ETHEL HALE FREEMAN A DRAMATIZATION OF IONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS WALTER H. BAKER 6 Co., BOSTON . $inero's price, 50 ent Jac') TRE AMAZONS ^ arce * n Th rea Acts. Seven males, five females. L, L, i Costumes, modern ; scenery, not difficult. Plays a full evening. Farce in Four Acts. Ten males, nine femaie8 . costumes, modern society; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. DANDY S'CK Farce in Three Acts. Sevon males, four females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors. Plays two hours and a half. THE 6AY IOSD QUBX two interiors and an exterior. Plays a full evening. HI? HfWCp IV ADHPD Comedy in Four Acts. Nine males, four UI3 milX W UK1WM females . costumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. THF ffflBRY BflPSF Comedy in Three Acts. Ten males, five females . Costumes, modern; scenery easy. Plays two hours and a half. I D1C Drama in Five Acts. Seven males, seven females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. LADY BOUNTIFUL Play in Four ActS * ^S 111 male8 > seven fe- LiAVl OvviMllvLt ma i e8t Costumes, modern ; scenery, four in- teriors, not easy. Plays a full evening. I FTTY I >rania ln Four Acts and an Epilogue. Ten males, five fe- **~** males. Costumes, modern ; scenery complicated. Plays a full evening Sent prepaid on receipt of price by Walter ^, 'BaSet: a Company No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts A Dramatization of MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE A Dramatization of Monsieur Beaucaire By ETHEL HALE FREEMAN Made from Booth Tarkington's popular novel with the con- sent of that author, his publishers and his collabora- tors in the play of the same title popularized by the latl Richard Mansfield. READ CAREFULLY This dramatization is intended for the use of amateur player* acting in schools, colleges or under other strictly private conditions of performance, and must not be presented for profit or before a paying audience save for charitable purposes. Presentations given for paid admissions or for the pecuniary benefit of any club or in- dividual are strictly forbidden, all acting rights being strictly re- served under the author's copyright. Permission may be secured for performance of this play by amateurs subject to the above in- variable conditions by payment to the author of a royalty of ten dollars ($10.00) for each performance. Such payments should be made and all correspondence on this subject addressed to ETHEL HALE FREEMAN, 8 West St., Northampton, Mass. BOSTON WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 1916 A Dramatization of MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE CHARACTERS FRANCOIS. VICTOR. SERVANT TO BEAU NASH. LADY MARY CARLYSLE. LADY MALBOURNE. LADY CLARISE. LADY RELLERTON. LADY BARING-GOULD. ESTELLE. MARIE. M. BEAUCAIRE. DUKE OF WlNTERSET. MR. MOLYNEUX. HARRY RACKELL. CAPT. BADGER. BEAU NASH. LORD TOWNBRAKE. MR. BANTISON. SIR HUGH GUILFORD. HENRI DE BEAUJOLAIS. MARQUIS DE MIREPOIX. Servants to Beaucaire, Marquis, Winterset and Lady Malbourne. SYNOPSIS ACT I. Scene i. A room in Beaucaire's lodging. Scene 2. Lady Malbourne's house. ACT II. Scene i. A park. Late in the morning. Scene 2. The same. Late afternoon. Scene 3. The same. Evening. ACT III. The assembly room. One week later. COPYRIGHT, 1916, by ETHEL HALE FREEMAN As author and proprietor All rights reserved Dramatized for "CAP AND BELLS' Smith College 2114989 DIRECTIONS FOR SCENERY This play may be staged by a simple composition of columns and curtains in Acts I and III, and by four ex- terior flats in Act II. REQUISITES FOR SETTING Six marble pillars ; four curtains, preferably of an cru color ; one pair of curtains, rose-color with border of pink roses ; a pair of wide steps, and platform ; ex- terior back drop and four wood wings. ACT I. Scene i. Set the stage far down to the front, using rose curtains in the centre. 7 DIRECTIONS FOR SCENERY ACT I. Scene 2. Move central pillars to either side of steps at centre of upper stage. Remove rose curtains, disclosing exterior back-drop. ACT II. Set a simple exterior, using back-drop and four wood wings. DIRECTIONS FOR SCENERY ACT III. Right and Centre stage, same as Act I, Scene 2. On Left, enclose a small room, rose curtains at the front, plain wall at rear. A border of pink roses may effectively be used to dress this scene. STAGE PROPERTIES Three chairs, style of Louis XIV ; card-table, same period ; marble bench ; palms and ferns. 10 COSTUMES COSTUMES BEAUCAIRE. First. Dark green or black cloth coat, lace cuffs, white stock ; black satin breeches, pumps ; black wig. Second, White satin suit, delicate design of pink roses on the coat ; white plumed hat ; dress sword. HENRI AND MIREPOIX. Light velvet or satin suit ; dress sword. WINTERSET. Black velvet ; large black hat. OTHER GENTLEMEN. Velvet or satin coat, satin breeches, lace cuffs, white stock ; pumps. CAPT. BADGER. English uniform of early eighteenth century. WINTON AND SERVANT TO BEAU NASH. Cloth suit, wide cuffs, stock ; white stockings. SERVANTS TO BEAUCAIRE. Black cloth suit, wide cuffs, black stock, white stockings. LADY MARY. Pale blue satin, empire style. OTHER LADIES. Empire dress, varying in light colors ; fan, parasol, large hat. MARIE. Short black dress ; cuffs, kerchief, cap, small lace apron. PROPERTIES ACT I. Scene i. Cloak and purse for Francois ; cards and dice on table. Scene 2. Red or pink roses for Lady Mary ; dress sword for Beaucaire ; fan for Lady Clarise ; order of dance for Lady Malbourne. ACT II. Scene i. Parasol for Lady Malbourne. Scene 2. Swords for Capt. Badger, Beaucaire, Molyneux and Townbrake ; bandage for Townbrake. PROPERTIES 1 1 Scene j. Six black masks for Winterset and other men ; six long cloaks ; twelve swords for all men except Beaucaire ; dress sword for Beaucaire ; rope for gentleman ; long whip for Winterset. ACT III. Red rose for Lady Clarise ; fan for Lady Clarise ; orders for Beaucaire ; cards and dice on table ; crutch and bandage for Sir Hugh. PLEASE NOTICE The acting rights in this play are strictly reserved by the author to whom applications for its use should be addressed. Amateurs may obtain permission to produce it privately under the conditions specified on the title page, on pay- ment of a fee of $10.00 for each performance, always in advance. Correspondence on this subject should be ad- dressed and all such payments made to ETHEL HALE FREEMAN, 8 West St., Northampton, Mass., though pay- ment of royalty may be made, as a matter of convenience, through the publishers. Attention is called to the penalties provided by law for any infringements of her rights, as follows : "Snc. 4966: Any person publicly performing or representing any dramatic or musical composition for which copyright has been obtained, without the consent of the proprietor of said dramatic or musical composi- tion, or his heirs and assigns, (hall be liable for damages therefor, such damages in all cases to be assessed at such sum, not less than one hundred dollars for the first and fifty dollars for every subsequent performance, as to the court shall appear to be just. If the unlawful performance and rep- resentation be wilful and for profit, such person or persons shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction be imprisoned for a period not exceeding one year." U. S. REVISED STATUTES, Tit It do, Chap. 3. A Dramatization of Monsieur Beaucaire ACT I SCENE 1. A room in M. BEAUCAIEE'S lodg- ings. 1 A loud knock is heard, upper center, SERVANT. [Outside.] I will see him, fellow, and there's an end ! FRANgois. [At door.] No, no, Monsieur, he is not . . . [SERVANT to BEAU NASH appears u. o. SERVANT. You mean to tell me that he is not at home ? FRANCOIS. I do, oui, he is not at home. 1 See directions for scenery. 