clock ? JUSTINA. He may sit a little later under special circum- stances. MRS. EMPTAGE. To have done with a case if it's very near its end ? JUSTINA. So I'm told. MRS. EMPTAGE. They must all be here soon, whether that happens or not. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 3 JUSTINA. Yes, yes. Oh, but if the confounded thing should last into another day ! MRS. EMPTAGE. A third day's suspense will kill me. JUSTINA. Ma, I suppose, really, we ought to be reading our Church Services or something. MRS. EMPTAGE. I can't concentrate my attention in the least ; I have been glancing at " The Yellow Book." JUSTINA. Hark ! what's that ? MRS. EMPTAGE. I don't hear anything. JUSTINA. It is somebody ! [HORTON, a manservant, appears. 4 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT HORTON. Mrs. Quinton Twelves. MRS. EMPTAQE struggles to her feet as MRS. QUINTON TWELVES enters. HORTON retires. KATE TWELVES is a lively, handsome young woman, brightly dressed. JUSTINA AND MRS. EMPTAGE. [Throwing themselves upon her.] Kitty ! MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. [Kissing them.} Well, well, well, well ! JUSTINA. Is it over ? MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Not quite ; that is, it wasn't when I came away. It's all over by now, I expect. MRS. EMPTAGE. [Hysterically.} Oh, Kitty ! MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Sssh, sssh ! everything has gone swimmingly, I tell you. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 5 JUSTINA. For Theophila ? MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Of course, for Theophila. MRS. EMPTAOE. [/Sinking back on to the settee.] I felt sure it would. JUSTINA. But what was happening when you left ? MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. The dear old judge was just beginning to deliver his decision his judgment. JUSTINA. Oh, how could you come away then ? MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Certainly, it was a wrench. Only, Theo wrote little notes to Sir Fletcher Portwood and to Claude and me. [Taking a screw of paper' from her glove] Here's mine. [Heading.] " I won't have anybody I am 6 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT fond of, except my husband, in Court at the finish. They tell me they are sure I am cleared, but it frightens me to think you are all waiting. Go to mother's." MRS. EMPTAGB. [Taking the note.] My poor child ! [Reading it.] " . . . . they are sure I am cleared . . . ." 'Tina, she's cleared ! MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Cleared ! I wish you could have heard Sir John Clarkson's opening speech for Theophila this morning. There was quite a murmur of approval when he sat down. JUSTINA. He let that wretch, Mrs. Jack Allingham, have it eh ? He did ! MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. He said that a morbidly jealous wife is one of the saddest spectacles the world presents ; but that when her jealousy leads her to attempt to blacken the repu- tation, the hitherto spotless reputation, of another woman in this instance, a young lady more happily married than herself then that jealous wife becomes a positive danger to society. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT ^ MRS. EMPTAGE. I ought to have been there, 'Tina. I said it was my duty, if you remember. JUSTINA. 7 might have gone. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Certainly; and yet you have both sat at home, quaking ; behaving, for all the world, as if you have a lurking suspicion that Theophila really may really has really did MRS. EMPTAGE. Kate, I will not permit you to say such a thing ! MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Why these miserable-looking gowns then ? You are dressed more funereally to-day than you were yesterday ! MRS. EMPTAGE. [Tearfully.] If you live to see a daughter of your.s, however innocent she may be, dragged through the Divorce Court ! 8 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT JUSTINA. We haven't been quite certain what we ought to put on. MRS. EMPTAGE. I considered half-mourning rather a happy thought. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. To my mind, it looks as 'if you had deliberately prepared for all emergencies. MRS. EMPTAOE. [Rising, in a flutter.} 'Tina, pin some flowers in your dress at once ! I'll get Bristow to stick a bit of relief about me somewhere. And I'll wear some more rings [She goes out. JUSTINA selects some cut flowers from a vase on the pianoforte. JUSTINA. Oh, Kit, we were dreadfully in the dumps. Bless you for bullying us ! MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. [Taking a pin from her hatJ\ Come here. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT g JUSTINA. [Going to MRS. TWELVES.] By Jove, though ! it would have been too rough on us if if wouldn't it? MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. [Attaching the flowers to the bodice of JUSTINA'S dress.] Pray complete your sentence. JUSTINA. Well if Mrs. Allingham had made out her case against Jack Allingham and Theo. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. For shame, Tina ! JUSTINA. Oh, you're awfully prudish all of a sudden, Kate. You've very soon forgotten Mind that pin ! MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. What are you saying ? JUSTINA. I mean, it isn't as if we hadn't all been just a leetle io THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT rapid in our time, we three girls Theo, you, and I. You needn't be quite so newly-married-womanish with me. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Shut up ! JUSTINA. [Glancing round.] No one's there. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. [In an undertone.] We always knew where to draw the line, I hope. JUSTINA. Of course we did. Only, when you're married, as Theo is, to a cold, dry mummy of a man like Alexander Fraser, the line's apt to get drawn rather zigzag. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. [Finishing with the flowers.] Go away ! JUSTINA. Thanks they're jolly. [Picking wp a little mirror from the, table, and making a wry face at herself.] I haven't had a night's sound sleep for weeks. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT n MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. I should think not, with such thoughts in your head. Poor Theo ! I've been fretting about her too, in a different way. JUSTINA. [Adjusting the flowers with the aid of the mirror.] Yes, but it isn't only Theo. I've been doing a bit of lying-awake on my own account, I can tell you. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Why? JUSTINA. [Moistening her eyelashes as she again surveys her /ace.] Why, if this business had gone against my sister, it wouldn't have bettered my chances eh ? MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. No, perhaps it wouldn't. JUSTINA. I'm twenty oh, you know MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Nine. 12 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT JUSTIN A. Ugh, dash it, yes ! And this beastly scrape of Theophila's has been no end of a shocker for me. From to-day I turn over the proverbial new leaf. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. So glad, dear. JUSTINA. Just fancy ! I'm the only single one out of we three musketeers. Great Scot, Kate, suppose I got left! MKS. QUINTON TWELVES. [With a lauyh.] 'Tina! JUSTINA. But I won't, you mark me ! From to-day I'll alter I take my oath I will ! No more slang for me, no more swears, no more smokes with the men after dinner, no more cycling at the club in knickers ! I've been giving too much away ! MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. [Listening.] Take care ! THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 13 JUSTINA. [Glancing round.] Claude back. CLAUDE EMPTAGE, a plain, stumpy, altogether in- significant young man entei'8 a young man with a pale face, red eyelids and nostrils, a dense look, and heavy, depressed manner. JUSTIXA. What news ? Any ? CLAUDE. It's finished. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Finished ! JUSTINA. Don't tell me ! How? CLAUDE. It's all right for Theo. Mrs. Allingham's petition dismissed. JUSTINA. Ho, ho! Ha, ha, ha! All right for Theo! [Clapping her hands, almost dancing. MRS. TWELVES embraces her.] All right for Theo ! 14 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Isn't it splendid ? JUSTINA. Ha, ha, ha ! All right for ! Mother ! ma ! ma ! [She rum out. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. [To CLAUDE.] You did wait then, in spite of Theo's orders ? CLAUDE. No, not in Court. I hung about outside, with Uncle Fletcher, to hear the result. [Sitting, with a little groan.] Oh ! MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. I must say, Claude, the victory hasn't left you very cheerful. CLAUDE. Cheerful ! Think of the day I've spent ! MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. You've spent ! CLAUDE. Theophila's brother! [Pointing into space.] The THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 15 brother of Mrs. Eraser of Locheen ! The brother of the witness in the box ! Every eye upon me ! Mus. QUINTON TWELVES. [Drily.] I see. CLAUDE. Oh, Kate, I've felt this business in more ways than one. It has been a terrible lesson to me. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. [Smiling.] My poor Claudio ! CLAUDE. [A r ot looking at her.] No, don't pity me despise me. Kitty, how easy it is for a fellow to imperil a woman's reputation ! MBS. QUINTON TWELVES. [Amused.] Yes, isn't it ? CLAUDE. We attach ourselves to a pretty married woman ; we lounge in her drawing-room, her boudoir; we make her our toy, our pastime. Do we allow a single 1 6 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT thought of the scandal we may involve her in to check us in our pursuit of pleasure ? MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. [Demurely '.] No, I suppose you don't. CLAUDE. Never ! MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Perhaps you had better nob come to tea with me quite so frequently in the future, Claude. CLAUDE. You are right ; you, and others, must see less of me. [Turning to her.] And yet, Kate, I am not all bad! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD enters. Heis fifty -one, amiable, pompous, egotistical, foolish. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Why didn't you wait for me, Claude, my boy ? CLAUDE. Sorry ; my brain was reeling. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 17 SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Meeting MRS. TWELVES.] A very proper, a very satisfactory termination of this aft'air, Mrs. Twelves. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. It has been awfully reassuring to see you beaming in Court, Sir Fletcher. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Ha ! I daresay my attitude has been remarked. Beaming ; why not ? I've had no doubt as to the result. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. No doubt of Theo's innocence of course not. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Innocent ; that goes without saying my niece. But the result, in any case, would have been much the same, I venture to think. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Really? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. You see, my own public position, if I m.'ty speak of it B i8 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Oh, yes. SIB FLETCHEE PORTWOOD. [Smiling,] And I happen to know the judge slightly perhaps; but there it is. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. But judges are not influenced by considerations of that kind ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Heaven forbid I should say a word against our method of administering law in this country. The House knows my opinion of the English Judicial Bench. At the same time, judges are mortal 1 have never concealed that from myself ; and Sir William and I have met. [To CLAUDE.] You saw the judge look at me this morning, Claude ? CLAUDE. No. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. No? Oh, yes, and I half-smiled in return. Yester- day I couldn't catch his eye, but to-day I've been half -smiling at him all through the proceedings. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 19 JUSTINA runs in, seats herself at the pianoforte, and thumps out the Wedding March. JUSTINA. Well, Uncle Fletcher ! SIB FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Ah! ha! JUSTINA. What price Mrs. Allingham ? MRS. EMPTAGE returns. She JIMS relieved the heaviness of /ter dress by a fichu of crepe de soie. MRS. EMPTAGE. [jKmbr -aciny CLAUDE.] My darling ! [Embracing SIR FLETCHER.] Oh, my dear Fletcher ! Be quiet, 'Tina ! [JUSTINA plays the air of a popular music-kail melody, softly; MRS. TWELVES comes to lier. