The Project Gutenberg EBook of In Honour Bound, by Sydney Grundy
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Title: In Honour Bound
An Original Play, in One Act. (Suggested by Scribe's Five
Act Comedy, "Une Chaine.")
Author: Sydney Grundy
Release Date: November 16, 2012 [EBook #41369]
Language: English
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN HONOUR BOUND ***
Produced by Paul Haxo from page images generously made
available by the Internet Archive and the University
of Toronto Libraries.
IN HONOUR BOUND.
AN ORIGINAL PLAY,
IN ONE ACT.
(Suggested by Scribe's Five Act Comedy, "Une Chaine.")
By
SYDNEY GRUNDY,
Author of
Mammon, The Snowball, The Vicar of Bray, Rachel, The Queen's
Favourite, The Glass of Fashion, A Little Change, Man Proposes, &c.
London: | New York:
SAMUEL FRENCH, | SAMUEL FRENCH & SON,
PUBLISHER, | PUBLISHERS,
89, STRAND. | 38, EAST 14TH STREET.
_Produced at the Prince of Wale's Theatre, under the management of Mr.
Edgar Bruce, 25th September, 1880._
CHARACTERS.
Sir George Carlyon, Q.C., M.P. MR. EDGAR BRUCE.
Philip Graham MR. ERIC BAYLEY.
Lady Carlyon MRS. BERNARD BEERE.
Rose Dalrymple MISS KATE PATTISON.
SCENE:--SIR GEORGE CARLYON'S.
IN HONOUR BOUND.
Scene.--_Room at SIR GEORGE CARLYON'S. Fire lit, R.; in front of it, a
wide, luxurious lounge with high back; against it, C., a writing
table, piled high with briefs, so as to help to obscure the view of
the lounge from anybody sitting at the desk; in front of desk a
writing chair; a piano, music seat and davenport, L.; doors, R. U. E.
and L. 1. E.; window at back with curtains drawn. The room is lighted
by a lamp which stands upon the desk, a box of cigars by the side of
it._
_SIR GEORGE discovered, seated at the desk, reading and under-scoring
rapidly an open brief. He is in evening dress._
SIR G. (_folding up brief_) Ah, the old story! I need read no more.
(_lays down the brief and rises_) What's this? (_picks up a letter
lying on the edge of the desk_) Oh--ah!--the letter that came by this
morning's post for Philip. A woman's writing. How alike they write!
The very double of my niece's hand! (_throws down the letter and looks
at watch_) Eleven o'clock. What has become of Philip?
_Enter PHILIP GRAHAM, L., evening dress._
Ah, there you are!
PHILIP. Are you at liberty?
SIR G. Yes, I have done work for to-night. Come in. I am afraid I have
neglected you.
PHILIP. Not in the least. I stayed upstairs on purpose, knowing you
were busy. I have been unpacking.
(_SIR GEORGE draws forward chair, C._)
SIR G. Sit down. You must be tired after your journey.
(_sits on the end of the lounge, facing audience_)
PHILIP. (_sits, C._) I _was_ tired and hungry, but your cook has
kindly seen to that.
SIR G. Lady Carlyon had quite given you up, or she would have stayed
in to welcome you.
PHILIP. My train was very late.
SIR G. Oh, by-the-bye (_rises_) there is a letter waiting for you.
(_gives it him_)
PHILIP. Thanks. (_SIR GEORGE resumes his seat--aside_) Rose's hand.
(_pockets it_)
SIR G. My wife is at the theatre.
PHILIP. Oh!
SIR G. We have had another visitor to-day--a niece of mine, who has
come from abroad. I promised I would take her to the play, but just as
I was leaving chambers some briefs tumbled in, and I thought it might
be as well to glance them over; so my wife has taken her.
PHILIP. Lady Carlyon is quite well, I hope.
SIR G. Perfectly, thank you.
PHILIP. It is two years since I saw her.
SIR G. So it is. We have seen nothing of you lately--you, whom we used
to see so much of. Where have you been?
PHILIP. Well, all over the world. The day I met you, when you were so
kind as to invite me here, was the day of my arrival home.
SIR G. So kind as to invite you! My dear boy, you raised objections
enough to my invitation.
PHILIP. I was afraid of trespassing on your hospitality.
SIR G. And so you have been round the world?
PHILIP. From Dan to Beersheba.
SIR G. And you found all barren?
PHILIP. On the contrary, I've had a very jolly time--especially upon
the voyage home.
SIR G. You look the better for it.
PHILIP. I am a new man.
SIR G. You weren't well when you went away.
PHILIP. I was depressed and out of sorts.
SIR G. So I observed.
PHILIP. You noticed it?
SIR G. And I remember thinking at the time there was a woman in the
case.
PHILIP. That is all over now. I am as happy as the sandboy in the
saying.
SIR G. Then, there's another woman in the case.
PHILIP. My dear Sir George, according to your views, there is a woman
in every case.
SIR G. (_pointing to table_) There are some twenty briefs. Open which
one of them you please, and somewhere in the folds you'll find a
petticoat.
PHILIP. What, twenty women hidden in these briefs?
SIR G. At least. There never was a case without a woman in it, and I
never leave one till I've found her; for I know well enough until I do
I have not mastered it. There is a woman in your case, my friend.
