FRENCH'S ACTING EDITION LADY FLORA'S NAMESAKE (ELLA C. HARDING). \ The FEE for each AMATEUR representation of the piece is £ /-, payable in advance to SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd., 26, Southampton Street, Strand, London, W.C. London : SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd., PUBLISHERS, SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND. 23, Ntfw Your : SAMUEL FRENCH, PUBLISHER, 28, WEST 38th STREET. II gf 1 m BELFAST- J. Nicholson. 26, Church Lane. BIRMINGHAM- James Guest, 12, Snow Hill. W.H.Smith & Son, 34, Union St. BRADFORD- W. H. Smith ft Son, 6, Dale Street. BRISTOL- E. Toleman, 2, Rupert Street. DUBLIN- Morrow's Library, 12, Nassau St. EDINBURGH- H. Robinson, 111-115, Leith St. GLASGGW- Wm. Love, 221 , Argyle Street. LEEDS R. Jackson, 18, Commercial St. LIVERPOOL— J. Burkinshaw & Sons, 28-30, Colquitt Street. MANCHESTER- John Heywood, Deansgate and Ridgefield. NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE- Thomas Allan, 18 & 20, Blackett Street. PLYMOUTH- W. Hearder. 195, Union St. PRESTON- , n J. Watkinson, 41, Cannon St. SHEFF1ELD- Geo. Slater, Fitzalan Sq. BOMBAY- Thacker ft Co. ( Xy CALCUTTA- ™ Thackbr, Spink A Co. ' MADRAS- HlOGINBOTHAM ft CO., 165, Mount Road. ) SIMLA- Thacker, Spink ft C». \ %> CAPE COLONY- , ffi J. C. Juta, Cape *o*-«» CAPE TOWW- Messrs. Darter & Sons. DURBAN— Vats Scatter & Co. MELBOURNE- Will Andrade 201, Bourke Street. ) Wm. E. W. Cole, Book Arcade. ADELAIDE- E. S. Wicg ft Son. Cawthorne & Co. NEW ZEALAND- J. Brahhwaite, Dunedin. Wililman & Abet, Auckland. SYDNEY- S. J. KlRBY, 561, Georgo Street. II N EW DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE SENT POST FREE NO BOOKS EXCHANGED, ■C~Y^ 10,000 Recitations. for Catalogue* 6,000 Plays, Post Free. The Guide to Selecting Plays is now published annually — entirely revised and brought up-to-dato. Prio« Is. With a view to obviate the great difficulty experienced by Amateurs (par- ticularly in country houses) in obtaining Scenery, Ac, to &x in a Drawing Room, and then only by considerable outlay for hire and great damage caused to walls, we have decided to keep a series of Coloured Scenes Mounted on Canvas with roller, or they can be had unmounted on thirty sheets of strong papet and can be joined together or pasted on canvas or wood, according to require ment Full direi tions, with diagrams shewing exact size of Back Scenes, Borders, and Wings, can be had free on application. The following scenes are kept in Itnck. Kept in two sizes. The size of the back scene of the smaller one is nearly, lu feet long and 6i feet high, and extends with the Wings and Border to 15 feet long and 8 feet high. The back scene of the large one is 13 feet long and 9 feet high and extends with the Wings and Border to 20 feet long and 11J leet high. It is not necessary to have the scene the height of the room, as blue paper to represent sky is usually i.ung at the top. "Bman &.—\ with Wings and Border complete, unmounted .. Ditto, mounted Large Size, with Wings and Border complete unmounted . . Ditto, mounted .. 81ne Paper 20 inches by 30, per sheet "«17"€3>01l>. Kept iu two sizes, same as the Garden Scene, and at similar price. LADY FLORA'S NAMESAKE (A DUOLOGUE) By ELLA C. HERRING Copyright, 191 i, by Samuel French, Ltd New York London SAMUEL FRENCH ! SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd I Publisher 26 Southampton Street 28-30 WEST 3 8th STREET ; STRAND ©CI.D 23694 ; CHARACTERS She — Lady Flora Somerleas (A charming Debutante) . He — Mr. Reginald T ravers (Her partner for the next dance). i LADY FLORA'S NAMESAKE (A DUOLOGUE) Scene. — A cosy comer, in an ante-room, at the Elite Rooms {Piccadilly), where a ball is in progress. Soft waltz music. (Lady Flora enters, obviously in a rage ; followed, at a respectful distance, by her partner, for the next dance. ) She {in tearful agitation). Oh ! The wretch ! The wretch ! If I can only discover him ! The