13 14 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE SERVANT. Bah ! I will see for myself I FRANCOIS. Pardon. You will ree-main outside, if you .please ! SERVANT. By the furies, I will not stay outside ! FRANCOIS. Pardon . . . SERVANT. [Incensed.] Deuce take your pardons ! Make way, sir. Where's the barber, I say ? [Enter from R. M. BEAUCAIRE with MOLYNEUX. FRANCOIS. Sir, you call our master a " barber " one more time, an' we kill you ! SERVANT. Ho, ho ! A pretty threat ! He didn't deny it, did he ? Make way ! M. BEAUCAIRE. [To MOLYNEUX.] You mus' then leave me ? . . . A chair for M. Molyneux. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 1$ SERVANT. Ah ! there he is ! Mr. Victor, a message to you from Mr. Nash. M. BEAUCAIRE. Ah! more instructions from Meestaire Nash ? One was not enough he think'. You English mus' al-ways do a thing twice eh ? [M. BEAU- CAIRE takes the letter and reads it.~\ Ah, you are yet there, little frien' ? SERVANT. There's a reply, isn't there, Mr. Barber ? FRANgois. [Threatening.] Hein ! M. BEAUCAIRE. My man shall bring it to him. You may go. {Exit SERVANT. To MOLYNEUX.] Your Mees- taire Nash, he mak' me laugh, Monsieur. He tell me, here, very cross, I mus' not come again to the Pump-Room. MOLYNEUX. Ah! M. BEAUCAIRE. Was not once an' before all those people, enough ? 16 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE MOLYNEUX. Oh, Monsieur ! I cannot think of you as a barber, and to our Nash, who is as sensitive as a potted plant, the shock has been most un- settling. M. BEAUCAIRE. [Thoughtfully.] Ah yes, yes. MOLYNEUX. And to all of us, Monsieur, I own it. But, barber or no barber, I like to play with you, for you, sir, are as straight as an Englishman. M. BEAUCAIRE. Monsieur, Monsieur ! Your manner, is it not as kin' as a Frenchman ? Your great-gran'fa- ther was French, not so ? FRANCOIS. [In doorway.] M. le Due de "Winterset est dessu^ Monseigneur. [MOLYNEUX crosses to L. M. BEAUCAIRE. Ah he haf come again. May I ask do you never play with that gentleman, sir, his Grace of Winterset ? MOLYNEUX. Ah, I am not rich enough. [L. c.] MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE I/ M. BEAUCAIRE. [o.] Eh, but he is, of course, hones' ? MOLYNEUX. [Franldy.~] I like better to play with you, my friend. \Enter YICTOR, u. c. YICTOR. M. le Due de Winterset CEaise poi M. Molyneux. [FRANCOIS comes to MOLYNEUX and helps him on with his cape. Enter DUKE OF WINTERSET. MOLYNEUX. Good-evening, Your Grace. M. BEAUCAIRE. I am honor', M. le Due. WINTERSET. Good-evening, Beaucaire. You are not leav-*/" ing, Molyneux? MOLYNEUX. Your pardon I am waiting on my young cousin, the Lady Clarise, whom I am to escort to-night to Lady Malbourne's ball. 18 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE WlNTERSET. Oh, yes. Make up a table there, Molyneux ; young Badger and Townbrake will play. Pity you are not a gentleman, Beaucaire. I warrant you could dance. M. BEAUCAIRE. At leas' I could gaze, Monsieur, at your Eng- 1 T /> * *F lish fair. [WINTERSET gives his cloak to VICTOR, U. R., and busies himself with cards, soon sitting at table D. R. c. MOLYNEUX. [L. c.] You admire our ladies ? Who does not ? They are after all the crown of flowers we work for, fight for, and behave well for. M. BEAUCAIRE. Ah ! You have also, then, the romance ? I knew you mus' have it the what shall I call ? the vibration un'erneath your so calm waist- coat. MOLYNEUX. You are a surprising fellow, Beaucaire. But I must undeceive you. We English do not care two-pence for what you call " romance." We are so obstinately logical, you know. And there is apt to be danger in romance. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 19 M. BEAUCAIRE. [Pityingly.'] But your ladies how they mus' miss it ! MOLYNEUX. There you mistake, my young friend Romance is too prone to deceive. If you play with it upon an Englishman, he may take you too seriously forgive you yes, perhaps but he will never forget. If you play with it upon the heart of an English lady, she will never for- get or forgive. M. BEAUCAIRE. I thank you for my lesson, Monsieur. [Bows. MOLYNEUX. Good-evening. [MOLYNEUX goes out u. c., followed by FRANCOIS and VICTOR. M. BEAUCAIRE. [Going u. C.] Adieu, Monsieur. [Pausing u. L. c.] " She will never forget or forgive." Ah, yes, it is true of mos^ of your English fair, but one, ah, there is at leas' one whose kin' heart will forgive a little romance we shall see, M. Molyneux, that there is one ! 20 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE "WlNTERSET. "Well, Beaucaire ? [M. BEAUCAIEE turns quickly in apol- ogy- M. BEAUCAIRE. Your servant, M. le Due. [He sits opposite WINTERSET. As they begin to play, FRANCOIS enters. He has a military cape over his arm. He pauses at M. BEATJCAIRE'S left and bows before speaking. Pardonj Mqnseignettrs,-le. mantel appartient a 1'uiTdes gentileshommes je ne sais a qui. M. BEAUCAIRE. Ah, one of the gentlemen forget his mantle ; could you tell whom it belong, my frien' ? WlNTERSET. Let me see it looks like Badger's ; yes, 'tis one of Captain Badger's. M. BEAUCAIRE. Franyois, ree-turn it to the Captain who was here this af'-noon. FRANCOIS. Oui, Monseigneur - [Exit, u. c. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 21 M. BEAUCAIRE. An' now, my frien', we shall not be interrup' again. {.They play. WINTERSET. Stay ! That is mine, I think. M. BEAUCAIKE. [Rising.] Is not the room too warm, Mon- sieur ? [As he crosses L., FRANgoiS announces. FKA f *V&^ M. le Capitane est renvenu, lui-meme. A~y\JU [Enter CAPT. BADGER. CAPT. BADGER. Good-evening, Winterset Beaucaire, I came to find my cloak and met your servant just outside, bringing it to me. M. BEAUCAIRE. [L.] Franpois has restored to you your cape ? CAPT. BADGER. The cape was nothing. But, deuce take it, when a sharp little fellow sees a handful of gold lying loose in one's pocket, and leaves it there gad ! but there's a lad worth keeping your eye on ! 22 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE M. BEAUCAIRE. I hope my man knew his duty, sir. CAPT. BADGER. But the pay for half my company was in this pocket, gentlemen ! WINTERSET. Ah, most servants might think it their "duty" to take it! M. BEAUCAIRE. My servants are all hones', Monsieur. CAPT. BADGER. Then you are more fortunate than the king ! Here, fellow. This is to encourage your hon- esty. {Giving money to FRANCOIS.] May it never lessen. Merci, merci, Monsieur. CAPT. BADGER. A bright lad, eh, Beaucaire ? Good face ; . . . I never forget a face. "What's his name ? M. BEAUCAIRE. Francois. CAPT. BADGER. "When he's for sale, let me know. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 23 M. BEAUCAIRE. I cannot let you have Franois, Monsieur. CAPT. BADGER. You're coming, of course, to Lady Mai- bourne's, Duke? WlNTERSET. Yes, I promised Nash I'd call in about nine. Lady Mary Carlysle will attend. M. BEAUCAIRE. Oh 1 [Scarcely audible. CAPT. BADGER. Aha, then it will be a ball indeed 'Til then, sir. [Slight bow.'] Good-night, Beaucaire ; as for you, boy, look to Badger if you want to change masters eh, Beaucaire ? M. BEAUCAIRE. You cannot have him, Monsieur. Fran- cois \He whispers to FRANpois. CAPT. BADGER looks hard at FRANCOIS and exit. M. BEAUCAIRE and WIN- TERSET now settle down to play in earnest. FRANCOIS exit D. R. ; he soon reappears u. c. and the door D. R. opens noiselessly disclosing JEAN and the other servants just outside. 