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. I told you sc hey ! MRS. EMPTAGE. We all said so. 20 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT SIR FLETCHEH PORTWOOD. But I've been the most emphatic MRS. EMPTAGE. Where are Theo and Alec ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. They went over to Sir John Clarkson's chambers directly the case concluded I fancy, to consult him on some little point that had arisen. I managed to get one word MRS. EMPTAGE. [Impulsively kissing MRS. TWELVES.] I'm so happy ! SIR FLETCHER POKTWOOD. I contrived to get just one word with Alec as he was putting Theophila into the carriage. I wanted to tell him MRS. EMPTAGK. [Pacing the room, humming the air played by JUSTIN A.] Tra, la, la ! la, la ! tra, la, la ! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. I wanted to tell him an amusing story I'd heard THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 21 during the luncheon interval, but he hadn't time to Ha, ha ! It's a legal anecdote. It appears that a fellow of the name of Babbitt once brought an action MRS. EMPTAGE. Did the judge apologise, Fletcher ? [JusxiNA stops playing. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Apologise ! MRS. EMPTAGE. To Theophila ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. A judge never apologises. MRS. EMPTAGE. He might do worse, where such undeserved distress is occasioned a young wife and her husband MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Hear, hear ! MRS. EMPTAGE. To say nothing of her mother ! 22 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. I surmise that the judgment of my friend Sir William was very strongly worded, and I daresay an expression of regret followed from Mrs. Ailing- ham's counsel. But I had quitted the Court, you know MRS. EMPTAGE. Oh, yes ; Theo wrote you a note SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. But you are losing my anecdote. It appears that a man of the name of Babbitt - One thing, Muriel, 1 will stake my reputation upon. MRS. EMPTAGE. [Peeping out at the sife of the window blind, ,] What's that? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. That the public applauded the decision roundly. MRS. EMPTAGE. [Pacing the room again.] I can hear them doing it ! Bravo, Mrs. Fraser ! Eh, girls ? THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 23 MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Plucky Mrs. Fraser ! JUSTINA. How jolly to have been there just then ! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. As a matter of fact, I talked with several strangers of a humble rank of life, and hinted that a few cheers so regrettable and unseemly in a court of law as a rule I hinted that a few cheers would undoubtedly be justifiable in the present instance, as well as peculiarly agreeable to me. It seems that Bab- bitt [HORTON enters with a card. MBS. EMPTAGE. [After gkincing at the card. \ Oh ! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Eh? JUSTINA. What's up ? MRS. EMPTAOE. [To HORTON.] Where is Mrs. Cloys ? [SiR FLETCHER, JUSTINA and CLAUDE rise precipitately. 24 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT HORTON. In the morning-room, ma'am. She preferred MRS. EMPTAGE. [Taking the card.] I I some one will come to her. [HORTON retires. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Harriet here ! JUSTINA. By Jove ! CLAUDE. [Making for the door.] No ; she is too impossible. MRS. EMPTAGE. [Intercepting him] Claude, I dare you to leave the house ! [SiR FLETCHER also moves towards the door. MRS. EMPTAGE. [Stopping him.] Fletcher, you mustn't ! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Muriel, I distinctly prefer not to meet THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 25 MRS. EMPTAGE. But I must have have every support; I am un- equal to it otherwise. Who will fetch her upstairs ? Fletcher, dear ! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. In your establishment ! Singularly inappropriate ! MRS. EMPTAGE. [Turning to JUSTINA.] Justina JUSTINA. No thanks, ma. MRS. EMPTAGE. Brutes, all of you ! [She hurries out. JUSTINA. Confound her ! CLAUDE. I shall submit to none of her airs. What is a bishop ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Why does she select this occasion- ? 26 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT JUSTINA. It's nearly ten years since she washed her hands of us. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Exactly eleven years have elapsed since my sister Harriet placed it out of my power to continue on a footing of brotherly intercourse with her. CLAUDE. [To MRS. TWELVES, in a whisper.] I know the story. JUSTINA. [To him.] Sssh! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Her behaviour on that one memorable afternoon proved that her marriage to a dignitary of the Church was something worse than a fluke a sacrilege. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. [Quietly to CLAUDE.] What is it ? CLAUDE. [Quietly to her.] She called him a Bore. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 27 MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. [Going to JUSTINA.] Do you think I could steal downstairs and get away ? She used to tell me I was an empty-headed little fool. SIK FLETCHER POKTWOOD. Outrageous ! MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. And predicted I should end badly. JUSTINA. Well, you haven't. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. No, but there's time, she'd say. [Going towards the doors.] I'm off. JUSTINA. Sneak ! MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. [Returning hastily.] They're coming up ! JUSTINA. Let 'em ! 28 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT MRS. CLOYS enters, and stands surveying the room. MRS. EMPTAGE follows her. MRS. CLOYS is about fifty-three, handsome, dignified in bearing, richly but soberly dressed, in manner a mixture of sweet- ness and acerbity. Mus. CLOYS. Justina is it ? JUSTINA. [Going to her.] How do you do, Aunt Harriet 1 MRS. CLOYS. [Kissing her, then eyeing her keenly.] H'm ! you're not married yet, I believe ? JUSTINA. No, I haven't the slightest inclination that way. MRS. CLOYS. Oh, my dear, you still tell fibs, then ? JUSTINA. Indeed, aunt ? [JUSTINA retires; SIR FLETCHER advances. MRS. CLOYS kisses him, then looks him up and down. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 29 MRS. CLOYS. Well, Fletcher, so they've knighted you, have they? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Lord Cranbery was gracious enough to recom- mend MRS. CLOYS. How much did it cost you ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Cost me ! MRS. CLOYS. Well, you've made money; I suppose you could afford it. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Pray let us ! MRS. CLOYS. Don't puff yourself out at me, Fletcher. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. I am doing nothing of the kind, Harriet. 30 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT MRS. CLOYS. Then don't. SIE FLETCHER POKTWOOD. Er how is the bishop ? MRS. CLOYS. Old. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Old? Let me see my marvellous head for figures should serve me MRS. CLOYS. Very old. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Born in MRS. CLOYS. We're all getting old ; that's why you have the pleasure of seeing me amongst you once more. [Turn- ing to CLAUDE, who bows stiffly .] My nephew ? [/Shaking hands with him and looking him in the face searchingly .] You're rather old too. [Sharjjly.] Who's that there ? MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. [Who has been hidden by the flowers on the piano- THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 31 forte, advancing, with a nervous outburst.] 3 Oh, I hope you remember me, dear Mrs. Cloys Kitty Twelves. I was Kitty Powis, if you recollect. MRS. CLOYS. I recollect. Weren't you at school in Paris with Justina and Theophila, and afterwards ? MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Yes. Isn't this interesting? Quinton, my husband, was confirmed by the Bishop of St. Olpherts ! I never discovered it till we'd been married for ages I mean, weeks and weeks [gradually quailing under MRS. CLOYS'S gaze] and then one day he he happened to see me kissing the sweetest photograph of you and and and MRS. CLOYS. Mrs. Twills, I understood from my sister there was a purely family gathering here this after- noon MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. (Offering her hand.] I I have to go on else- where MRS. CLOYS. [Detaining her hand.] My dear, you were extremely 32 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT old when I last saw you, during your first season, in eighty-something ; I pray, now you're married, that you are younger. [They look at each other for a moment longer, then MRS. TWELVES withdraws her hand, and, after nodding to the others in a scared way, goes out silently. CLAUDE follows her. MRS. CLOYS. [Sitting on the settee.] Muriel. [MRS. EMPTAGE comes to her.] We have been on bad terms for many years ; let us have done with it. I suggest mutual concessions to disposition and temper. MRS. EMPTAGE. [Sitting.] I am sure I have been more than de- sirous MRS. CLOYS. You have brought up your children abominably; that was always our most serious point of dissen- sion SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. I may remind you, Harriet, that Muriel's cheerful method of training her children has received my THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 33 sympathy and sanction. On the death of the late Mr. Einptage MRS. EMPTAGE. My poor dear Herbert Siu FLETCHER PORTWOOP. It naturally devolved upon me MRS. CLOYS. Sssh! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. I am not one of those MRS. CLOYS. Sssh, sssh, sssh ! MRS. EMPTAGE. Your twenty years of married life may have taught you how to manage a husband, Harriet, but- SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Heaven has blessed you with no offspring. MRS. EMPTAGE. And the world isn't all deans, and canons, and bishops and things 34 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. A department of society you were thrown headlong into MRS. EMPTAGE. By the merest chance, as yon well know SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Without, I fear, possessing every qualification for the ah the exalted station which which MRS. EMPTAGE. And and and MRS. CLOYS. [To MRS. EMPTAGE.] There, there ! Don't, I say. Have done with it ? At any rate, we're grey-haired women now I am, and you ought to be MRS. EMPTAGE. Now, Harriet ! MRS. CLOYS. And judgment has overtaken you MRS. EMPTAGE. Judgment ! THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 35 MRS. CLOYS. This terrible calamity that has befallen your girl Theophila. Oh, how is it going to end ? MBS. EMPTAGE. My dear Harriet, it has ended. MBS. CLOYS. Has the case ? SIB FLETCHEB POBTWOOD. Mrs. Allingham's petition is dismissed dis- missed. MRS. EMPTAGE. My daughter has emerged triumphantly MRS. CLOYS. Thank God ! [Rising.] Muriel [MRS. EMPTAGE rises ; MBS. CLOYS kisses her on both cheeks, then turns away. MRS. EMPTAGE. You will see Theo and her husband in a few minutes. They are staying with me just now. 36 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT "Weak, giddy mother," am I, Harriet? My child flies to me in her trouble, nevertheless. MRS. CLOYS. [Wiping her eyes.] The dear bishop will be so re- joiced. Not a newspaper has been taken at the Palace this week. [Resuming her seat.] It has hit us hard. How did it all come about ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. In this way. I MRS. EMPTAQE. [Sitting again.] Why, we've all known Jack Allingham for years SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Sitting] A good fellow little dull, perhaps little prosy MRS. EMPTAGE. [Glancing at JUSTINA.] At one time we thought he was rather inclined to pay 'Tina JUSTINA. What rot, mother ! THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 37 MBS. CLOYS. Oh! MRS. EMPTAGE. However, he married this creature, Olive Harker daughter of a Major Harker SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. "Crummy" Harker stout man JUSTIN A. Four years ago this month. MRS. EMPTAGE. Yes, in the summer of the year in which Theo was married to Fraser of Locheen. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. My extraordinary chronological faculty ought to serve me here. Theophila and Locheen were married in the March, Jack Allingham and Miss Harker in the following June ; / took the chair that year at no less than three public dinners MRS. EMPTAGE. Of course, when the two couples settled down in 38 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT London the usual exchange of visits began. But from the first it was quite evident that Mrs. Ailing- ham resented her husband's friendship for Theo. MRS. CLOYS. Why should Mrs. Allingham have resented it ? JUSTINA. Olive was always a jealous cat person. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. John is some months younger than his wife, I may tell you. No marriage can turn out happily when the balance of age drops ever so slightly on the woman's side. My observation MRS. CLOYS. Eubbish ! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. I know my world, Harriet. JUSTINA. What was it that Olive said about that, ma ? THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 39 MRS. EJ^PTAGE. When the wife is older than the husband every fresh little line in her face becomes an acute pain to her, just as if it were cut into her flesh, and renewed daily, with a knife. Those are Mrs. Allingham's own words. MRS. CLOYS. Poor wretch ! MRS. EMPTAGE. In her storms with Jack she used to rave out these things, and Jack would repeat them to Theo. MRS. CLOYS. What business had he to do that, pray ? MRS. EMPTAGE. Well, his home had become such a hell that he fell into the way of rushing round to Lennox Gardens, to Theophila and Alec, to obtain relief from his worries. JUSTINA. He gradually became a sort of third in Lennox Gardens, you know, aunt. 40 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT MRS. CLOYS. A sort of third ? MBS. EMPTAGB. The house-friend who is continually running in and out JUSTINA. The man who has dined with you almost before you know it, as it were. MBS. CLOYS. Oh ! And is this all ? MRS. EMPTAGE. All? MBS. CLOYS. All the justification a jealous woman has for seek- ing to divorce her husband ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Not divorce, Harriet ; she wasn't entitled to ask for that. Mrs. Allinghamhas been suing for judicial separation. MRS. CLOYS. Well, well ! THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 41 SIR FLETCHER POKTWOOD. Accuracy with me is a perfect mania. Oh, yes, that's all. With the exception of the the [With a wave of the hand.'] However ! MRS. CLOYS. Exception ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. I was thinking of the bezique part of the case. MRS. EMPTAGE. [Impatiently.] Yes, yes; but that's of no conse- quence now. MRS. CLOYS. Bezique ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Allingham and Theophila happen, both of them, to be fond of cards. And when Fraser was away in Scotland MRS. CLOYS. Away in Scotland ? Not with Theophila? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. No, no ; she loathes Locheen. 42 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT MRS. CLOYS. I see. When Mr. Fraser was in Scotland and his wife was by herself in London MBS. EMPTAGE. Then a little harmless bezique helped to kill the time. MRS. CLOYS. Theophila and Mr. Allingham killed time together ? MRS. EMPTAGE, JUSTINA, SIR FLETCHER. [In various tones.] Yes yes yes. MRS. CLOYS. Where was the time killed ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. In Lennox Gardens. MRS. CLOYS. At Theophila's house, in her husband's absence. Is that all ? MRS. EMPTAGE. Absolutely all. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 43 SIR FLETCHER POETWOOD. All the bezique part of the case. You see, the lawyers separated the case against Theophila into three divisions. MBS. CLOYS. Three ! Number One ? SIB FLETCHEB PORTWOOD. The House-friend, as aforesaid. MBS. CLOYS. Two? SIB FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Bezique as aforesaid. MRS. CLOYS. Three? MBS. EMPTAGE. I repeat, surely all this doesn't matter now ! MRS. CLOYS. Number Three ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Tannhiiuser. 44 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT MRS. CLOYS. In Heaven's name, what ! J USTINA. That was nothing. Alec Fraser was in Scotland as usual MRS. CLOYS. As usual! MRS. EMPTAGE. No, no as he is often obliged to be. JUSTINA. Alec was in Scotland, and Theo had been to the opera with pals MRS. CLOYS. With ! JUSTINA. Friends, to hear Tannhauser. She had sent her servants to bed, and let herself in with her latchkey. As she was closing the front door she caught sight of Jack Allingham on the other side of the way. MRS. EMPTAGE. He had had one of his terrible scenes with his THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 45 wife; they lived round the corner, in Pont Street SIK FLETCHER PORTWOOD. And a most charming house theirs was. I always say, with regard to Pont Street MRS. CLOYS. [Sternly.] Fletcher! MRS. EMPTAGE. Jack was in a dreadful state of distress ; pacing the streets like a maniac, in fact JUSTINA. He's a very old friend of all of us MRS. EMPTAGE. More like a brother than a JUSTINA. And Theo begged him to come in- MRS. EMPTAGE, To calm himself. Simply an impulsive, warm- hearted act on her part. 46 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT JUSTINA. And it wouldn't have mattered in the least if that devil of a wife hadn't suspected MRS. EMPTAGE. And planted her maid outside Theo's house set of spies ! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Till three in the morning MRS. EMPTAGE. When Theo turned Jack out. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Not four in the morning, as Mrs. Allingham's blundering counsel tried to establish. Ha, ha ! Sir John Clarkson bowled him over there ! Three, sir not four ! MRS. CLOYS. [To SIR FLETCHER.] Be quiet ! be silent ! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Upon my word, Harriet ! THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 47 MRS. CLOYS. [To JUSTINA, who rises.] Go away ! You can sit by and assist at the telling of a story of this nature, single woman that you are ! [JUSTINA walks away.] What did I prophesy ? Years ago, what did I pro- phesy ? [To MRS. EMPTAGE.] Now, pray, how do you like seeing your children dabbling their hands in this this pig-pail ? [CLAUDE entei's. CLAUDE. Fraser and Theo MRS. EMPTAGE. [Rising.] Ah ! CLAUDE. Just come in. [MRS. CLOYS walks away ; CLAUDE joins JUSTINA.] MRS. EMPTAGE. [Repressing Jter excitement.] Sssh, sash, sssh ! Let nobody make a fuss ; Alec hates a fuss ! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. No fuss, but some one ought to play " See the Con- 48 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT quering Hero ! " Theo is so fond of a little fun genuine fun ! [He seats himself at the piano and fingers out the air laboriously. TUEOPHILA and her husband enter. She is an elegantly-dressed, still girlish, woman of seven-and-twenty ; he a good-looking, undemonstrative man of about five-and-thirty . Both are pale, weary- looking, and subdued. FRASER is gloved and frock-coated ; THEOPHILA is in her bonnet and cape. MRS. EMPTAGE. [He)' hands twitching.] Well, pet ? THEOPHILA. [Kissing her mother in a spiritless way.] Well, mother dear ? [THEOPHILA goes to JUSTINA and CLAUDE and kisses them, silently. MRS. EMPTAGE. [Shaking hands with FRASER.] A hundred thousand congratulations, Alec. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 49 FRASER. [Biting his Up.] Thanks. [Standing at the further end of the piano, to SIR FLETCHER.] Do you mind not playing ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Rising and singing .] " See the Conquering H e ro co o o o o o um ms ! " Not hero heroes. No, hero and heroine ! [THEOPHILA conies to him and kisses him in the same impassive fashion. THEOPHILA. [Quietly.] Much obliged to you for sticking to me, the last two days, uncle. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. My dear, as a matter of fact, I've enjoyed myself in Court. I am not exaggerating enjoyed myself. MRS. EMPTAGE. Theo, your aunt Harriet THEOPHILA. [Turning.] Aunt ! [Advancing slowly to meet 50 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT MRS. CLOYS a little dazed. ,] I saw a figure ; I I thought it was Kitty. Why, aunt ! [They sJiake Jtands. MRS. CLOYS. [Looking into far face, earnestly.] You're tired quite done. THEOPHILA. [JFtVA a nod, sitting on the settee.] Alec - [FKASER advances.] My aunt Harriet, Mrs. Cloys my hus- band. [ERASER and MRS. CLOYS incline their heads to each other. FRASER then turns away and joins CLAUDE and JUSTINA, SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD following him. THEOPHILA strips off her gloves. MRS. EMPTAGE. Let mother take your bonnet, pet. THEOPHILA. [Her head falling backward, faintly.] Oh, do! MRS. EMPTAGE. [Removing THEOPHTLA'S bonnet.] In your bonnet all THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 51 day again; your head must be splitting. / know. Do you remember my head at the flower-show at Eastbourne ? [MRS. CLOYS bends over THEOPHILA ami helps her to get rid of her cape. THEOPHILA. Thanks, awfully. \She takes her bonnet from MRS. EMPTAGE, and fiercely begins to roll it in her cape, as if about to crush them together. MRS. EMPTAGE. [Uttering a little s&'eam, running round the settee to her.] What are you doing? [There is a general movement. THEOPHILA. [Looking round.] It's all right. [JFi^A an attempt at a laugh.] Those things are to be destroyed. MRS. EMPTAGE. [Taking the bonnet and cape from THEOPUILA.] Destroyed ! They were new for the case ! $2 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT THEOPHILA. Sniff them, mother. MBS. EMPTAGB. [Doing so.] Perfume. THEOPHILA. Phew ! I intend to burn every thread I'm wearing, and to have_a bath before dinner. FRASEK. [Constrainedly.] We were rather unfortunate in the case that is to follow ours. THEOPHILA. Yes. [Looking straight before her.] There was a patchouli business waiting to come on after us. MRS. EMPTAGE. [Holding the things at arm's length.] Oh, dear ! THEOPHILA. It had been flitting about since the morning. It sat down beside me at last. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 53 MRS. EMPTAGE. It? THEOPHILA. It, it, it. And it was wearing a bonnet almost precisely like mine ; and it looked to be about my own age, and could have had my sort of complexion if it had chosen MRS. CLOYS. Hush, Theophila ! THEOPHILA. [Hysterically.] Ho, ho, ho ! these last two days ! [fforton enters with tea. MRS. EMPTAGE. Here's tea ! Claude, help Justina with the tea- table. Tea is what Theo needs. [She hurries out with THEOPHILA'S bonnet and cape. CLAUDE and JUSTINA carry the tea- table and place it before the " cosy-comer." MRS. CLOYS sits with her head bent. HOR- TON places the tray upon the tea-table and withdraws. JUSTINA sits in the " cosy- corner " and pours out tea. 54 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Jlustling up to the tea-table. ~\ Tea is what we all need. A most exciting day ! I've often observed how welcome one's tea is on a Derby Day THEOPHILA. [In a whisper to FRASER across the table.] Alec, will you tell them what the judge said of me, or shall I ? FRASER. I suppose it's necessary. THEOPHILA. People heard it. Then, the papers FRASER. Of course. [Agitated.] I I'll tell them, if you like. THEOPHILA. Thank you. [Quickly.'] No, no I'll tell them. You couldn't do it^ how could you ? THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 55 MRS. EMPTAGE returns. MRS. EMPTAGE. Tea, tea! [Sitting.] Alec, come and sit by me. [FRASER sits at a distance, his lips compressed, his hands gripped together.] Oh, fie ! all that way off ! You will persist in treating me as an ordinary mother- in-law ! [FRASER moves his chair a little nearer.] That's better. [Triumphantly.] Well, Harriet, you see all my children round me a happy family ! [CLAUDE brings tea to MRS. CLOYS. SIR FLETCHER POBTWOOD. [Bringing a cup of tea to THEOPHILA.] I make no excuse for devoting myself to Theo on this occasion. [THEOPHILA takes the tea and gulps it.] You looked charming in the witness-box piquant. [Returning to the tea-table.] Piquant just the word piquant. MRS. EMPTAGE. Now, Alec dear, tell us. Did Mrs. Allingham's counsel, Mr. What's-his-name, express regret when it was all over ? 56 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT FKASER. Regret ? [SiR FLETCHER brings tea to MRS. EMPTAGE ; CLAUDE brings tea to FRASER, then returns to the tea-table. MRS. EMPTAGE. Regret at finding himself made the the thingamy the vehicle for such a malicious attack on Theo's character the poor child. FRASER. [With an effort.] No ; no regret was expressed. MRS. EMPTAGE. Not by the judge either ? FRASER. The judge ! MRS. EMPTAGE. The judge never said he was sorry to see a nicely bred girl, so recently married too, subjected to such a such a such an unwarrantable ordeal ? [FRASER is silent.] Eh h ? THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 57 THEOPHILA. [After a brief pause. ,] No, mother. MRS. EMPTAGE. You were wrong, then, Fletcher, you see. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Holding up his hand.] Wait, wait, please ! I don't think I am very often out in my calculations. [To THEOPHILA.] What sort of demonstration occurred at the close, may I venture to ask ? THEOPHILA. Demonstration ? MRS. EMPTAGE. Did they cheer you much, darling ? That's what your uncle means. THEOPHILA. Cheer me, mother ? [FRASER rises abruptly, placing his cup t with a clatter, on the piano. FRASER. I I feel as Theophila does. I must dip my face $8 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT into cold water. The atmosphere of that place stifles one even now. Do excuse me. [He goes out ; all, except THEOPHILA, look after him, surprised. THEOPHILA. Mother dear Uncle Fletcher you seem to have a wrong impression MRS. EMPTAGE. Wrong impression ? THEOPHILA. Oh, Mrs. Allingham's petition has been dismissed yes. But Sir John Clarkson and Mr. Martyn, my other counsel all my friends in fact were a little too sanguine. MRS. EMPTAGE. Too sanguine ? THEOPHILA. Oh, much too sanguine. The judge was rather rough on me. MRS. EMPTAGE. What on earth do you ? THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 59 THEOPHILA. Rather down on me severe. My behaviour my conduct has been careless indiscreet, he says MRS. EMPTAGE. [Under her breath.] Indiscreet? THEOPHILA. Hardly characteristic of a woman who is propei-ly watchful of her own and her husband's reputation honour. JUSTINA. [Coming forward a few steps.] Theo ! THEOPHILA. (Disjointedly.] But at the same time, he said, Mrs. Allingham had scarcely succeeded in establishing conclusively to his mind .... oh ! .... and he thought that even the petitioner herself, on further reflection, would be desirous that I should receive the the benefit of the doubt .... and and some- thing about costs .... [She breaks off; they all remain silent for a time. MRS. EMPTAGE. This this will appear in the papers ! Won't it ? 