things he said behind my back He {to attract attention). Excuse me — She {starting and turning). I beg your pardon — I didn't see you — I thought I was alone. He. I hope I'm not intruding ? But, this is our dance, I believe. She {distracted, and bent upon getting rid of him). Is it ? {Looking at card.) I'm sorry— I don't recall your name. He {laughing). I don't believe I ever heard yours ! Our host clutched me, almost literally, by the scruff of my neck, dragged me up to a group of half a dozen ladies, mumbled their names incoherently and left the sorting out to my discretion. I booked one dance/. {Consults card.) No. 13. You will find against it the initials R.T., which stand for your humble servant, Reginald Travers. 6 LADY FLORA'S NAMESAKE. She {scanning her card reluctantly), I suppose that's meant for a T. He. ..jYou seem to have made up your mind that J \m ; '.an . impostor. She '{with sudden vehemence). All men are impos- tors!. . He. .Really She., You asked me, just now, if you were intruding well— you are! I may as well tell you that I came here, by ir^/self, on purpose to have a good cry. (She sinks on the settee, and buries her face in the cushions.) He {alarmed). Oh! I say, don't! You'll' spoil your.— — She; {glaring round at him). Make-up? Why don't you say it? I suppose that's what you mean. He (indignantly). I meant nothing of the kind— She. You needn't consider my feelings — I haven't any left ! They are all torn to shreds. He. Good heavens ! She. Torn to shreds — like my character, and — and — (exploding into cushions) — complexion. (He looks round anxiously, then crosses, and seats » M himself beside her.) He (soothingly). I say ! Don't go on like that— people will come rushing in, and think you have been .illrtreated. : SHE;, , I have been ill-treated. Abominably ill- treated. I have never had such atrocious things saictiaibout me, in all my life. He' (impatiently). But how — when— where— and by whom ? Sm > (sitting up. and making much of her voice). By a man; I've > never met, or seen, or even heard of before. (Buries her face in cushions, and shudders.) LAlK' FLORA'S NAMESAKE 7 He (bending forward and speaking very softly to the back. of her head). Why, when 1 first caught a glimpse of you among all the fashionable waxworks, I thought — there's a little ,girl who looks as if she had just come in from making daisy-chains, or gathering dewdrops, or something as dainty and refreshing ! I could see real sunshine in your hair — and only the touch of the 'wind, for toilet powder! (Change of tone.) And, tvay. there's the thunder shower ! Will you let me, at least, offer you the shelter of my sympathy ? She (turning towards liim, rather shame/ast, bui still tremulous). You are very kind — it is a relief to have some one to confide in — though 1 couldn't possibly repeat all the things the wretch said about me. (Confidentially beginning.) Well, listen : I was waiting for my partner to bring me an ice, when 1 was startled to hear my name mentioned, just behind thejscreen where 1 was sitting. The wretch made a remark about my colour (Stops short, and plays with her Urn.' (Looking up, defiant.) That it had lately been greatly improved by artificial means. He (observing her closely). Unpardonable ! Then? She. He said when first he saw me— Oh ! 1 can't tell you ! He (urgently). Please, go on. She. That he discovered me climbing up some- thing or other, and that he had never sr n any one so forward before ! He (incredulous). Are you sure you hear*] ; right ? She. Ouite sure. He. What else did he say ? She (lookitij; away). That's the worst part of all. He (w iff; exaggerated horror). Something w».i-* still ? 