PR6015 '/I47C3 mi The Caeailia eaqagement. s^emeat. ^ French's International Copyrighted (in Engfland, her Colonies, and the United States) Edition of the Works of the Best Authors. No. U6 t THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT a ComeD^ in font Hcts * BY I ST. JOHN HANKIN 2? AUTHOR OP "the TWO MR. WETHERBYS," " THE RETURN OP THE U PRODIGAL," "the CHARITY THAT BEGAN AT HOME." Copyright, 1907, by Samuel French CAUTION :— Professionals and Amateurs are hereby notified that this play is fully copyrighted under the existing laws of the United States Government, and nobody .is allowed to do this play without first having obtained written permission of Samuel French, 34 West 22d St., New York City, U. S. A. PRICE 25 CENTS : New York SAMUEL FRENCH PUBLISHER 24 WEST 23d STREET London SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 26 Southampton St. STRAND I ) FRENCH'S STANDARD DRAMA. Price 15 Cents each. -Bound Volumes $1.25. VOL. I. I loo f rado I Tht L*dy ol Ljoni ( Tht n \h t Till llontymoon 1 1 h« Scboul for So«iid«l t Monty VOL. II. • Th« Straugar 10 (iranjfathar WblUhMd 11 Richard 111 li Luva'a Sicrlflct 18 1 he Ukmaiter U A Cure for the HMrtMhx 16 The Hunchback 1< Don Ccur de Buu VOL. ML 11 Tbe Poor GantUtoan 18 Hamlet la Cbarlei 11 JO Venice Preterved tl Pitarro 9i The Love Chaae S3 Othello M Und ma Five Bhilllogt VOL. IV. K Vlrglnlut SI Kins of the Common! S' London Auiiranea S8 The Rent Day n TwoKeiitlanien ofVarona JOTTie Jealoue Wife SI Tbe Rirali 8S .'erfectlon VOL. V. [Debti M A New Way t<> Pay Old 84 L.vk before You Leap "6 King John oo' ■ >rvou« .Man 87 I ....n -id PTt^'^a 88 Clandettloe Marriage 89 William Te.l 40 Day after the Weddlnf VOL. VL 41 Speed the Plough 4'i R.)iiieo and Juliet 43 Feudal Tlmei 44 Charlei the Twelfth 46 The Bride 44 Tbe Folileiof a Nl^ht 4: Iron Cheet [Fair Ladv it KaJut Heart Never Wuii VOL. VII. 4t rinad to Rulo M Macbeth «I leiiiper li F.vadne M Bertram • ~he Duenna ich Ado About NothlDf; Orlllc VOL. vin. usUte Night "enic* 'ing Hearti [riage ter Mar- Jonntry L. X. 1 •i Single VOL. XI. 81 Jullue C«->ar 8S Vicar of Wakefield m Leap Year 84 The Catiuaw M5 The Paeilug Cloud 88 Drunkard 87 Rob Roy 88 George Harnwell VOL. XIL 89 IngoDiar SOSkelchei In India 91 Two Friendi 9; Jane Shore S3 Corilcan Brolhere 94 Mind your own Bufllnees 95 Writing on the Wall 94 Heir at Law VOL. XIII. 97 Snldier'e Daughter 9** DougJAt 99 Marco Spada too Nature'i Nobleman 101 Sardanapalue lOti CiTiliiation 103 The Robbere 104 Katharine and Petruchln VOL. XIV. 105 Game of Love 108 Midiumnier Nlght'e 1(11 Erntitine I Dream 108 Rag Picker of Pari« 109 Flying Dutchman no Hypocrite HI Thareia lis La Tour de Neala VOL. XV. in Ireland Ai It Ii 114 Sea of Ice 1 16 Seven Gierke 116 Game of Life 117 Forty Th levee 1 18 Bryan Boroihine 119 Romance and Reality laO L'golino VOL. XVI. 121 TbeTempeet 125 The Pilot lil Carpenter of Rouen I 4King'iRival 19fi Little Treaiure 196 Dombey and Son 12' Parenleand Guardlani 118 Jewell VOL. XVII. I59Camllle I.IO Married Life 131 Wenlock of Wenlock 1.*5 Rose 0/ Etlrickvale 133 David Copperfield 134 Aline, or the Roee of 35 Pauline [Klllarney 136 Jane Eyre VOL. XVli. 137 Night and .Morning 1.38 .«lhiop 139 Three (5uardit - 140 Tom Cringle 141 Henrlette, tlie r ..r«aVen 142 Euitarhe Baud, 143 Ernest Malrravert 144 Bold Dragoons VOL. XIX. 146 Dred, or the Dismal ^ [Swamp 146 Last Pavs of Pompeii 147 Esmeralda 148 Peter Wilklns 149 Ben the Bontswalo 150 Jonathan Bradford 151 Retribution 162 Minerali VOL. XX. 163 French Spy 154 Wept of Wish-ton WI»h 1.S6 Evil Genius 166 Ben Holt 167 Sailor of France 158 Red Mask 159 Life of an Actress IcO Wedding Day vol 141 All's I'ai \(,-l llofar 163 Self l«4 Cind naker • [Moscow ll>5 Phanloi 168 Frankli 1S7 The Gil 168 The I^ VOL. XXII. IfiS Son of Ihe Night 1:0 Korv O'More Men Kavle 172 Rienii 173 Broken Sw.ird 174 Rip Van Wii.kla 175 Isabella 176 Heart of Mid Lothian VOL. XXIII. 177 ActresB of Padua 178 Kloitinr Beacon 179 Bride ofLaHiniermoor Ca-.aracI of the Ganges IKl Robber of tlie Rhine 182 School ol Reform IS'i Wandering Boys 184 Maieppa VOL. XXIV. 185 Young New York lH6The Victims 187 Romani:* after Marriage 188 B'ignnd 189 Pour of New York 190 Ambrose (iwinett 191 RavmomI and Agnet 192 Gaiiibler's I'ale VOL. XXV. 193 Father anil S n l'.<4 Mnssaniello 195 Sixteen Siring Jack 1911 Vouthlul Queen 197 Skeleton Witness 198 Innkeeper of AhbeTille 199 Miller and his Men 2U(l Aladdin VOL. xxvr. 201 Adrlenne the Actrcu 202 t'ndine 203 Jesse Brown 204 Asfiiodeus 20.1 Mormons 206 Blanche of Brandywina 2(17 Viola 208 Deseret Deserted \OL. XXVll. ■209 Americans in Parle 210 Viclorine 211 Wisard of the Wava 212 Castle Spectre 213 Horse-shoe Robinson 214 Arniaud, Mrs. Mowatt Fashion, Mrs. Mow.ilt 216 Glance at New York VOL. XXVIll. 217 Inconstant 218 Uncle Tom's Cabin 219 Guide to the Stage 220 Veteran 221 Miller of New Jersey 22s Dark Hour before Dawn 223 Midaum'rNight'iDream [Laura Keene'a Edition 224 At and Artifice ' . : VOL. XXIX. S!!» IS.or Young Man 22taugliter 253 Shoemaker ofToulousa 254 .Momentous Question 255 Love and Loyalty 256 Robber's Wife VOL. XXXIH. 257 Dumb Girl of Genoa 2 8 Wreck Ashore 59 Clnrl 260 Rural Felicity !f,\ Wallace .'62 Madelaine 2B3 The Fireman 264 Grist to Ihe Mill VOL. XXXIV. 265 Two Loves and a Ltf* 266 Annie Blake '67 Steward 268 Captain Kyd 269 Nirk of (he Woodl 70 Marble Heart 271 Second l.ova 272 Dream at Sea VOL. XXXV. 273 Breach of Promiaa 274 Review 75 Lady cf the Ijika 276 Still' Wau-r Rune Deep 277 Tbe Scholar 278 Helping Hands 279 Faust and Marguerite •ill) Last Mnn VOL. XXX 281 BeUe'i Stratogem 282 Old and Young 283 Raff^ella 284 Ruth OakleT 285 British ^'.|r r* 286 A Life's Hansom 281 Giralda •28.^ Til > All VOL. XXXVIL 289 Klla Rosenhurg 29(1 Warlock of the Glea 91 Zelina 92 Beatrice 293 Neighbor Jackwood 294 Wonder 295 Robert Emmet 296 Green Bushes VOL. XXXVIIL 291 Flowers of the Foreai 298 A Bachelor of ArU 299 The Midnight Banquet 300 Husband of m Hour 3(11 Love's I.alxjr Lost 302 Naiad Queen 303 Caprice 304 Cradle of Liberty VOL. XXXIX. .305 The Lost Ship 306 Country Squire 3>i7 Fraud and us Vlctlou 308 Putnam 309 King and Deserter 31(1 La Kiammina 311 A Hard Struggle 312 Gwiunette Vaughan VOL. XL. 313 The Love Knot [Judge 314 Lavater. or Not a Bad 315 The Noble Heart 316 Coriolanus 317 Tbe Winter's Tale 318 Eveleen Wilson 319 iTanbo 240 Masks and Faces [ly |320 Jonathan In England (French's Standard Drama Continued on jdpage 0/ Cover.) "lEL FRENCH, a6 West aad Street, New York City. n Descriptive Catalogue Mail?-: free on Req 'i THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT H Comers in jfour Hcts BY ST. JOHN HANKIN AUTHOR OF "THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS," "THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL," "THE CHARITY THAT BEGAN AT HOME." Copyright, 1907, by Samuel French Caution: — Professionals and Amateurs are hereby no'ified that this play is fully copyrighted under the existing laws of the United States Government, and nobody is allowed to do this play without first having obtained written permission of Samuel French, 24 West aad St., New York City, U.S.A. New York SAMUEL FRENCH PUBLISHER 24 WEST 22D STREET London SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 26 Southampton Street, STRAND IOHKARY i)f CONGRESS j iwu Oooles ft««!vcd OCT 24 »30f Copyniiii Ortiy OLKsiS XXc.,No. COPY 3. THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Cast of the Original production before the Stage Society at the Imperial Theatre, London on Feb. 10, 1907. Producer, — Miss Madge Mcintosh. persons of tbe Come&i?. Mrs. Cassilis ■ Miss Evelyn "Weeden. The Countess op Remenham. Miss Florence Hay don. Lady Marchmont, Mrs. Cas- silis's sister Miss Gertrude Burnett. Mrs. Herries Miss K. M, Ronisey. Mrs. Borridge Miss Clare Greet. Lady Mabel Venning, Lady Remenliani's daughter Miss Isahel Roland. Ethel Borridge Miss Maudi Darrell. The Rector ... Mr. F. Morland. MA.JOR Warrington Mr. Sam Sothern. Geoffrey Cassilis Mr. Langhorne Burton. Watson, Butler at Deynham. Mr. Ralf Hutton. Dorset, Mrs. Cassilis's maid.. Miss Margai-et Mackenzie. Two Footmen. The Scene takes place at Deynliam Abbey in Leicester- shire. Act I. The Drawing-room. Act II. The Lawn. Act III. The Smoking-room off the Billiard-room. Act IV. The Morning-room. One niglit elapses between Acts I., and II. One week between Acts II., and III. One night between Acts III., and IV, Note. — The Leicestershire Cassilises pronounce their name as it is spelt. 3 PROPERTIES properties. Act. 1. Tea-cloth. Tea-things for six. Bread ami butter. Cake. Cake-stand. Act n. Rose to he picked. Red cushion (for Mrs. Borridge). Act III. Whiskey. Siphon. Half-dozen tumblers. Cigar-box. Matches. Paper-knife (breakable). ^ Pen, ink, blotter, note-paper, envelopes and thm tmtea paper. Pack of cards. Volume of Schubert's songs. Other books of music. Illustrated paper. Act IV. Cigarette case and match-box (Geoflfrey). Book (brought by Lady R.). Cushion for ]Mrs. Borridge. Morning paper. <1 O o ^ ^»W ^f.id THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. ACT I. Scene. — The tvhitc drawing room at DeynJiam Abbey. A very handsome room furnished Louis /Sfe/.ce. A tea tabic is spread up stage. When curtain rises the Rector and Mrs. Herries are discovered. The former stands on hearth rug tcith back to fireless hearth. The latter sits comfortably in armchair. They arc evidently people in easy circumstances and of good social standing. There are big double doors c. Three Louis Seize armchairs'; easily moved, by fire- place. Two or three small chairs np l. c. not far from tea table. Large icindoic l., rocker down stage. Sofa in front of it, set rocker diagonally with its back to the stage. Small settee or chair by end of it nearest footlights. Handsome Louis Seize tables, chests of drawers or cabinets on either side of door c. Mrs. Herries. {at ivindow, then crosses r. c.) I wonder what can be keeping Mrs. Cassilis. Note. The Stage Directions throughout this play are given from the standpoint of the audience, R. meaning the Audience's Right, l. the Audience's Left. 5 6 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. KiccTOR. {hack to fire) My dear T told you we oughtu't to have called. On so sad au occa- siou Mrs. IIeiuues. (r. c.) My dear Ilildebraud, it's just on these sad occasions that a visit is so consoling. One should always call after a birth, a funeral. . . . (sits) Butler, (showing in Lady Remenham and her daughter) I will tell Mrs. Cassilis you are here, my lady. She, will be down in a moment. Lady Remenham. {coming down n. c. to arm- chair) Thank you. How do you do ^Irs. ITerries. Plow do you do, Rector, {general handshake) (Mabel and Rector cross l.) Mrs. Herries. Uow do you Lady Remenham. (Rector crosses l. to icindoic.) Rector. Uow do you do, ]Mabel. (Lady Mauel at window) Lady Remenham. {seating Jierself comfortaVlg R. c) You've heard this dreadful news haven't you? (Rector makes sympathetic gesture) Mrs. Herries. Yes. I'oor Mrs. Cassilis. Lady Remenham. Poor Adelaide indeed. That unhapjiy boy! But there! Row any mother can allow such a thing to happen passes my com- prehension. To get engaged! Rector, {nods sginpatlieticalh/) Just so. (c.) Lady Remenham. {sitting in armchair) Engagements are such troublesome things. They sometimes even lead to marriage. But we'll ho])e it won't be as bad as that in this case. You've not heard who she is I suppose? THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. T Mrs. Herries. {sitting r. c.) No. Lady Remenham. Ah. Someone quite impos- sible of course. Otherwise Adelaide would have told us in her letter. Mrs. Herries. I'm afraid so. Lady Kemenham. It's really extremely wicked of Geoffrey. And so silly too ! — which is worse. A temporary infatuation I could understand, terminated by some small monetary payment. It would have been regrettable of course, but young men are like that. And Adelaide could have stopped it out of his allowance. But an engage- ment ! I am quite shocked at her. Mabel, {at ivindoiv) Don't you think, mam- ma, we might leave Mrs, Cassilis to manage her son's affairs her own way? {sits on sofa l.) Lady Eemenham. She has not managed them. That's exactly what I complain of. I can't alto- gether acquit the Rector of some blame in the mat- ter. He was Geoffrey's tutor for years. They used to say in my young days " Train up a child in the way he should go " Rector, {at hack of settee) And when he's grown up he'll give you a great deal of anxiety. So they did! So they did! {sits in small chair L. c.) Lady Remenham. {severely) That is not the ending I remember. Rector. That is the Revised Version. Lady Re:menham. I daresay. They seem to alter everything nowadays. But if so I hardly see the use of education. Rector. I have long been of that opinion, d THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Lady Remenbam. {Enter c. Mrs. Cassilis in a charming afternoon gown) Mrs. Cassilis. You must forgive me all of you. I had some letters to finish, {general handshake. Kiss to Mabel) Dear Mabel. How do you do, Mrs. Herries. Rector. How do you do, Mrs. Cassilis. Lady Remenham. My dear Adelaide irJiat a charming gown ! But you always do have the most delightful clothes. Where do you get them? Mrs. Cassilis. Clarice made this, {tiro foot- men and Butler bring tea. They bring table doicn c. Butler looks on) Lady Remenham. Clarice? The wretch ! She always makes my things atrociously. If only I had your figure ! (Footman brings chair from up l. puts it l. of table.) Mrs. Cassilis. Excuse me dear, {to Butler) The carriage has gone to the station to meet Lady Marchmont, Watson ? Butler. Yes, Madam. It started five minutes ago. {exit Butler foUowcc' by Footmen) Mrs. Cassilis. {to Lady Remenham) I'm so glad you like it. {up to table) Lady Remenham. Is Margaret coming to stay with you? {crosses to table l. c.) Mrs. Cassilis. Y'es, for ten days. Lady Remenham. And now will you please pour out my tea? I have come here to scold you and I shall require several cups. Mrs. Cassilis. (quite innocent) To scold wc.^ THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 9 (goes to tahle and takes seat) Won't you all bring up your chairs to the table? {thci/ all do so) Rector where are you? {to Lady Remen- ham) Cream? Lady Remenham. Thank you. And a small lump. Mrs. Cassilis. And why am I to be scolded? Lady Remenham. You know quite well. Ade- laide what is this I hear about Geoffrey's engage- ment? Mrs, Cassilis. (checrfulli/) Oh that? Yes. Geoffrey has got engaged to a girl in London. Isn't it romantic of him! I know nothing what- ever about her except that I believe she has no money and Geoffrey is over head and ears in love with her. Mrs. Herries. My dear Mrs. Cassilis, I should have thought that was quite enough! Mrs. Cassilis. Rector, will you cut that cake? It's just by your hand. Lady Remenham. Where did he meet her? Mrs. Cassilis. In an omnibus, I understand. Lady Remenham. An omnibus! Mrs. Cassilis. l^es. That was so ro^tonf/c too! One of the horses fell down and she was fright- ened. They thought she was going to faint. Geoffrey got her out, took charge of her, disc6v- ered her address and took her home. Wasn't it clever of him? Of course she asked him to come in. He was introduced to her mother. And now they're engaged, (gives cup to Rector) Lady Remenham. {with awful dignity) And what is the name of this young person? 10 THE CAbSiLIS ENGAGEMENT. Mits. Cassilis. r>oi*i'i(lge. Lady Kiomkmiam, IJorridge! Mabel my love pray reiiiembei* if ever you come home ami inform me that you are engaged to a person of the name of Borridge I shall whip you. {puis doivn cup) IMap.kl. Very well, Mamma. Mrs. Cassilis. Another cup? Lady Remeniia:\i. Thank you. Rather less sugar, this time, {gifts cuj)) I never could understand why you let Geoffrey be in London at all. Alone too. Young men ought never to be al- lowed out alone at his age. They are so suscep- tible, {takes cup) Mabel. Geoffrey has his profession, mamma. Mrs. Cassilis. Geoffrey's at the Bar, you know. Lady Remenham. The Bar! What business has Geoffrey to be at the Bar! Deynham has the best shooting in the Shires and in the winter there's the hunting. AVhat more does he want? It's disgraceful. Rector. My dear Lady Remenham you're sure you're not confusing the Bar with the Dock? Mrs. Herries. Ilildebraud! Lady Remenhaim. The Bar is a good enough profession of course. But only for very j^ounger sons. Geoffrey will have Deynham some day and tvi'elve thousand a year. I don't think Adelaide need have made a little attorney of him. Mrs. Cassilis. Young men must do somethinf/, don't you think? Lady Remenham. Cerlainly not! It's this vulgar Radical notion that people ought to do THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 11 things that is riiiuiug English Society. What did Mr. Borridge do, by the way? Mrs. Cassilis. {hesitates) He was a book- maker, I believe. Lady Remenham. {triumphantly) There you see! That's what comes of doing things! Mrs. Cassilis. {slight shrug. Pouring her- self out more tea and still quite unruffled) Well I'm afraid there's no use in discussing it. They're engaged and Miss Borridge is coming down here. Mrs. Herries. Coming here ! Lady Remenham. Coming here ! ! ! Mrs. Cassilis. Yes. On a visit. With her mother. Lady Remenham. {putting doicn her cup with a touch of solcnrnity) xldelaide are you — excuse my asking the question — are you quite in your rjght mind? Mrs. Cassilis. I believe so. Lady Remenham. You've noticed nothing? No dizziness about the head? No singing in the ears? (Mrs. Cassilis shakes her head) And yet you ask this young woman to stay with you ! And her mother! Neither of whom you know any- thing whatever about ! Mrs. Cassilis. Another cup? (Mrs. Cassilis takes it) Lady Remenham. Is Mr. Borridge — Ugh — com- ing too? Mrs. Cassilis. He is dead, I believe. Lady Remenham. That at least is satisfactory. Mabel. Mamma ! Lady Remenham. Mabel I shall do my duty 12 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. whatever liai)i>€iis. And does Mrs. liorridge carry on the business? 1 think you said he was a hoot- maker? Mabel. • Book-maker. Mrs. Cassilis. Ko. I believe he left her some small annuity. Lady REMENiiAiM. Annuity? All, dies with her of course? Mas. Cassilis. Ko doubt. Lady Remenham. Well Adelaide I never should have believed it of you. To ask these people to the house! Mrs. Cassilis. Why shouldn't I ask them? Geoffrey tells me Ethel is charming. Lady Remenham. Ethel? Mrs. Cassilis. Miss Borridge. Lady Remenham. Bah! {enter Butlee C. showing in Lady Marchmont) Butler. Lady Marchmont. Mrs. Cassilis. (rising) Ah Margaret. How glad I am to see you. Some more tea, Watson. Lady Marchmont. {kisses her) Not for me, please. No really. My doctor won't Jiear of it. Dot water with a little milk is the most he allows me. How do you do, dear, (greeting the others, shaking hands) How do you do. How do you do. (exit Butler) Mrs. Cassilis. How's the General? Lady Marchmont. Very gouty. His temper this morning was atrocious, ])oor man. Lady Remenham. (shakes head) You bear it like a Saint, dear. Lady Marchmont. (.s/7,v r. c. np) Yes — I go THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 13 away a good deal. He finds 1113' absence very soothing. That's why I was so glad to accept Adelaide's invitation when she asked me. (Vicar offers Lady Marchmont cake.) Mrs. Cassilis. My dear, you'll be invaluable. I look to you to help me with my visitors. Lady Remenham. Poor Margaret. But you always were so unselfish. Lady Marchmont. Are they t^cry — ? Lady Remenham. Very! ! Mrs. Cassilis. {laughing) My dear, Lady Remenham knows nothing whatever about them. Lady Remenham. I know everything about them. The girl has no money. She has no posi- tion. She became engaged to Geoffrey without your knowledge. She has a perfectly dreadful mother. And her name is Borridge. Lady Marchmont. When are they coming? Mrs. Cassilis. I expect them in half an hour. The carriage was to go straight back to the sta- tion to meet them. Lady Remenham. I hope Geoffrey is conscious of the folly and wickedness of his conduct. Lady Marchmont. Where is he, dear? ]\Irs. Cassilis. He's down here with me — and as happy as possible, I'm glad to say. Lady Remenham. Extraordinary! But the young men of the present day arc extraordinary'. Young men nowadays seem always to be either irreclaimably vicious or deplorably silly. I prefer them vicious. They give less trouble. My poor 14 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. bi'otliei* Algei'uou — you lemembei' Algeiiioii, don't you, Kector? He was auotber of your pupils. Rector. {si(jhs) Yes, 1 remember. Mrs. Herries. Major Warrington hasn't been down for quite a long time has he? Lady Remenham. No. We don't ask him to Milverton now. He comes to us in London but in the country one has to be more particular. He really is dreadl'ully dissipated. Always running after some petticoat or other. Often more than one. But there is safety in numbers, don't you think? Rector. Unquestionably. Lady Remeniiam. Algernon always says he's by temperament a polygamist. I don't know what he means. However, I've no anxiety about him. He never gets engaged. He's far too clever for that. I wonder if he could help you out of this dreadful entanglement? In a case of this kind one should have the very best advice. Mrs. Cassilis. (lauijlutuj) I shall be de- lighted to see 3Iajor Warrington — though not for the reason you suggest. Lady Remeniiam. Well, I'll ask him down. Remenham won't like it. He disapproves of him so much. He gets (piite virtuous about it. lint that sort of moral indignation should never be allowed to get out of hand, should it? (Rector nods) Resides he's away just now. I'll write to Algernon directly I get back and I'll bring him over to dinner one day next week. Say Thursday? Lady IvrARriiMONT. Do, dear. I adore Major Warrington. THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 15 Lady Rbmenham. I daresay, {preparing to (jo) lie isn't your brother. IMeantiiiie I can ask liim whether he kuows anything against Mrs. Borridge. Uut he's sure to. He knows nearly all the detrimental people in London, especially if their daughters are in the least attractive. Mrs. Cassilis. (rises) You'll come with him on Thursday, won't you? And Mabel? (Mabel rises.) Lady Remeniiam. Perhaps that will be best. Then I can keep my brother within bounds. Poor Algernon is apt to take too much champagne un- less I am there to prevent him. And now dear, I really must go. [she and Mabel rise) Good-bye. Miis. Cassilis. You won't stay to meet Mrs. Borridge? Lady Remenham. (shudders) 1 think not. Thursday will be quite soon enough. Good-bye Mrs. Herries. (enter Geoffrey c.) Ah here is the 3'Oung man who is causing us all this distress. Geoffrey, (up r. c.) I, Lady Remenham? (shalces hands) How do you do Aunt Margaret. (shakes hands with others) Lady Remenham. (shakes hands) You. What do you mean by getting engaged to someone we none of us know anything about? Mabel. Mamma ! Lady Remenham. I consider your conduct per- fectly heartless. Its foolishness needs no com- ment from me. Geoffrey. Really, Lady Remenham ! Lady Remenham. Tut, tut, sir. Don't IG THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. " really " me. I'm ashamed of 3'ou. And now I'll be off before T quarrel with you. Come Mabel. {sweeps out folloircd hy ]Mai'.i:l. Geoffkey opens door for them, takes them to their carriage) Mrs. Herries. I think we ought to be going too. Come Hildebrand. (shakes Jiands) (Mrs. Cassilis rings.) Rector. Good-bje Mrs. Cassilis. Let's hope everything will turn out for the best. ]\Irs. IIeukies. It never does. Good-bj'e. Mrs. Cassilis. (l. c. going up uith Rector) Good-bye. (shakes Jiuuds warmly) And you'll both come and dine on Thursday, won't you? To- morrow week tliat is. Major \\arrington will want to see his old tutor. Rector. You're very good, {t1(ey go out c.) Mrs. Cassilis. Dear Lady Remenham! What nonsense she talks, (coming down l. c.) Lauy Makciimo.nt. (at fire) People who talk as much as that must talk a good deal of nonsense mustn't they? Otherwise they'd have nothing to say. (Re-enter Geoffrey) Geoffrey. Lady Remenham seems ruffled. Lady March mont. About your engagement? I'm not surprised, (coming c.) Geoffrey. I don't see what it's got to do with her. (l. c.) Lady March moxt. (sits c.) You must make allowance for a mother's feelings, my dear Geof- frey. Geoffrey, (patting ^^RS. Cassilis's hand, goes THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 17 to table c.) Lady Remenham isn't my mother, she's my God-mother. Lady March mont. She's Mabel's mother. Mrs. Cassilis. Sh! Margaret. Lady Marchmont. My dear there's no use making mj'steries about things. Geoffrey was always supposed to be going to marry Mabel ever since they were children. He knows that. Geoffrey. That was only boy and girl talk. Lady Marchmont. For you perhaps. Geoffrey. And for her. Mabel never expected — (pause. He thinks) Lady Marchmont. Did you ever ask her. Geoffrey. But I never supposed Lady Marchmont. I think you should have supposed. A boy should be very careful how he encourages a girl to think of him in that way. Geoffrey. But I'd no idea. Of course I like Mabel. I like her awfully. We're like brother and sister. But beyond that — (pause) Mother, do 1/ou think I've behaved badly to Mabel? Mrs. Cassilis. (seated on settee l. c.) (Gently) I think jterhaps you've a little disapi)ointed her. Geoffrey. Why didn't somebody tell me? How was I to know? Lady Marchmont. My dear boy we couldn't be expected to know you were absolutely blind. Mrs. Cassilis. Margaret you're not to scold Geoffrey. I won't allow it. Geoffrey. Mother dear — you won't allow this to make any difference? With Ethel I mean? Mrs. Cassilis, Of course not Geoff, (lays hand on his) 18 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Geoffrey, (seated on arm of settee.) (Earn- estly) She's so fond of me. And Vm so fond of her. We were made for each other. I couldn't bear it if you were unlvind to her. ]Mrs. Cassilis. My dear Geotf. I'm sure Ethel is everything tliat is sweet and y. When shall we be married? THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 37 Geoffrey, I'm afraid not till next year, dear. Next June mother says. Ethel. That's a long way off, Geoff. Geoffrey. Yes, but mother says you're to be here a great deal between now and then, almost all the time in fact. So it won't be so bad, will it? Ethel, {goes to cJiair r. sits) Why does 3'our mother want it put off till then? Geoffrey. Something- about the London season she said. We shall be married in London of course because your mother's house is there. Ethel. Oh yes, of course. Geoffrey. And besides mother says she never believes in very short engagements. She says girls sometimes don't quite know their own miuds. {goes to her) I said I was sure you weren't like that. But she asked me to promise, so I did. Ethel. Well that's settled then, {juniping up) And won't it be nice to be married. Really married, {crosses to l.) And now I want to do something. I'm tired sitting still. What shall it be? Geoffrey, {crosses to her) We might go a walk up Milverton Hill. The view there's awfully fine, {looks at watch) But there's