24 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE M. BEAUCAIKE. Pardon. Was not that a mistake ? WlNTERSET. [Crossly.] Eh ? Deal again if you like. [A pause. At a signal from FRANpoIS all six of M. BEAUCAIKE'S servants steal into the room. /Suddenly M. BEAUCAIRE leans forward and plucks a card from WINTERSET'S sleeve. M. BEAUCAIRE. Merci, M. le Due ! WlNTERSET. It means the dirty work of silencing you with my bare hands ! [He starts to spring toward M. BEAU- CAIRE. M. BEAUCAIRE. [Quickly, .] Do not move ! Observe behind you. Is it not a compliment to Monsieur that I procure six large men to subdue him ? They are quite devot' to me, and Monsieur is alone. WlNTERSET. It's murder, is it, you carrion ? MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 2$ M. BEAUCAIEE. What words ! No, no, no ! no killing. A such word to a such host ! No, no, not mur-r-der ; only disgrace ! [Laughs. WlNTERSET. You little devilish scullion ! [At these words M. BEAUCAIRE'S men lay hands on WINTERSET. M. BEAUCAIRE. [Raises his hand and his men release WIN- TERSET.] Tut, tut ! But I forget. Monsieur has pursue' his studies of deportment amongs' his fellow countrymen. WlNTERSET. Do you dream, that a soul in Bath will take your word that I that I M. BEAUCAIRE. That M. le Due de Winterset had a card up his sleeve ? WINTERSET. [Low tone, growling the words out slowly.'} You pitiful stable-boy, born in a stable M. BEAUCAIRE. Is it not an honor to be born where Monsieur must have been bred ? 26 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE WINTERSET. You scurvy foot- boy, you barber, you cut- throat groom M. BEAUCAIRE. Overwhelm' ! M. le Due appoint me to all the office of his househol'. WlNTERSET. Fool ! There are not five people of quality in Bath will speak to you. M. BEAUCAIRE. No, Monsieur, not on the parade ; but how many may come to play me here ? Because I will play always, night and day, for what one will, for any long, and always fair, Monsieur, always fair with the cards, with-the-diee, or with the small sword, but always fair, Monsieur, al-ways fair ! WlNTERSET. You outrageous varlet! Every one knows you came to England as the French Ambassa- dor's barber. What man of fashion will listen to you ? Who will believe you ? M. BEAUCAIRE. All people, Monsieur. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 2? WlNTERSET. Bah' M. BEAUCAIRE. Will Monsieur not reseat himself ? So. Jean, Victor, and you others retire ; go into the hallway. [All exeunt except FRANCOIS.] At- tend at the entrance, Frai^ois. Go ; now we shall talk. Monsieur, I wish you to think very cool. Then listen : I will be briefly. It is that I am well known to be all, entire hones' every one say that. And is there never a whisper come to Monsieur le Due that not all people believe him to play al-ways hones' ? Ha, ha ! Did it almos' be said to him las' year WnSTTERSET. You dirty scandal-monger ! M. BEAUCAIRE. Monsieur, Monsieur ! True I am notreco'nize on the parade ; that my frien's who come here do not present me to their ladies ; that Meestaire Nash has reboff' me in the pump- room ; still do not all say I am hones' and will I not be belief even I, when I lif up my voice and charge you aloud with what is already w'isper ? WlNTERSET. How much do you want ? 28 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE M. BEAUCAIRE. {Laughing^ I catch you cheatin' an' you offer me money money ! Pouff ! No, no, no, it is not that ! It is that M. le Due, impoverish', somewhat in a bad odor as he is, yet command the entree anywhere onless I Ha, ha ! Eh, Monsieur ? WlNTERSET. Ha ! You dare think to force me M. BEAUCAIRE. Monsieur have talk with his friends of Lady Malbourne's ball Is it kin', Monsieur, to flaunt your privilege before a poor gam'ler ? No, Monsieur need have more pity I mus' cul- tivate it for him. WlNTERSET. Pity ! Bah ! M. BEAUCAIRE. So Monsieur begin by takin' me to Lady Malbourne' ball, to-night WINTERSET. Curse your impudence ! M. BEAUCAIRE. Sit quiet. You see, that's all ; we goin' to- gether. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 29 WlNTERSET. No! M. BEAUCAIRE. Certain. I make all my little plan 'tis all arrange. "WlNTERSET. No! M. BEAUCAIRE. Yes. You goin' take me to-night and after then I have the entree. Is it much I ask? That one little favor, and I never w'isper, never breathe that it is to say I keep always forever silent of Monsieur's misfortune. WlNTERSET. You have the entree ! Go to a lackey's rout and dance with the kitchen maids. If I would I could not present you to Bath society. You would be thrust from Lady Malbourne's door five minutes after you entered it. M. BEAUCAIRE. Oh, no, no, no ! WlNTERSET. Half the gentlemen of Bath have been here to play. They would know you, wouldn't they, fool ? 30 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE M. BEAUCAIRE. No you mistake, they will not know me. Beside you goin' presen' me to the ladies, at las' ! To Lady Mary Carlysle. WlNTERSET. Ha, indeed ! Lady Mary Carlysle, of all women alive, would be the first to prefer the devil to a man of no birth, barber. M. BEAUCAIRE. Oh is that why she have tolerate you? Ha, ha ! WlNTERSET. Also dolt she would know you, if you escaped the others. She stood within a yard of you when Nash expelled you from the pump- room. M. BEAUCAIRE. [ Angrily. ~\ You think I did not see ? WlNTERSET. Do you think because I introduce you, Bath will receive a barber ? M. BEAUCAIRE. [Proudly.] I beg to call Monsieur's atten- tion I have renounce' that professi'n. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 31 WlNTERSET. Fool! M. BEAUCAIRE. I am now a man of honour ! WlNTERSET. Faugh ! M. BEAUCAIRE. Shall you be shame' for your guest's manner ? ^o, no ! My appearance, is it of the people ? Clearly, no. Do I not compare in taste of ap- parail with your young Englishmen ? Ha, ha ! It is to be hope', Monsieur, it is to be hope' ! You shall have nothin' to worry you nothin' in the worl' I am goin' assassinate my poor mus^achio likewise remove this horrible, dark p^ruqoe, and these remarkable patches and emerge^ in my own hair Behol' ! When it is dress', I am transform'. [Sweeping off the Hack wig and revealing his own origlit hair. WlNTERSET. Ho, ho ! Think you one cannot tell a gentle- man from a stable-boy ? Perhaps you think you were born a gentleman ? M. BEAUCAIRE. [Slowly.'] No I was not born a gentleman, no I was not born a gentleman, I was born a 32 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE lebi! Ah, you need have nottin' to worry you, Monsieur, nottin' in the worl'. No one shall reco'nize M. Beaucaire or " Victor." WlNTEESET. Curse you do you think I am going to be saddled with you wherever I go ? M. BEAUCAIEE. No, no, Monsieur, all I requi' all I beg is this one evenin' after, I shall not need Mon- sieur. WlNTERSET. Take heed to yourself after ! M. BEAUCAIRE. Conquered, conquered for to-night ! Ah, I shall meet some strange frien's of yours after to-night, not so? I mus' try not to be too much frighten'. [Front.l " Victor," the artis', is condemn' to death ! His throat shall be cut with his own razor. " M. Beaucaire " [throw- ing dice in his black wig and hurling it out D. E.] " M. Beaucaire " shall be choke' with his own dice-box. Who is this Phoenix to