8 LADY FLORAS NAMESAKE. She. He actually had the audacity to say that he fell in love with me on the spct. He. Well, you can't number bad taste as one of his sins. She. Don't you understand that I have never seen the man in my life, and that all he said was absolute fabrication from beginning to end ? He. You haven't seen him, but there is the possi- bility that he might have seen you. She. Near enough to discover that my complexion had been "improved"! He. It is incomprehensible ! But how are we to bring the villain to book ? She. I should know his voice among a thousand. He (rising). Then it is very simple. Take my arm, and I undertake to engage in conversation every male in the room. She (pouting). You are making fun of me. He. I assure you, nothing is further from my mind. Will you come ? She (starting). Wait ! He. What's the matter now ? She. It has suddenly occurred to me. He. What? She (slowly). Your voice is exactly like — the wretch's ! He. Well, that's a nice thing to say after all you have been telling me ! She. I wonder I never noticed it before. He. I can scarcely be guilty of taking your name in vain, considering I do not even know it, and have never seen you before, i She: (taking guarded stock of him). N— no. (Sud- den change of manner, and speaking very quickly.) I will try and forget it for a while — let's talk of some- thing else. (Seats himself beside her, and takes her fan.) She. Have I met you before, this season ? LADY FLORA S NAMESAKE. 9 He (fanning her). I am a stranger to this kind of function. To tell you the truth, London bores me to death, as a rule. I am a countryman by habit and inclination. (Shrugs.) The only clubs to which I claim membership are horticultural. I am an authority on gardening subjects, and I specialize in sweet peas. She. You must have been dreadfully bored to- night ? He. As a matter of fact, I haven't ! 1 came across a man who is a member of one of my clubs, and our talk was so engrossing, that it almost made me forget this dance. She (coyly). What could the subject of your con- versation have been ? He. Oh ! it wouldn't interest you, in the least. She. I am quite curious, all the same. Do tell me. He. Well now, confess ! It would bore you to death were I to begin expatiating upon the charms pi the Lady Flora Somerleas She (interrupting, breathlessly). Lady Flora Somer- leas ? He. Do you know her ? She. Oh, I — I've seen her. LIe (enthusiastically). Don't you think she is a ripper ? She. Well, I am scarcely in a position to say. Perhaps I don't know her as well as you do. He. I flatter myself I do know more than most people about the Lady Flora. She (deeply interested). Do you really ? Please tell me about her. It is a subject that has a peculiar interest for me, too. He. I warn you I shall tire your patience, if you once let me start. She. I promise you I won't let you bore me. Have you been acquainted with the Lady Flora Somerleas for long ? 10 LADY FLORA'S NAMESAKE. He. Oh, yes ! She is an old favourite. . of mine. When I first saw her she had been left to run prac- tically wild. I came across her accidentally, when she was climbing up a summer-house. Her bold free habits took my fancy. I fell in love with her on the spot, and determined to see what a little. careful culture could do for her. She. Do you consider her— er — much to look at? He. Rather ! She's both showy and effective. (Confidentially.) I've discovered the secret of her colour. She (sitting up abruptly). Secret, of her colour? He. ■' It's due to artificial culture. She (rising suddenly). Oh ! He (rising also, anxiously). What's the matter now ? She (recovering). Nothing. A button's come off my glove. He (taking it from her). I'll take care of that. (He puts the button carefully in his pocket-case. While he does so, she crosses r. to a flower -stand, looking him cautiously up and down all the time. ) He. To return to the Lady Flora — (she starts) — do you object to smoke ? She. Not in the least. (He lights up.) You were saying — — He. I was going to tell you that there is a great drawback to her — (puff) — fact, her beauty's quite spoilt at times — (puff, puff) — she gets smothered all over with black spots. She (aghast). Black spots! How