60 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT Won't it ? [No one replies ; SIR FLETCHER sinks into a chair, with a blank look.} Can't anybody answer me ? Fletcher, will this be in the papers ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Confused.] The papers ! No strong-minded public man ever looks at the papers. When I have spoken in the House I never JUSTINA. [In a hard voice.} Why, of course, a dozen papers will have it. What a silly question to ask, ma ! MRS. EMPTAGE. [Advancing to MRS. CLOYS.] I hope you're quite satisfied, Harriet. You came here, after these many years, on purpose to witness this [MRS. CLOYS rises] to see disgrace and ruin brought on me and my family. MRS. CLOYS. Muriel, how dare you say it ? MRS. EMPTAGE. I'm only a widow ! Everybody is entitled to stab at me ! THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 61 MRS. CLOYS. [Turning away,] I'll not listen to you ! MRS. EMPTAGE. [Weeping.] Oh, oh, oh ! how glad our friends will be ! [Going towards the door.] Here's a triumph for our friends ! J USTINA. [Following her.] Mother MRS. EMPTAGE. [Pushing her aside.] Go away ! I don't want you near me ! J USTINA. Ho! MRS. EMPTAGE. Bri.stow shall attend on me. I shall lie down on my bed. I shall have my corsets taken off [She disappears. MRS. CLOYS. [Going towards the door.] Muriel ! [She goes out, following MRS. EMPTAGE. 62 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT JUSTIN A. [With a grating laugh.] That's ma all over; she always goes through this process when there's a family crisis. [To THEOPHILA.] Do you remember, Phil? THEOPHILA. [Stonily.] What? JUSTINA. Directly the news of poor pa's death came, ma took off her corsets. SIR FLETCHER POKTWOOD. [jRising.] I shall go out ; people shall see me walk- ing boldly through the streets : Portland Place Regent Street [in agitation] Fletcher Portwood, with his head up his head up, they'll say. [He paces the room, and comes upon CLAUDE, who is sitting at the writing-table, writing a telegram, his eyes bolting and a generally vacuous expression on his face.] And you ! when are you going to do something in the world besides idling, and loafing, and living upon your mother ? CLAUDE. [Rising, disconcerted.] What's that to do with it ? THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 63 SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Do with it? Why, at eighteen I was earning twenty shillings a week, and maintaining myself. Now look at the position I have achieved, from sheer brain-force ! [To THEOPHILA.] I shall not turn my back on you, my poor little girl ; don't be frightened of that. You were always my favourite niece JUSTINA. [Laughing, a little wildly.] Ha, ha, ha. ha ! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. I beg your pardon, 'Tina; I've no favourites. Can I buy you anything, either of you, while I'm out ? I may look in here again before I go down to the House. The finest assembly of gentlemen in the world. No patterns, or new music, wanted eh ? THEOPHILA. [Feebly.] Oh, no. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. I shall dine at the House, and then sup at the club. All London shall see me. "Look at Port- wood ! " everybody will say. " Then there can't be 64 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT the slightest foundation for this scandal about his niece ! " [He goes out. CLAUDE. [Looking after Aim.] Transparent old egotist ! How do I know whether I'm in his Will or not ? And yet I stand here and allow him to lecture me ! Me ! Ha, compare his education with mine! And what real knowledge has he of Life, of Men and Women ? [Showing JUSTINA his telegram.] Is that the way you spell Bernhart ? JUSTINA. [Reading the telegram] No; h-a-r-d-t. What's this? CLAUDE. [In an undertone.] The Wartons wanted to take me to see Bernhardt to-night. Of course, I can't go now. A marked man ! every eye upon me ! her brother ! [Going to the door, he meets FRASER.] 'Ullo, Fraser ! [CLAUDE goes out; FRASER, who is carrying his hat and gloves, walks across the room, eyeing JUSTINA. JUSTINA. [To FRASER.] Do you want to speak to Theo ? THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 65 ERASER. Oh just for one moment [THEOPHILA rises ; JUSTINA goes to her. JUSTINA. Never mind, old girl. [With a little laugh.] Ha! I suppose this has queered my pitch for a season or two, but [kissing her] never mind [going to the door] these things will happen in the best regulated [She disappears. There is a brief silence, during which THEOPHILA closes the doors. ERASER. Have you told your people ? THEOPHILA. Yes. ERASER. How do they take it ? THEOPHILA. All right pretty well. Mother is lying down for a bit. She'll be quite herself again in a few days. K 66 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT FRASER. [Thoughtfully.] A few days will she ? [Partly to himself.] In a few days ? THEOPHILA. She'll have a week at Worthing. She's always had a week at Worthing when we've been in any trouble. You've got your hat, Alec; do you mean to dine out? FRASEE. To-night ! THEOPHILA. [Weakly.] Oh, don't be so sharp with me! All the way home from the Strand you'd hardly speak a word. FRASER. [Sitting on the settee.] I was thinking over what we'd been listening to. THEOPHILA. Yes, the things sounded much worse in Court than they did out of it, didn't they ? THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 67 ERASER. [His head bowed.] Awful ! THEOPHILA. How cruel it was of them to buoy us up by telling us the case was going right for me ! FHASER. Many believed it. Marty n was sure the judge was on our side. THEOPHILA. When one comes to think of it, her counsel managed to put such a very queer complexion FRASER. THEOPHILA. Oh, I don't know what I felt like at some moments ! I I felt like a woman caught with bare shoulders in daylight. FRASER. Awful. 68 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT TlIEOPHILA. [Looking at him curiously.] Alec, you seem to be different to me, now the trial's over. FRASEB. [In a muffled voice.] Do I ? I we're worn out. THEOPHILA. [After some hesitation, going to the back of the settee.] I say ! I want to tell you I am truly sorry. FKASEB. [Raising his head.] Sorry ! THEOPHILA. [With an effort.] And I humbly beg your pardon. FBASER. [Rising and facing her.] For what ? THEOPHILA. Why, for all the bother I've caused. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 69 FBASEK. [Resuming his seat.] Oh ! [She stares at him for a moment, surprised and disappointed, then turns away. THEOPHTLA. [To herself.} Oh ! [To him.] Alec, I've had the idea that the trouble we've lately gone through, both of us, over this horrid business, might help to bring us together. We haven't got along over-well, have we? FKASEB. Not too well, I'm afraid. THEOPHILA. A good deal my fault, I dare say. Oh, I hated Locheen ! FRASER. Yes. THEOPHILA. As heartily as you hate London. I'm a town girl, a thorough little cockney you knew it when you married me ! and Locheen ! 70 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT FRASER. Locheen is a beautiful place. THEOPHILA. London's a beautiful place. FRASER. No. THEOPHILA. [Hotly.] No to you, then. [Sitting,] I beg pardon again ; I didn't mean to be rude. I understand how you feel. You were born at Locheen. FRASER. I was. THEOPHILA. [Pointing towards the window.] I was born in Chester Terrace. I admit, Locheen is all very well at a certain time of year. But to be stuck there when London's full ; when nobody but a poor relation, whose railway ticket you send with the invitation, will come and look you up ! Oh, that summer you made me spend there just after we were married ! THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 71 FRASER. I was very happy that summer. THEOPHILA. You were in love. And then, the pipers ! those pipers ! ERASER. Duncan and Hamish were supremely ridiculous to you, I remember. THEOPHILA. Not ridiculous, as you say it great fun for a time ; but four or five months of Duncan and Hamish and their pipes ! To and fro on the terrace, for a whole hour in the morning, those pipes ! To and fro, up and down, all round the house, in the afternoon, those pipes ! At dinner, from the trout to the banana, those pipes. And then, the notion of your persistently dining in a kilt ! A Highland costume on the moors yes ; but in the lamplight at dinner ! FRASER. It is my dress ; I don't vary it. THEOPHILA. Think of it ! A man and woman dining tete-ci- tete, 72 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT for months and months ; the woman hypped, weary ; the novelty of her new clothes gradually wearing off ; she feeling she was getting lean and plain with it all, salt-cellary about the shoulders, drawn and hideous [staring before her, her eyes dilating] and, every blessed night, the man in a magnificent evening kilt ! FBASEB. Surely that, too, was " great fun " for a time ? THBOPHILA. It might have been, if you had the smallest sense of humour, Alec ; but one soon tires of laughing alone. No, there was never any fun in that kilt. It got on my nerves from the beginning the solemn, stupid stateliness of it. Girls are subject to creeps and crawls ; I grew at last to positively dread joining you in the hall of an evening, to be frightened at giving you my arm to go into dinner the simple sound of the rustling of my skirt against that petti- coat of yours made the chairs, everything, dance. At those moments old Duncan and his boy Hamish seemed to be blowing into the blood-vessels of my head. And during dinner even the table wouldn't help me ; I was weak, hysterical I declare to good- THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 73 ness I could always see through the thickness of the board see the two knees! [With a backward shake of the head] Ha ! ERASER. Well, Duncan and Hamish poor fellows and their pipes, and the objectionable kilt those things need never trouble you again ; at any rate, we can decide that. THEOPHILA. Oh, no, Alec, we will go up to Locheen in August FRASER. Locheen ! THEOPHILA. Wait ! you haven't heard. [She changes her position, sitting beside him ; he not responsive, almost shrinking from her.] Alec Alec dear [leaning her head against his shoulder] I intend to be good in the future, so very good. FRASER. What do you mean good ? THEOPHILA. I intend to get on well with you, wherever we may 74 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT be I will get on well with you. I've been babyi&h and silly all my life ; I'm seven-and-twenty ; I'm an old woman ; I've sown my wild oats now. FBASEK. Wild oats ? THEOPHILA. Forty-four pounds to the bushel. And so, directly we've fought our way oh my, it will be a fight, too ! directly we've fought our way through the Season in London, we'll be off to Locheen FEASEE. The Season here ! THEOPHILA. Yes. FEASEE. Theophila, there will be no Season for us in London, and no Locheen even for me, for two or three years at least. [Rising] We're going abroad THEOPHILA. Abroad ! THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 75 FKASER. Directly, directly. There will be only to-morrow to settle everything, to make all arrangements. [Pacing up and down.] The servants at Lennox Gardens will be discharged, the house let furnished perhaps it would be better to let Marlers sell the furniture, and have done with it. [Pausing in his walk.] I am returning to Lennox Gardens now, at once ; will you come back with me, or dine with your people and let me fetch you later on ? [She sits, staring at him, without speaking.] Theo, please let me know your wishes. THEOPHILA. [Quietly.] No, no you mustn't do this. FRASEB. Why not ? THEOPHILA. Why, don't you see ? We've got to sit tight here in town; we've got to do it, to win back my good name. [FRASER agitatedly resumes his walk.] Of course, we shall be asked nowhere, but we must be seen about together, you and I, wherever it's possible for us to squeeze ourselves. [Rapidly and excitedly.] 