hardly time before lunch. Ethel. Besides I should spoil my shoes. {shows elegant towny shoe) Geoffrey'. Suppose we go to the strawberry bed and eat strawberries? Ethel, {clapping her hands) Oh yes, that'll be splendid. I can be so deliciously greedy over 38 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. strawberries, {jtiil.s Jicr arm in his and leads him off i>. JJnUr Mrs. Cassilis, Lady ^Iauchmont and Mii.s. IJoKRiDGE froin Jiousc n. as they are ; 1 wouldn't do to save liiin. That is how mothers are made. That's what we're for. L.vDY il.MtciiMONT. { s1 i (/lit sltnif/) Poor j^irl ! Mrs. Cassilis. {vcJKniut 1 sup- pose you're right. Mrs. Cassilis. Of course I'm right. I'm Geof- frey's mother. Who should know if I don't? Mothers have eyes. If she really cai'cd for him I should know. I might try to blind myself but 1 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 47 should l-noic. But she doesn't. And she sha'n't marry him. She sha'u't! Lady March mont. My dear don't glare at me like that. Vm not trying to make the match. Mrs. Cassilis. Was I glaring? Lady March mont. You looked rather tigerish. (Mrs. Cassilis (jives short laugh, pause) By the way as she is not to be your daughter-in-law is it necessary to be quite so affectionate to her all the time? It rather gets on my nerves. Mrs. Cassilis. {crosses l.) It is absolutely necessary. If there were any coolness between us the girl would be on her guard and Geoffrey would take her side, (l.) That would be fatal. (coming l. c.) Geoffrey must never know how I feel towards her. No ! When this engagement is broken off I shall kiss her affectionately at part- ing and when the carriage comes round I shall shed tears. Lady March mont. Why? Mrs. Cassilis. ( l. c.) Because otherwise it would make a division between Geoffrey and me. And I couldn't bear that. I must keep his love whatever happens, (crosses r.) And if I have to deceive him a little to keep it, isn't that what we women always have to do? (sits r.) In fact I shall have to deceive everybody except you, Lady Remenham, Mrs. Herries, the whole county. If they once knew they would be sure to talk. Lady Remenham never does anything else, does she? And later on, when the engagement was all over and done with, Geoffrey would get to hear of it and he'd never forgive me. 48 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Lady March moxt. My dear, your uuscrupu- loiisiiess a{)i)iills me. (Mus. (\\ssilis shrugs im- patiently) Well, it's uot very nice, you must ad- mit. Mrs. Cas.silis. {exasperated) Nice I of course it's not nice! (Jood Heavens, Margaret you don't suppose I like doing this sort of thing, do you? I do il because I must, because it's the only way to save Geoffrey. If (ieoffrey married her, he'd be miserable, and I w(m't have that. Of course it would 1k» plcasanter to be i)erl'ectly straightfor- ward and tell the girl 1 detest her but if I did she'd marry (leolT if only to spite me. So I must trap her as she has trapped him. It's not a nice game but it's the only possible one. Yes, I must bo on the ])est of terms with Ethel. And you must make friends with that appalling mother. Lady Marciimoxt. A^o^ Adelaide! I refuse! Mrs. Cassilis. {crosses to Iter, lifts her up) You must. You must, {fakes her two hands and looks into her eyes) Lady March mont. Very w^ell. I'll do my best. (]Mrs. C'assilis fjoes up r. c.) But I sha'u't come down to breakfast! There are limits to my endur- ance. And I do so hate breafasling in my room. The crumbs always get into my bod. Mrs. Cassilis. Never mind. When we've won you shall share the glory. Lady Marchmont. You are going to win? Mrs. Cassilis. (nods) I am going to win. (cowing dotcn c. a little) I've no doubt whatever about that. I've brains and she hasn't. And THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 49 braius always tell iu the end. Besides she did something this morning which made me sure that I should win. Lady Marchmont. She didn't eat with her knife? Mrs. Cassilis. {sits on end of chair c.) No. She yaicned. Lady Marchmont. Yawned? Mrs, Cassilis. Yes. Three times. When I saw that I knew that I should win. Lady Marchmont. My dear Adelaide what do you mean? Mrs. Cassilis. Girls like that can't endure boredom. They're used to excitement, the vulgar excitement of Bohemian life in London. Theatres, supper parties, plenty of fast society. She owned as much this morning. Well down here she shall be dull, oh how dull! I will see to that. The curate shall come to dinner. And old Lady Bel- lairs with her tracts and her trumpet. I've ar- ranged that it shall be a lonr/ engagement. She shall yawn to some purpose before it's over. And when she's bored she'll get cros:;. You'll see. She'll begin to quarrel with her mother and nag at Geoffrey — at everyone in fact except me. / shall be too sweet to her for that ! And that will be the beginning of the end. Lady Marchmont. Well dear I think your plan diabolical but your courage is perfectly splendid and I love you for it. {rises, lays hand on her's) And now I'll go in and get ready for lunch, {they rise. She goes r. meets Butler and Mabel) 50 THE CASSILIS ENGAOEMENT. BuTLKR. (shon-iiKj in Mai-.ki, in ridinf/ hahit) Lady Mabel Veniiiiif;. Mrs, Cassilis. {rising) Ah, Mabel dear, how- are jou. (Jxifiscs Jicr) You've ridden over? But you're going to stay here you know. Haven't you brought your things? Maiuol. Mamma is sending them after me. It was such a perfect morning for a ride. How do you do, Lady Marchmont. Mrs. Cassilis. That's right. Watson tell them to take Lady Mabel's horse round to the staldes. She will keep it here while she is with us. Then you'll be able to ride every day with (Jeoffrey. (to Lady Marciimoxt) Poor Ethel doesn't ride. Isn't it unfortunate. Lady Marchmont. Very! Mrs. Cassilis. (sits l. c.) She and Geoffrey are down at the strawberry bed spoiling their ap- petites for luncheon. Would you like to join them ? Mabel. I think not thanks. It's rather hot isn't it. (couics io c.) I tliink I'd rather stay here with you. Mrs. Cassilis. As you please, dear. ^fAP.EL. (.S//.S) Oh before I forget, Mamma asked me to tell you she telegraphed to Uncle Algernon yesterday and he's coming down next Wednesday. She had a letter from him this morning by the second post. It came just before I started. Such a funny letter. ^lamma asked me to bring it to you to read, (f/ircfi Jrtter, sits c.) Mrs. Cassilis. {taking it) "My dear Julia: THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 51 I am at a loss to uuderstand to what I owe the hoDor of an invitation to Milverton. I thought I had forfeited all claim to it forever. I can only sui)pose you have at last found an heiress to marry me. If this is so I may as well say at once that unless she is both extremely rich and ex- tremely pretty I shall decline to entertain her pro- posal. My experience is that that is a somewhat unusual combination. I will be with you next Wednesday. Your affectionate brother, A, L. Warrington." {giving hack letter) That's right then. And now I think I'll just go down into the garden and tell Geoffrey you're here. No don't come too. You stay and entertain Mar- garet, {exit L. to strawherry bed) Lady Marchmont. Dear ^lajor Warrington. He always was the most delightfully witty wicked creature. I'm so glad he's coming while I'm here. Adelaide must be sure and ask him over. Mabel. Uncle Algernon is coming over to dine this day week — with mamma. Lady Marchmont. To be sure. I remember. {Enter Geoffrey quickly l.) Geoffrey. Hallo, Mabel. How do you do. I didn't know you were here. Mabel. Mrs. Cassilis has just gone to tell you. Geoffrey. I know. She met us as we were coming back from eating strawberries. We've been perfect pigs. She and Ethel will be here in a moment. I ran on ahead. Lady Marchmont. {rising) Well it's close on lunch time, I shall go in and get ready, {exit r.) 52 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. {Pause.) Geoffrey. You rode over? {Sitthifj on arm of chair l. c.)' Maf.el. Yes, on Basil. He really is the sweet- est thin' arm in arm, l. from garden.) Mrs. Cassilis. Not gone in to get ready yet, Mabel? Mabel. No. Lady Marchmont only went a minute ago. Mrs. Cassilis. (to Ethel) You've not met Mabel yet have you? I must introduce you. Miss Borridge — Lady Mabel Yenning. (stveetly) I want you two to be great friends! (they shake hands, curtain hegins to fall) And now come in and get ready for luncheon, (they all move to- wards ho use, R.) Curtain. -^^ S4 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. ACT ITT. Scene. — The smoking room at Drijnham. A week has elapsed. A door u. c. leads to liiUiard room, ^^hen it is open one can sec passage tcell- lighted. It is closed when curtain rises. Fire- place L. has good pre in it and is large and cosij. Saddle-hag or leather chairs, sofa, etc. A man- nish, comfortable room. Cigars, cigarettes, etc. Writing table c. Piano up l. c. Window he hind it. Door from hall up u. Piano, a small grand so that player can he seen hg audience, and singing can he heard to full advantage, Stand icith music by its side. A small table below fireplace l. Sofa r. below door, some dis- tance out from ivall, set diagonally so that peo- ple sitting on it face towards piano. Immedi- ately before piano two armchairs with table be- tween them. Ttvo armchairs, one on either side of fireplace. Card table n. helou: fireplace be- tween armchair and wall. Paper-knife (break- able) on writing table c, also writing tnateriaU, ink, etc. Electric hell by fireplace l. Another by door rt. w/). The stage is empty when curtain rises. Then enter r. Geoffrey fat a joy it is! (Enter the other guests from (IrdH'ing-room r. Lady Remenham, Lady Marchmont^ Mrs. Her- ries, Mrs. Borridge, Ethel, Mabel. Then the Rector and Mrs. Cassilis. They enter tvith a hum of conversation.) Rector, (crosses l.) Well, he's a disreputable poaching fellow. It's no more than he deserved. Mrs. Cassilis. (crosses to fir-e l., sits 'below on armchair) Still I'm sorry for his wife. Mrs. Herries. I'll send down to her in the morning and see if she wants anything. Mrs. Borridge. So this is where you gentlemen have got to. 60 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Geoffrey. I brought Major Wurrington io smoke a cigar. Lady Keme.niiam. (u. c, looks fi.vciUy at whisJci/, then at Warrington) Algernon I AVaurintjtox. (l.) Afy dear Julia, I believe there is nothing unusual in a man's requiring one whisky and soda at this time in the evening. Lady Remeniiam. I trust it has been only one. {sits on sofa n., WAUuiNMiTON finishes (jlass and puts it ilon-n e. o/j. ni(inl(lj)ircr) ■^^^\UKl^•(;^().N. AVhoiii have you been sending to jail for poaehing now, Iteetor? No Justice's jus- tice I hope ! Rector. Old Murcatt. He's one of ^Irs. Cassilis's tenants. A most unsatisfactory fellow. He was caught red-handed laying a snare in the Milverton woods. It was a clear case. (IvniEE stlfics a yaim, Warrington rises goes to stand at piano) Ethel, (np c.) I should have thought there was no great harm in that. Rector. My dear young lady ! ■Mrs. Cassilis. Take care, Ethel dear. An Englishman's hares are sacred. Mrs. Borriuge. (crosses l. c.) How silly! I can't bear 'are myself, {crosses l. c, sits) (Pause.) Rector, (at fire) You'll have plenty of part- ridges this year Mrs. Cassilis. We started five coveys as we drove here. Mrs. Cassilis. We generally have a good many. THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 61 {Pause.) (Ethel stifling another yawn strolls to piano, opens it and strikes a note or two idly.) Mabel. You play I know, Ethel. Won't you play something? Ethel, {sulkily) No. (turns away, crosses down l. to fire) {Pause.) Mrs. Herries. I saw you out riding to-day, Mabel. T looked in at Dobson's cottage. Poor fellow, I'm afraid he's very ill. ■Map.el. (comes c, sits) Yes. I was with Geoffrey. We had a long ride, all through Lower Milverton and Carbury to Mirstoke. It was de- lightful. Mrs. lioRRiDOR. (to IMrs. Herries) Your hus- band has a lot of that sort of thing to do down here, T suppose, Mrs. 'Erris? Mrs. ITerries. When peo])]e are ill they gen- erally like a visit from a clergyman, don't they? Mrs. Borridge. Well there's no accounting for tastes. My 'usband, when he was ill wouldn't 'ave a parson near 'im. Said it gave 'im the creeps. {Pause. Warrington crosses at hack to r.) Lady March mont. (crosses to fire, coming to rescue) How sensible of you to have a fire, Ade- laide. Mrs. Cassilis. It is pleasant, isn't it? Tlu^se July evenings are often cold in the country. 62 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. (Etiiicl s(i/lcs prodigioufi yairn) Geoffrky. (rises, crosses at haek to piano) Tired, Ethel? Ethel, ipettishhj) No. (turns airaij) (Pause.) Mrs. Cassilis. (l.) Won't somebody play billiards? Are the lamps lighted, Geoffrey? Geoffrey. Yes, mother. Mrs. Oassilis. f)r shall we play Pyramids? Then we can all join in. Vof/'ll play. Mrs. P»or- ridge, I'm sure? Mrs. Borridge. I'm on. Mrs. Cassilis. You, Lady Renienliam? (crosses r. c.) Lady Kemexiiam. (rises, crosses l.) No, thanks. JMrs. Ilerries and I are going to stay by the fire and talk about the Rector's last sermon. [the Rector raises hands in horror) Mrs. Cassilis. (crosses r.) You, ^fargaret? Lady March mont. No, really. I've never played Pyramids in my life. Mrs. I>orkid(;e. (comiiuj c.) Then it's 'igh time you began, Lady Marchmont. VW teach you. (Rector at fire) (Mrs. Cassilis looks entreaty. Lady March- mont smiles.) Lady Marchmont. (rises, coming c.) Very well, (to Mrs. P.orridoe) To jtlease you, dear Mrs. Borridge! (E.rit, Lady Remenham sits in armchair ahore fire l.) THE CASSILIS ENGAaEMENT. 