horrible! I had no idea that she was disfigured in that way— — He (smoking reflectively). I've tried all sorts oi things for those spots — but they spread so quickly. As fast as you get rid of 'em in one place they come out }n another. (To her.) I suppose ' you don't know of any cure ? LADY -FLORA'S NAMESAKE. !! She {rather haughtily). I am glad to say I have had no experience of the trouble you mention. He (still reflectively). Some people say the spots are caused by an overdose of strong stimulant. I've never given her 'anything but water, but at times I have seen her turn out quite unsightly. She. This is news to me. He. I had an experience on one occasion of tryipg her with some stimulant, but she grew simply ram- pant — was alb oyer the shop. She. What dild you do with her then ? He (shrugging). There wasn't much I could do! I tied her up and gave her plenty of stick. She (in stifled tones). Ah ! (Crosses to settee and bangs the cushions.) He (contritely). 'There I go ! Like a selfish brute, boring you with my experiences She (recovering). I'm not bored in the least- please go on — I'm tremendously interested — this Lady Flora — how old is she, should you think D Has she been out long ? He. Oh ! She's been out some time. She. I understood this was her first season. He. No. Lady Flora Somerleas was the rage the sensation of the season, about six years ago. She. I thought she was confined to the nurseries, then ! Isn't she rather — er — forward ? He. Forward ? I should think so ! Why, early last May, I accepted a week-end at a friend's country bungalow, and would you believe it ? When I opened my eyes in the morning, the first thing I saw, was Lady Flora, already out, peeping in at my bedroom window ! (Pause. ) |q \ (Both stare at ea,ch other in dead silence; ke, with the exultant expression of a man who has proved his 12 LADY FLORA'S NAMESAKE. point ; she, with an utter lack of any expression whatever. ) He {moving). That's forward if you like. She. Very — (sinking on to settee)— forward. He. Of course, if she had belonged to me I should have kept her back. (Crosses to back of settee, and leans across her.) She (faintly). Yes ? He. You know what I should have done ? She (more faintly). I can't imagine. He. I should jolly well have, pinched her. She (jumping, and edging away from him with a little scream). Pinched her ? He (reassuringly). It doesn't hurt ! I believe in pinching 'em ! Makes 'em hardy — they are all the better for it in the end. (He has taken hold of one of her hands, and is pressing the fingers, absently, as he speaks.) She (withdrawing hands sharply). I don't care about pinching, myself. He (biting his lip). Sorry ! (He moves slowly round to front of settee.) I think I have told you most of Lady Flora's points — she's showy, she's a good shape — she looks well made up — that's a thing that always interests you ladies — and she's really well worth cultivating. But there's one thing you can't persuade her to do under any circumstances — it's a funny thing — -but she's not fond of a tub. She. Not fond of a tub ? (Sinking on to settee and covering her face with her hands.) Oh ! this is too much ! He. Great Heavens ! What's the matter now ? She (lying back, with closed eyes). Not fond of a tub! He (greatly alarmed). Are you feeling bad ? LADY FLORA'S NAMESAKE. 13 She {sitting up, tear j id and indignant). Bad ? I should think so, indeed ! How would you feel if you had had to listen to lies and insults for ten minutes on end — — He. Lies and insults She. Everything you have said is a wicked, wicked lie ! I have never had such horrible accusations made against me in my life ! He {distracted). Great Scott ! she's taken leave of her senses ! — I must cool her head — water ! water ! {He rushes wildly round and picks up a tall jar of flowers standing in the corner r. of the room, and dashing the flowers to the ground, prepares to douche her.) She {starting up, and running to the back