76 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT There's the Opera ; we can subscribe for a box on the ground tier the stalls can't help picking you out there. And there we must sit, laughing and talking, Alec, and convince people that we're a happy couple and that you believe in me implicitly. And when the Season's done with, then Locheen ; we must have Locheen crowded with the best we can lay hands on many that wouldn't touch me with the tongs at this moment will be glad of a cheap week or two at Locheen in the autumn. And we must let 'em all see that I'm a rattling good indoor, as well as outdoor, wife, and that you're frightfully devoted to me, and that what she charged me with well, simply couldn't have been. And afterwards they'll go back to town and chatter, and in the end the thing will blow over, and and Oh, but to go abroad now! [Going to him, and slipping her arm through his.] Alec, dear old boy, how could you dream of cutting and running now ? [He withdraws his arm. FRASER. Theophila, I I am sorry to distress you if it does distress you, but I I've quite made up my mind. [Passionately :] We are going abroad. THEOPHILA. I'll not stir ! THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 77 FRASEE. Would you let me go alone ? THEOPHILA. [Recoiling .] Oh ! FRASEE. \JFolloioing her.] You see, you will have to come with me. THEOPHILA. You'd be a brute to do it, Alec ! [Stamping her foot.] Don't you hear me ? Can't you understand me ? You're not a fool ! I tell you we've got to try to convince people FEASER. People ! People shall not see me play-acting THEOPHILA. Play-acting ! FEASEE. Yes, before I go among people, to try to convince them, I have to try to convince myself. THEOPHILA. What! 78 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT FRASEE. [Sitting .] People ! people ! [There is silence ; she slowly retreats from him. THEOPHILA. You you think there's some some truth in it then ? [He makes no answer.] It's true, you be- lieve ? FEASEK. I want time I want time THEOPHILA. Time? FEASEE. To shake it off. THEOPHILA. To shake it off? FEASEB. It was awful in Court. THEOPHILA. [Partly to herself.] Awful. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 79 FRASER. As you say, her counsel twisted and turned every- thing about so. When he cross-examined you to-day, and made you say .... and then the judge .... the benefit of the doubt .... awful .... THEOPHILA. [Under her breath .] I see. FRASER. [Rising.] Yes that we must go away and be, quietly, together. For the present, there's something even more important than regaining the good opinion of others there is ourselves. Will you come back to Lennox Gardens now, or shall I return for you by- and-bye ? THEOPHILA. [Mechanically.] By-and-bye. FRASER. [Going to the door.] Nine o'clock ? or ten ? THEOPHILA. Nine or ten. 8o THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT FRASER. Which ? THEOPHILA. It doesn't matter. [He goes out. For a few moments she remains quite still; then she rouses her- self, and, with a blank look, wanders about, her arms moving restlessly. Suddenly she presses her hands to her brow and sinks into a chair, with a low half -cry, half -moan J\ Oh ! oh ! [After a short burst of crying she examines her wedding-ring, removes it from her finger, and giving a little laugh, flings it on to the settee. Then she rises, and with an air of determina- tion goes to the writing-table.] Very well ! very well ! [She sits before the writing-table and writes rapidly. At intervals she utters an ex- clamation ; then sings as she writes. The doors are opened, and HORTON enters. HORTON. [Collecting the tea-cups.] Beg pardon, ma'am. THEOPHILA. [Writing.] Mr. Fraser has gone out, hasn't he? THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 81 HORTON. He have, ma'am. [HORTON places t/ie tea-cups on the tea-tray, lifts up the tray, and is about to carry it out. THEOPHILA. Oh, Horton, what became of the bonnet and cape I came in with ? HORTON. [Looking off.~\ Mrs. Emptage lay them down in the next room. Here they are, ma'am. THEOPHILA. Just give them to me. [HORTON goes off and immediately returns with the bonnet, cape, and glovesJ] Thanks. [HORTON arranges the cape over the back of a chair, places the bonnet and gloves on the table, and withdraws. Having finished her letter and addressed an envelope, she rises and searches for her wedding-ring ; finding this she slips it into the letter, and fastens the envelope. Then, keeping the letter in her hand, she puts on her bonnet F 82 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT and cape, standing before the mirror. SIR FLETCHER enters, looking disturbed and dejected ; CLAUDE follows, downcast, silent, and morose, and walks about aimlessly, staring at the carpet, SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Discovering THEOPHILA.] Oh, going out, my dear ? THEOPHILA. I want a little walk alone. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. To walk it off, eh? [Ruffling his hair.] I find I can't walk it off; I've been into the Euston Road; I don't think I can be well. Fortunately, I have a box of most remarkable pills at my chambers. They are prepared by Gilliburton of 88 Piccadilly. Don't forget the number eighty-eight. Two eights. That's my system of artificial memory. Eighty-eight two eights. THEOPHILA. [Going to him and kissing him, leaning across the settee.] Good-bye, uncle. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 83 SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. We shall meet again by-and-bye, dear. I shall dine here quietly, after all. THEOPHILA. [Going to CLAUDE, kissing him.] Good-bye. CLAUDE. Oh, you'll see me at dinner too. THEOPHILA. [Handing him the letter.] Give that to 'Tina, will you ? Claude take care of mother. CLAUDE. [Mildly surprised.] Take care of mother ! THEOPHILA. Yes, be a good boy, and look after her. Ta, ta ! [She goes out. CLAUDE. Boy! my boyhood is long past. [Pinching the envelope.] There's a coin in this money. 84 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Sitting on the settee, fatigued.] Eh? Don't forget, Claude Gilliburton. Think of Gilly, corruption of Gilbert. Gilbert, a well-known sculptor or writer I forget which. Burton, man I jobbed two horses from bays Burton. There you have Gilly and Burton Gilliburton. My own system of mnemonics. Memoria technica. CLAUDE. It's not a coin ; it's a ring. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Irritably.] What are you talking about, my boy ? You always appear to be masticating some common- place or other. [HoRTON appears. HORTON, Beg pardon, Sir Fletcher. Mrs. Cloys wants to wish you good- day, Sir Fletcher. I wasn't aware where you was, Sir Fletcher. CLAUDE. [Giving the letter to HORTON.] Miss Justina. [HORTON withdratvs. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 85 SIE FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Rising, ,] I'd quite forgotten your aunt. Do, please, look unconcerned, Claude. Let her see that men can display courage and decision at such moments. [Humming an air, he unbuttons his coat and throws it back, sticking his thumbs in his waistcoat pockets. Some newspapers fall from the breast of his coat; he is hastily picking them up when MRS. CLOYS enters. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Meekly.] You are going, Harriet ? MRS. CLOYS. Fletcher, you've been out to buy evening papers ! SIB FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Putting them into his tail pockets.] The malicious utterances of the judge are not in these editions. MRS. CLOYS. I thought you never ! 86 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. It is so,mebody's duty to overlook the reports of this case. I see that one vile placard announces, " Lively cross-examination of Mrs. Fraser." MRS. CLOYS. Lively ! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Producing a newspaper.] Here's a rag which dares to give illustrations " Sketches in Court." MRS. CLOYS. Have you contrived to get among them ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Opening the paper.] I happen to be among them. But the fool of an artist has completely missed my salient points JUSTINA runs in with THEOPHILA'S letter, opened, and the wedding-ring. JUSTINA. Aunt ! oh, I say ! What do you think ? Theo's gone ! THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 87 SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. She's gone out for a walk. [To MRS. CLOYS.] Here it is. That's from an old photograph ; I don't wear that sort of collar now. JUSTINA. [Advancing between MRS. CLOYS and SIR FLETCHER.] What are you talking about ? Look here ! [Reading.] " 'Tina, hand enclosed to my husband when he comes back for me to-night after dinner." [Showing the ring.] It's her wedding-ring. [Reading.] " He be- lieves that what that creature charged me with is true, and wants to take me away and hide me. All is up with me. Oh, those pipers at Locheen are playing into my brain again. Good-bye all. THEO. P.S. Jack Allingham would not treat a woman so like dirt." MRS. CLOYS. [Agitatedly.] I can't hear you. [Taking the letter from JUSTINA.] Let me see it. JUSTINA. What shall we do ? We must do something. Uncle ! 88 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Confused.] We must certainly do something, at once. Er it is her wedding-ring, I suppose ? JUSTINA. [Impatiently.] Oh ! Aunt ! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Encountering CLAUDE.] Don't stand there, Claude, looking precisely like an owl ! MRS. CLOYS. [Returning the letter to JUSTINA.] Jump into a cab ; you must take that to Mr. Fraser. JUSTINA. [Hurrying to the door.] All right. [Pausing.] What shall I do if I don't find him at home ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. If, if, if ! Why throw obstacles ? JUSTINA. I'm not throwing them. I merely say, what if he's out, or hasn't gone back to Lennox Gardens at all ? THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 89 SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. This is a moment for action ! CLAUDE. [Sitting at the wiling -table.] Ha, ha ! what a hideous mockery the whole world is ! Life ! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Let us have none of your sickening optimism, sir ! and in the presence of your aunt and sister. MRS. CLOYS. [Holding out her hand for the letter.] Show it to me again. [JUSTINA brings the letter to MRS. CLOYS, who begins reading.] " Hand enclosed to my husband when he comes back for me to-night after dinner." JUSTINA. Ten or eleven o'clock. Where, on earth, will she be by ten or eleven o'clock ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Going to the door.] I'll tell her mother ! 90 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT JUSTINA. [Intercepting him.] For goodness' sake, not yet. Mother's no use. MRS. CLOYS. [Reading.] " P.S. Jack Allingham would not treat a woman so like dirt." Jack Allingham [Suddenly] Justina ! [JUSTINA again comes to her.] There's only one very great danger. JUSTINA. Why, you don't think Theo would take poison or ! MRS. CLOYS, No, I mean a worse danger than that. [Pointing to a sentence in the letter.] That one. JUSTINA. [Reading.] "Jack Allingham would not treat a woman " [Staring at MRS. CLOYS.] Oh ! MRS. CLOYS. This Mr. Allingham ? Exceedingly kind and gentle to women is that the class of man he belongs to ? THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 91 JUSTINA. Y yes. MRS. CLOYS. Suppose suppose this wretched girl lets her mind dwell too much just now on Mr. Allingham's kind- ness ! JUSTINA. Aunt! MRS. CLOYS. [Again returning the letter to JUSTINA with deci- sion.] Where does he live ? Where is he likely to be found ? JUSTINA. It's in the Red Book. [Pointing to the writing- table.'] Claude ! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Bring me the Red Book ! [CLAUDE finds the Red Book; he and SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD search for the address.] Allingham A A A -[finding the letter] A! 92 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT CLAUDE. You're looking at " Ashley Gardens " [MRS. CLOYS and JUSTINA^'OW SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD and CLAUDE impatiently. JUSTINA. I know it's there. He went into lodgings when he parted from her. And he has a little cottage in Surrey CLAUDE. [Finding the name.] " Allinghara ! " SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Taking the book from, him.] " Allingham, John Crawshaw, Esq., 11 Bentham Street, W., and Turf and Garrick Clubs. The Lichens, Epsom, Surrey." [MRS. CLOYS takes the book from SIR FLETCHER. She tears out the page and throws the book upon the settee. MRS. CLOYS. [Folding the extracted page, and slipping it into her glove.] Fletcher, Claude, you had better come with me. I may want you both. Claude, whistle a four- wheeled cab. You hear me ! [CLAUDE goes out. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 93 SIB FLETCHER POBTWOOD. But, Harriet, do you seriously, soberly, entertain the notion ? MRS. CLOYS. Get your hat ! [SiR FLETCHER goes out. MRS. CLOYS turns to JUSTINA.] Telegraph to the Bishop of St. Olpherts, The Palace, St. Olpherts : " Detained here to-night. Return, D.V., forenoon to-morrow. Get to bed early. Affectionate messages. H." [The sound of a cab-whistle, twice or thrice repeated, is heard. JUSTINA. " Detained here to-night. Return forenoon to- morrow MRS. CLOYS. " D.V." JUSTINA. " D.V. Go to bed early " MRS. CLOYS. Say, " Be in bed by eleven." 