PHILIP. To tell the truth, there is. A charming girl I met upon the
voyage home.
SIR G. The jolly voyage home!
PHILIP. I am in love this time, Sir George.
SIR G. Oh, yes! we always are in love this time.
PHILIP. I thought I was before, but I was wrong.
SIR G. Of course! we never were before!
PHILIP. And, better still, I am engaged.
SIR G. What, to the charming girl?
PHILIP. The only girl in the wide world for me.
SIR G. Well, you've been round it, so you ought to know. I hope you
will be happy. It's a toss-up, Philip.
PHILIP. I'm afraid your profession makes you cynical.
SIR G. Gad, it would make an angel cynical.
PHILIP. No doubt, you meet with some extraordinary cases.
(_turning over briefs_)
SIR G. Never. All ordinary. To a man who has had twenty years'
experience, no possible case can appear extraordinary. There aren't
three there of which I didn't know the end before I turned a page. No
wonder we don't always read our briefs, for we know most of them by
heart.
(_lies back_)
PHILIP. Hallo! (_smiling_)
SIR G. What have you found?
PHILIP. A breach of promise case. This looks amusing.
SIR G. Very amusing for the judge and jury. Very amusing for the
public too. Very amusing for the new-made wife to read in all the
newspapers her husband's past.
PHILIP. Is the defendant married, then?
SIR G. Of course he is. They always are. And of course he was on with
the new love before he was off with the old. They always will be. The
old love was no better than she need be, and no more was he. Very
amusing for the new love, isn't it?
PHILIP. Of course the letters will be read in court?
SIR G. And published in the papers. "November, 1877--your own loving
and devoted Harry. (laughter) November, 1878--Yours most
affectionately, Henry. (loud laughter) November, 1879--Yours truly,
Henry Horrocks. (roars of laughter)." Oh, it's a most amusing
case--for Mrs. Henry Horrocks.
PHILIP. Why don't you settle it? You are for the defendant.
SIR G. We've tried, but it's too late. Take warning by my client.
PHILIP. I?
SIR G. You be in time, if you are not too late already.
PHILIP. Excuse me, mine was quite a different case. Thank heaven, I
have no reason to reproach myself. There was no love, at any rate on
my side, in the matter you allude to.
SIR G. And yet you fled the country to avoid the lady. (_sitting up_)
PHILIP. I never said so.
SIR G. No, my boy; you never said that two and two makes four, but it
does, doesn't it? (_looking at PHILIP through his glasses_)
PHILIP. No doubt. I felt that my position was----(_hesitates_)
SIR G. Equivocal.
PHILIP. That is the word I wanted.
SIR G. Useful word.
PHILIP. And feeling that, I thought the best course was to----
SIR G. Run away.
PHILIP. But as for promises of marriage, there was nothing of that
sort. In fact, there couldn't be.
SIR G. Because the lady was already----
PHILIP. Hang it, Sir George, _you're_ telling _me_ my case!
SIR G. (_drops glasses_) You'll find it in the third brief on your
right.
PHILIP. (_looking at brief_) "Winter _v._ Winter and Hockheimer"?
SIR G. That's your case, as far as it has gone.
PHILIP. (_takes up brief and reads endorsement_) "In the High Court of
Justice--Probate and"---- But this is a divorce case!
SIR G. Just so.
PHILIP. Oh, that's not my case. (_puts brief back in its place_)
SIR G. I said as far as it had gone. Hockheimer ran away. You ran
away. But Hockheimer came back again. And I observe that _you've_ come
back again.
PHILIP. But I'm not Hockheimer!
SIR G. As far as you have gone. Hockheimer was a friend of
Winter's----
PHILIP. But I'm _not!_ I never saw the man in my life!
SIR G. No, but the other man?
PHILIP. What other man?
SIR G. The husband.
PHILIP. I didn't say he was my friend!
SIR G. Oh, yes, you did.
PHILIP. When did I say so?
SIR G. When you ran away. (_puts glasses up_)
PHILIP. Spare me, Sir George. You make me feel like a witness under
cross-examination. I didn't mean to breathe a word of this, and
somehow I have told you everything.
SIR G. Well, you have told me a good deal. (_drops glasses_) Now, will
you let me give you my advice?
PHILIP. By all means.
SIR G. Keep those women apart.
PHILIP. Which women?
SIR G. (_smiling_) The charming girl and the neglected wife.
PHILIP. I never said she was neglected.
SIR G. But she is, isn't she? (_putting up his eye-glasses_)
PHILIP. Those glasses worry me.
SIR G. (_dropping the eye-glasses_) I beg your pardon; it's the force
of habit. Off with the old love--friend--or what you will--and never
let the new one see her. Off with her entirely! That's my advice; and
many a hundred guineas have been paid for worse.
PHILIP. Oh, they will never meet. I mean to live abroad. The girl I am
engaged to is a South Australian. (_SIR GEORGE lifts his head
quickly_) And she has only come to England on a visit. Her parents are
both dead, and she came over with a maiden aunt with whom she is now
stopping.
SIR G. Where?
PHILIP. At Bayswater. In a few weeks she will go back to Melbourne;
and then all danger, if there be any, is over.