re- main ? Choose for me, Monsieur, choose for me. Shall it be comte, vicomte, marquis, chev- alier or what ? Ah, no, no, no ! Out of com- pliment to Monsieur, should I desire to be any- MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 33 thing that he is not ? Ah, no, no, no 1 I shall be M. le Due, M. le Due de Chateaurien. Ha, ha ! You see ? You are my confrere ! WINTERSET. Ah, indeed ! M. BEAUCAIRE. But how I forget my age. I am twenty- three. I rejoice too much to be of the quality. Your pardon, Monsieur. WlNTERSET. All England does not possess such a rascal of impertinence. M. BEAUCAIKE. Your England ah, it is too much for me I am goin' tell you a secret. The ladies of your country, they are very different than ours. One may adore the demoiselle one must wor- ship the lady of England. Ours are flowers, yours are stars. Ah, yes, and there is one among these stars, ah, yes, there is one, the poor Frenchman have observe from his humble distance. Even there he can bask in the glow- ing. Ah, what radiance ! Those people up there over the sky, they wish to show they wish the poor earth to be happy they smile and they make this lady ! 34 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE "WlNTEESET. Ha, ha, ha ! M. BEAUCAIEE. Ah, you laugh ! What do you know, Mon- sieur, what do you know ? The heart of a lady is a blank to you you have nothing of the fibre oh, yes, you can laugh the war is open', an' by me ! There is one great step taken. Until to-night, there was nothing for you to ruin, to-morrow you have got a noble of France, your own protege, to besiege and sack. It shall be a game of romance, Monsieur a game of superb romance ! WlISTTEESET. Stop, do you forget Mr. Molyneux what he said of an English lady ? M. BEAUCAIEE. I do not forget I defy his words. There is one heart that can beat with romance as there is one name in England more beautiful than all the res', and that is " Mary." Ah jus' to watch her an' to wonder ! It is strange, but I have almos' cry out in rapture at a look I have see' her another man a look for another ! Ah, yes an' to many others an' to you one day a rose, Monsieur, while I I could not be MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 35 so bless' as be the groun' beneath her little shoe ! But to-night, Monsieur, ha, ha ! to- night [elaborate bows] two princes, you an' me, M. le Due de Winterset and M. le Due de Chateaurien an' we are goin' arm in arm to that ball, an' / am goin' have one of those looks, I ! And a rose ! I ! It is time ! But ten minutes, Monsieur, while I go in the nex' room an' assassinate my mustachio an' inves' myself in white satin. Ha, ha ! I shall be very gran*, Monsieur, I shall be very gran' ! Francois, sen' Louis to me ; Yictor, two chairs for Monsieur le Due an' me ; we are goin' out into the worl' to-night ! [Loud and joyous as he runs off L. CURTAIN SCENE 2. LADY MALBOURNE'S house. LADY MALBOURNE stands D. R. c. ; ESTELLE on her R. ; WINTON, u. c. ; MARIE, D. R. WIN-TON. [c., announcing^ Mr. Harry Rackell. [Enter HARRY, buoyantly, u. 0. 36 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE LADY MALBOURNE. What, Harry ! Ah, we heard you had re- turned from France. [D. B. c. HARRY. Do you not observe my Parisian pirouette ? LADY MALBOURNE. Dear boy! you are quite dazzling surely. "Welcome once more to Bath. HARRY. Will you not greet me as kindly, Estelle ? ESTELLE. Do not come to me for compliments until I have observed you quite thoroughly. HARRY. Oh, your pardon. I had forgot you had en- tered the ballroom of fashion. Dear me you are quite quite a lady, I see. ESTELLE. Sir! HARRY. \Sighing.~] Alas! Will you never again race me over the lawn, or play castle on the wall ? But, Madam, you will, at least, permit me to paint you. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 37 LADY MALBOUENE. Indeed, yes, Harry. You need not pout, Estelle, for you know very well that your hair and color will never be better. ESTELLE. [Laughing.] Now is not that a gloomy ob- servation. friend Harry ? But so it goes, does it not ? No sooner may one enter the gay ball- room than lo ! the music stops. Oh, yes, paint me at once/ or teach your art to transcend the HARRY. Let us begin, then, at once [HARRY and ES- TELLE move L. c. together], before youth cools down and the ruthless grip of time - [BEAU NASH appears u. C., where he crosses L. to R. ; HARRY sees him and stops abruptly] Bah ! cease emotions. I am cut off by a wagging fop. [ESTELLE laughs. LADY MALBOURNE frowns in disapproval.] What a perfect doll is our Beau, a powdered, exquisite rosette no, a captious poppy bobbing on its stem ! ESTELLE. Take care, Harry ; mother will place a keen eye on your manners to-night. HARRY. "Madam Mother" shall be rewarded you 38 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE shall see me when the pompadours arrive. No one shall match me for velvet and elegance ! ESTELLE. Softly, Harry ; mother, you know, believes you are vastly clever ; be careful not to arouse her attention or she will discover how really dull you can be. [LADY MALBOURNE is giving directions to MAEIE. HARRY. Nonsense, Estelle. It is quite impossible for me to be dull. Besides, since leaving England, I have looked on things which would startle music in a stone. I have seen LADY MALBOURNE. What have you seen, young Harry ? HARRY. Such painting, Madam ! LADY MALBOURNE. Ah, indeed ! HARRY. [Crossing c., earnestly."] Through the cour- tesy of our Ambassador, I was permitted to enter the Galerie Royale where some new MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 39 paintings were hung by a great French mas- ter, though yet scarcely known. There was one it was of a young prince LADY MALBOURNE. My dear Harry, I applaud your fervor, but ah, excuse me Winton, set more lights in the second card-room. Marie, the ladies who arrive in chairs will be conducted to the recep- tion speciale. ESTELLE. [Sweetly. ~\ Harry, you may tell me about the portraits. Come into the conservatory. HARRY. Gladly. [.They start out D. L. "WlNTON. Lord Townbrake ! HARRY. [After one glance over his shoulder at TOWN- BRAKE.] Just in time. It's unpardonable for an English lord to possess a face like his ! [They laugh and exeunt D. L. TOWNBRAKE. Ah, Lady Malbourne, your servant. Is it possible I am here before Nash ? Ah, I forgot, he appears after we are gathered to make a sensation, of course. Quite so. 40 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE WlNTON. Mr. Bantison, Lady Clarise. {Enter BANTISON ; LADY CLAH^SE and MOLYNEUX behind. LADY MALBOUENE. {With evident pleasure but not losing her dignity.'] My dear child, delighted. And is not Mr. Molyneux to come, also ? MOLYNEUX. But two steps behind, Lady Malbourne. Think you it would be prudent for me to en- trust my young cousin to this foolish Bantison ? My compliments, Madame. BANTISON. What's that, Molyneux ? LADY MALBOUENE. He says you are not a safe escort for Lady Clarise. Fie, Mr. Bantison ! BANTISON. Eh? Ha, why no ah of course you know I vow I should run away with her on the spot ; ha, ha ! MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 4! LADY CLAEISE. How witty you are, Mr. Bantison ; now who but you could do such a thing as " run away on the spot " ? BANTISON. Eh ? ah ah I don't follow ah. WINTON. Beau Nash. \Enter BEAU NASH, u. c. ; Tie enters pompously, and out once assumes a place of importance E. c. LADY MALBOUENE is on his E. TOWN- BEAKE has moved D. E. BANTISON, LADY CLAE}:SE L. o. MOLYNEUX u. L. c. ALL. Ah! BEAU NASH. My compliments, Lady Malbourne. Good- evening, all. LADY MALBOUENE. My dear Beau, pray tell me, are the colors right and the ferns, do say that the ferns are BEAU NASH. [ Very seriously.