94 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT JUSTINA. Yes. " Love " MRS. CLOYS. No, no " Affectionate messages." JUSTINA. " Affectionate messages. H." MRS. CLOYS. Thank you. JUSTINA. Aunt ! When I see Alec Fraser, am I to say any- thing about what you are doing ? MRS. CLOYS. For mercy's sake, don't put any idea into his head that isn't there already ! Not a word to a soul CLAUDE appears in the doorway, hat in hand. CLAUDE. Cab, aunt. MRS. CLOYS. I'm coming. [CLAUDE withdraws.] Not a word, THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 95 except that we've gone out, blindly, to try and find her. JUSTIN A. Wait ! you must tell me ; do you suspect that Theophila is guilty ? MRS. CLOYS. [Looking at her steadily.] Woman, what do you suspect ? JUSTINA. [Falteringly.] Then I can't understand you. MRS. CLOYS. Why not, pray ? JUSTINA. I've always taken you for one of those who pick up their skirts and stalk away as far as possible from this kind of thing. MRS. CLOYS. Ah, you don't [moved\ oh, my dear ! JUSTINA. What? 96 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT MRS. CLOYS. You don't know what was really at the bottom of all my quarrels with your mother. I've no children. I'd have given the world if Theo had been mine. JUSTINA. [A little bitterly.] Theo ! Theo ! MRS. CLOYS. [Taking her by the shoulder, almost shaking her] You, too ! \_Kissing her.] Bless you, 'you'd have been better than nothing 1 \She goes out. JUSTINA stands, her lips parted, staring into space. END OF THE FIRST ACT. THE SECOND ACT The Scene represents a room in MR. ALLINGHAM'S cottage at Epsom. On the left-hand side is a fireplace, with a fire burning ; above this is a door giving on to the hall ; while below it is a similar door, over ivhich hangs a portiere, drawn aside, admitting to the dining-room. Facing us is a large open French window ; and beyond, is a view of a pretty garden with trees, laurels, etc. On the right, also facing us, but nearer, are a few balustered steps leading to an arched opening which is about three feet from the ground. The opening, across which runs a rod suppoi'ling a portiere, admits to a small room, which, although containing no books that are visible, is called the library. All the furniture and accessories are characteristic of a wett-to-do bachelor's residence. It is twilight. DENZIL &HAFTO and PETER ELPHICK, two well- o 93 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT groomed, smart-looking men of about Jive-and- thirty, dressed for dinner, are shown in by QUAIFE, a manservant. QUAIFE is carrying a banjo in a case, SHAFTO. What time did Mr. Allingham get down ? QUAIFE. [Placing the banjo on the table.] Half an hour ago, sir; I'm now dressing him. [To ELPHICK.] Glad you brought the banjo, Mr. Elphick. ELPHICK. [A lieavy -looking man with staring eyes, taking the banjo from its case with great care.] Nearly made me lose the train, Quaife, puzzlin' whether to bring it or not. QUAIFE. [Laying the case aside.] Do Mr. Allingham a load of good, sir a little melody after dinner. SHAFTO. Mr. Allingham rather fatigued ? THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 99 QUAIFE. Never saw him so played out, sir. [Closing the win- dows.] Oh, Mr. Allingham's compliments, Mr. Shat'to, and he says he forgot to inquire whether you and Mr. Elphick would sleep at The Lichens to-night. SHAFTO. Not to-night, thanks. I've arranged to take Mr. Elphick on to my father's place at Leatherhead. ELPHICK. We shan't keep you up here till the last train, Quaife, or anything like. Dessay Mr. Allingham '11 be glad to turn in early. QUAIFE. Not much good him turning in, Mr. Elphick. SHAFTO. Queer nights lately, of sorts ? QUAIFE. Shockin', Mr. Shafto. [QUAIFE goes out. ioo THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT SHAFTO. [Looking round.] Here we are again, Peter. ELPHICK. 'Pears so. SHAFTO. [Wandering about.] This is my first visit to this box since Jack came back here after his split with his uife. ELPHICK. And mine ; thought he'd sold it. SHAFTO. He merely let it, when he married let it to a stockbroker. Peter, Jack must have had some sort of a premonition ELPHICK. Some sort of what ? SHAFTO. Premonition ELPHICK. Stoopid ass of a word. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 101 SHAFTO. Some sort of a premonition of his speedy return to single life. [Looking out of the window .] Same spotless white gate, I rejoice to see ; same elms ; same laurels [Ascending the steps.] The library ! [Entering the room.] My heart sinks within me. [From within] No, by Jove ! Peter ! Peter ! [ELPHICK goes and looks into the room through the balustrade. ELPHICK. What's wrong ? SHAFTO. [From within] Nothing. I breathe again. All the essential features of Jack's library are undisturbed. [Coming down the steps.] A luxurious sofa, Ruffs Turf Guide, and the Stud Book. ELPHICK. [Drearily.] Blessed if there's anything to make fun of in that. SHAFTO. [At a table, examining bottles.] Delightful ! Same soda water, same 102 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT ELPHICK. [Sitting, nursing his banjo]. No, hang it ! SHAFTO. [Pouring out a glass of Vermouth.] Vermouth. Peter, I was totting up things this morning, gently and quietly, in my bath. ELPHICK. [Slowing a speck of dust from his banjo.] Not really ? SHAFTO. [Seriously.] Yes. You weren't at Jack's weddin' ? ELPHICK. No, I was up at Mahabaleshwar that, spring with Sandington. You stood best man, didn't you ? SHAFTO. I did. And look here Jack Allingham is the seventh I've been best man to in nine years. ELPHICK. [Abstractedly.] Good figgers. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 103 SHAPTO. [Frovming.] And they've all managed to get into the Divorce Court since, one way or another. [After a pattseJ] How's that ? ELPHICK. Good figgers. JOHN ALLINGHAM enters, a simple, boyish man, of about thirty, looking pale and worn. He is dressed for dinner. JOHN. [Shaking hands with SHAFTO.] Halloa, Denzil ! [To ELPHICK, shaking hands with him.] Well, Peter ! It's awfully good of you fellows proposing to see me through this evening. ELPHICK. Not in the least. SHAPTO. Speak for yourself, Peter. JOHN. I couldn't have endured my own company to-night, I can tell you. Sorry you can't sleep here, though. 104 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT SHAFTO. My governor hasn't seen Peter since he's been home this leave. It's an old promise JOHN. I understand. [Taking the banjo from ELPIIICK.] And you've actually brought the banjo. ELPHICK. Well, when a man's a bit low, sometimes a little music JOHN. Thanks. [To both of them.] Warm, yesterday and to-day, in that Law Court, wasn't it ? ELPHICK. Agra in June. JOHN. Warm in every sense of the word, eh ? SHAFTO. Hell. JOHN. &A his hand to his brow.] Gurrrh ! THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 105 SHAFTO. [Sharply.] Now, then ? ELPHICK. It's done with now. JOHN. [Recovering himself.] True ; that cursed nightmare of an approaching trial isn't waiting for me upstairs, in that' bedroom of mine, any longer. And to-morrow morning I shall wake with a start to find what'll the feeling be like ! that I've no lawyers to inter- view. Besides, I haven't much to complain of. You two fellows have kept close at my elbow throughout the whole business hardly ever left me. Well, that's friendship [shaking hands abruptly, first with ELPHICK, then with SHAFTO] God bless yer ! [He walks away and sits on the settee, look- ing into the fire. ELPHICK and SHAFTO stand together, eyeing him uneasily. SHAFTO. [In a whisper, to ELPHICK.] Peter, our bags are here. What d'ye say to not leaving him to-night, after all ? 106 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT ELPHICK. [In a whisper.] Yes, I don't suppose your guv'nor wants to see me so desperate bad as all that comes to. SHAPTO. No, I don't suppose he does I mean, we can go over in the morning. JOHN. [Looking up.] Eh ? SHAPTO. Nothing. JOHN. [Passing his fingers over the strings of the banjo] You don't remember, Denzil nor you, Peter, I sup- pose ; she used to thrum on this thing well, hardly this thing the guitar much the same. Oh, yes, she used to play it very nicely. SHAFTO. [Puzzled.] Who? Mrs. Eraser? JOHN. Mrs. Eraser ! No ! [Handling the banjo roughly.] My wife. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 107 ELPHICK. [Hurrying across to John, taking the banjo from him.] Excuse me, old feller. JOHN. [Starting up.] I was close to her to-day ; we stared each other right in the eyes. We didn't mean to we simply did it. We met in the corridor during lunch-time ; I was getting out of the way of old Portwood ; I turned sharply and there we were, my wife and I, face to face. It might have been for ten seconds it was like an hour. ELPHICK. Did she look angry ? JOHN. No. Downright ill and distressed. [To both of them.] You've seen her in Court ? SHAFTO. Yes. ELPHICK. Yes. io8 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT JOHN. Yesterday ? SHAFTO. We said " How d'ye do " to her yesterday. ELPHICK. We told you. JOHN. Oh, yes, To-day ? SHAFTO. Not to speak to. ELPHICK. She nodded to us this morning from the what do they call it ? not the sink SHAFTO. Well. ELPHICK. Well of the Court. JOHN. Denzil. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT log SHAFTO. 'Ullo? JOHN. She was very pretty when I married her, wasn't she? SHAFTO. Undoubtedly. [JOHN sits, leaning his head upon his hands. SHAFTO walks away, quietly, to the window. ELPHICK sits on the settee, and, turning his face to the fire, strikes ttp a tune on his banjo. JOHN. That's right ! tune up, Peter ! If I had a savage breast this evening you might soothe it witih your Tinka-tinka-tinka-tinka-tink, as Kipling says. But I haven't isn't that odd ? Boys, do you know, all the bitterness I've been feeling towards her seems to have died out of me ; and she's been dragging me pretty thoroughly through the mud lately. Isn't that odd ? SHAFTO. [Leaving the window, and coming to t/te back of settee.] Well, she's lost the day, you see. i io THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT ELPHICK. [Ceasing playing.] She's beaten ; got nothin' for her pains. JOHN. I suppose that's it. Ah, but her face ! I hadn't seen it for months. And the silence between us was so strange. SHAFTO. Yes, there wasn't much of that, old chap, between you two when you were together. JOHN. No ; didn't we quarrel ! And yet, this morning, during our little deadly-silent encounter, she seemed to say more to me than she'd ever said in her life before. By Jove, she has suffered [starting up] oh, damn it ! [He paces to and fro ; ELPHICK hurriedly resumes his playing. SHAFTO. [Seating himself on the back of the settee, speaking with a drawl.] Ah, I shouldn't worry myself too much, if I were you, about that. Other people have suffered. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT in JOHN. \Pausing in his walk.] Mrs. Fraser ? SHAFTO. [Indifferently.] Oh, she amongst 'em. JOHN. [In a low voice.'] Poor little Theo Fraser ! I'm forgetting her. SHAFTO. Forget all round, my dear Jack that's the ticket ; for the future, cultivate a single-minded devotion to yourself JOHN. And the horses ! You're right, Denzil. By the bye, I had a line from O'Halligan yesterday where is it ? [Going to a writing-table and rummaging among the litter there.] He fancies Kildaowen very strongly. The mare's feeding well; that's always been their difficulty, you know SHAFTO. [Quietly, looking towards the window.] Jack. 112 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT JOHN. Eh? SHAFTO. Who's that woman out there ? [ELPHICK ceases playing. JOHN. Where? SHAFTO. In your garden. [JOHN looks towards the window; ELPHICK rises and makes one of the group. JOHN. [After apaiise.] I don't see anybody. SHAFTO. She's behind the laurels now. JOHN. [About to go to the window.] One of the maids- - THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 113 SHAFTO. [Laying his hand on JOHN'S ewwi.] Wait a bit. [Goes cautiously to the window, peeps out, and comes away.] I say, old chap. JOHN. What's the matter ? SHAFTO. I thought so. It's your wife. [There is a moment's pause, then an excited movement from JOHN.] Stop ! [A pause.] What are you going to do ? JOHN. [Dazed.] Do ! .... do! .... SHAFTO. Not anything stoopid, Jack ? JOHN. [Excitedly.] Clear out for a minute, you two fellows. [SHAFTO goes up the steps and into the library, drawing the portiere across the door as Jie disappears. H ii4 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT JOHN. Get out, Peter ! ELPHICK. [Going up the steps and pausing at the door.] Jack. JOHN. What is it ? ELPHICK. [With an empty expression of face and voice.] Don't do anything weak. JOHN. Get out ! [ELPHICK disappears. JOHN hurriedly glances round the room and arranges a displaced chair. Then he discovers that ELPHICK has left the banjo upon the settee, and he seizes it impatiently.] Oh [Going to the door of the library and drawing aside the por- tiere.] Here ! Peter ! catch ! [He throws the banjo into the room, and readjusts the portiere. The instru- ment is heard to fall with a crash to thejloor. He looks into the library, hastily .] I beg your pardon, old fel- low. He descends the steps and goes to the windoiv and opens it, speaking in a low voice.] Is any one there ? [A pause.] Someone's there. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 115 OLIVE. [From a little distance.] Yes. JOHN. Who is it ? OLIVE. Olive. JOHN. [Stonily.