SIR G. So you have come from Melbourne in the "Kangaroo"? (_rises_)
PHILIP. Who told you what boat I came over in?
SIR G. I gathered it from what you said yourself.
PHILIP. I won't say a word more, or in two minutes you will guess the
lady's name.
SIR G. I have already guessed it.
PHILIP. What!
SIR G. Rose Dalrymple.
PHILIP. (_springs up_) This is inexplicable!
SIR G. Not at all.
PHILIP. I have told nobody!
SIR G. You have told _me_.
PHILIP. You know Miss Dalrymple?
SIR G. She is my niece. (_PHILIP steps back_) She is a South
Australian. She came to England in the "Kangaroo," and has been
stopping with a maiden aunt at Bayswater.
PHILIP. Your niece!
SIR G. I am her guardian, since my sister died.
PHILIP. Then, she is your wife's----
SIR G. Niece by marriage. (_crosses, L._) They have just come back
from the theatre.
PHILIP. Oh! (_drops into chair, C._)
SIR G. I hear them.
_Enter ROSE DALRYMPLE, in evening dress, as if returning from the
theatre._
ROSE. Ah, Uncle George! (_about to embrace_)
PHILIP. (_springs up again_) Rose!
ROSE. Philip! (_rushes to his arms_)
SIR G. Humph. Exit Uncle George.
(_arranges papers on desk_)
ROSE. How late you are! We've been expecting you all the afternoon.
PHILIP. (_taking her aside, R._) You didn't say that you were coming
here!
ROSE. No! didn't I tell you I would give you a surprise?
PHILIP. When?
ROSE. In my letter. Haven't you received it?
PHILIP. Yes, but I haven't had time to open it. (_produces it--breaks
the seal--and replaces it in his pocket, unnoticed by SIR GEORGE_) And
when I told you of my invitation here, you didn't tell me that you
knew Sir George.
ROSE. Because I wanted to surprise you, dear.
PHILIP. Well, you have done so most effectually. Tell me, does Lady
Carlyon know of our engagement?
ROSE. No, not yet. I never saw her till to-day, and I didn't like to
be so confidential.
PHILIP. (_relieved_) Ah!
ROSE. You're not angry with me for not having told her?
PHILIP. Not at all. We will surprise _her._
ROSE. Shall we?
PHILIP. To-night we will pretend we are strangers.
ROSE. But I shall pretend very badly, I am sure.
PHILIP. Oh, you can keep a secret. You have shown me that.
ROSE. I'll try, at any rate.
SIR G. (_putting chair, C., into its place at desk_) Now, Miss
Dalrymple, if you are at liberty, perhaps you will be kind enough to
tell me what has become of my wife.
ROSE. (_going to him, C._) She'll be here directly. She is only
speaking to the servants. (_kisses him_)
_Enter LADY CARLYON, L., also in evening dress, with a bouquet; she at
once sees PHILIP and he her; PHILIP, R., turns full front to
audience._
LADY C. (_aside_) Philip! (_stops short_)
SIR G. (_seeing her_) Ah, here she is! (_goes to her, L._) My dear,
you don't look well!
LADY C. The theatre was so close.
SIR G. It always makes you ill. But you have not seen Philip.
(_indicates PHILIP_)
LADY C. Ah, Mr. Graham! (_advances C.--PHILIP advances to meet her_)
Excuse me for not recognising you. (_they shake hands rather
ceremoniously_)
SIR G. What has turned Philip into Mr. Graham, pray?
LADY C. He has not been to see us for so long.
PHILIP. Allow me. (_helps to remove her cloak_)
SIR G. No wonder, if you make a stranger of him when he comes. (_sits
C._)
LADY C. If Philip is a stranger, he has made one of himself.
PHILIP. The fault is mine entirely. (_takes cloak_)
LADY C. Thanks.
_Goes L. again with bouquet and sits down--ROSE has meanwhile
deposited her cloak at the farther end of the lounge--she takes the
other cloak from PHILIP and flings it upon her own, then leans over
the desk--PHILIP sits upon the end of the lounge._
SIR G. Well, how did you enjoy the play?
ROSE. Oh, so much, Uncle George! Although it was in French, I followed
every word.
PHILIP. It is the French plays you have been to?
SIR G. What was the piece?
LADY C. "Une Chaine," by Eugène Scribe.
SIR G. I don't remember it.
ROSE. And it is so exciting. There is a young man in it--such a nice
young man, with a moustache--oh, such a sweet moustache!
SIR G. Well?
ROSE. He's in love.
SIR G. Of course.
ROSE. With a young girl--oh, such a stupid girl! I can't think what he
could have seen in her--and _she's_ in love with _him_.
SIR G. And they get married, I suppose.
ROSE. In the last act; but in the meantime there is such a to-do.
SIR G. Why?
ROSE. It appears, before the play began, the hero--the young man----
PHILIP. With the moustache----
ROSE. Had been in love with someone else.
SIR G. Ah!
ROSE. But now he doesn't care for her a bit.
SIR G. What is the difficulty, then?
ROSE. _She_ cares for _him_; and though he's trying through the whole
four acts, do what he will, he can't get rid of her.
SIR G. I see. That is the chain.
ROSE. He nearly breaks it half a dozen times, but something always
happens to prevent him. You've no idea how interesting it
is--although, of course, it's very, very wrong.