of the settee). If you dare ! Haven't you been damaging my reputation badly enough, without trying to damage my new frock as well ? He {at his wit's end). I suppose she must be sub- ject to these fits ! {Waving his hands.) Calm your- self ! Calm yourself ! Nobody is going to hurt you ! She. You have done your best to do so by your cruel and unwarrantable gossip about me. He. About you ? Why, my dear lady, I don't even know your name. She. My name is all you do know about me ! He. You are suffering under a delusion. She. Is it a delusion ? Can you deny that you accused me, here, in my presence, of painting my face ? He. Painting your face ? I swear I never — — She. Take care ! I can repeat your very words. You said, I had lately improved my colour by artificial culture. He. There's some mistake 1 4 LADY FLORA'S NAMESAKE. She. Can you deny that you called' nie: fast ? I He. You— fast ? rotau She. You said I had bold free habits.* You also said I was forward, and ouglit to be ^pinched! He. Are you wilfully misrepresenting my re- marks ? i'XiiOJ r, 91$ / , , •" vShe (sarcastically). Can you deny *that I am often covered with spots, and thatldqnlt like washing myself ? Y-'S He. Really ' -■■; M , ' • . She. Oh, yes ! You said I wasn't. fond of a tub, or some such slang expression. ' ; . He (raising voice)* For Heaven's sake- let me get a word in She. You have had too many words in, already. It is my turn now ! I am not the only person who has been favoured with your confidence, for I over- heard you telling some man that you saw me first when I was climbing up a summer-house, and— that you fell in love with me on the spot ! Oh ! (sinking into corner of settee and burying face in hands) it's shameful ! He (approaching her). You might at least tell me what the name is, that I've been treating so badly. She (looking up). Yes, I will tell you now ! • I am the victim of your idle boasts— the Lady Flora Somerleas. . : > i He. Lady — Flora — -Somerleas! '(Takes breath as (he truth comes home to him. ) Great Scott: ! ' (Struggles with himself for a moment, then bursts i out laugh-- mg.) ! a i |j , ; f! She (looking at him first in astonishment, then in. disgust, and finally in anger). Is that; all the apology you have to offer me ? I > He (sobering himself, and taking a seat' beside her). I must beg your forgiveness, but— (^begins to laugh again)-^-it is really too funny — (forcing himself to . he serious), it is not I who am guilty of making free- 1 LADY FLORA'S NAMESAKE. 15 with your name , the blame attaches to some person, or persons, unknown. She. ' I don't understand- He. The fact is, the subject upon which I have been trying to entertain you, from the mistaken idea that you were a fellow enthusiast, is the cultivation of sweet peas. She. Sweet peas ! He. Exactly. You mounted me on my hobby- horse, and I galloped off, heedless of the effect my conversation was having upon you. I offer you a bore's sincere apology. She. Then the Lady Flora you were talking about — — He. Was my particular favourite sweet pea. She (a sadden idea striking her). Oh ■! He {quietly). Now, we are coming to it ! She (in jerky reflection). My father's head gar- dener — he was — like you — a sweet pea enthusiast — and I remember now — he had asked permission to call a new variety he had cultivated, after my name. He. So we've found the true culprit. She {rising, and coming to the front with her face in her hands). How could I have been so altogether blind and foolish ? He {on settee, looking at her tenderly). Yon must have thought me a cad ! I am glad I have had a chance of clearing my character. She {turning to him anxiously). You do under- stand how the mistake arose, don't you •? I have never thought anything about my namesake from that day to this ; and all the things you have been saying about your Lady Flora, of course, I took as reflections upon myself. I must ask your forgiveness for being so dull and stupid. (Holds out hands.) He (rising and taking them). After all, perhaps some of the things I said about my Lady Flora, as you kindly call her. might not be so inappropriate after all. 16 LADY FLORAS NAMESAKE. She. Well — you have certainly never seen me climbing up a summer-house. He (softly). No — but I have certainly fallen in love with you on the spot. (Curtain. knasi SBS j i>:raoti**g room. PF5^^ . ;■' .