63 Mrs. Cassilis. You, Mabel? That's three. (Mabel and Lady March mont go off c. together) Ethel four. Ethel. No thank jou, Mrs. Cassilis. I won't play, {coming l. c.) "SUia. BouRiDGE. Why not, Eth. You're a nailer at Pyramids. Ethel, {pettiahhi, going doirn R.) Because Ed rather not, mother, {turns away) jilKs. E.oRRiDGE. All right, dearie. You needn't snaj) my nose off. {crit c.) Mrs. CasSilis. Geoffrey Five. The Kector six. {going up r. c.) Rector, ^'ery well, if you won't play for money. Eve no conscientious objections to play- uifT for money but whenever I do it I always lose. Which comes to the same thing, (exit c.) Mrs. Cassilis. (up R. c) You, Major War- rington, of course? Warrington, ((lown r. cross to l. c. np, laugh- ing) No thanks. I shall stay here and tlirt with Mrs. Ilerries. Mrs. Cassilis. (up l. c.) Very well. How many did I say? Six wasn't it. And myself seven. Coming Geoff? Geoffrey. All right, mother. (Mrs. Cassilis takes his arm and leads him off c) Lady Remexham. Now Mrs. Herries draw up that chair to the tire and we'll talk scandal. Warrington, (cross to fireplace, l.) The Rec- tor's sermon Julia! {takes glass puts it hack again) Lady Remenham. Algernon! {he stops dead) 64 THE CASSFLIS ENGAGEMENT. {The tico ludk'.s pluHfjc into conrcrsation before fireplace r, Ethkl is strolliny aimlessly about. Prcsentljj she goes to irriting table c. sits down facing audience and fidgets with jmperknife. Yawns heartily.) Warrington, (going to Jier) liored, Miss Boiridge? Ethel. I wondor. Warrington, (sits at tabic r. of table c.) I don't, (she laughs) Life isn't vcrv lively down here till the shooting begins. Ethel. I don"t shoot. So I'm afraid that won't liolj) me nmch. \Varrington. I reiHcinber. Nor ride, T think yon told me? Ethel, (yawns) Nor ride. Warrington. Gad. Em sorry for yon. I']thel. {looking curiously at him) I believe yon really are. Warrington. Of coni-se T am. Ethkl. I don't know abont " of conrse." Ex- cept for Mrs. Cassilis — and ])oor OeofT — who doesn't connt — T don't find nnnli sympathy in this part of the country. Heigho! Uow they hate me. Warrington. No. No. (Mrs. Herries gets table and cards from doicn R. puts table before fire between herself and Lady Remenham.) Ethel. Oh yes they do. Every one of ihem. From Watson who pours out !ny claret at dinner THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 65 and would dearly love to poisoD it to your sister who is glaring at us at this uioiuent. Warrington. {looJxing up and laughing) Dear Julia. She never had any manners. Ethel. She's no worse than the rest. Mrs. Herries would do just the same if she dared. As for Mabel — (Mrs. Herries and Lady Remenham playing their cards.) Warrington. Don't hit it ofif with Mabel? Ethel. Oh we don't quarrel if that's what you mean or call one another names across the table. I wish we did. I could beat her at that. We're as civil as the Devil, {he laughs) What arc you laughing at? Warrington. Only at the picturesqueness of your language. Ethel. Is that all? Yes Mabel despises me and I hate her. Warrington. Why? Ethel, {ivearily) Because we're different I suppose. She's everj^thing I'm not. She's well- born and well-bred. Her father's an earl. Mine was a book-maker. Warrington. Is that all? Ethel, (hitterly) No. She's running after Geoffrey. (Warrington shrugs) She is! Warrington, {shrugs) Jealous? Ethel. Yes, I am jealous. Little beast. (picks up flimsy paper-knife) I'd like to kill her. {makes savage jab with knife. It promptly breaks) I 66 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Warrington, {falin;/ aird}/ pieces) Don't be violent, {tdkrs pieces and ((inics them blandly to fire. I"]tiiel stare.s straight in front of her) (Lady Remknham and ^NIus. IIkkiues hare been talking in danih-fshoio. Their eonrermtion sud- denly yroics audihlc.) Lady Remexiiam. [to ^Trs. TTerries) Snch a common little thing too! And / don't even call her pretty. Mrs. ITerries. It's cnrions liow Mrs. Cassilis seems to have taken to her. Lady Remenham. Yes. She even tolerates that awful mother. (Warrix(;ton crosses l.^ ir- ritahly) What /,s it, Algernon? Warrington, (blandly) Only a little acci- dent with a paper-knife. (Lady Remenham grunts. ^^'ARRIXGTo^' returns to Ethel c.) Mrs. Herries. For Geoffrey's sake of course. She's so devoted to him. Lady Remexham. It may be that. Fm in- clined to think her mind has given way a little. I asked her about it last week, [half-way throuyh this scene the tico ladies notice that the others are no longer speaking and drop their voices to a stage aside. Ethel glares) Warrington, (returning to Ethel, sits above her on settee. Lady' Remexham and ]\Irs. Her- Ris resume talk in dumb show) You were going to tell me what makes you think Mabel is in love with Geoffrey. Ethel. Was T? Warrixgtox. Weren't vou? THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 67 Ethel. Well, perhaps I will. Warrington. Go ahead. Ethel. She's staying here aud they're always together. They ride almost every morning. I can't ride, you know. And Geoffrey loves it. Warrington. You should take to it. Ethel. I did try one day. They were just starting when I suddenly said I'd like to go with them. Warrington, (eyebrows up) W^hat did they say to that? Ethel. Oh Mabel pretended to be as pleased as possible. She lent me an old habit and Geoff said they'd let me have a horse that was as quiet as a lamb. Horrid kicking beast! Warrington. What horse was it? Ethel. It was called Jasmine or some such name. Warrington. Mrs. Cassilis's mare? Why, my dear girl she hasn't a kick in her. Ethel. Hasn't she! . . . Anyhow we started. So long as we walked it was all right and I began to think I might actually get to like it. But soon "we began to trot — and that was awful. I simply screamed. The beast stopped at once. But I went on screaming till they got me off. Warrington. What did Geoff say? Ethel. Nothing. But he looked terrible. Oh how he despised me! Warrington. Poor girl. Ethel. They brought me back, walking all the way. And Geoff offered to give up riding in the mornings if I liked. (Warrington whistles) 68 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. But of course I had to say no. So now they go out tojiother every day and often don't come back till lunch. Warrington, {goes to r. end of writing table sits) And what do ijuii do? Ethel. (Hhriigs) I sit at home and yawn and yawn, (docs so) Mrs. Cassilis takes me out driv- ing sometimes. She does what she can to amuse me. But of course she's busy in the mornings. Warrington. What does Mrs. Borridge do? Ethel. Oh Lady ^Mardimont looks after her. I believe she gets a kind of i)leasure in leading her on and watching her make a fool of herself. Old cat! And mother sees nothing. She's as pleased with herself as possible. She actually made Lady Marchmont promise to come and stay with us in London ! Warrington. Bravo Mrs. Borridge! Ethel. So I sit here or in the drawing room with a book or the newspaper and I'm bored! bored ! WarrIxNgton. And Geoffrey? Ethel. He doesn't seem to notice. If I say anything to him about it he just says I'm not well! He's very kind and tries to find things to amuse me but it's a strain. And so it goes on day after day. Heigho! Warrington, (goes to her sits r. c.) (pause) Well my dear I admire your courage. Ethel. What do you mean? Warrington. A lifetime of this! Year in year out. Till you can yaw^n yourself decently into your grave. THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 69 Ethel, (alarmed) But it won't always be like this. We sha'n't live here, Geofif and I. Warrington. Oh yes you will. Mrs. Cassilis was talking only at dinner of the little house she was going to furnish for you both down here, just on the edge of the Park. So that you could al- ways be near her. Ethel. But Geoff has his profession. Warrington. His profession is only a name. He makes nothing at it. And never will. Geof- frey's profession is to be a country gentleman and shoot pheasants. Ethel. But we shall have a house in London as well. Warrington. Not you. As long as his mother lives Geoffrey will be dependent on her you know. He has nothing worth calling an income of his own. And he's proud. He won't accept more from her than he's obliged even if her trustees would allow her to hand over anything sub- tantial to him on his marriage — which they v/ouldu't. Ethel. I shall refuse to live down here. Warrington. My dear you won't be asked. You'll have to live where Mrs. Cassilis provides a house for you. Besides Geoff will prefer it. He likes the country and he's devoted to his mother. Ethel. Phew, (rises crosses c.) Warrington, Happily it won't last forever. I daresay you'll have killed poor Mrs. Cassilis off in a dozen years or so. Though you never know how long people will last nowadays by the way. These modern doctors are the devil. 70 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. l^-iHKL. Kill her off? What do you mean? I don't want to kill Mrs. Cassilis. I like her. Wahrixuton. [rises goes to her sits on writing table) My dear young lady yon don't suppose you'll be able to stand this sort of thing do you? Oh no. You'll kick over the traces and there'll be no end of a scandal and Geoff'll blo\y his brains out — if he's got any — and she'll break her heart and that'll be the end of it. Ethel. It won't, {sits l. of writing table) Warrington. Oh yes it will. You don't know what County Society is. The dullness of it! Uow it eats into jour bones. / do. Ethel. Does it bore yon too? Warrington. Bore? It bores me to tears! I'm not a bad lot really. At least no worse than most middle-aged bachelors. But Julia thinks me an utterly abandoned character and I take care not to undeceive her. Why? Because T find Milverton so intolerable. I used to come down every Christmas. One of those ghastly family re- unions. A sort of wake without the corpse. At last I couldn't stand it and did something per- fecdy outrageous. I forget what. But I know (he servants all gave warning. So now I'm sup- posed to be thoroughly disreputable and that ass Kemenham won't have me asked to the house. Thank Heaven for that. Ethel. But Geoff likes the country. Warrington. I daresay. But Geoffrey and I are different. So are Geoffrey and you. You and I are town birds. He's a country bumpkin. / know the breed ! THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 71 Ethel. And I shall have to staud this all my life! All 1113' life! I won't! I won't! Warrington. You will ! Ethel. I won't I tell you! (Warrington shrugs) It's too sickening. (pause, eagerly, dropping her voice) I say let's go off to Paris, you and I, and leave all this. It'd be awful fun. Warrington, {appalled, looks nervously l.) Hush! Hush! For God's sake, Julia'll hear. Ethel. (lower voice) Never mind. What does it matter? Let's go. You'd enjoy it like anything. We'd have no end of a good time. Warrington, (desperately) My dear young lady haven't I just told you I'm not that sort at all. I'm a perfectly respectable person of rather austere morality than otherwise. Ethel. Rot! You'll come? {takes his arm) Warrington. No. I won't, (getting off table) I decline. I can't go off with the girl my host is going to marry. It wouldn't be decent. Be- sides, I don't want to go off with anybody. Ethel, (depressed) You won't? Warrington, (testily) No, I won't. And for goodness sake speak lower. Julia's listening with all her ears. Ethel. Poor Major Warrington. How I seared you ! Warrington. I should think you did. I'm not so 3'oung as I was. A few years ago a little thing like that nev'er made me turn a hair. Now I can't stand it. (wipes his brow) 72 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Ethel. You've go no through it before, then? (AA'auuington sits.) Warrington. More tlian once, my dear. Ethel, {rises) And now you'll look down on me too. Waurixuton. On the contrary, I admire .you immensely. In fact, I don't know which T admire more, your pluck or your truly marvellous self- control. To ask me to go otl' with you without letting Julia hear! (loolinf/ anxiously toiranls her) It was masterly. Ethel, {sighs) Well, I suppose I shall have to marry Geoff after all. Warrington. I suppose so. Unless you could go off with the Rector? {she lauijhs shriUij). {The two ladies titni sharply and glare). Ethel. Now I've shocked your sister again. Warrington. You have. She thinks I'm flirt- ing with you. That means I sha'n't he asked down to Milverton for another five years. Thank Heaven for that! Ah, here are the billiard play- ers, {rises) {Goes doivn r. Ethel sits c.) Geoffrey, {opening door c, stands to let her pass. To Mabel) You fluked outrageously, you know. Mabel. {entering) I didn't. {coming to writing table.) Geoffrey. Oh, yes you did. Didn't she, mother? Mrs. Cassilis. Disgracefully, {stops np c.) THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 73 {During this Mrs. Borridge, Lady Marchmont, Rector^ Mrs. Cassilis,, Mabbl^ enter , followed dy Geoffrey.) (Mabel c.;, Mrs. Cassilis goes to l. c. to chair down L.) Mrs. Borridge. {going down r. c.) You'll soon learn, Lady Marchmont, if you practice a bit. Lady Marchmont. Do you think so? {fol- lowing her down r., sits on sofa) Lady Remenham. Well, who won. Rector? Mrs. Borridge. / did! {crosses l. c.) Lady Remenham. {frigidly, rises, comes l. c. to Geoffrey) Indeed? {rises and goes towards c.) Mrs. Borridge. Why didn't you play, Mrs. 