SIR G. Why wrong?
ROSE. Well, you see, someone else is married; and of course she
oughtn't to care anything about the nice young man.
SIR G. Although he has so lovely a moustache.
ROSE. But she does--which is wicked--but it's very interesting.
SIR G. (_to LADY CARLYON_) What did _you_ think of it, my dear?
LADY C. It is a painful subject.
ROSE. Aunt Bell didn't like it; but she took it all so seriously. If
it were real, it would be very sad; but after all what is it but a
play? Besides, it all takes place in Paris: nobody pretends that such
things happen here.
LADY C. Of course. (_quickly_)
PHILIP. Of course. (_quickly_)
SIR G. (_ironically_) Of course. (_takes up the third brief on his
right--and plays with it_)
ROSE. I read a notice of the piece this morning, and I quite agreed
with it.
SIR G. What did the notice say?
ROSE. It said it was "an admirable play, but that an English version
of it was impossible."
SIR G. Why so?
ROSE. "Because"--how did it put it?--oh, "because these vivid but
unwholesome pictures of French life have happily no"--something--I
forget exactly what--"to the chaste beauty of our English homes." I
can't remember the precise words, but I know the criticism made me
long to see the play.
SIR G. (_putting the brief back in its place, after he sees it has
caught PHILIP'S eyes_) Of course it filled the theatre?
LADY C. The house was crowded, and the atmosphere was insupportable.
(_smells bouquet_)
SIR G. No doubt; if you were bending all night long over those sickly
flowers. (_crosses to her--she rises_) Give them to me. (_takes
bouquet_) Why, they are almost withered.
(_comes, C., with bouquet_)
LADY C. They were fresh yesterday.
SIR G. (C.) To-days and yesterdays are different things.
(_holds the bouquet, head downwards_)
ROSE. It wasn't the flowers, though. Aunt Bell didn't like the play
PHILIP. It isn't everybody who admires French plays.
SIR G. (_to LADY CARLYON_) What, were you scandalised? You must know,
Philip--you do know, of course--Lady Carlyon is a dragon in her
way--the very pink and pattern of propriety. Now, I'll be bound, she
didn't like the moral of that comedy.
LADY C. Had it a moral?
SIR G. Certainly! and one men would do well to lay to heart. If that
young man----
ROSE. The one with the moustache?
SIR G. Had buried his first love when it was dead, he wouldn't have
been haunted by its ghost. When passion is burnt out, sweep the hearth
clean, and clear away the ash, before you set alight another fire. It
is a law of life. Old things give place to new. The loves of yesterday
are like these faded flowers, fit only to be cast into the flames.
(_flings bouquet into fire_) That is the moral: and I call it
excellent. (_sits, C., and looks at PHILIP_)
LADY C. (_aside_) He doesn't speak to me. Am _I_ a faded flower?
(_sits, L._)
ROSE. Very good, Uncle George. That ought to get the verdict.
(_leaning upon his shoulder_)
SIR G. Let us hope it will. (_looking at PHILIP_)
ROSE. If all your speeches are as nice as that, I must come down to
court and hear you plead.
SIR G. I shall be proud to have so fair an auditor. But we've not told
your aunt the news.
LADY C. What news?
SIR G. Philip informs me, much to my surprise----
PHILIP. (_rising_) Sir George! I have considered your advice, and have
resolved to act on it. Till I have done so it would perhaps be
better----
SIR G. Not to say anything? I will respect your confidence.
LADY C. You have some private matter to discuss. Shall we go?
(_rises_)
SIR G. _We_ will go, if you will excuse us. (_rises_)
LADY C. Certainly.
SIR G. (_to PHILIP_) Come with me. (_Exit, L._)
PHILIP. In case I don't see you again, Miss Dalrymple, good night.
(_bows_)
ROSE. Good evening, Mr. Graham. (_she curtseys ceremoniously_)
LADY C. (_aside_) What can they have to talk about--those two?
(_reflectively_)
_PHILIP comes, L., and stands before LADY CARLYON._
PHILIP. Good night. (_puts out his hand_)
LADY C. (_giving him her hand slowly, which he takes and drops_) Good
night. (_exit PHILIP, quickly, L._) How glad he is to go! (_drops down
on seat again, L., leaning her head back, pressed between her
hands--slight pause--ROSE comes down_)
ROSE. Is anything the matter?
LADY C. I beg your pardon, dear. (_rises and puts her arm round ROSE
and leads her to the lounge_) I don't feel very well to-night.
ROSE. Sit down and let me talk to you. A chat will cheer you perhaps.
_LADY CARLYON sits upon the lounge before the fire--ROSE kneels beside
her, on the further side from audience, so that both their faces are
visible._
LADY C. I am so glad to have you with me, Rose. I wish I had you
always. I am very lonely.
ROSE. You have Uncle George!
LADY C. Sir George is always busy, and I do not care to interrupt him.
ROSE. But he has _some_ leisure.
LADY C. I never knew him to have any, since I was his wife. It's not
his fault. A man in his position has so much to do. When he is not in
court, he is in Parliament.
ROSE. He is at home to-night.
LADY C. And when he is at home, he is at work.