■ H Oai> aeyii in ou:$j • entre is a window. On tin a. The above is a represeu- ox Scene), but a Box Scene Prices and size same as FRENCH'S ACTING EDITI0N-7s. tigp Vol.. mnstl* firl. oa e h 2287 8238 2239 224U 2241 2242 2213 2244 2245 2246 2217 2243 2*49 2250 22M 2252 2253 2254 2265 2250 2257 2258 2259 •2260 2261 2262 2263 2264 2265 226B 2267 22G8 2270 VOLUME 150 The Dentist Taken for Granted Just as Well Hogmany Pansy A Doctor's Engage- ments A Duet My Milliner's Bill, 13. My Annt from Cali- fornia His Life for Hers The Meeting The Umbrella Duologue The Late Lamented Woman Triumphant; Angelina's Lover VOLUME 151 Chrvsanthemnms My First Client Punctured Old Pals Honeymoon Tragedy Commission Hal, the Highwayman Dinner for Two Ninth Waltz Human Sport Collaborators Mere Man Packing Up Paying Guest 'Enery Brown VOLUME 152 # The Jilt 'Op-o'-Me-Thunib A Marriage Has Been Arranged Carrots Conversion of Nat Sturge 2271 Olerica 2272 Aubrei 2273 Workb 2274 Two or 2275 Bridge 2276 That I 2277 Well Ik 2278 Maker 2279 Gutter 2<280 Game ot uness VOLUME 153 2281 Mr. Steinmann's Corner 2282 Ella's Apology 2283 Colour Sergeant 2284 Helpless Couple 2285 First Aid to the Wounded 2286 Correct Thing 2287 Their New Paying Guest 2288 Domestic Entangle- ment 2289 Salt of Life 2290 Time is Money 2291 Wally and the Widow 2292 Deceil ful Miss Smiths 2-93 Holly Tree Inn 2294 Up-to-date 2295 Bit of Old Chelsea LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 432 664 7 Martha se's De- Aunt VOLUME 154 the 2296 Wrong Side of Road 2297 The Open Door 2298 Prima Donna (Pern berton) 2293 Lights Out (Pemnerton 2 7 00 Mirror of Time 2301 Three Blind Mice (Muskerry) 2302 Privy Council 2303 Snowed up with s Duchess arling VOLUME 155 2311 That Horrid Major 2312 Bard well v. Pickwick 2313 House of Nightingales 2314 Turtle Dovee [der 2315 Superior Miss Pell en- 2316 His Good Genius 2317 Martha Pi ays the Fairy 2318 Dumb Cake 2319 Proposing by Proxy 2320 Pha>nix 232! Boatswain's Mate 2322 Etnal Eehear>ai 2323 Two Aunts at a Time 2324 Nelson Touch 2325 Convict on the Hearth VOLUME 155 2326 Grey Parrot 2327 Ghost of Jerrv Bundle! 2328 Bishop's Candlesticks 2329 Peacemaker 2330 Changeling 2331 Wire Entanglement 2332 Pride of Regiment 2335 "1588" 2334 Man on the Kerb 233") O'Dowd 2356 Impertinence of tin Creature 2*37 Dramatist at Home ?338 Martha the Sooths^yei 2339 Old Maltha Is. 2.40 All Through Martha Is AN AMERICAN CITIZEN BILLY'S LITTLE LOVE AFFAIR BRACE OF PARTRIDGES BRIXTON BURGLARY OAPTATN SWIFT CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT CHARITY THAT BEGAN AT HOME COUNTRY MOUSE DR. WAKE'S PATIENT FACING THE MUSIC FASCINATING MR. VAN- DERVELDT IDLER. IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST IN CHANCERY JEDBURY JUNIOR BARRIER BUILDER OF BRIDGES OAVK OF ILLUSION DANCING GIRL HYPOCRITES JOSEPH ENTANGLED Is. 6d. net Edition LADY HUNT WORTHS EXPERIMENT LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN LIBERTY HALL LUCKY MISS DEAN MARRIAGE OF KITTY MICE AND MEN MIFS ELIZABETH'S PRISONER MISS HOBBS MOLLENTRAVE ON WOMEN MR. HOPKINSON NEW BOY NIOBE OH! SUSANNAH! ONE SUMMER'S DAY PARVENU PASSPORT PERFECT LOVER PETER'S MOTHER PILKERTONS PEBRAGI PRIVATE SECRETARY RETURN OF THE PRO D1GAL ROCKET TDOl SNUG LITTLE KING SQUIRE SUNLIGHT & SHADOW TWO MR. WETHERBY3 TALKER. LONDON WHEN WE WERL TWENTY-ONE WILDERNESS WISDOM OF FOLL1 WOODBARROW FARM 2s. 6d. net Library Edition JOHN GLAYDES HONOUR MANOEUVRES OF JANE MASQUHRADERS MIDDLEMAN MOLLENTRAVE ON WOMEN MRS. DANE'S DEFENCI PERFiCT LOVER SBLV-ER KINO WALLS OF JERICHO