'Erris? {at l. c.) Mrs. Herries. I never play games. Mrs. Borridge. You should learn. I'd teach you. Mrs. Herries. Thank you. I fear I have no time. {rises, goes up l. c. and joins Lady Remenham.) Mrs. Cassilis. (c. at hack) Ethel dear, we missed you sadly. I hope you haven't been dull? Ethel, {with hysterical laugh) Not at all. Major Warrington has been entertaining me. (Mrs. Cassilis crosses to Rector.) Rector. I suspect Miss Borridge felt there would be no opponent worthy of her steel. (Ethel shrugs her shoulders rudely. He turns away. ) 74 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Mrs. Cassilis. I wonder if we could have some music now. Mabel dear, won't you sing to us? Mabel. I've got nothing with me. Geoffrey. Do sing ^label. There'll be lots of things you know here. (Geoffrey opens the piano) Let me find something. Schumann? Mabel, (shakes head) 1 think not. (joins him in searching music stand.) Mrs. Cassilis. Sing us that Schubert song you sang when we were dining with you last, dear. (goes to Rector.) Mabel, (rises) Very well, (goes to Geof- frey) Where's Schubert, Geoffrey? (Warrington ivorJcs round to chair c.) Ethel, (to Warrington) Do you see that? (watching Geoffrey's and Mabel's heads in close proximity, takes step forward. Warrington holds her hack.) Warrington. Hush. Be quiet for heaven's sake. Ethel. The little cat! Mabel. Here it is. Geoff, don't be silly. (turns to piano) Mrs. Cassilis. Can you see there? (Mabel on music stool. Geoffrey standing above piano l. c. Lady Remenham and Lady Marchmont on sofa r., Mrs. Borridge on chair R. c. heloiD piano, Mrs. Cassilis on chair l. c. "below piano. Mrs. Herriejs in armchair above THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 75 fireplace l. Rector in armchair 'below fire- place. Ethel in chair c, Warrington in chair R. c. hy her.) Mabel. Yes, thank you. (she sings two verses of ^chuherVs " Adieu, '^ in German, very simply in a small hut sweet voice. Geoffrey stands hy listening. Ethel glares at hoth. When it is over Mabel rises at once and leaves piano.) {crosses, goes r. c. at hack.) {While Mabel sings, the hye play of the listeners is all important, Lady Remenham sits on sofa in attitude of seraphic appreciation of a daugh- ter's efforts. Mrs, Herries gently heats time with her fan. Lady March mont displays po- lite attention. Mrs. Cassilis is sweetly ap- preciative. Mrs. Borridge's face is, on the contrary, a study. She hegins hy settling her- self to listen quite contentedly. When she finds the song is in German, she looks puzzled and disgusted. Then she yawns frankly and fidgets. During the symphony, hctween the verses, she attempts to talk to Mrs. Cassilis, evidently thinking the song over. Mrs. Cassilis makes sign of silence gently. Verse two hegins, Mrs. Borridge more disgusted. A second yaivn. Then she franJdy nods, closes her eyes, her head droops forward, then sideways. She sleeps. At close of song she wakes with a start. Ethel turns defiantly to Mabel to listen to first feio hars of song. Then finding she's not a danger- ous rival in singing, turns contemptuously 76 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. round facing the audience and fidgets. War- rington tJu'Oics himself back in his chair and contemplates the ceiling resignedly through first verse. During second verse he and Ethel hegin to talk. Lady Remenham swings round on them and glares indignanthj. Theij stop suddenly, and Warrington once more contem- plates the ceiling. Lady Remenham, however, keeps them under her eye till the song ends.) Geoffrey', (clapping) Bravo! Bravo! Rector. Charming, charming, (rises, goes up L. c.) Lady Marchmont. (to Lady Remenham) What a sweet voice she has. Mrs. Cassilis. Thank you, dear. Rector, (to Mabel) Now we must have an- other. Geoffrey. Do, Mabel. Mabel. No. That's quite enough. (Geoffrey and Mabel np r. c.) Rector. Miss Borridge, yon sing I'm sure? (up c.) INfRS. Borridge. Do, dearie. Mj girl has a wonderful voice. Lady Remling. Quite like a professional. Old Jenkins at the Tiv. used to say she'd make a fortune in the 'alls. (Rector crosses at hack to end of sofa.) Lady Remenham. Indeed! Ethel. I don't think I've any songs anyone here would care for. f THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 77 Mrs. Borridge. Nonsense, dearie. You've lots of songs. Give them '^ The Children's 'ome." Ethel. Well, I'll sing if you like. Geoffrey, {going to her) Shall I find you something, Ethel? p]THEL. (stiaps) No! (Geoffrey turns aicay snubbed , and joins MxVbel up r.) (Ethel goes to piano. Warrington follows after a moment and stands behind piano l. c. Ethel turns for a moment and looks at Geoffrey, who is standing by Mabel. Then without pre- lude of any kind, strikes into the following re- fined ditty. She sings with perfect mastery of her method, with a big voice, slight cockney accent, and a good deal of humour. As she warms to her work she puts in illustrative ac- tion of a boisterous sort, always with consider- able art.) * When Joey takes me for a walk, me an' my sis- ter Lue, 'E puts 'is arms round both our waists as lots o' men will do. We don't allow no liberties and so we tells 'im plain, And Joey says 'e's sorr^- — but 'e does the same again ! (spoken) Well, we're not going to have that, you know. Not likely. We're not that sort. So we just says- to 'im : — * Any popular music hall sonq: may be substituted for this providing it is of a rowdy kind. " Waiting: at the Church " was the one sung at the original performance. 78 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. (Chorus.) Stop that, Joej, stop it, Joe, Stop that tii'kliu' when I tell yer toe! You're too free to suit a girl like me, Just vou stoj) that tickliu' or I'll slap jer! When Joe an' nie is man an' wife, — I thinks 'e loves me true — I 'opes 'e'll go on ticklin' me an' leave off ticklin' Lue. 'E'll 'ave to leave the girls alone and mind what 'e's about, Or 'im an' me an' Lucy '11 pretty soon fall out. (spoken) Yes, I'm not going to put up with that sort of thing once we're married. Not 1. If 'e tries it on I shall sing out straight: (Chorus.) Stop that, Joey, chuck it, Joe, Drop that ticklin' when I tell yer toe, You're too free to suit a girl like me, Just you stop that ticklin' or I'll slap yer! (spoken) Now then, all of you: (looks aeross impndenthj to Lady Remeniiam). (Bye-play for Ethel's son(). The listeners begin hy settling themselves comfortably into their chairs prepared to think of something else, as English people do during after dinner tmisic when the performer is of no social importance. But after a dozen bars of rcrse one are orer thei/ begin to listeti. As the song proceeds tJieir ivrathful amazement grows. Lady Remenham THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 79 turns mutely to the Rector for sympathy. Then to Mrs. Herries. As the song grows hroader she fans herself angrily and whispers a moment to Lady Marchmont. Mrs. Cas- siLLis remains calm and sweet tvithout moving a muscle of her face. Geoffrey and Mabel look nnconifortaWe. Only Warrington and Mrs. Borridge are enjoying the song. Warring- ton mischievously, Mrs. Borridge with frank jjride. She heats time to the first chorus and joins in in the second in stentorian tones while Warrington heats time on the piano. Geof- frey^ half-way through verse two, leaves Ma- bel's side and stands behind icriting tahle, looking full at audience, his face showing his disapproval of the whole performance.) {Chorus fortissimo, joined hy her delighted mother, winding up hy slapping Warrington soundly on the cheek hy way of illustration. Then rises, flushed' and excited, from piano, congratulated hy Warrington, and stands c. hy piano.) Warrington. Splendid, by Jove, capital. (After the slap and Warrington's '^ capital,'^ there is a horrified hush on the part of everyone save Mrs. Borridge. who goes on clapping her hands joyfully and crying, " ThaVs right, Eth. Give 'em another.'' Mrs. Cassilis alone makes no sign. Lady Remeniiam glares disapproval. At last Mrs. Borridge hecomes conscious of the awful silence surrounding her and hecomes silent too. She looks around, puzzled and 80 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. frightened, then )Tali~es that no one else is ap- plauding, subsides into her ehair, from ichieh she had risen in her excitement, and hurriedly straightens her hair. Pause.) Mrs. Cassilis. . (rises) Won't you come to the fire Ethel? Yon must be cold out there. Ethel, (up r. c.) Thank you, Mrs. Cassilis, I'm not cold. (Mrs. Cassilis turns to Mrs. Herries. Geoffrey comes down r. c.) Warrington, (np c.) Jove, Miss Borridge. I'd no idea you could sing like that. Ethel. Nor had Geoffrey. (Geoffrey goes up to Mabel again. Ethel and Warrington chat together up) (Mrs. Cassilis comes c.) Lady Remenham (rising) Well we must be getting home. Geoffrey, will you ask if the car- r'age is round. Geoffrey. Certainly, Lady Kemeuham. (rings electric hell up n.) Mrs. Herries. We must be going too. Come Hildebrand. (rising.) Lady Remenham. Are you coming with us, Mabel? Mrs. Cassilis. (crosses to r. c.) Oh, no, I can't spare Mabel yet. She has promised to stay a few days more. Lady Remenham. Very well, (enter Ritler.) Geoffrey. Lady Remenham's carriage. THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 81 Butler. It's at the door, Sir. Geoffrey. A^ery well, {exit Butler) Lady Rembnham. Good-bye then, dear. Such a pleasant evening. Good night Mabel. We shall expect yon when we see you. {general leave tak- ings) Mrs. Herries. Good-bye, Mrs. Cassilis. Mrs. Borridge. Good night, Lady Remling. {holds out hand) Lady Remenham. Good night, {sweeps past her with icy how. Mrs. Borridge retires crushed to a chair helow fire-place l.^ and consoles herself ivith illustrated paper) Ladi' Remenham. Algernon ! Warrixgton. Coming, Julia, (fo Ethel) See you in London, then. Geoffrey, {stifflg) You'll take another cigar Warrington — to light you home? Warringham. Thanks. Don't mind if I do. (Geoffrey' hands box) Lady Remenham. Algernon! We're going to get on our wraps. {exeunt Mrs. Cassilis and Lady Remenham, Mr. and Mrs. Herries r. Geoffrey down r.) (Mabel joins Lady' Marchmont up r.) Warrington. All right, Julia. I shall be ready as soon as you are. Geoffrey, {at door r.) Help yourself, War- rington, {exit R.) Warrington, (to Ethel, after helping himself to drink) Well, my dear, I'm afraid you've done it this time] 82 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Ethel. Done what? Warrington. Shocked them to some purpose! It was magnificent, but it was scarcelj tactics, eh? Ethel. I suppose not. But I icantcd to shock them! Here have they been desi)ising me all the evening for nothing, and when that detestable girl with a voice like a white mouse sang her German Jargon, praising her sky-high ! I said I'd show them what singing means. And I did ! Warrington. You certainly did! Ha! ha! You should have seen Julia's face when you boxed my ears. If the earth haij oi)ened her mouth and swallowed you up like Korah, Dathan and the other fellow, it couldn't have opened wider than Julia's. Ethel. Well, she can scowl if she likes. She can't hurt me now. Warrington. I'm not so sure of that. Ethel. She'll have to hurry up. We go to- morrow. Warrington. Ah, I didn't know. Well, there's nothing like exjtloding a bomb before you leave, eh? Onl}' it's not always safe — for the oi>erator. Geoffrey, {rc-cntcr Geoffrey r. irith 'Mrs. Cassilis) The carriage is ronnd, Warrington. Lady Kemenham's waiting. Warrington. The deuce she is. (siralloirs whisJxjj and mdo) I must fly. Good-bye again. Good-bye Mrs. Cassilis. A thousand thanks for a most interesting evening. (exit irith Geof- frey, paufic. Ethel sltnids fnillrn hi/ firr-idarc) Mrs. Borriuge. {yawning) Well I think I THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 83 shall turn in. (crosses to r. c.) Good night, Mrs. Cassilis. [general handshake) Coming, Eth? Ethel. In a moment, mother. Good night. {exit Mrs. Borridge r.) (Mabel and Lady Marchmont up r., come down R., re-enter Geoffrey r.) Lady Marchmont. I must be off, too. And so must you, Mabel. You look tired out. [kisses Mrs. Cassilis. Geoffrey opens door r.) Mabel. I am a little tired. Good night. [hand shake to Lady Marchmont and Geoffrey. Mrs. Cassilis kisses her in passing. [Exeunt Lady Marchmont and Mabel.) Geoffrey. Are you going, mother? Mrs. Cassilis. Not at once. I've a couple of notes to write. (Geoffrey crosses to fire. Mrs. Cassilis goes to writing table centre, sits facing audience and appears to begin to write notes. Geoffrey goes up to Ethel thoughtfully. A silence, then.) Geoffrey. Ethel. Ethel. Yes. [at fire, doesn't move) Geoffrey. ^Tiy did you sing that song to- night? Ethel. To please Lady Remenham! Geoffrey. But, Ethel ! That's not the sort of song Lady Remenham likes at all. Ethel. To shock her, then. Geoffrey. Ethel ! 