ROSE. Poor lonely aunt! (_clasps her arms round her_) I told you at
the theatre how like you were to Madame de Saint Géran in the play.
LADY C. Don't let us talk about that cruel play.
ROSE. Why was it cruel?
LADY C. What did it make you think of Madame de Saint Géran?
ROSE. Well--I thought she was a very wicked woman. Wasn't she?
LADY C. Perhaps. But if we had been told her history--if we had ever
been in her position--we might have sympathised with her. Were you
ever in love?
ROSE. Yes! I mean no! I can't exactly say.
LADY C. If you had been, you wouldn't hesitate. There is no doubt
about it. It is a weird thing. Sometimes it leads to heights,
sometimes to depths. I do not say it is an excuse. All I say is, those
who have never loved are not entitled to judge those who have. Wait
till you are in love yourself, before you judge poor Madame de Saint
Géran. And if you ever should be----
ROSE. Oh, I shall be!
LADY C. Marry for love, my dear, or not at all.
ROSE. What did _you_ marry for?
LADY C. (_stroking ROSE'S hair_) I didn't marry; I was married. Don't
ask me any more.
ROSE. Poor Aunt Bell! lie down, and let me play to you. (_rises_)
LADY C. Do, dear. I am too tired to talk. (_she lies back on the
lounge, ROSE goes to the piano_)
ROSE. (_sitting at piano_) What shall I play you?
LADY C. Anything you please.
_ROSE plays on the piano--LADY CARLYON, with the firelight flickering
about her, gradually falls asleep._
_Music._
ROSE. Aunt! (_turning_) Aunt! (_rises and goes on tip-toe to the back
of the lounge_) She's fast asleep. (_covers LADY CARLYON with the
cloaks, until the upper part of her figure is quite hidden, and then
stands surveying her_) How pretty she looks! but how pale! I like you,
aunt! I never saw you till to-day, but I like you. (_comes down_) If I
stop I shall wake her. (_crosses to C._) I'll lower the lamp and go.
(_lowers the lamp and crosses behind desk to R. at back_) Good night,
Aunt Bell! (_bending over the further end of the lounge_) Good
night--(_kisses her softly_)--and pleasant dreams! (_Exit, R._)
_The room is now in darkness, except for the firelight, which throws a
strong glow over LADY CARLYON, so that her slightest movement is quite
visible to the audience, but not from the L. side of the desk. At
present she is fast asleep and motionless._
_Re-enter SIR GEORGE, L., followed by PHILIP._
SIR G. Yes, they have gone to bed. The lamp has been turned down. Now
we can smoke. (_about to turn lamp up_)
PHILIP. Don't turn it up, please. This half light is charming.
SIR G. Just as you like, but I can scarcely see you. (_takes up cigar
box_)
PHILIP. (_aside_) So much the better.
SIR G. A cigar? (_offers box_)
PHILIP. Thanks. (_takes one_)
SIR G. Now we can talk more comfortably. (_takes a cigar himself while
PHILIP lights his with a match which he then hands to SIR GEORGE_)
Thanks. (_PHILIP sits, L., SIR GEORGE, C._) As I was saying, Rose
being my ward, I am concerned in this affair, and what I just now
recommended as a friend, in my position as her guardian I can insist
upon.
PHILIP. I have already said, Sir George, that I intend to act on your
advice.
SIR G. How does the matter stand?
PHILIP. Exactly as it stood when I left England. It was a friendship,
nothing but a friendship.
SIR G. Friendship?
PHILIP. Dangerous, no doubt; that's why I went abroad.
SIR G. Have you communicated with the lady since?
PHILIP. Never.
SIR G. Nor she with you? (_pause_) Eh?
PHILIP. Once.
SIR G. Ah! Now I understand the case. May I inquire what you propose
to do?
PHILIP. To see her and to tell her I am going to be married.
SIR G. What does that put an end to?
PHILIP. Everything.
SIR G. What, friendship?
PHILIP. Well----
SIR G. You said friendship.
PHILIP. Yes.
SIR G. Does marriage put an end to friendship? I hope not.
PHILIP. Of course it doesn't, but----
SIR G. That friendship must be put an end to. Philip, you are the son
of an old comrade, and I believe that, if you start fair, you will
make an admirable husband. But you _must_ start fair, or you won't. I
don't ask you to bring to me a spotless character--a history without a
speck or flaw; all I ask--and on that I insist--is that you shall
begin your future life unhampered by the past.
PHILIP. What would you have me do?
SIR G. Make your fair friend distinctly understand that all--however
little that all may have been--is over.
PHILIP. Will that satisfy you?
SIR G. Yes; but I must have proof she understands it.
PHILIP. What sort of proof?
SIR G. We lawyers have great faith in black and white. You laymen
think it a cumbrous form; but I have seen too many fortunes turn on a
forgotten sheet of notepaper, not to appreciate its value.
PHILIP. What do you mean?
SIR G. That you must bring to me a letter from your friend----
PHILIP. A letter from her!
SIR G. A mere acknowledgment that all is over.
PHILIP. A letter!
SIR G. Signed, mind you, signed.
PHILIP. Signed! (_his cry wakes LADY CARLYON_)
SIR G. Nothing like a signature.
PHILIP. (_rising_) Wouldn't you like it stamped as well, Sir George?