~] Ah too bright a green at the mirror, and a trifle dark in yonder retreat. 42 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE Otherwise ah very well; yes, I may pro- nounce it very well done. LADY MALBOUENE. Oh, I am so happy ! And will you not cor- rect the order of the dance ? [She hands him a paper. BEAU NASH. [ With great importance."] Ah, yes, certainly at once. Hm ! Harry Rackell who is he ? [He and LADY MALBOUBNE start down stage. LADY MALBOUENE. A young artist, just returned from Paris. BEAU NASH. Hm ah LADY MALBOUENE. He has been presented at the Assembly at Lyons. BEAU NASH. Ah, that will do. Of course one must make sure of these little matters. TOWNBEAKE. Eh ? Kackell ? Is he back ? Clumsy young cur ; hope he's improved. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 43 LADY CLAR!SE. Have you ever tried the Paris cure, Lord Town brake ? TOWNBRAKE. Eh ? What ? What Paris cure ? LADY CLAEISE. Mr. Rackell's. Come, Mr. Bantison, you may lead me through the rooms. [Exeunt LADY CLAR!SE and BANTI- SON D. L. MOLYNEUX. I do not see your charming daughter, Lady Malbourne. LADY MALBOURNE. She is relieving the room of Harry's crude manners there beyond. MOLYNEUX. Ah, giving him a few finishing touches. I'll plead for a lesson, as well [Exit, D. L. BEAU NASH. And who is to lay claim to the Beauty of Bath ? Winterset, no doubt ? LADY MALBOURNE. I believe Lady Mary is to favor Mr. Moly- 44 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE neux to-night. [A trifle disturbed.] The Duke is less prompt than usual. "WlNTON. Sir Hugh Guilford, Captain Badger, Lady Baring-Gould. [Enter the same ; TOWNBRAKE crosses to D. L. c.] Lady Rellerton, Lady Mary Carlysle. [A silence j the men watch eagerly. MOLYNEUX appears at door, D. L., bringing two other ladies. Enter LADY RELLERTON and LADY MARY, u. C. A. silence y all turn and bow pro- foundly ; then group nearer LADY MARY. BEAU NASH. [To LADY MALBOURNE.] I think we may allow the musicians to begin. [LADY MALBOURNE signals to WIN- TON, who motions to musicians, off u. L. A few notes sound from an ad- joining room. SIR HUGH and BAN- TISON move with ladies toward D. K. CAPT. BADGER. "Winterset is not here. {Joining TOWNBRAKE, D. L. MoLY- NEUX also joins them. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 45 TOWNBRAKE. So much the better for our cards. CAPT. BADGER. Oh, he will come. MOLYNEUX. 'Tis said some one is coming with him. \Reenter HARRY with ESTELLE, D. L. WlNTON. The Duke of Winterset the Due de Cha- teaurien. [WINTERSET and M. BEAUCAIRE a/p- pear, u. o. LADY MALBOURNE. Ah, my dear Winterset. For the first time the violins begin before you are come. [LADY MARY crosses to D. L. WINTERSET. Pardon, Madam, I was waiting upon this gentleman. May I present to you the Duke of Chateaurien, who is newly arrived in Bath. LADY MALBOURNE. Ah, sir, I must forgive the Duke's tardiness since you are the excuse. [Bowing. 46 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE M. BEAUCAIRE. Madame is mos' kin'. Will she receive my ielicitations ? [Bows ; music now plays for dance. BEALF NASH. Charming^ charming', a foreign duke ! I con- fratulate you, Lady Malbourne. [Aside.'] And ow delicately his vest harmonizes with the background ! Quite, quite charming ! Pray permit me. [Bows and offers his hand and leads her to the dance. M. BEAUCAIRE, who has been talking with LADY BARING- GOULD and TOWKBRAKE, now ap- proaches LADY MARY, D. c. M. BEAUCAIRE. Madame, I have the honour to be the leas' worthy to offer you my han' ; will not she .the most gracious accept it ? LADY MARY. It is a pleasure, M. de Chateaurien. [He bows ; he leads LADY MARY ; they dance. Exit WINTERSET, angrily, D. L. M. BEAUCAIRE. Ah, Mademoiselle, I would have that dance las' for for al-ways. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 47 \Eeenter WINTERSET, D. L., as the dance ends. As the dance breaks up, the gen- tlemen, TOWNBRAKE, BANTISON, SlR HUGH and MOLYNEUX move off u. L. BEAU NASH escorts ladies off u. R., leaving upon stage LADY MARY with M. BEAUCAIRE, D. R. c., WINTERSET at R. of LADY MARY. CAPT. BADGER and LADY CLARKE, D. L. Music stops. WINTERSET. Lady Mary will, I trust, permit me to lead her through the halls. LADY MARY. I thank you, Duke, but as you see I am al- ready bestowed. WINTERSET. Ah, I thought the Duke of Chateaurien had promised he would grace the card-room ? M. BEAUCAIRE. Is it so soon ? Then the card-room will ap- plaud that I relinquish not my pos' as a lady's escort. [Bows ; they go u. c. WINTERSET re- turns furiously, D. L., and exit. 48 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE CAPT. BADGER. I vow, Lady Clarise, if yonder fellow were not so provokingly gracious I should be roused to a mortal jealousy. You have had eyes for no one since he arrived. LADY CLARISE. Did you not see his superb step in the dance ? CAPT. BADGER. Well, that proves not that he is honester than another man, I think. LADY CLARISE. I was not praising his honesty, Captain Badger. No one could excel you in that. CAPT. BADGER. Clarise ! LADY CLAR^SE. Lady Clarise, if you please. [MoLYNEtrx and LADY MALBOURNE appear ', u. 0. CAPT. BADGER. I vow, Madam, if you torment me longer I will ride, this night, to the most perilous point on the frontier, and MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 49 LADY CLABISE. And shout gaily, no doubt, to the enemy " Come, gentlemen, do me the courtesy to shoot me ; I am weary of pursuing the Lady Clarise." CAPT. BADGER. Never ! Let us go into the gardens. \Exeunt off D. L. MOLYNEUX conies D., with LADY MALBOUENE. MOLYNEUX. Can you think so, Madame ? LADY MALBOUENE. Why not, sir ? "Where there is youth, there is folly. MOLYNEUX. Your.g Harry hath a fine eye to my manner of thinking. LADY MALBOUENE. Is it not dull compared with Estelle's ? MOLYNEUX. Whose could be otherwise ? Yet, believe me, he's a good lad. LADY MALBOUENE. I did not know you were so profound a searcher of character, Mr. Molyneux. 50 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE MOLYNEUX. Could one favored by your friendship remain dull in perception, Madame ? LADY MALBOUENE. Your alertness, then, has found more than one subject for study to-night. Lady Mary MOLYNEUX. [Quickly.'] Ah ? LADY MALBOTJKNE. Is there not a new luster in her eyes ? MOLYNEUX. They are, indeed, like stars or is it sunlight, reflected from France, in them ? [Reenter WHSTTEKSET with LADY REL- LEETON, u. c. They come to E. c. Reenter the others D. E. and D. L. LADY MALBOUENE. {After watching WINTEESET.] The sunlight of France is kindling a dangerous gleam in some English eyes. See the big Duke chafing in his curls ! \They laugh lightly / music / couples return. As M. BEAUCAIEE and LADY M.AT&Y pass a shout goes up from out- side. MOLYNEUX and LADY MAL- BOUENE come L. c. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 5 1 M. BEAUCAIRE. [Pausing.] What enchanting people ! I should like to shout with them. LADY MARY. I am honored, M. de Chateaurien. M. BEAUCAIRE. No, no ! BehoP a poor Frenchman whom Emperors would envy. [They turn away from audience. They linger u. c. talkvng together. M. BEAU- CAIRE removes his sword and hands it to FRANCOIS, who turns and moves a little D. R. c. CAPT. BADGER sud- denly perceives FRANCOIS, and starts. CAPT. BADGER. Molyneux, Molyneux, who is that ? MOLYKEUX. Do you mean that servant ? CAPT. BADGER. Where is it that I have seen him ? MOLYNEUX. I see nothing in him familiar or startling. M. BEAUCAIRE. Francois. 