} Well ? OLIVE. Are you by yourself ? JOHN. Yes. [After a pause.} Come in. He draws back to allow her to pass him. After a short delay she enters, and, without looking at him, comes right into the room. He closes the window, but remains at that end of the room. OLIVE ALLINGHAM is a fashionably and richly dressed woman of a little over thirty years of age pale, worn red-eyed, but still handsome. In manner she is alternately beseeching and gentle, angry and imperious. The twilight now gradually deepens into dusk. H6 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT OLIVE. You have some men here ? JOHN. Shafto and Peter Elphick. I asked them to clear out for a moment. OLIVE. What will they think ? JOHN. [TFV' biscuit on the table and stretches out her hand for the wine. He gives it to her; she drinks.'] Oh ! oh ! oh h h h ! [There is a pause ; then she shakes herself, looks up at him, and breaks into a low, childlike little laugh.] Ha ! ha, ha, ha ! I'd nearly gone, hadn't I ? [Emptying her glass.] Oh ! oh ! .... Fetch yourself a glass, and we'll drink luck to each other. Then I really must be off. The porter said the trains run every every what was it ? [He brings a glass, which she Jills, speaking animat- edly.] A tumbler ! oh, fie ! [Filling her own glass.] Oh, mine's a tumbler too ! [Nodding to him.] Our- selves ! [Touching his glass with hers.~\ Our two poor unfortunate selves ! [They drink.] Ha ! I don't care ! do you ? JOHN. Care ? THEOPHILA. A hang. For anything ; for what the judge said ; for what people think. Puh. Here's to our friend, the judge ! [Drinking, nearly emptying her glass.] I hope his wife's a cat who leads him a ! [Jump- inj up suddenly, her eyes dilating, holding her glass high in the air.] Happiness and prosperity to Mr. Froser ! [Loudly.] Mr. Fraser ! 208 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT JOHN. Sssh ! oh, bush ! THEOPHILA. Fraser of Locheen ! [She goes to the fireplace and flings the contents of her glass into the grate.] Ha ! well, that's throwing good stuff after poor, isn't it ? [She places her glass on the table ; the cigarette box is open ; she takes a cigarette.] The old sort ? JOHN. [Quickly.] No, no THEOPHILA. [Striking a match] Only a whiff. [Lighting her cigarette.] Sure I'm not in the way, Jack, if I rest here a minute or two longer ? JOHN. [JFiA a glance at the library] C certainly not. THEOPHILA. [Throwing herself upon the settee in a careless atti- tude, smoking.] Oh, thank God for this rest ! [Look- ing round.] So this is the little place you used to tell me about THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 209 JOHN. [Standing, watching her, apprehensively.] Urn THEOPHILA. Phew ! Your fire's all right to look at ! [She removes for cape from her shoulders and flings it away from her ; lie picks it up, and places it over the back of a chair.] Never mind that rag. Are you likely to be in Paris ? JOHN. I I'm not fond of Paris. THEOPHILA. [Jumping up, and speaking volubly, excitedly, boisterously.] Suppose that wire don't find Emily, and she doesn't meet me at the Nord to-morrow night. Ugh ! cheerf ul ! She may be dead. No, no ; not Emily. Poor old Emily ! Be sure you look me up if you should pass through. Rue Poissonniere, 18. You're bound to be rambling soon. How lucky a man is ! Does just as he chooses. Good chap, So-and-so awfully rackety but the world would be a dooced deal livelier if there were more like him ! That's what they all say of a man ! . . . . phew ! . . . [As she rattles o 210 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT on, she takes off" her bonnet and dews her hair from tier brow.] But a woman ! Well, look at me. Not that anybody will look at me, in Paris or elsewhere. I used to know several smart people in Paris ! Now ! Oh, my stars, won't they stalk distant objects when they see me coming along ! [Angrily.] Ah, a gay time I shall have of it, shut up with Emily Graveney, with her red nose, and her poor, narrow chest, and her perpetual sniffle ! [She flings away her cigarette. Her hair is disordered, her breath comes quickly, there is a wild look in her eyes. Her bonnet falls to the floor. He paces the room distractedly.] By Jove, I won't have a dull time though ! I shall only hang out with Emily long enough just to turn round. Then I'll take a little appartement of my own. Uncle Fletcher will make me an allowance ; I won't touch a penny of puh his money. I'll let the world see how happy I am without the character I've been robbed of ! Yes, robbed of ! [Laughing noisily] Ha, ha, ha ! [Snapping her fingers] Pish ! I shall burst out laughing in the face of the whole world, Jack put my tongue out at the world, your wife, my husband ! After the solemn farce we've all gone through. [Between her teeth] Y y yes, they shall have a pretty picture in their minds of me, t'other side of the Channel, with my finger to my nose like THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 211 a cheeky urchin ! Oh, my heavens, how I hate 'em hate 'em hate 'em ! JOHN. Mrs. Fraser ! Mrs. Fraser ! THEOPHILA. Oh, the devilish injustice of it ! To think that we're still married, Jack you and I ! Hah ! the mockery! To think that we wander about the world still with our owner's marks branded upon us ! Ha, ha ! I believe I've an " F " branded upon my shoulder burnt in ! [Running to him.] Oh, I won't bear it ! I can't bear it ! JOHN. Hush, hush ! THEOPHILA. I shall go mad if I can't pay out that wife of yours ! [Shrilly.] She's ruined me 1 I will be even with her ! JOHN. Hush ! THEOPHILA. And with him! that fish ! that cold, flapping 212 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT fish ! [Clinging to him, suddenly,] Jack ! I wouldn't bore you ! I wouldn't bore you, Jack ! JOHN. Bore me ! THEOPHILA. Ah-h-h-h ! take ine away ! Let's you and I go together ! JOHN. [Putting his hand over her mouth.] Ah, for God's sake ! [The clock in the library is heard to strike] It's too late ! too late ! THEOPHILA. [Drawing back, looking into his face] Too late ? [There is a sharp knocking at the dining-room door] What's that ? [The knocking is repeated] Who is it? JOHN. Mrs. Cloys is here. THEOPHILA. [Her hand to her brow] Mrs. Cloys aunt ! THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 213 JOHN. Mrs. Cloys, Sir Fletcher, and your brother were with me when your note arrived. They want to see you. THEOPHILA, See me see me JOHN. [Gripping her wrist.] Pull yourself together, Mrs. Fraser [The knocking is again heard. JOHN goes to the door. THEOPHILA. [In a whisper^] Jack ! [He pauses; she seems dazed.] They they haven't heard a, word of oh, of what I've said to you ? JOHN. Heard ! N-no. Are you ready ? [He pulls aside the portiere, unlocks the door, and opens it. MRS. CLOYS enters; SIB FLETCHER and CLAUDE appear in the door- way. MRS. CLOYS. You have tried my patience long enough, Mr. Allingham. [She goes to THEQPHILA ; JOHN walks 214 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT away, and stands with his back to those in the room.] Come ! you have had ample time for your business interview. [Staring at THEOPHILA.] "What's wrong with you ? THEOPHILA. [Sinking into a chair."] N-nothing. MRS. CLOYS. Where's your cape and your bonnet ? [THEOPHILA looks round vacantly. SIK FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Cape ? cape ? Here's a cape. [He hands the cape to MRS. CLOYS ; she snatches it from him, and puts it round THEOPHILA'S shoulders. CLAUDE picks up the bonnet, and brings it to MRS. CLOYS, then goes to the upper door, and stands there waiting. MRS. CLOYS. [Raising THEOPHILA.] You are not well ; you are ill. Fletcher ! [SiR FLETCHER goes up to the steps leading to the library,] Where are you going ? THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 215 SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. My hat [He pushes the portiere aside, then draws back.] Mrs. Allingham ! [Hesitatingly.] Er I believe I have left my hat here, Mrs. Ailing- ham. May I ? [He enters the library. THEOPHILA. Mrs. Allingham ! Mrs. Allingham ! MRS. CLOYS. Yes, yes. [SiR FLETCHER comes out of the library, carry- ing his hat. THEOPHILA. [To MRS. CLOYS.] Mrs. Allingham ! his ... . wife ! MRS. CLOYS. Mr. and Mrs. Allingham have arranged their dif- ferences. [Looking from THEOPHILA to JOHN.] Why, don't you know ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Coming down the steps.] Haven't you seen Mrs. Allingham ? 216 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT THEOPHILA. Seen her ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. This evening here ? THEOPHILA. Here! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Your interview with Mr. Allingham has taken place in this room ? THEOPHILA. In this room? Yes MRS. CLOYS. Come SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. "Wait, Harriet, please ! Allingham Mr. Allingham pardon me for putting such a question : surely you have not allowed allowed been a party to ? MRS. CLOYS. Allowe what? THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 217 SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Looking towards the library.] Harriet, you can hear most distinctly, in the library MRS. CLOYS. Hear ! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Overhear certainly, overhear MRS. CLOYS. No, no! [Going to JOHN.] Preposterous! [After a pause] Mr. Allingham, why should Mrs. Allingham be there? [Jonx is silent.] "What has passed between you and ? Your wife has not been listening ? JOHN. [Desperately] Mrs. Fraser has said nothing to me that a a just woman can bring up against her MRS. CLOYS. Listening I 218 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT JOHN. [Almost inaudibly.] Yes. [Passionately.] But you don't know ! [Calling in a loud voice.] Olive ! Olive ! [OLIVE comes out of the library and stands at the top of the steps. THEOPHILA regards her for a moment blankly, then goes to the balustrade, and stares up at her. After a brief pause THEOPHILA joins MRS. CLOYS, but seeing JOHN, she comes unsteadily towards him and looks him in the face. Then as she turns away to MRS. CLOYS, she utters a groan, and tumbles to the floor at JOHN'S feet. END OF THE SECOND ACT. THE THIRD ACT The Scene is the same as in the previous Act, but a few articles of furniture are differently disposed about the room. There is no fire ; and Jlowera decorate the fireplace. The windows are open and the light is that of a fine afternoon in summer. FRASEE is seated upon the settee. JOHN ALLINGHAM appears in the garden, looks into the room, glares fiercely at ERASER, coughs significantly, and walks away. When JOHN has gone, FRASER, glancing at the window, rises, and, with an angry exclamation, crosses the room. MRS. CLOYS and JUSTINA enter ; MRS. CLOYS is dressed as in the previous Acts, but without her bonnet and mantle ; JUSTINA is in a bright morning -dress. MRS. CLOYS. [To FRASER.] She insists upon rising ; she will see you in a few minutes. 220 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT FRASER. Thank you. MRS. CLOYS. She is excessively weak and shattered; you must remember that. FRASER. Yes, yes. T can never adequately express my gratitude MRS. CLOYS. [Sitting upon the settee.] Tsch ! JUSTINA. Aunt has been up with her the whole night. MRS. CLOYS. Not alone. Mrs. Allingham : FRASER. Mrs. Allingham ? MRS. CLOYS. Mrs, Allingham begged to be allowed to keep me THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 221 company. There was a little scene between us but the woman is, to some extent, human, I find. FRASER. Oh, I've no doubt that Mrs. Allingham is ashamed of herself MRS. CLOYS. I hope we are all ashamed of ourselves. In the end I was far from sorry to have her companionship. Your poor wife didn't come out of her swoon till nearly one o'clock this morning. Then Dr. Erskine went home and Mrs. Allingham and I took our places by the bedside [to JUSTINA] till you arrived at breakfast-time, Justina. JUSTIN A. [To ERASER.] And I brought old Sarah, who used to maid us girls when Theo was at home ; she's dressing her now. FRASER. Mrs. Cloys, pray help me with your advice. MPS. CLOYS. [Bridliny.] Oh h h ! 222 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT FRASEE. No, no about Mr. Allingham. Ha! of course if we were Frenchmen we should fight a duel JUSTINA. Certainly, my dear Alec, and he would kill you. FRASER. Perhaps ; that doesn't follow. JUSTINA. It doesn't follow, because it can't follow. But he would kill you and everybody would say of you, " Serve him right ; another unsatisfactory husband disposed of ! " And you would be buried, and my sister would be free and would go to Trouville in August in her weeds, and we should all have a splendid time generally. FRASER. \Dryly.] If we were French. JUSTINA. Yes. [Going to the window.] Why aren't we French ! THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 223 MRS. CLOYS. Justina ! FRASER. [Advancing to MBS. CLOYS, hesitatingly, uncom- fortably lowering his voice.] I can't deny that I have behaved in a very poor fashion to Theophila JUSTINA. [Looking into the garden.] Deny it ! no ! FRASER. \Turning to JUSTINA.] Please ! [To MRS. CLOYS.] But you, Mrs. Cloys, have just admitted to me that, up till last night, your feelings towards her were at least as unjust as my own. MRS. CLOYS. Ah, I hope your contrition, now that the facts are known to us, is as sincere and as deep as mine, Mr. Fraser. JUSTINA. Oh, how miserable he looks ! 