(_LADY CARLYON moves slightly_)
SIR G. A penny postage stamp will be enough.
PHILIP. That is impossible.
SIR G. It must be got. (_lays down cigar. PHILIP sinks back into seat
again--LADY CARLYON, who has gone through the first processes of
waking, lifts her head; at the sound of SIR GEORGE'S voice she starts
half up and holds herself in that position during the rest of the
conversation, but always so as not to be visible to the others. SIR
GEORGE rises and stands by PHILIP_) I feel so strongly that is the
right course, because in my own life I have pursued the opposite; and
I have paid--nay, I have not yet paid the penalty. I claim to be no
better than my kind. When I was married, I too was entangled. I was a
rising man--and it was necessary that I should obtain a seat in
Parliament. Lady Carlyon's father had much influence in the county
which I represent. My marriage was political. I had a charming wife,
who did her best to love me, heaven knows; and _I_ might have loved
_her_, if this entanglement from which I could not extricate myself
had not been there. But there it was, and with a woman's quickness she
discovered it. I know she did, although she never spoke; and with a
generosity which I can never repay, she did not add to my
embarrassment. What was the sequel? Death cut the knot which I could
not unravel. I am free. Now, many a time amongst these dead dry bones
(_pointing to briefs_) I hunger for the love it is too late to win.
Still that accursed past stands like a wall betwixt my wife and me.
(_returns, C._) Profit by my experience. (_sits, C._ )
PHILIP. No doubt, the course you recommend would be the proper course
to take, if it were possible; but in the circumstances it is quite
impossible.
SIR G. Difficult, perhaps, but not impossible. Have no false delicacy
in a case like this. This lady--I presume, whoever she may be, she
_is_ a lady--who is fond of _you_, for that is evident, but of whose
friendship you are weary, must be sacrificed. I pity her, but there is
no help for it.
PHILIP. None! but a letter is out of the question.
SIR G. Why?
PHILIP. How could I ask her--oh, it is impossible!
SIR G. Then, you do feel for her?
PHILIP. I can't help pitying her.
SIR G. Perhaps still care for her--a little?
PHILIP. Sir George (_rises_), I give you my assurance as a gentleman,
nothing has passed between us but kind words. I never loved her; and
when I think of all the trouble she has brought on me--how she has
banished me for months abroad--how nearly she has made me a false
friend--I hate the very mention of her name!
LADY C. (_who has followed his words in an agony, unable to restrain
herself_) Philip! (_remembering herself, drops back upon the lounge,
and feigns to be asleep_)
PHILIP. (_turning, L., quickly_) What's that?
SIR G. (_rising and turning up the lamp, sees her upon the lounge_) My
wife! (_going round at back of desk to lounge_) She is asleep.
(_moving her_) Bell! Isabel! (_she pretends to wake, then starts up
suddenly_)
LADY C. Oh, how you startled me!
SIR G. Nay, how you startled us!
LADY C. How so?
SIR G. By calling out.
LADY C. Forgive me for disturbing you, but I was dreaming.
SIR G. And not a pleasant dream, apparently. Why, you are trembling
all over.
LADY C. (_smiling_) So I am.
SIR G. And you cried out as though you were in pain.
LADY C. It was in terror. I dreamt that I was walking on the edge of a
high cliff.
SIR G. Pshaw!
LADY C. Philip was with me.
SIR G. You had a safe escort.
LADY C. But the path grew so difficult, we had to separate. I followed
him; when suddenly he turned and----
SIR G. And what?
LADY C. Flung me over! I shrieked out, "Philip!"--and awoke.
SIR G. That was what startled us.
LADY C. Forgive me. Mr. Graham, for having even dreamt that you could
be so little chivalrous.
SIR G. You are not well, my dear. It's time you went upstairs. I'll
ring for your maid.
LADY C. She has gone to bed. It doesn't matter. I can go alone.
SIR G. Where is Miss Dalrymple?
LADY C. I'll look for her.
SIR G. Stay where you are. _I_'ll look for her. (_Exit, L. The two
stand opposite each other--pause_)
LADY C. Well, Philip?
PHILIP. Was this really a dream?
LADY C. No.
PHILIP. You have overheard my conversation with Sir George?
LADY C. The end of it.
PHILIP. And you cried out because----
LADY C. I realised the truth.
PHILIP. I didn't weigh my words. Perhaps I over-stated----
LADY C. That will do. (_pause_) You chose a curious confidant!
PHILIP. I had no choice. Sir George is so acute; he guessed so much, I
had to pass it off by asking him to give me his advice.
LADY C. It was a dangerous expedient. Does he suspect--who----
PHILIP. No.
LADY C. Though he is so acute?
PHILIP. Those who are gifted with long sight are often blind to what
is at their feet.
LADY C. How did you come to talk on such a subject?
PHILIP. I had been telling him----
LADY C. Go on.
PHILIP. That I am going to be married.
LADY C. Oh. (_quite calmly_) That was your secret? (_sits_)
PHILIP. Yes. He guessed the reason why I went abroad, and putting this
and that together, he divined there was a difficulty.
LADY C. What is the difficulty?
PHILIP. The lady to whom I am engaged is not yet of age, and those who
have the care of her insist upon some proof that our acquaintanceship
is at an end.