52 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE CAPT. BADGER. Ah, that name, that face ! {Stepping up to FRANCOIS.] Fellow, I remember you very well, out cannot understand your presence here. Will you kindly tell me whom you are attending? {Looking hard at him.'] Where is your master ? [At this moment WINTERSET is standing very near. FRANOIS adroitly turns to him and hows as though in attendance upon him.] Humph ! Winterset. LADY CLAR^SE. [Amused.] How easily you are ruffled, Captain ! [TOWNBRAKE and LADY BARING- GOULD cross to group R. CAPT. BADGER. What is Winterset doing with a French serv- ant ? It's scarce three hours since I left that fellow at a gambler's lodgings. LADY CLARISE. Wonderful! Captain is becoming a de- tective. CAPT. BADGER. Hold ! Why may it not be MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 53 LADY CLAR!SE. And I suppose if I were to tell you that that very, very graceful and pleasing servant did not belong to Winterset, but to the distinguished visitor, you would conclude with your indubi- table precision that the Duke was related to the gambler himself. [M. BEAUCAIRE and LADY MARY withdraw u. L. from u. c.] Ah, Cap- tain, you are, indeed, a boy, a most hot-headed, though not entirely wicked, boy. [She smiles at him provokingly over her fan. In the meantime the crowd has gathered about BANTISON, R. c., who, delighted by their attention, is letting his imagination run riot by improvis- ing recollections concerning the home of the new Duke. BEAU NASH and LADY BARING-GOULD are one half U. R. C. The ladies laugh from time to time as he proceeds, the gentlemen nod and talk together, but a few monosyllabic roars from WINTERSET are out of key with the exclamations and expressions of the others. CAPT. BADGER regards BANTISON pityingly as he and LADY CLAR^SE approach him. BANTISON. Ah, true, true, a most engaging fellow ; such blue blood very blue. Ah, Lady Baring- 54 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE Gould, my dear Badge, I was remarking to Lady Malbourne how gratifying it is to me to observe the Duke de Chateaurien. For some years ago I had the great pleasure of visiting the chateau. [HARRY and ESTELLE are D. L. LADIES. Did you ? BANTISON. Ah, yes, yes ; dear, old, delightful castle. I assure you ah, yes mossy towers, winding fardens, and all of that sort of thing, you now. LADIES. How enchanting, Bantison ! Oh, yes ; en- chanting, enchanting, quite so. CAPT. BADGER. Bah! BANTISON. Eh? CAPT. BADGER. Do you mean that you are acquainted with the young man's family ? BANTISON. Eh ? Oh eh I believe they were away at the time. MONSIEUR BE A UCAIRE 55 CAPT. BADGER. But you saw their portraits, no doubt ? [HARRY listens eagerly. BANTISON. Ah no doubt yes. CAPT. BADGER. And the present Duke, was he among them ? BANTISON. Hang it all ! If you are going to quarrel the ladies ! CAPT. BADGER. \Bowing c.] As you please. ESTELLE. What is it, Harry, that you are making so poor a failure to restrain ? HARRY. Did he not say a painting of the Duke ? ESTELLE. Well ! Can you think of nothing but paint- ing? HARRY. Could I but remember where I have seen it 1 $6 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE ESTELLE. What? HAEKY. That face in a gallery near the king. Yes ; yes, it was in the Galerie Koyale ! ESTELLE. Harry ! Are you mad ? HARRY. No ; Estelle ! [Breathless.] Estelle ! ESTELLE. Well? [M. BEAUCAIRE and LADY MARY turn as if to come down from steps, u. 0., then linger. HARRY. Ah, there he is coming this way ; look, look! ESTELLE. Harry, I can make nothing of what you are say- ing. It is the new Duke who is coming toward us. He is visiting his Grace of Winterset ; it is the Duke of Chateaurien. [Again M. BEAU- CAIRE and LADY MARY start to descend from u. c. HARRY gazes at M. BEAUCAIRE, uncon- sciously moving toward him. ESTELLE, touch- ing his arm.'] Harry ! if you do not cease staring MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE $7 so rudely when a foreign guest arrives in Bath, you will find yourself dropped from the Assem- blies. Are these your newly acquired Parisian manners ? HARRY. Your pardon, my dear Estelle ! \They join a group, B. SIR HUGH. So glad you are with us, my boy. HARRY. I thank you, Sir Hugh. SIR HUGH. A painter too ; gad, now you must all sit for him, ladies. HARRY. Is that a commission, sir ? SIR HUGH. Eh ? You will take me up, no doubt ! Lady Baring-Gould, think you he can do justice to your curls ? [All laugh. Beenter M. BEAUCAIRE and LADY MARY at u. c. ; WINTER- SET takes out LADY RELLERTON D. L. exit. 58 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE BEAU NASH. [To LADY MALBOURNE on L.] Quite, quite perfect, Lady Malbourne. [Indicating M. BEAUCAIKE and LADY MARY. TOWNBRAKE. A handsome fellow, to be sure, but with no taste whatever for cards. BEAU NASH. [L.] Indeed ? That is very odd ; he has the eye of a shrewd player. BANTISON. No, no, don't agree with you, Beau ! I fancy hunting and dancing are altogether his line. Now what is your opinion, Lady Malbourne ? [The groups withdraw as M. BEAUCAIRE and LADY MARY approach. Reenter M. BEAUCAIRE and LADY MARY. They advance c. ; WINTERSET u. c., and follows down as M. BEAUCAIRE and LADY MARY approach D. L. M. BEAUCAIRE. Am I to be lef ' in such on-happiness ? That rose I have beg for so long MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 59 LADY MARY. Never ! [As they move down stage, the other groups withdraw u. R. and u. L. Exeunt TOWNBRAKE, LADY BARING- GOULD, BANTISON and LADY, and MOLYNEUX and LADY. M. BEAUCAIRE. Ah, I do not deserve it, I know so well ! But LADY MARY. Never ! [Exit first group. M. BEAUCAIRE. It is the greatness of my on worthiness that, alone, can claim your charity ; let your kin' heart give this little red rose, this great alms, to the poor beggar. [WiNTERSET appears u. c. and comes down ike stairs. LADY MARY. Never ! M. BEAUCAIRE. Ah, give the rose. LADY MARY. Never ! Never ! 60 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE M. BEAUCAIRE. Ah! LADY MARY. Never ! [Drops rose at his feet as she makes her exit D. L. Cheers outside as LADY MARY goes out. The others bow to LADY MALBOURNE, and start to go, severally. WlNTERSET. [Advancing.] A rose lasts 'til morning. [Enter FRANCOIS, D. c., and stands be- hind WlNTERSET. M. BEAUCAIRE. 'Tis already the daylight, Monsieur ; was it not enough honour for you to han' out Madame, the aunt of Lady Mary ? Lady Rellerton retain much trace of beauty. 'Tis strange you did not appear more happy. WlNTERSET. The rose is of an unlucky color, I think. M. BEAUCAIRE. The color of a blush, my brother. WINTERSET. Unlucky, I still maintain. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 6l M. BEAUCAIRE. The color of the veins of a Frenchman. Ha, ha ! What price would be too high ? A rose is a rose ! A good-night, my brother, a good- night. I wish you dreams of roses, red roses, only beautiful red, red roses. [Laughing and talking of ladies up stage. WlNTERSET. Stay ! Did you see the look she gave those street folk when they shouted for her ? And how are you higher than they, when she knows ? As high as yonder horse-boy ! M. BEAUCAIRE. Fra^ois, my chair. {Exit FRANOIS, D. L.] Mesdames, Mesdemoiselles, good-night to this faires' Assembly and add, I beg, to your long lis' of English brave, the name of one French- man who leave his heart with you. [Goes u. c. and pauses on the step ; to WINTERSET.] Red roses, my brother, only roses. I wish you dreams of red, red roses ! CURTAIN ACT II SCENE 1. A park) late in the morning. At the back, SIR HUGH is walking with several ladies. MOLYNEUX stands with LADY MALBOURNE, u. L. c., CAPT. BADGER and LADY CLARISE and LADY BARING-GOULD stand u. c., HARRY and ESTELLE sit on the bench, D. R. c. As the curtain rises, LADY MALBOURNE comes a little forward, MOLYNEUX following. LADY MALBOURNE. Estelle ! Estelle ! Behold your work, Mr. Molyneux. Perhaps you are able to convey to my daughter that we are starting for the Bazaar. MOLYNEUX. Certainly, yes. [He steps c. toward ES- TELLE.] Miss Malbourne, ahem ! [Embar- rassed, he returns to LADY MALBOURNE.] Ah er why tell her at all, Madam ? Upon my word she will not miss you. [The others laugh.~\ Permit me. [He takes her parasol and they go u. toward the others. 62 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 63 SIR HUGH. Ladies, what say you? Shall we to the bazaar? LADY BARING-GOULD. Yes, pray let us go. Do not be vexed, my dear Lady Malbourne ; remember there was a time when you LADY MALBOURNE. Never ! Talked moonshine and in broad daylight ? MOLYNEUX. And in Heaven's name, why not ? LADY MALBOURNE. [Laughing.] I marvel you have stayed a bachelor, Mr. Molyneux. [Laughing, they move U. C. All but HARRY and ESTELLE go out, gradu- ally, in pairs, during following dia- logue. HARRY. Is it true, Estelle ? You do not scorn to be the wife of a poor painter ? ESTELLE. Not a poor painter, Harry, an artist. I love you because you love and believe in beau- tiful things. No one could help trusting you. 64 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE HARRY. Dear Estelle ! If I could put into words all I would say to you but no one could no one has ever been able to say it, except in music. But I can work for you, and put my will to de- serve you into every stroke of my brush. ESTELLE. Come, let us walk together and talk of the things we will try to do. {Exeunt off p. L. CAPT. BADGER is just following LADY CLARISE off u. R. when he stops suddenly as he perceives LADY MARY and M. BEAUCAIRE enter u. L. c. LADY MARY. You will dine with us to-night, M. le Due ? M. BEAUCAIRE I shall come. But the feas' is superfluous, Mademoiselle, to that feas' I have al-ways, when you graciously permit me to be near. [Exit CAPT. BADGER abruptly. LADY MARY. I know not how to answer you, sir. But I had forgot to thank you for the verses of your French poet. They are very beautiful. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 65 M. BEAUCAIRE. I thank you for him, Mademoiselle. How happy it will make him when he know' ! LADY MARY. He is, then, a friend of yours ? M. BEAUCAIRE. Oh, yes he is a dear frien'. But is there not, in the verses, too much for you of of the romance, Lady Mary ? LADY MARY. {Laughing lightly^ You think we English have no romance, sir ? M. BEAUCAIRE. [Aside.] If I could but know how much! [To her.] Mr. Molyneux tell me it is a thing of danger in England. [Aside.] Ah, for me yes! LADY MARY. A danger only when it is used wrongly, sir. Is it not like a cloak that should adorn, but not disguise ? An innocent romance we quite adore ; did you not see Estelle Malbourne walking in the woods yonder with dear young Harry ? A boy without a penny, sir, and she, the daughter of a lady of the "proudest pedi- 66 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE gree. Theirs is romance truly, but it does not hurt them. It will but teach them to climb the wall. [In half whisper, looking front. M. BEAUCAIRE. [Softly."} Yes, to climb the wall and to look over into the rich gardens beyond. Who does not long to climb that wall and who does not try ? Ah, Lady Mary, tell me one thing, I beg. You would not think it wrong to climb up there for a man to reach that faires' garden by wearing for a little, jus' a trifle, the cloak of another's disguise ? LADY MARY. What is that you ask, sir ? I do not fully understand. M. BEAUCAIRE. If I could only make you to see. Ah, Mademoiselle, a man will do anything to reach that garden an' has he not the right if he belong there ? LADY MARY. You puzzle me, sir, I confess. Why need there be any disguise for a true man ? M. BEAUCAIRE. [Aside.'] Is it can it be ? No, no, I will not let them fade, those roses, I will hoi' them MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 67 too close to my heart ! [To her.'} Madem- oiselle, one day I will tell you why I ask these strange questions you trus' me, Madem- oiselle ? LADY MARY. It were either dull or ungracious in me to do otherwise, Monsieur. [Enter CAPT. BADGER, u. R. ; he cornea obrwpily, D. c. CAPT. BADGER. Pardon, Lady Mary, Lady Rellerton begs you to drive with her and with Clarise. Will you not join them ? LADY MARY. [Wearily.] Yes. [Very sweetly.'] M. de Chateaurien, we shall be waiting for you to- night. M. BEAUCAIRE. Mademoiselle, your servant al-ways. [Bows. LADY MARY starts u. L. M. BEAUCAIRE fol- lows her u., and bows her off u. L. ; then he re- turns D. L. c.] Captain Badger poor you an' me are lef in the col' shadow. The sun has gone. CAPT. BADGER. You may keep your poetry to yourself, sir ! 68 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE M. BEAUCAIEE. Ah ? I thought I had been present' to you at Lady Malbourne ! I see I am mistaken. CAPT. BADGER. Fellow ! My forbearance to disclose your low birth was merely out of delicacy to a lady How you deceived the Duke M. BEAUCAIEE. Monsieur ! CAPT. BADGER. That, I say, has no bearing on the matter. Enough that you play suitor to this lady M. BEAUCAIRE. Sir! CAPT. BADGER. Do I not make myself clear ? Then permit me to tell you bluntly that you are an im- postor. Chateaurien is nothing ! M. BEAUCAIRE. Ah, so, Monsieur ! Yery well nothing means nothing. But we shall see. I advise you make good practice with your swor' ! {Enter LADY CLARisE during last speech. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 69 LADY CLAUSE. Captain, Captain I knew it a quarrel with the Duke, and your promise to me ; what of that, sir ? CAPT. BADGEE. Pray return to the carriage, Madam ; this is no encounter for a lady to witness. LADY CLARISE. And is it an encounter for a gentleman to enter ? What strange notion has taken posses- sion of you, that you dare bring charges against a duke ? CAPT. BADGER. It were cause enough, Madam, that you are so ready to espouse his cause. He has insulted all the ladies with his insufferable deception quite as completely as he has bewitched you with his insolent affectation. LADY CLARISE. What folly to permit your pride and jealousy yes, I fear that is the word, sir to plunge you into a quarrel with a French gentleman 1 CAPT. BADGER. A gentleman ! 