84 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Ethel. I think I nianaj^ed it, too! Geoffuioy. I (lou't uuderstaud. You're joking, aren't you? Ethel. Joking! Geoffrey. I mean, you didn't really do it on purpose, to make Lady Remenham angry. I'm sure you didn't. Ethel. I tell you 1 did it on purpose, deliber- ately, to shock Lady Remenham. I suppose I ought to know. Geoffrey. But why? What made you do such a thing? Ethel., {snvngcly) I did it because I choose. Is that plain enoiij^h? Geoffrey. Still you must have had a reason, {no onsircr, pause) Did that fellow Warrington tell you to sing it? Ethel. No. Geoffrey. I thought perhaps. . . . Anyhow promise me not to sing such a song again here. {silence) You will j)romise? Ethel. I*ooh ! Geoffrey. Ethel, be reasonable. You must know you can't go on doing that sort of thing here. When we are married we shall live down here. You must conform to the ideas of the peo- ple round you. They may seem to you narrow and ridiculous, but you can't alter them. Ethel. You don't think them narrow and ridiculous, I suppose? Geoffrey. No. In this case I think they are right. In many cases. Ethel. Sorry I can't agree with you. THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 85 Geoffrey. Ethel, dear, don't let us quarrel about a siUy thing like this. If jou are going to marry me you must take my judgment on a mat- ter of this kind. Ethel. Must I ! Geoffrey. Yes. Ethel. Then I won't. So there. I shall do just exactly as I please. And if you don't like it you can do the other thing. I'm not going to be bullied by you. Geoffrey, (goes to her) My dear Ethel, I'm sure I am never likely to bully you or to do or say anything that is unkind. But on a point like this I can't give wa}'. Ethel. Very well, Geoff. If you think that you'd better break off our engagement, that's all. Geoffrey. Ethel! {icith horror) Ethel. Well there's nothing to make faces about, is there! Geoffrey. You don't mean that. You don't mean you tvant our engagement to come to an end. Ethel. Never mind what / want. What do you want? Geoffrey. Of course I want it to go on. You know that. Ethel, {gesture of despair) Very well then. Y'ou'd better behave accordingly. And now, if you've finished your lecture, I'll go to bed. Goodnight. (Mrs. Cassilis comes (Zotcn c. Geof- frey sees her off opening door r. Then goes and stands hy fire. Mrs. Gassilis, who has icatched this scene intently with smile of grim satisfaction, 86 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. rises. She pauses for a minute in thouylit. Then.) Mrs, Cassilis. Well I must be off too! Good night Geoffrey, {kisses him) Geoffrey, {absently) Good niglit, mother. (Mrs. Cassilis after a moment goes slowly to- wards door. Pause) Mother. Mrs. Cassilis. Yes, Geoff. Geoffrey. Mother, You don't think I was un- reasonable in what I said to Ethel, do you? Mrs. Cassilis. No, Geoff. Geoffrey. Or unkind? Mrs. Cassilis. No, Geoff. Geoffrey. I was afraid. She took it so strangely. Mrs. Cassilis. She's rather over-excited to- night, I think. And tired, no doubt. She'll be all right in the morning. Geoffrey. You think I did right to speak to her about that song? Mrs. Cassilis. Quite right, dear. Dear Ethel still has a little to learn, and of course it will take time. But we must be patient. Meantime, whenever she makes any little mistake, such as she made to-night, I think you should certainly speak to her about it. It will be such a help to her! I don't mean scold her, of course, but speak to her gently and kindly, just as you did to-night. Geoffrey, {despondently) It didn't seem to do any good. Mrs. Cassilis. One never knows, dear. Good night, {kisses him. Exit. He stands thoughtful by fire) Curtain. t>* 1— < o a 0) *1 ■y ^ E-J 6 O a' hj Q A^ D W 1) n o CO THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 87 ACT IV. Scene. — The morning room at Deynham. After breakfast next day. A pleasant room icith French ivindows c, open on to terrace. The snn is shining hrilliantly. Door to hall i.. Back cloth represents garden scene. Sofa c. tip stage facing audience in front of windoic, hut rather to l. of it. Room to pass behind it. Armchair to a. of sofa. Room to pass ietwecn it and end of sofa to go out into garden. An- other sofa, smaller, stands out at right angles from uall r. above fireplace. Electric bell by fireplace at end of sofa. Armchairs up r. c. and R. down. Small table l. c. with chair by it. Armchair l. rather below door some way out from wall. When curtain rises Mabel and Geoffrey are on stage. Geoffrey stands by fire-place r. Mabel strolls to icindow c. He looks rather out of sorts and dull.) Mabel, (at icindow) What a lovely day. Geoffrey. Not bad. (pulls out cigarette case) Mabel. I'm sure you smoke too much, Geof- frey. Geoffrey, {smiles) I think not. (enter Mrs. Cassilis l.) Mrs. Cassilis. Not gone out yet, dears? Why Mabel you've not got your habit on. 88 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Mabel. We're not ^oinj!; to ride this morning. Mrs. Cassilis. Not going to ride? Mabel. No. We've decided to stay at home to-day for a change. Mrs. Cassilis. But why, dear? Mabel. 1 don't know. We just thought so. That's all. Mrs. Cassilis. But you must have some rea- son. You and Geofifrey haven't been quarrelling, have you? Mabel. Of course not. Mrs. Cassilis. Then why aren't you going to ride? Mabel. Well, we thought Ethel might be dull if we left her all alone. Mrs. Cassilis. Nonsense dears. I'll look after Ethel. Go up and change both of you at once. Ethel would l)e dreadfully grieved if you gave up your ride for her. Ethel's not selfish. She would never allow you or Geoffrey to give up a pleasure on her account, (crosses r.) Geoffrey. Well, Mabel, what do you say? It is a ripping day. Mabel. If Mrs. Cassilis thinks so. Mrs. Cassilis. Of course I think so. Run away dears and get your things on. I'll tell them to send around the horses. (ri7i(/s) Geoffrey. All right. Just for an hour. Come on, Mabel. I'll race you to the end of the ]»as- sage. [exeunt running, iirarhj upsetting footman tcho enters l, at the same nionient) * * Note that the time allowed for Mabel's change of dress is very short. It is therefore important to arrange that the THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 89 Mrs. Cassilis. Lady Mabel and Mr. Geoffrey are going out riding. Tell them to send the horse.=3 round. And tell Hallard I want to see him about those roses. I'm going into the garden now. Footman. Very well, Madam, (exit l.) (Mrs. Cassilis goes out c. A moment later enter Mrs. Borridgb atiil Ethel l.) Mrs. Borridge. {looking round, then going to easy-chair) Mrs. Cassilis isn't here? Ethel. I daresay she's with the housekeeper. Mrs. Borriuge. Very likely. {2)icks up news- paper) Give me a cushion, there's a good girl. (Ethel does so) Lady Marchmont isn't down yet, I suppose. Ethel. No. {turns a wag) Mrs. Borridge. {putting down paper) What's the matter, dearie? You look awfully down. Ethel. Nothing. {goes to window c. and stares out into the sunlight) Mrs. Borridge. I wish Lady Marchmont came down to breakfast of a morning. Ethel, {shrugs) Do you? Mrs. Borridge. Yes. It's dull without her. She and I are getting quite chummy. Ethel. {irritaMy, swinging round) Chummy! My dear mother. Lady Marchmont's only laugh- ing at you. Mrs. Borridge. Nonsense, Ethel. Laughing at me, indeed! I should like to see her! change shall be as easily made as possible so as to avoid any danger of a stage " wait." 90 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT Ethel, That's just it, mother. You in>ver will. Mrs. Borridge. Pray what do you mean by that, Miss? Ethel. {hopeless) Oh, it doesn't matter. {goes u. to fire-place, leans arm on mantel-piece.) Mrs. Borridge. Now you're sneering at me, and I won't 'ave it — have it. {silence) Do you 'ear? Ethel. Yes T hoar. (sta"(s doirn at fvprfcr.) Mrs. Borrh)GE. A^ery well then. Don't let me 'ave any more of it. {grumbling to herself) Laughing indeed! {pause) Where's Geoffrey? Ethel. I don't know. Mrs. Borridge. Out riding, I suppose? Ethel. Very likely. Mrs. Borridge. 'E only finished breakfiist just before us. Ethel. He, mother. Mrs. Borridge. Dear, dear, 'ow you do go on! l^ou leave my aitches alone. They're all right. Ethel, {sighs) I wish they were! {pause) You've not forgotten we're going away to-day, mother? {sits on sofa r.) Mrs. Borridge. To-day! 'Oo says so? Ethel. We were only invited for a week. Mrs. Borridge. Were we, dearie? I don't re- member. Ethel. I do. There's a train at 12.15, if you'll ask Mrs. Cassilis about the carriage. Mrs. Borridge. But I've not let Jane know. She won't be expecting us. Ethel. We can telegraph. THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 91 Mrs. Borridge. Can't we stay another day or two? I'm sure Mrs. Cassilis won't mind. And I'm very comfortable here. Ethel. No, mother. Mrs. Borridge. Why not? Ethel, {exasperated) In the first place be- cause we haven't been asked. In the second, be- cause I don't want to. Mrs. Borridge. Don't want to? Ethel, (snappishly) No. I'm sick and tired of this place. Mrs. Borridge. Are you, dearie? I thought we were gettiu' on first rate. Ethel. Did you. {rises, goes l. c.) Anyhow we're going, thank goodness, and that's enough. Don't forget to speak to Mrs. Cassilis. I'll go up- stairs and pack, {as she is going l. Mrs. Cas- silis enters c. and meets her. She stops. Mrs. Cassilis kisses her affectionately) Mrs. Cassilis. Going out, Ethel dear? Good- morning, {greets jNIrs. Borridge.) Ethel. Good morning. Mrs. Cassilis. {putting her arm in Ethel's and leading her across stage) Isn't it a lovely day. I woke at five. I believe it was the birds singing under my window. Ethel. Did you, Mrs. Cassilis? {enter Lady March MONT l.) Lady Marchmont. Good morning, Adelaide. {kisses her) Late again, I'm afraid, {shakes hands icith Ethel.) Mrs. Cassilis. {sweetly) Another of your headaches, dear? I'm so sorry. 92 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Lady March mont. Good morning, Mrs. Bor- ridge. I hope you slept well. Mks. lioKUiDGE. Sound as a ])ell. But then I was always a one-ner to sleep. My old man, when 'e was alive, used to say 'e never knew anyone sleep like me. .Vnd snore I Why 'e declared it kep' 'im awake 'alf the night. But / never noticed. Lady Marchmont. {awcefli/) That must have been a great consolation for Mr. Borridge. Mrs. Borridge. Your 'nsband snore? Lady Marchmont. (laufpihifj) No. Mrs. Borridge. Thinks it's low per'aps? They used to say snorin' comes from sleepin' with your mouth open, but / don't know. What do you think? Lady Marchmont. I really don't know, dear Mrs. Borridge. 1 must think it over. (Lady Marchmont talccs chair hy Mrs Borridge. They converse in dumh shoic. Ethel and Mrs. Cas- siLis come down stafje.) Mrs. Cassilis. What a pretty blouse you've got on to-day, dear. Ethel. Is it, Mrs. Cassilis? Mrs. Cassilis. Sweetly pretty. It goes so well with your eyes. You've lovely eyes, you know. Ethel. Do you think so? Mrs. Cassilis. Of course. So does Geofif. Ethel. [disengayiny herself) Oh, GeoflP — Well I must go upstairs, {to Mrs. Borridge in passiny) Don't forget, Mummy, (exit Ethel) Mrs. Borridge. What dearie? Oh yes. Ethel says we must be packin' our traps, Mrs. Cassilis. THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 92 Mrs. Cassilis. {going down l. startled) Pack- ing? (Lady Marchmont goes up c.) Mrs. Borridgb. Yes. She says we mustn't out- stay our welcome. She's proud is my girlie. Mrs. Cassilis. {crosses r.) But you're not thinking of leaving us? Oh you mustn't do that. Geotf would he so disappointed. And so should I. Mrs. Borridge. I don't want to go, I'm sure. Only Ethel said Mrs. Cassilis. There must be some mistake. You tnustn-t go yet, must they, Margaret? Mrs. Borridge, Ethel said we were only asked for a week. Mrs. Cassilis. {sits in armchair r. c.) But that was before I really knew you, wasn't it. It's quite different now. Mrs. Borridge. If you feel that, Mrs. Cassilis. . . . (Lady Marchmont sitting on sofa c.) Mrs. Cassilis. Of course I feel it. I count on you for quite a long visit. Mrs. Borridge. There! I told Ethel how it was, Mrs. Cassilis. Ethel doesn't want to go does she? Mrs. Borridge. Oh no. She'd be delighted to stop on. Only she thought Mrs. Cassilis. Very well then. That's settled. You'll stay with us till Geofif and I go to Scotland That won't be till the middle of August. You promise? Mrs. Borridge. Thank you Mrs. Cassilis. I 94 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. call that real hospitable, {rising) And now I'll run upstairs and tell my girl or she'll be packing mj^ black satin before I've time to stop her. She's so 'asty. And I always say nothing spoils things like packing, especially satins. They do crush so. (exit L. As soon as door closes Mrs. Cassilis heaves sigh of intense relief, showing how alarmed she had been lest the Borridges should really take their departure. Pause) Lady Marchmont. {who has tcatched this scene with consideraMe appreciation of its humour) How you fool that old woman! ]\Irs, Cassilis. So do you, dear, {rises, goes up c.) Lady Marchmont. Yes. You'll make me as great a hypocrite as yourself before you've done. When you first began I was shocked at you. But now I feel a dreadful si^irit of emulation stealing over me. Mrs. Cassilis. There's always a satisfaction in doing a thing well isn't there? Lady Marchmont. You must feel it then. Mrs. Cassilis. Thanks. Lady MAitciiMONT. Do you really want these dreadful people to stay all that time'.'