LADY C. They also know----
PHILIP. Not who you are!
LADY C. You make too many confidants. What proof do they require?
PHILIP. A monstrous proof!
LADY C. What?
PHILIP. Why, a letter with your signature! It is outrageous!
LADY C. Does Sir George think so?
PHILIP. He agrees with them.
LADY C. What does he say you ought to do?
PHILIP. To ask for such a letter.
LADY C. Then why don't you?
PHILIP. Oh, have some pity on me!
LADY C. That is but fair: for you have pitied _me_. (_rises_) You
shall not ask me for the document you want; but you shall have it.
PHILIP. Ah, you don't understand----
LADY C. A letter with my signature. I understand.
PHILIP. But----
LADY C. I only ask one favour in return.
PHILIP. Whatever I can do----
LADY C. Once whilst you were away, I was so foolish as to write to
you. Whether or not my note was forwarded, I don't know; but if you
received it----
PHILIP. I did.
LADY C. Please to return it to me; that is all I ask. (_slight pause_)
Well?
PHILIP. I regret----
LADY C. Surely you will do that?
PHILIP. I can't.
LADY C. Can't! Why? (_slight pause_)
PHILIP. (_drops his head_) I have destroyed it.
LADY C. Ah! (_turns up and sits at desk_) Sit down a moment whilst I
write the letter. (_writes rapidly_)
PHILIP. It would be to no purpose.
LADY C. Oh, I will make it to the purpose. (_writing_)
PHILIP. Ah, if you only understood my situation!
LADY C. Pray sit down. (_continues writing_)
PHILIP. (_sits on the end of lounge facing the audience--aside_) How
shall I tell her who it is requires it? (_rises--aloud_) Lady
Carlyon----
LADY C. (_writing_) In one moment.
PHILIP. (_sits--aside_) How am I to say it? (_pause--during which LADY
CARLYON finishes and folds up the letter_)
LADY C. (_rising and advancing_) There is the letter. (_puts it in his
hand_)
PHILIP. It is of no use. (_rises_)
LADY C. It is signed.
PHILIP. That is the very reason. How can I show your signature----
LADY C. You have my leave. The guardian is a gentleman, I hope.
PHILIP. Undoubtedly.
LADY C. Then he will not betray me.
PHILIP. But you don't know---- (_door opens, L._)
LADY C. My husband! hush!
_Re-enter SIR GEORGE, L. PHILIP hides behind his back the hand which
holds the letter._
SIR G. Rose has gone up stairs, but I've sent word you want her. Are
you no better? You're upset to-night.
PHILIP. It is my fault, Sir George. I've just been telling your wife
of my difficulties.
SIR G. You couldn't have done better. I'm sure she will agree with me,
that you should get the signature required. That is the only
difficulty in the matter.
PHILIP. But it is insurmountable. If I had the signature, how could I
use it?
SIR G. Not without permission.
PHILIP. No!
LADY C. But you _have_ permission!
(_quickly and inadvertently_)
SIR G. What?
LADY C. (_aside_) I've said too much.
SIR G. How did you get it? There's no post at this hour.
PHILIP. (_with his disengaged hand produces ROSE'S envelope from his
pocket_) In the letter which you gave to me----
SIR G. Oh--ah!
PHILIP. And which I have just opened.
SIR G. The letter in the lady's handwriting.
PHILIP. Of her own accord, she releases me----
SIR G. This is a marvellous coincidence.
PHILIP. (_shows letter_) But here the letter is.
SIR G. How alike you women write! I could almost have sworn that
envelope was in my niece's hand.
LADY C. How could that be?
SIR G. Why not?
LADY C. Rose write to Philip, whom she doesn't know!
SIR G. Not know?
LADY C. They never saw each other till to-night.
SIR G. You said Philip had told you----
PHILIP. All but that.
SIR G. You have not told my wife it's Rose you are engaged to?
LADY C. Rose!
SIR G. You may well look surprised. It seems they met on board the
"Kangaroo."
LADY C. He is engaged to Rose?
PHILIP. Yes.
LADY C. Then the guardian is----
SIR G. I. (_touches his breast, advances one step forward, and puts
out his hand_) Give me the letter. (_LADY CARLYON and PHILIP both
recoil one step--pause--they stand breathless, gazing at SIR GEORGE_)
You hesitate.
PHILIP. Sir George, you must make some allowances. This letter is
addressed to me, and I should not be justified in letting it go out of
my possession.
SIR G. How, then, do you propose to satisfy me?
LADY C. Might he not read it?
SIR G. Thank you, my dear, for the suggestion. That will meet the
difficulty.
PHILIP. Then, I will read it. (_reads nervously, the letter trembling
in his hands_) "I hear you are going to be married. Good-bye, Philip.
You need not fear that I shall trouble you again; I have your
happiness too much at heart; but if I should, this letter puts me at
your mercy. Should the necessity arise, you have my leave to give it
to whoever has the right to ask for it.--Yours, for the last time----"
SIR G. Stop. Is the letter signed?
PHILIP. In full.
SIR G. Now, give it me.
PHILIP. Sir George----
SIR G. The ground is cut from under you. You are expressly authorised
to give that letter to whoever has the right to ask for it. _I_ have
the right----
PHILIP. But you never will exercise it!