70 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE LADY CLAUSE. Can you prove, sir, that he is less ? You are in danger of being laughed at, Captain. CAPT. BADGER. And you, Madam, run the risk of believing in an unknown trifler who hides his low birtn beneath a satin coat and the title of a duke. Since you are so vehement in his behalf, Madam, I will confide to you the intelligence that a certain French lackey who was con- stantly in attendance upon that young gambler, known as Beaucaire myself discovered wait- ing at Lady Malbourne's ball as the chief at- tendant upon this Chateaurien. LADY CLAR!SE. [Laughing.'] A monstrous proof ! And do servants never change their masters? Think you, when a foreign duke arrives at Bath, a mere gambler could retain his followers ? CAPT. BADGEB. Your excuses are highly ingenious, Madam ! LADY CLARISE. Will you correct me, M. de Chateaurien, if I have deduced wrongly ? MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE /I M. BEAUCAIRE. "With the permission of Mademoiselle I will answer that question with my swor'. CAPT. BADGER. Aha ! You see ! LADY CLAR!SE. [Quickly.] No, no, I beg you, do not fight. Deny his taunts, M. le Due. CAPT. BADGER. It would be useless, Clarise ; I would not be- lieve him if he did. M. BEAUCAIRE. Mademoiselle, I give you my word I am of as good birth as he is that enough ? LADY CLARISE. Yes, yes, Monsieur. [Sows; turning to CAPT. BADGER.] Captain Badger, you had nearly won my heart henceforth, you must seek your lady elsewhere. [Exit, u. R. M. BEAUCAIRE. An' she is an English lady ! CAPT. BADGER. Sir! Another word of her and I will not stand upon ceremony. Harry Harry Rackell ! 72 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE {Enter HARRY tr. L., followed ~by MOLYNEUX U. K.] Harry, this person wishes to fight me. Though convinced of his low birth, I will deign to cross swords with him for the sake of ridding Bath of an impostor. HARRY. Sir ! Tell me first CAPT. BADGER. [Waving off his interruption.'] Will you kindly act as my second ? His lackey will no doubt act for him. M. BEAUCAIRE. [D. L.] My servant knows better his place, sir! Mr. Molyneux, may I presume on your kindness ? MOLYNEUX. Certainly, sir. CAPT. BADGER. One moment, Molyneux. Do not mix your name with that fellow's affairs. Do you sup- pose I am acting without reason ? Harry, you will find me at my lodgings. HARRY. [c.] But I must decline your invitation to act for you. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 73 CAPT. BADGER. [D. R.] What ! HARRY. You may have ray reason if you wish, Cap- tain ; I know you will laugh at it. CAPT. BADGER. I think nothing you could say or do will afford me the slightest merriment in the future, Mr. Rackell. [Turns angrily on his heel. HARRY. [Crosses c.] "Wait, Captain, I dislike to re- fuse you. If you really think this gentleman is an impostor, I don't blame you for fighting him. CAPT. BADGER. Thank you ! HARRY. But I don't believe he is. And I hate scandal, sir and since the man or woman does not breathe who may be entirely free from it, I prefer to judge from faces not stories. MOLYNEUX. "Well said, Harry ! 74 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE CAPT. BADGER. Ah, your chin is still quite smooth, I see. I had thought you were full-grown, Master Harry. It is evident a pretty face may subdue you as well as the ladies. HARRY. Say what you like, I will bear you no malice, Captain Badger. And though I know it will cost me another laugh, I will tell you why I refuse to act for you. It is because this gentle- man bears so striking a resemblance to a certain face I have seen in the royal galleries at Paris no less, indeed, than the king's own cousin, Louis Philippe de Yalois. Were I to act against this gentleman, I should feel I were committing an affront against a royal prince of France. [M. BEAUCAIRE beams. M. BEAUCAIRE. [Aside."] An' he is an Englishman! [To HARRY.] I thank you for your kin' sentiment, Monsieur. CAPT. BADGER. Sentiment! Pah! Molyneux, have the foodness to request Townbrake to attend me. entimental ninny ! [Snapping his fingers at HARRY. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 7$ M. BEAUCAIRE. Captain Badger, I will answer your insulta here at five o'clock, to-day. [CAPT. BADGER strides off u. R. growl- ing. M. BEAUCAIRE offers his hand to HARRY, looking with interest into the young man's face. CURTAIN SCENE 2. The same, late in the afternoon* MOLYNEUX is advancing to CAPT. BADGEB who is lying disarmed against TOWN- BRAKE'S knees. M. BEAUCAIRE is replace ing his sword in its scabbard and rearrang- ing his toilet D. L. M. BEAUCAIRE. Shall I sen' you a doctor, Monsieur ? Fran- cois, despatch Jean for a doctor. I hope I have not prick' you in an ugly place ? CAPT. BADGER. Curse you, hound ! The devil fought with you. /6 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE M. BEAITCAIEE. Oh, no only that kin' angel, my honour. An' now, gentlemen, I beg you to excuse me. My men shall ren'er you any service. My thanks to you again, M. Molyneux. Farewell, gentlemen ; in an appointment with a lady one mus' be never one secon' late. Adieu. [Exit, u. L. CAPT. BADGEE. Zounds ! Will nothing stop his impudence ? A lady yes, and no less a lady than the Beauty of Bath. Oh, 'tis insufferable ! TOWISTBEAKE. Quiet, I say, Badger, or you'll pay for it, you know. He certainly made a clean hit, you know. [CAPT. BADGEE groans with disgust. Enter WIISTTEESET, u. E., in deep con- cern. "WnSTTEESET. My dear Captain, I am at a loss for words. [Crossing quietly to B. 0. CAPT. BADGEE. And I for blood with thanks to your French duke! WlNTEESET. Alas ! I have just heard the truth. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE ff CAPT. BADGER Then you'd better convince Molyneux. He acted on the varlet's behalf. WINTERSET. \A step toward MOLYNEUX.] No! Can it be possible ? Say no more, gentlemen, for my shame overcomes me that I should have in- troduced him. Ah teach me what I may do to atone for this ! CAPT. BADGER. Oh, I don't blame you, Winterset ; you were no duller than the rest of us and 'twas a deuced clever disguise. Make him pay for it that's all I ask. WINTERSET. How shall it be done, my dear friends ? I am zealous to embrace any plan that may cancel my disastrous mistake. CAPT. BADGER. Then don't attempt to kill him. Zounds! the devil himself could not fight better. WINTERSET. It is a risk that is evident. TOWNBRAKE. He's no gentleman and don't deserve to be fought with. Fall on him when he's alone. 78 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE WlNTEESET. All of us that's it. TOWNBEAKE. Lash him to a post and let our lackeys lay on $o him ! WINTEBSET. [E. c.J Ah ah you have hit it, Townbrake. .And if it could be brought about in the presence costumes, modern; scenery, all Interior. Flays two boors and a half. THi NOTOMODS BBS. EflBSMTH ^^JSSJSi Costiur.es, modern ; scenery, all Interiors. Plays a full evening. THP PDflFI Hi ATF pl *y to Four Acta - S* 7611 n^es. BTe females. " ' ' ' U Scenery, three interio-s, rather elaborate; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. THP CTHHAT MICTS?^ Farce In Three Acts. Nine males, seven mfc X/nUULfflDiK03 feffia i eg costumes, modern; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. TBE SECOND MRS. TAMQOERAY tumes, modern ; scenery, three Interiors. Plays a full evening. ^WFFT I A VFNUFD Comedy in Three Acts. Seven males, four 9WKE1 fcATHWKB females> Scene, a single interior; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. THP TIMFS Comedy in Four Acts. Six males, seven females. lib 1 ilLJ scene, a single Interior; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. THF WFAFR WY Comedy in Three Acts. Eight males, eight UU TTLAHLft OL.A females Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors. Plays a full evening. A WIFF WITHOUT A SMH F Vomodj in Three Acts. Five t H irc nuavui A DIOILC malegj four femalei modem ; scene, a single Interior. Plays a full evening. Sent prepaid on receipt of price by Waiter fy I3afeer & Company No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts C|)e 3#tlltatn barren Ctritton of Paps $rice, 15 Centg