* Mrs. Cassilis. Certainly. And to come back, if necessary, in October. Lady Marchmont. Good Heavens! Why? Mrs. Cassilis. {sits up r. c.) My dear Mar- garet as long as that woman and her daughter are here we may get Geoffrey out of their clutches. I thought we should manage it last night. Last night was a terrible disillusionment THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 95 for him poor boy. But I was w rong. It was too soon. Lady March mont. By the way what did that amusing wretch Major Warrington advise? Mrs. Cassilis. I didn't consult him. I'd no opportunity. Besides I couldn't have trusted him. He might have gone over to the enemy. Lady Marchmont. Yes. He was evidently at- tracted to the girl. Mrs. Cassilis. I suppose so. Major Warring- ton isn't fastidious where women are concerned. Lady Marchmont. Still he knew of course. Mrs. Cassilis. Only what Lady Remenham would have told him. However his visit wasn't altogether wasted, 1 think. Lady Marchmont. That song you mean. Mrs. Cassilis. Yes. He gave poor Ethel a glimpse of the Paradise she is turning her back on forever, London, music-hall songs, racketty bach- elors, and that made her reckless. The contrast between Major Warrington and, say, our dear Rector can hardly fail to have gone home to her. (Enter l. quickly Ethel, flushed and cross.) Ethel, {bursting out) Mrs. Cassilis— Mrs. Cassilis. (rertj sivcetli/, rising and going to her L. c.) Ethel dear, what is this I hear? You're not going to run away from us? Ethel. {doggedly) Indeed we must, Mrs. Cassilis. You've had us for a week. We really mustn't stay any longer. Mrs. Cassilis. But my dear it's delightful to have you. 96 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Mrs. BouuiDOK. {uho has just entered breath- lessli/ at door l.) There you sec, dearie! What (lid 1 tell you! Mrs. Cassilis. (c.) Geoff would be terriUy distressed if you went away. He'd think I hadn't made you comfortable. He'd scold me dreadfully. Ethel, (l. c.) I don't think Geoff will care. (Lady March mont rises and watches this scene from window c.) Mrs. Cassilis. {great solicitude) My dear you've not had any little difference vwith Geoff? Any quarrel? Ethel. No. Mrs. Cassilis. I was so afraid. Ethel. Still we oughtn't to plant ourselves on you in this way. Mrs. Borridge. Plant ourselves! Really dearie, how can you say such things! Plant our- selves.' {sitting down l.) Ethel. Oh do be quiet mother, {stamps her foot. Crosses r.) Mrs. Cassilis. Anyhow you can't possibly go to-day. The carriage has gone to Branscombe and the other horse has cast a shoe. And to-mor- row there's a dinner party at Milverton. You'll stay for that? Ethel. You're very kind, Mrs. Cassilis, but ... . Mrs. Cassilis. That's right my dear. You'll stay. And next week we'll have some young peo- ple over to meet you and you shall dance all the evening. Mrs. Borridge. There, Ethel! THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 97 (Lady March mont crosses to sofa up l. c.) Ethel, (hopeless) Very well. If you really wish it. Mrs. Cassilis. That's right. I'm so glad. 1 sha'n't be able to part with you for a long time yet. {kisses her tenderly) (Ethel sits hopelessly on chair and does not re- spond. ) Lady March MONT, {under her hreath) Really Adelaide ! Mrs. Cassilis. (sweetly) Into the garden did you say Margaret? (taking her out c.) Very well. The sun is tempting isn't it? (exeunt c.) (Pause. Ethel shows mute exasperation.) Ethel. Well mother, you've done it ! Mrs. Borridge. Done what, dearie? Ethel, (impatiently) Oh you know. Mrs. Borridge. (sits l.) Do you mean about staying on here? But what could I do? Mrs. Cassilis wouldn't let us go. You saw that your- self. Ethel. You might have stood out. Mrs. Borridge. I did, dearie. I stood out as long as ever I could. But she wouldn't hear of our goin'. Etfiel. (rises, crosses r. c.) Well mother don't say I didn't warn you, that's all. Mrs. Borridge. Warn me, dearie? Ethel. That I was tired of this place. Sick and tired of it. That it was time we were mov ing. 98 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Mrs. Borridge. Is that all. I'll remember. {pause) How far did you get with the packing? Ethel. I don't know. Mrs. Borridge. You hadn't packed my black satin? Ethel. I don't know. Yes I think so. I'm not sure. Don't ivorri/, mother, (sits on sofa r.) Mrs. Borridge. It'll be simply covered with creases. I know it will. Run up at once, there's a good girl, and shake it out. Ethel. Oh bother! Mrs. BoRRn>GE. Then I must. How tiresome girls are! Always in the tantrums! {exit l. grunibl'mg) (Ethel, left alone, sits scolding furiously at the carpet and biting her nails. There is a consid- erable pause during tvhich her rage and weari- ness are silently e.rprcssed. Then enter l. very fresh and gay Geoffrey and Mabel in riding things.) Geoffrey. Hullo Ethel ! There you are, are you? Ethel. {sulJ:ily) You can see me, I supi)Ose. ]Mal'.el. We didn't get our ride after all. Ethel. Didn't you? {turns away) Mabel. No. Basil has strained one of his sinews poor darling. He'll have to lie up for a day or two. {^its at table l. c.) Geoffrey. Isn't it hard luck? It would have been such a glorious day for a ride. \\q were go- THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 99 ing round by Long Winton and up to Tenterden's farm and Ethel, (snaps.) You needn't trouble to tell me. I don't want to hear, [pause, goes up c.) Mabel. I think I'll go uj) and change my habit, Geoff. (Geoffrey nods, exit Mabel l.) Geoffrey, {going straight up to Ethel and putting hand on her shoulder) What is it, Ethel? Is anything the matter? Ethel. {shaking him off fiercely) Please don't touch me. Geoffrey. Something has happened. What is it? Ethel. {savagely) Nothing's happened. Nothing ever does happen here. Geoffrey, {he puts hand on hers. She pulls it pettishly away. He slightly shrugs his should- ers, a long pause. He turns, crosses, goes to- wards doar L.) Ethel. Geoff. Geoffrey. Yes. {stops c.) Ethel. I want to break off our engagement. Geoffrey, {not taking her seriously) My dear girl ! Ethel. I think it would be better. Better for both of us. Geoffrey, {still rallying her) Might one ask why? Ethel. For many reasons, {rises) Oh don't let us go into all that. Just say you release me and there's an end. {coming c.) Geoffrey. {more serious) My dear Ethel what is the matter? Aren't you well? 100 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Ethel, {impatiently) I'm perfectly well. Geoffrey. I don't think you are. You loot quite flushed. I wish you'd take more exercise. You'd be ever so much better. Ethel. Geoffrey you're simply maddening. Do please understand that I know when I'm well and when I'm ill. There's nothing whatever the matter with me. I believe you think everything in life would go right if only everyone took a cold bath every morning and spend the rest of the day shooting jjartridges. Geoffrey. Well there's a lot in that, isn't there? Ethel. Rubbish. Geoffrey, {struck hi/ trilliant idea) It's not that silly business about the riding again is it? Ethel. Oh no ! no ! Please believe that I'm not a child, and that I know what I'm saying. / want to break off our engagement. I don't think we're suited to each other. Geoffrey, {piqued) This is rather sudden, isn't it? (goes l. a little) Ethel. How do you know it's sudden? Geoffrey. Isn't it? Ethel. No. It's not. Geoffrey, {struck by a thought) Ethel, has my mother ? Ethel. Y''our mother has nothing whatever to do with it. Geoffrey. She hasn't said anything? Ethel. Y'our mother has been everything that's kind and good. In fact if it hadn't been for her I think I should have broken it off before. THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 101 But I didn't want to hurt her. (Geoffrey ibises and paces the room up and down to l. c, for a moment in thought. Then turns to her again) Geoffrey. Ethel you mustn't come to a decis- ion like this hastily. You must take time to con- sider. Ethel. Thank you. My mind is quite made up. {sits) Geoffrey. Still you might think it over for a day or two, a week perhaps. It (hesitates) . . . it wouldn't be fair of me to take you at your word in this way. Ethel. Why not? Geoffrey. You might regret it afterwards. Ethel, {with a short laugh) You're very modest ! Geoffrey, (nettled) Oh I'm not vain enough to imagine you would find anything to regret in me. /'m a common-place fellow enough. But there are other things which a girl has to consider in marriage aren't there? Position, money. If you broke off our engagement now mightn't you regret these later on, however little you regret met Ethel, (touched) Geoff, dear, I'm sorry I hurt you. I didn't mean to. You're a good fel- low. Far too good for me. And I know you mean it kindl}' when you ask me to take time and all that. But my mind's quite made up. Don't let's say any more about it. Geoffrey, (slowly atid a little sadly) You don't love me any more then? Ethel. No. I don't love you any more. Per- 102 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. haps I never did love you really Geoff. I don't know. Geoffrey. I loved you, Ethel. Ethel. I wonder. Geoffrey. You know I did. P^TiiEL, You thought you did. But that's not always the same thinji; is it? Many a girl takes a man's fancy for a moment. Yet peoi)le say one only loves once, don't they, {pause) Geoffrey, {sits r. c. in arnich(tir) Etlu'l. I don't know how to say it. You'll laugh at me again. Rut — you're sure you're not doing this on mij account? Ethel. On your account? Geoffrey. Yes. To si)are me. Because you think I ought to marry in my own class as Lady Remenham would say? Ethel. No. Geoffrey. Quite sure? Ethel, {nods) Quite. {Going up to window c.) Geoffrey, {frankly puzzled) Then T can't understand it ! Ethel, {impatiently) My dear Geoft' is it impossible for you to understand that I don't trant to marry you. That if I married you I should be bored to death. That I loathe the life down here among your highly resi>ectable friends. That if T had to lire here with you I should yawn myself into my grave in six months, {rises) Geoffrey, {astonished) Don't you like Deyn- ham? THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 103 Ethel. No. I detest it. {goes to him up c.) Oh it's pretty enough I suppose and the fields are very green and the view from Milverton Hill ia much admired. And you live all alone in a great park and you've horses and dogs and a butler and two footmen. But that's not enough for 7ne. I want life, people, lots of people. If I lived down here I should go blue-mouldy in three weeks. I'm town-bred, a true cockney. I want streets and shops and gas lamps. I don't want your carriages and pair. Give me a penny omnibus. Geoffrey. Ethel ! {sits on settee) Ethel. Now you're shocked. It is vulgar isn't it. But I'm vulgar. And I'm not ashamed of it. Now you know, {another pause. Geoffrey in pained surprise ponders deeply. At last he speaks) Geoffrey. It's all over then? Ethel, {goes to sofa r. c, leans against haek of it and faees audience. Flippantly.) All over and done with. I surrender my claim to every- thing, the half of your worldly goods, of your riiother's worldly goods, of your house, your park, your men servants and maid servants, your aris- tocratic relations. Don't let's forget your aristo- cratic relations. I surrender them all. There's my hand on it. {stretches it out) Geoffrey. {pained) Don't, Ethel. {rises, turns to small tabic l. c.) Ethel, {surprised) My dear Geoff, you don't mean to say you're sorry. You ought to be fling- ing your cap in the air at regaining your liberty. Why I believe there are tears in your eyes! 104 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Actually tears! Let me look [turns his face to Iter) Geofpuey. {pitlling it airay and going l. c, she goes to him) You don't suppose a fellow likes being thrown over like this do you. Ethel. Vanity, my dear Geoff! mere vanity. Geoffrey. It's not! (Pause.) Ethel, {suddenly serious) Geoff , do you tc»an< our engagement to go on? Do you want to marry me still? {he turns to her) Do you love me still? {holds up hand) No Geoff. Think before you speak. On your honour! (Geoffrey is silent) There you see! Come dear, cheer up. It's best as it is. Give me a kiss. The last one. {she goes to Geoffrey and holds up her face to he kissed. He kissed her on the forehead) Ethel. And now I'll run upstairs and tell mother, {laughs) Poor mother! Won't she make a shine! {exit l.) (Geoffrey left alone fidgets ahout, picks up pa- per, puts it down, takes out cigarette case, is about to light cigarette, strikes match. Enter Mrs. Cassilis followed a moment later hy Lauy Marchmont c. He blows it out.) Mrs. Cassilis. All alone, Geoffrey? {at win- dow) Geoffrey. Yes mother, {crosses r. to fire- place) Mrs. Cassilis. {coming c.) Where's Ethel? {enter Lady Marchmont c.) Geoffrey. Mother — Ethel's . . . (sees THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 105 Lady Marchmont. Pause) Good morning, Aunt Margaret. Lady Marchmont. Good-morning, (l. c. at sofa) Mrs. Cassilis. (c) Well, dear? Geoffrey. Mother a terrible thing has hap- pened. Ethel was here a moment ago and she has broken off our engagement. Lady Marchmont. Broken it off! Mrs. Cassilis. { feigned distress) Broken it off dear? Surely not? Geoffrey. Yes. Mrs. Cassilis. Oh, jwor Geoffrey! {going to him R. c.) Did she say why? Geoffrey* Only that it had all been a mistake. She was tired of it all and didn't like the country and — that's all I think. Mrs. Cassilis. My jwor boy. And I thought her so happy with us. You don't think we've been to hlame — /'ve been to blame — in the way do you? Perhaps we ought to have amused her more. Geoffrey. Not you, mother. You've always been sweet and good to her. Always. She said so, Mrs. Cassilis. I'm glad of that dear, {goes up R. to windoiv) {Enter l. Mrs. Borridge furiously angry followed hy Ethel vainly trying to detain or silence her. Geoffrey retreats up stage where Mrs. Bor- ridge does not notice him.) Mrs. Borridge. Where's Geoff? Leave me alone, Ethel. Where's Geoff? 