SIR G. Now. I have a reason.
PHILIP. Lady Carlyon!
SIR G. I accept the arbiter. Lady Carlyon, am I right or wrong?
LADY C. (_in a low voice and with an effort_) Right.
SIR G. The award's against you.
LADY C. Give him the letter.
PHILIP. But----
SIR G. Sir, I demand it! (_PHILIP gives it him_) I want it for a very
special purpose. (_folding the letter up into a spill, but never
letting his eyes fall upon it_) The woman who wrote this will never
trouble you. If she has done wrong, she has borne her punishment.
Therefore, in pity, let us hide her shame. (_lights spill at lamp, and
holds it in his hand--all three stand watching it, until the ashes
drop upon the floor, then turn aside, LADY CARLYON, R., PHILIP, L.,
SIR GEORGE to back of scene_)
_Re-enter ROSE, R., in a dressing-gown._
ROSE. You want me, aunt?
SIR G. _I_ want you, Rose. (_leads her to PHILIP_) Philip has asked
for my consent to your engagement. I give it cordially. He is the son
of a good father, and I think he will make you a good husband.
ROSE. Uncle George! (_embraces him--turns to PHILIP_) You haven't kept
our secret!
PHILIP. No, I couldn't wait.
SIR G. (_crosses to LADY CARLYON_) Won't you congratulate them?
(_stands, R., thoughtfully_)
LADY C. Yes. (_crosses to ROSE and PHILIP_)
ROSE. (_embracing her_) Aren't you surprised, Aunt Bell?
LADY C. I was, when first I heard. I hope you will be very happy. You,
too, Philip.
(_gives him her hand, then crosses to SIR GEORGE_)
ROSE. Why don't you kiss her, Philip?
PHILIP. I'll kiss you instead.
(_they sit aside, L., without noticing the others_)
LADY C. (_laying her hand upon SIR GEORGE'S arm_) What are you
thinking of?
SIR G. I was just wondering if that poor woman's love, which had so
gone astray, will ever go back to her husband.
LADY C. Yes, if he is as generous as you.
SIR G. How was I generous?
LADY C. In sparing her.
SIR G. I was not generous. (_each looking in the other's eyes with
meaning_) I simply paid a debt of honour I have owed too long. If I
_was_ generous, was it not you who taught me generosity?
LADY C. George, you have guessed her name!
SIR G. But I shall never mention it. (_embrace_)
CURTAIN.
Transcriber's Note
This transcription is based on scanned images posted by the Internet
Archive:
archive.org/details/inhonourboundano00grunuoft
These images, which were scanned from a copy made available by the
University of Toronto Libraries, are of an undated edition printed in
London by Samuel French. The estimated date of publication is 1885. A
secondary source, also posted by the Internet Archive, was consulted:
archive.org/details/inhonorboundorig00grun
These images, which were made available by the University of
California, are of an edition printed in Philadelphia by the Penn
Publishing Company in 1912.
French's Acting Editions from the nineteenth century tend to have
minor editorial inconsistencies and errors as well as errors
introduced in the printing process, depending on the condition and
inking of the plates. Thus, for example, it is at times difficult to
determine whether a certain letter is an "c," "e," or "o" or whether a
certain punctuation mark is a period or a comma. Where context made
the choice obvious, the obvious reading was given the benefit of the
doubt without comment.
The following changes were noted:
- Throughout the text, the use of dashes has been made consistent.
- p. 3: Based on the Penn edition and editorial practice in other
contemporaneous French's Acting Editions, three colons in the opening
scene description were changed to semicolons.
- p. 4: The only girl in the wide world for me--Added a period at the
end of the sentence.
- p. 8: SIR GEORGE (_putting chair..._--Changed "SIR GEORGE" to "SIR
G." for consistency.
- p. 9: Of course. (_quickl y_)--Deleted space in "_quickl y_" in two
consecutive lines.
- p. 10: SIR. G. Why so?--Deleted period after "SIR".
- p. 10: SIB G. (_putting the brief..._--Changed "SIB G." to "SIR G.".
- p. 10: SIR. G. Let us hope it will.--Deleted period after "SIR".
- p. 10: ...and hear you plead,--Changed comma to period.
- p. 11: What can they have to talk about--those two? (_reflectiv
ly_)--Inserted "e" in _reflectiv ly_.
- p. 12: It is a weird thing Sometimes--Inserted period after "thing".
- p. 14: I know she did, although she never spoke: and...--Changed
colon to semicolon, as in Penn edition.
- p. 17: Are youno better?--Inserted space after "you".
- p. 18: SIR G. What--Added a question mark after "What".
- p. 19: (_reads nervously, the l trembling in his
hands_)--Changed "_l_" to "_letter_".
The html version of this etext attempts to reproduce the layout of the
printed text. However, some concessions have been made. For example,
in the printed text stage directions following a line of dialogue were
placed a couple spaces after the dialogue, flush right on the same
printed line, or flush right on the next line. In the etext, all stage
directions printed on the same line were placed right after the
dialogue. Stage directions printed on the next line were indented from
the left margin, and coded as hanging paragraphs.
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of In Honour Bound, by Sydney Grundy
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