224 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT MRS. CLOYS. Who? JUSTINA. Jack Allingham. [She goes out, and disappears. FRASER. [Walking about angrily J\ There he is again ! MRS. CLOYS. He has every right to be here. FRASER. It's in curious taste. MRS. CLOYS. I don't see that. He feels called upon to remain here to protect his wife. He might say, with equal reason FRASER. Hardly. He can take his wife away, and protect her elsewhere. But I am helpless. You tell me it is a question whether Theophila ought to be moved to-day or not THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 225 MRS. CLOYS. [Referring to her watch.] Dr. Erskine will decide very shortly. FRASER. So, for how long, in heaven's name, am I to endure Mr. Allingham ? The fellow puts himself in my way. If I walk in the garden, he appears, indoors, at a window, and coughs in a menacing fashion. When I enter the house the proceedings are but slightly varied I am inside ; Allingham and his cough out- side. MRS. CLOYS. I find him a simple-minded, boyish young man. ERASER. [Looking through the balustrade into t/te library.] Do you ? MRS. CLOYS. After all, the conspiracy he assisted at for which I can never forgive him was carried out, on his part, in perfect good faith to Theophila. FRASER. His share in it is singularly discreditable. 226 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT MRS. CLOYS. [Rising."] You and I must remember that it is through this discreditable act that we are able to do justice to your wife. [JusiiNA re-enters, at the window.] Is Mr. Allingham there ? JUSTINA. YPS, aunt. MRS. CLOYP. [To FRASER.] I assume you are anxious to avoid any open quarrel with Mr. Allingham ? FRASER. I simply wish to get my sick wife away as speedily and as peacefully as possible, and then to forget this gentleman and his cough. [MRS. CLOYS goes out at the window and disappears.] Justina, surely you you resent this new attitude of Mrs. Allingham's ? For months and months she is your sister's bitter, determined enemy ; then suddenly she is allowed to sit up all night, nursing her ! JUSTINA. You wouldn't grudge the woman her little bit of THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 227 practical repentance ? If ever I go in for repentance, let nobody try to do me out of it ! FKASER. [Impatiently.] Repentance ! JUSTINA. [Sitting on the arm of a chair.] Oh, Olive Allmgham didn't have too gay a time of it last night, take my word for it. When Theo came-to, aunt tells me, her poor, overwrought brain wandered for an hour or so ; that wasn't over-pleasant for Mrs. A. Theo went through the whole business from beginning to end, breaking off occasionally to say her prayers praying that the case might end in her favour, and that the season's invitations would flow in as usual. Sometimes she'd stop in the middle of it, and call out that she couldn't pray well while that creature was in the next room listening. Luckily, she fell into a heavy sleep, at about half- past two, and didn't wake till just as I turned up in response to aunt's telegram. But what a bad hour or two it must have been for Mrs. A. ! Picture it ! The half-darkened room ; my little sister tossing about the bed, raving ; aunt sitting grimly on one side, with a handkerchief round her head ; and 228 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT on the other side, hidden behind the bed-curtains, hardly daring to breathe, that woman, with her white face and her eyes almost out of their sockets ! SIR FLETCHER enters, carrying some slips of paper covered with writing. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Allingham has had really a most admirable cold luncheon laid in the dining-room. [To FRASER.] You haven't seen the dining-room ? FRASER. [Shortly.] No. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. "Really a capital lunch. Evidently it is intended that one should wander in and eat a wing of a chicken when one feels inclined. JUSTINA. You have been wandering, uncle, apparently. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. A glass of sherry, merely. No it is strange and unreasonable that it should be so, but it is so. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 229 JUSTINA. What is so ? SIR FLETCHER POKTWOOD. Why, one has [rather a feeling of constraint in sitting down to Allingham's table at any rate until matters are in a more settled state. [To FRASER.] You wouldn't care to to make the plunge ? FRASER. Plunge ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. To break the ice ? FRASER. Eat his lunch ! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Sitting on the settee and arranging his papers.] No, no ; I can quite understand JUSTINA. [Throwing her head back.] Ha ! FRASER. \To her, angrily.] I believe you would grin by the side of a grave. 230 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT JUSTINA. her shoulders.] Cela depend. FRASER. \Turniny away in disgust.] Ah ! JUSTINA. [Jumping up.] Oh, I've had my bad days lately plenty of 'em ! This morning the atmosphere's a bit clearer. [Gaily.] Tra, la, la ! FRASER. The woman who can laugh under such circum- stances - JUSTINA. [Turning upon him.] Laugh ! My dear Alec, if you had learnt to laugh when you acquired your other accomplishments, you would have been able perhaps to keep my sister out of the Divorce Court. [She goes out. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Fussing with his papers.] Fraser - [FKASER THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 231 comes to him.] When I got to my hotel here last night I jotted down the the the leading points the leading features FRASKR. Leading features ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Of this awkward affair between you and the Allinghams FRASER. [Impatiently.] There is now no question between me and the Allinghams SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Rising.] My dear Locheen ! A lady deliberately stations herself in that room, with the cognizance and approval of her husband, to listen to FRASER. I wish to forget all that occurred last night. It is done with. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Pardon me ; it cannot be done with : it ought not to be done with, without the most complete apology 232 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT I will not, for reasons you will presently appre- ciate, hint from which side. [Going to FRASEE, button- holing him.] Do you know what has suggested itself to me, Fraser ? FRASER. [Releasing himself.] No. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Why, sir, if ever there was a matter for reference, for arbitration, this is one ! FRASER. [Between his teeth.] Arbitration ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Good heavens, when I open my Times in the morning, and glance at the law reports, how often have I occasion to remark, " That scandal might have been averted, and that, and that " if only the inter- vention of some cool, level-headed person had been secured, the intervention of some one possessing the rarest of all gifts the judicial faculty ! FRASEH. The gift is rare enough upon the bench. People THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 233 shrink from having their concerns adjudicated by a meddlesome amateur. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. I sent Claude to town for his mother at ten o'clock this morning. When they arrive, the family will be complete with the exception of my brother, Thomas Osborne Portwood, who is in Australia ; a deplorable case. [looking about him.] Arbitration dispenses with legal paraphernalia. A table, writing materials, a few chairs arranged [his eye falling upon a table] a table. [He moves the table and stands, dis- posing, by gesture, of an imaginary audience.] Seated here, I should command the room. [Pushing the settee a little farther towards the left.] This thing must be differently placed. Chairs there and there - [To FRASER.] Locheen, would this be the better room, I wonder, or the library ? FRASER. [WJio has lapsed into thought, rousing himself.] Eh, for what ? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. For the arbitration ? [FRASER impatiently starts to his feet as MRS. CLOYS enters at the window with 234 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT Joiix.] Oh, Mr. Allinghaui, if you will give me jussta moment or two MRS. CLOYS. [Taking SIR FLETCHER'S arm and drawing him aside.] Not now, Fletcher. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Annoyed.] Harriet ! [Sin FLETCHER and MRS. CLOYS stand out- side the window, talking. JOHN comes and faces FRASER. JOHN. [With an effort .] I am sorry to hear, Mr. Fraser, that you have been annoyed, while a visitor at my house, by the persistency of my cough. FRASER. If I could have assured myself, Mr. Allingham, that your cough was a genuine one, it would not, however violent and grave its attacks, have occasioned me the smallest concern. JOHN. I admit the cough was not genuine. I employed THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 235 it as a sign that 1 was at hand should you wish to have an explanation with me. ERASER. The invitation might have been more explicitly phrased. JOHN. It was clear enough for most men. At any rate, I hope the invitation is sufficiently plain now. FRASER. Quite. JOHN. You decline it, or accept it ? FRASER. If I hesitate, it is because I hardly know in what language you would choose for me to reply. JOHN. Language ? FRASER. Words or a cough ? 236 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT JOHN. Oh, whichever you find most procrastinating and evasive. FEASER. [6*00%.] I decline your invitation, Mr. Allingham ; I have nothing to say to you. JOHN. [ With clenched hands.] Nothing ! ERASER. Nothing. JOHN. [Glances at MRS. CLOYS, then advances closely to ERASER and speaks to him in a low voice, beside himself with anger, but betraying nothing by gesture] Eraser, you are actually responsible for the occurrences of last night. You have never understood your unfortunate wife; but yesterday your behaviour to her was cruel, brutal. I charge you with acting towards her like a brute. ERASER. [Looking at him immovably.] Well ? THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 237 JOHN. Well ! FRASER. I repeat, I have nothing to say to you, Mr. Allingham. [After a pause, JOHN retreats from FRASER and sits upon the settee, leaning his head upon his hands and tittering a groan. JOHN. Eraser, I promised Mrs. Cloys, out in the garden, just now that I would make an attempt to soften matters between us, and and offer you some civility and so on. I began fairly well [FRASER bows] and then the conversation took another line. However [rising, speaking with an effort, not looking at FRASER] let me say that my house is quite at Mrs. Eraser's disposal [with a gulp] and at yours, for as long as she honours me as you both honour me by remain- ing here. [FRASER again bows, JOHN glares at him.] As for ourselves, whenever we encounter each other I will be careful to look in an opposite direction. Per- haps you will be good enough to follow the same course. 238 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT ERASER. It is one that would have suggested itself to me. JUSTINA enters. JUSTINA. Alec, Theo is coming in to see you. [JOHN goes out quickly; JUSTINA speaks to MRS. CLOYS. MRS. CLOYS. [.Entering the room and addressing FRASER.] Theo is ready. [MRS. CLOYS goes out as SIR FLETCHER enters the room. JUSTINA. [To him, significantly.] Now, perhaps a little lunch, uncle Fletcher [She goes out by the dining-room door. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [To FRASER.] Of course, my sister Harriet throws cold water upon my proposal FRASER. Proposal ? THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 239 SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Arbitration. [ERASER walks away and eyes the upper door anxiously and expectantly.] But when did Harriet fail to throw cold water ? I shall sound Allingham and get his views. After all, Harriet is not essential ; Harriet is not [While speaking he goes to the table, takes up the inkstand and bhtting-book and carries them to the other table. FRASER. [To SIR FLETCHER.] Sir Fletcher, Theophila under- stands that she is to see me here alone SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [Abstractedly.] I am off, I am off. [Stopping at the door, looking at the table, and slowly tapping his fore- head.'] Pens paper; two p.'s. [He goes out. FRASER comes to the dining- room door, and carefully draws the por- tiere ; then he walks away as MRS. CLOYS enters by the upper door with THEOPHII/A leaning upon her arm. THEOPHILA is dressed as in the preceding Acts, but without 240 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT bonnet or cape. MRS. CLOYS places THE- OPHILA upon the settee, then goes out at the window, and disappears. FRASER takes a chair and sits. FRASER. Y