106 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Ethel. He's uot here mother. And Mrs. Cas- silis is. Do be quiet. Geoffrey, {coming between them) I'm here. What is it, Mrs. Borridge? (Lady Marchmont comes down l.) Mrs. Borridge. (r. c.) Oh Geofify what is this Ethel's been telling me? You haven't reely broke off your engagement, have you? (Mrs. Cassilis at fire r.) Ethel. Nonsense, mother. I broke it off as I told you. Mrs. Borridge. But you didn't mean it, deari*^. It was all a mistake. Just a little tiff". (Geoffrey joins Mrs. Cassilis at fire r.) Ethel. No! Mrs. Borridge. Yes it is. It'll blow over. You wouldn't be so unkind to poor Geoffy. Ethel. Mother don't be a fool. It doesn't take anybody in. Come upstairs and let's get on with our packing. Mrs. Borridge. (stamps foot) Be quiet, Ethel tvhcn I tell you. (Ethel turns up to tahlc l. c.) Lady Marchmont won't you speak to her. Un- dutiful girl. I should like to whip her! Lady Marchmont. (l) Ah well, dear Mrs. Borridge, perhaps young i^eople know best about these things. Mrs. Borridge. (l. c. excited and angry) Know best! know best! How should they know best? They don't know anything. They're as THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 107 ignorant as they are uppish, {growing tcarftil) And to think 'ow I've worked for that girl! 'Ow I've slaved for 'er, denied myself for 'er. {hreah ing down) I did so want 'er to be respectable, I 'aven't always been respectable myself and I know the value of it. {crosses r. c. almost hyster- ical and hardly realising tvhat she is saying) Ethel. Oh, hush, mother! Mrs. Borridgb. (c. angry again) I won't 'ush, so there! I'm your mother and I won't be trod on. / find someone to marry you — a better match than ever you'll find for yourself, Miss. And this is 'ow I'm treated! {begins to cry) Ethel, {taking her arm) Mother, mother, do come away. (Mrs. Cassilis comes down r. a little.) Mrs. Borridge. {breaJcing down altogether) And now to 'ave to begin all over again. And young men ain't so green as they used to be. Not by a long way. They're cunning most of them. They take a deal of catchin'. And I'm gettin' an old woman. Oh she might 'ave spared me this. Mrs. Cassilis. {soothingly) Mrs. Borridge, Mrs. Borridge. (Ethel goes to window.) Mrs. Borridge. {paying no attention, snuf- fling) I^ut she's no natural affection. That's what it is. She doesn't love 'er mother. She's 'eadstrong and wilful and never paid the least at- tention to what I told 'er. (burst of tears) But I do think she might 'ave left 'ini to break it off. 108 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Then thore'd 'avo beou a IJreach of Promise and that's always something. That's what 1 always SMV to jrii-ls '^ U^ave ihcni to break it ofif, dearies and then there'll be a breach of promise and dam- ages." That's if you've got something on paper. P.ut (fresh hur.st of tears) she never would get anything on paper. She never paid the least re- gard to her old mother. She's an undutiCul girl and that's 'ow it is. (goes off into incoherent sohs) Butler. Lady Remenham. Mrs. Cassilis. (hastil,/ rising) The drawing room, Watson, (crosses l. c. ,Shc is hotcever tf)o late to stop Watson from slioimuj in Lady Rem- enham) Lady Remenham. (sailing in) How do you do, Adelaide. How do you do, Margaret. I've just driven Algernon to the station and I thought I'd leave this for you as I passed, {gives hook) Mrs. Borridge. She's an undutiful daughter. That's what she is. (snorting and sobbing) Lady Remenham. (l. c.) Eh? Mrs. Cassilis. Mrs. Borridge is not quite her- self just now. Dear Ethel has decided that she does not wish to continue her engagement to mv son and Mrs. Borridge has only just heard the news. Lady Remenham. Not wMsh . . . . ! Mrs. Cassilis. No. This has naturally upset us all very much. It was so very sudden. Lady Remenham. Well I must say (takes refuge in silence) Mrs. Borridge. (burst of grief) Oh why THE CASSILIS ENGA,6eMENT. 109 didn't she get something on paper. (Ethel comes doicn to her r. c.) Letters is best. Men are that slippy. I always told her to get something on paper, {breaks down completelij) Ethel. Come away, mother, [takes her firmly hy the arm) Will you please order the carriage, Mrs. Cassilis? (leads Mrs. Borridge off l. soh- Mng and gulping) (Geoffrey goes to window.) Lady Remenham. Geoffrey will you please tell the coachman to drive round to the stables? / shall stay to luncheon ! (Lady Remenham sits l. c. facing audience, a smile of triumphant satisfaction irradiating her countenance. Geoffrey, who is standing hy window c. and therefore behind her, luckily cannot see her face but the audience can and it speaks volumes. Geoffrey goes out c. to tell coachman.) Curtain. v\ SEND FOR A NEW DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. {French's Standard Drama Continued from 2d page o_f Cover.) VOL. XLI. I The Pirite's Legncy I Tha Charcoal Uuruer I Advlgitha I se:. •• Valienle ) Forest Rose i Duke's Daughter I Camilla's Husband i Pure liold VOL. XLII. I Ticket of Laave Man ) Fool's ReTenge O'Neil the Great ! Handy Andy t Pirate of the isles I Fanchon 1 Little Barefoot i Wild Irish Girl VOL. XLUI. ' Pearl of Savoy I Dead Mean I Ten Nights in a B; I Dumb Bovof Manchester BelphcKor the Mounleb'k I Cricket oo the Hearth . 1 Printer's Devil I Mtf 's Diversion r-rooni VOL. XLIV. 345 Drunkard's Doom Z46 Chimney Corner 6il Fifteen YearsofaDrnnk :!4H No Thoroughfare fard': Mi Peep O' Day [Life :(Ml Everybody's Friend .(51 l..i::. Grant ■i5-2 Katlileeu M.^.TonmeeQ VOL. XLV. .■i53 Nick WhifBes X54 Fruits of the Wine Cup 355 Drunkard's Warning :i56 Temperance Doctor :i57 Aunt Dinah :i58 Wi.lovir Freeheart ;!59 Frou Frou :i60 Lonp Strike VOL. XLVL 361 Lancers mi Lucille 3fi3 Randall's Thumb 364 Wicked World 366 Two Orphans 366 Colleen Bawn 367 'Twixt Aie and Crown 365 Lady Clancarthy 36'j Si VOL. XLVII. ratogm er Too Late to Mend r,\ Lilv of France '»■> Led Astray <73 Henry V ■;T4 Unequal Match J7.i May or Dolly's Delusion 376 Allatoona VOL. XLVUL nch Arden 378 Under the Gil Light 379 Daniel Rocbat 380 Caste 381 School 3SS Home 3B3 David Garrick 3S4 Ours VOL. XLIX. • 385 Social Glass 3K6 Daniel Drue* 387 Two Roses 385 Adrienne .189 The Bells 390 Uncle 391 Courtihip 392 Not Such a Fool VOL. L. 393 Fine Feathers 394 Prompter's Bok 395 Iron Master 396 Engaged 97 Pygmalion it Oalatw 398 Leah 399 Scrap of Paper 4U0 Lost in London VOL. LL 401 Octoroon 402 Confederate Spy 403 Mariner's Return 404 Ruined by Drink 1 405 Dreams 406 M. P. 407 War 40S Birth VOL. Ltl. 409 Nightingale 410 Progress 411 Plav 412 Midnight Charjjt 413 Confidential Clerk 414 Snowball 415 Our Regiment 416 Married for Money II let in Three Acts Guttle & Gulpit FRENCH'S INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHTED EDITION OF THE WORKS OF THE BEST AUTHORS. The following very successful plays have just been issued at 25 cents per copy. A PAIR OF SPECTACLES. Comedy in 3 Acts by Sydniy Gkundv. author of "Sowing th« Wind," l Sarah's Young Mam 349 Hearts 350 In Honor Bound [L«» 351 Freeiing a Mother-in 352 My Lord in Livery SAMUEL FRENCH, 26 West 22d St;, New York City. New and Explicit Descriptive Cataloi^ue Mailed Free on Request. FRENCH'S MINOR DRAMA. Price 15 Onts each.— Bound Volumes SI. 25. VOL. t. I Tk« Irl»h Atlomey i n'4 nt the SwKK 3 Ho .» lo r»y the R«nt 4 Th r Lnan of > Lover 6 Tht Pend .Shot ( Mil Lilt Lon TL« Invljible Prlnc« i Tb« l^ol.len Farmer VOL. IL I Pride of iht! Mirhet 19 The Usrrack Knom 13 Luke the Laliorer M Uenut) and the Beait in St. Patrick'! live 16 Captain «f the Watch VOL. lU. n The Secret [peri 18 White Hone of the Pep- ig The Jacobite :« The Mottle 51 Box and Cox 55 Bamhootliiig 53 WIdow'e Victim 34 Robert M»c»lre VOL. IV. 96 Secret Service n Omnibus 57 Irlth Ll>n 58 Maid of Croiwy 5» The Old Ouard 30 lUiiinf; the Wind 31 Slanh«r and Craihar 39 Naval Engagements VOL. V. 83 CocVnlei in Califoml* 34 Who Speaks First 36 Bomha?te« Furioto 38 Macbeth Travestle 37 Iriih Awbaisador 38 OeliiAte Ground 39 The Weathercock [Gold 40 All that Ulitteri li Not VOL. VI. 41 Grimihair, Bagihaw and Bradshaw 4^ Rough Diamond 49 Bloomer Costume 44 TV..T Bonnycastlei 46 Bom to Good Luck 46 Kin in the Dark [jnrer 47 >T«rould Puiiie » Coa- 48 Kill or Cure VOL. vir. 4t Box and Cox Married and 50 St. Cupid [Settled 51 Go-to-hed Tom 62 The Lawveri 53 Jack Sheppard 64 The Toodles 66 The Mobcap 5( Ladies Beware VOL. vm. 67 Morning Call 68 Popping the QuestloK 69 Deaf Its a Post «0 New Footman 61 Plensanl Neighbor 65 Vad.lv the Piper R3 Brian O'Linn 44 Irish Assurance VOL. IX 45 Ter ptntion «» Paddv Carey 47 Two Gregorles tn King Charming 49 P.>.cH'hon-ta8 70 Clockniaker's Hat 71 Married Rake 79 Love and Murder VOL. X. 73 In^land and America 74 Pretty Piece of Dusloesi 75 Irish "Broom-maker 74 To Paris and Back for Five Pounds 77 That Blessed Baby 75 Our Qal W Swiss Cottage 10 Ifvang Widow id the FVtl Irlu Wife ^ [ties VOL. 81 O'Klannigu 82 Irish Post 83 My Nelglib. 84 Irish Tiger 85 P. P., or Man and Tiger 86 To Oblige Benson 87 state SecreU 88 Irish Yankee VOL. XH. 89 A Ijood Fellow 90 Cherry and Fair SUr 91 Gale Breeiely 92 Our Jemimy 93 Miller'^ Maid 94 Awkward Arrival 95 Cro.ssiTig the Line 96 Conjugal Lesson VOL. XIII. 97 My Wife's Mirror 98 Life in New Vork 99 Middy Ashore 100 Crowij Prince 101 Two Queens 102 Thumping Legacy 103 Unfinished (.Mutleman UI4 llomi. Dog VOL. XIV. 105 The Demon Lover 106 Matrimony 107 In and Out of Place 108 I Dine with My Mother 109 Hi-A-watha 110 Andy Blake 111 I^ve ia '76 119 Romance under Di VOL. XV. 113 One Coat for •.' Suits 114 A Decided Case 115 Daughter [noritv 116 No; or, the Glorious Mi- 117 Coroner's Inquisition 118 Love in Humble Life 119 Family Jars 120 Personation VOL. XVI. 121 Children in the Wood 122 Winning a Husband 123 Day After the Fair 124 Ma'ke Your Wills 125 Rendeivous 126 My Wife's Husband 127 Monsieur Tons^m 123 Illustrious Stranger VOL. XVII. 129 Mischief-Making [Mines 130 A Live Womap in the il The Corsair 132Shylock 133 Spoiled Child '34 Evil Eye 136 Nothing to Nurse 136 Wanted a Widow VOL. XVIII. 137 Lottery Ticket 138 Fortune's Frolic Jealous! 140 Married Bachelor 141 Husband nt Sight 14'i Irishman in London 143 Aiii'nat M.agnetism 144 Highways and By-Ways VOL. XIX. 145 Columbus 146 Harlequin Bluebeard 147 Ladies at Home 148 Phenomenon In a Smock Frock 149 Comedy and Tragedy '50 Opposite Neighbors 51 Dutchman's Ghost 152 I'ersei-uted Dutchman VOL. XX. 153 Mueard Ball l.U Great Tragic Revival 155 High Low Jack A (Same l.'.e A Gentleman from Ire- 167 Tom and Jerry [1: 158 Village Lawyer 159 Captain's not A-mIss 160 Amateurs and Actors LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 161 rronuil 162 A Fas IBS Mrs. Ci 164 Shakes) l»,'i NeptUTi lf.6 Lady ol '. rt7 Take ln8 Irish W vol li>9 Yankee 170 Hiram Imeouv 171 Double-Bedded Room 172 The Drama Defended 173 Vermont Wool Dealei 174 Kbenejer Venture [ter 254 Dreams of Del 175 Principles from Charac-, 255 The Shaker L 176 Ladv of the Lake (Trav)l256 Ticklish Ti 014 676 223 2 • 2')l A Lucky Hit 252 The Dowager '2.=>3 Metamora (Burle Vol. XXUi 177 Mad Dogs 178 B;.mey tlie Baron 179 Swiss Swains 180 Bachelor's Bedroom 181 A Roland for an Oliver 182 Mure Blunders than One 183 Dumb Belle IM Limerick boy VOL. XJCIV. 185 Nature and Philosophy 186 Teddy the Tiler 187 Spectre Bridegroom 188 NIatteo Falcone 189 Jenny Lind 190 Two Buziards 191 Happy Man 192 BeUv Raker Vol. XXV. 193 No. I Round the Corner 194 Teddy Roe 195 Object of Interest 116 My Fellow Clerk 197 Bengal Tiger 1«8 Laughing Ilvena 199 The Victor Vanquished 200 Our Wife VOL. XXVI. 201 Mv Hii.sband'3 Mirror 202 Yankee Land 203 Norah Creina 204 Good for Nothing 205 The First Night 206 The Eton Boy 207 Wandering Minstrel 208 Wanted, lOflfl Millinen VOL. XXVII. 209 Poor Pilcoddy 210 The .Mummy [Glasse' 21 1 Don't Forget your Open 212 Love fn Livery 213 Anthony and Cleopatra 214 Trving It On 216 Stage Struck Yankee 216 Young Wife & Old Um- brella VOL. xxvni. 217 Crinoline 218 A Family Failing 219 Adopted rhild 220 Turned Heads 221 A Match in the Dark 2'22 Advice lo Husbands 23 Siamese Twin? 224 Sent to the Tower VOL. XXIX. 25 Somehnrtv KI« 2 6 Ladies' H'attle 227 Art of Acting 228 The Ladv of the Lion 229 The Riglits of Man 2.W Mv Husband's Ghost 231 Two Can Play at that Game 232 Fighting bv Proxy VOL. WX. 23.-! Unprotected Female 2.14 Pel of the Pelticoah 235 Forty and Fifty [book 236 Who Stole the Pocket- 237 My Son Diana [slon 2:« Unwarrantable Intru- 239 Mr. and Mrs. White 240 A Quiet Family (French's Minor Drama Contintie.t on ^d page of Cover.) VOL. XXXIII. •57 20 Minutes with a Tiger 258 Miralda; or, the Justice of Tacon 259 A Soldier's Courtship 260 Servants by Legacy 261 Dying for Love 262 Alarming Sacrifice 263 Valet de .Shkin 264 Nicholae Mckleby VOL. XXXIV. 265 The Last of the PigUlIs 266 King Rene's Daughter 267 The Grotto Nymph 268 A Devilish Gr>od Joke 269 A Twice Told Tale 270 Pas de Fascination •71 Revolutionary Soldier 272 A Man Without a Head VOL. XXXV. 273 The Olio, Part 1 574 Tne Olio, Part J 276 The Olio, Part 3 [ter 276 The Trumpeter's Daagb- 277 Seeing Warren 278 Green M.aiDtain Bov 279 That Nose 280 Turn Noddy's Se mi VOL. XXXVL •Ml Shocking Evente •282 A Regular Fix 583 Dick Turpin 384 Young Sc-imp •/8S Young Actress ' 286 Call Bt No. 1—7 '217 One Touch of Nature 288 Two B'hoye VOL. xxy.vii. 289 All the World's a Stage •.'90 Quash, or Nigger prac- '.'91 Turn Him Out [tice •292 Pretty Girls of Stillberg 293 Angel of the Attic 294 CirrumstanresatterCasea •295 Katty O'.Sheal ■.>»6 A Supper in Dixie VOL. XXXVHI. •297 Ici on Parle Francjsis 298 Who Killed Cock RoMn 299 Declaration of Independ- 300 Heads or Tails [ence 301 Obstinate Family .102 Mv Aunt 303 That Rascal Pat <04 Don Paddy de Baian VOL. XXXIX. [lure 305 Too Much for Good N»- 3I>8 Cure for the FidgeU 307 Jack's the Ijld 308 Much Ado AhoutNoth' 309 Artful Dodger 310 Winning Haiard 311 Day's Fishing ' 312 Did you ever scud 5 VOL. XL. 313 An Irishman's Man- 314 Cousin Fannie 315 'Tis the Darkest Ho 316 Masquerade (fore I :tl7 Crowding (he Sens. 318 Good Night's Rest 319 Man with the Carp 320 Terrible Tinker SAMUEL FRENCH, ao West aad Street, New York City. New aad Explicit Descript've Qatalog-ue Mailed Free on Request. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 676 223 2