Mrs. Lorrimer. [Very self-consciously.] No—how should I?
Dawson. Can't you guess?
Mrs. Lorrimer. I don't want to guess, I want to know for certain.
Dawson. You are "the only woman in the world!" [He bows low before her, his right arm bent, his hand on his chest.
Mrs. Lorrimer. [Takes his arm.] Well, I am ready to run the risk if you are. [Mrs. Lorrimer and Dawson cross right.] But now we mustn't lose any more time—take a cable-car; I will, it'll be quicker than a cab. Perhaps you won't approve of cable-cars for me, though. They are the most emotional mode of convenience I've ever tried.—This morning, in two curves I sat in three men's laps!
Dawson. Ah. [Laughing.] Don't let those curves get to be a habit, or I'll sue the company for alienating your affections.
Mrs. Lorrimer. [Laughing.] Come! [Takes his arm again and they meet Marion, who enters.
Marion. [As she comes.] Tired out, Emily? [Dawson goes up stage to door.
Mrs. Lorrimer. Tired! I never felt so rested in all my life! I haven't tied up very many. [With a look and gesture toward the table of presents.] I've been interrupted—and now you must excuse me for a little while, but I'll come back and do some more.
Dawson. I'll go at once— [To Marion.] —an errand for Emily—Mrs. Lorrimer. [Emphasis on the name and a meaning look.] Good-bye— [Going. Both women say "Good-bye," but Mrs. Lorrimer follows him. Marion's back is turned. Mrs. Lorrimer quickly gives Dawson a large bunch of violets she carries in exchange for a small rose-bud he wears in his buttonhole. He cannot get it into his coat. There is amused confusion. Marion turns and Dawson quickly exits. Mrs. Lorrimer down left of table.
Marion. [Right of table.] It's like the death of someone, isn't it? This is the death of my marriage, and these gifts are its clothes.
Mrs. Lorrimer. Has—er—she gone?
Marion. No—she's waiting up in my room.
Mrs. Lorrimer. What for?
Marion. [Quietly.] I mean to make him marry her if I can, here, to-day.
Mrs. Lorrimer. [Doubtfully.] Do you think you can?
Marion. If he loves me, I think so. I shall ask him to prove his love by doing the one honourable, honest thing there is for him to do. [To sofa.
Mrs. Lorrimer. You believe in this woman?
Marion. He has practically acknowledged that what she says is true.
Mrs. Lorrimer. [Tenderly.] And you, dear, and your love— [Crosses to Marion. Interrupted.
Marion. My love—for him. [Sits on sofa.] The blow he struck Jeannette fell on my heart and killed my love. A man who would strike a woman will do most anything,—and think where he did it, and why? Because she was pleading and fighting for the rights of his child!
Mrs. Lorrimer. I am glad, dear, you can take it so calmly.
Marion. [Calmly.] Oh, no, it isn't exactly that—I am reasonable; I see I've escaped a great misery and I'm grateful— [Enter Servant.] But I suffer terribly, for the moment I close my eyes, I see only the dreadful scene of yesterday.
Servant. Mr. Fletcher, ma'am.
Mrs. Lorrimer. Oh! He's missed him!
Marion. What? [Rises.] Who's missed who?
Mrs. Lorrimer. Nothing. Nobody!
Marion. [To Servant.] Show him in, Howes. [Servant bows slightly and exits.
Mrs. Lorrimer. [Quickly.] Let me go the other way. [Reaches door.
Marion. You're coming back?
Mrs. Lorrimer. Yes. [Kisses Marion.
Marion. What a sweet rose that is. [Touching Dawson's rose in Mrs. Lorrimer's dress.
Mrs. Lorrimer. Yes, it's the loveliest rose I've ever seen. [Exit quickly as Fletcher enters.
Fletcher. [Speaking seriously but pleasantly, evidently expecting that everything is to be made all right between them.] Thank you for sending for me, but I would have come without your message!
Marion. [Looks at him, surprised at his tone. Speaks quietly.] Jeannette is upstairs waiting.
Fletcher. [Starts; his whole manner changes; he realizes now that he has to fight for what he wants and against what he doesn't want.] Why?
Marion. I've promised her you shall marry her, if I can make you.
Fletcher. You can't. No, no, Marion. [Pleading.] You won't throw me over for yesterday. I lost my temper, I know, and I'm sorry for it, but I love you— [Interrupted.
Marion. [Interrupting.] Prove it by doing what I ask.
Fletcher. [Angry.] Never! [Goes right.
Marion. [Follows him.] If you make the reparation there is in your power, it would save you from being utterly contemptible in my eyes!
Fletcher. You say that!!!
Marion. Yes,—will you do what I ask?
Fletcher. [Angry.] No!
Marion. [Angry.] Then I do right to despise you!
Fletcher. No, because it is my love for you that keeps me back. [Marion laughs a bitter, satirical laugh.] I will marry only you.
Marion. Me! Ha! [Laughs again.
Fletcher. [Angrily—close to her.] And I will marry you.
Marion. No, you'll not! [Faces him.
Fletcher. I will force you to marry me.
Marion. How dare you to take that tone with me.
Fletcher. I dare more than that.
Marion. [Goes to bell.] Take care, or I'll have the servants turn you out of the house! [Fletcher laughs an ironical laugh.] Will you marry Jeannette Gros!
Fletcher. [More angry.] No! [He follows her.] And I won't leave this house, either. [Takes her hand.
Marion. Don't touch me!
Fletcher. I won't leave the house because it's mine. And so will you be!
Marion. No!
Fletcher. Yes, you will, because I'll buy you with your father's reputation!
Marion. With what!
Fletcher. With your father's good name.
Marion. You—scoundrel.
Fletcher. We are well mated, for you are the daughter of one! [Marion immediately touches the bell, which is heard ringing in the distance.] You had better dismiss the servant when he comes; I am sure you would rather he didn't hear all I have to say.
Marion. [Almost under her breath.] You cannot injure my father!
Fletcher. Ask your uncle, Mr. Dawson! [Marion looks up questioningly, as if she suddenly remembered something. Servant enters.
Marion. Ask Mrs. Wolton to please come here at once.
Servant. Yes, m'm. [Crosses room and exits.
Fletcher. You remember the night of your fancy-dress ball and your father's—death— [He pauses—Marion doesn't answer, but looks troubled.] He took his life to save it from being—disgraced, because he was a thief!
Marion. Stop! [She draws herself up and looks Fletcher in the face. He stops. She goes to door left and opens it. He goes right. Enter Mrs. Wolton, a little frightened. Marion takes her hand and leads her down stage. Mrs. Wolton sees Fletcher, but does not bow. Fletcher bows. Marion takes Mrs. Wolton's hand and the two women stand, facing Fletcher who stands.
Marion. You repeat, if you dare, the vile slander of my father!
Mrs. Wolton. Your father?
Fletcher. All that I said is true, and more!
Mrs. Wolton. What is true? What did he say? [A pause. Fletcher remains doggedly silent.
Marion. Ah! You daren't repeat it before my mother! [Fletcher sneers.] You know she would prove the lie in your face! Did you think you would frighten me into marrying you! Do you think a man with a reputation like yours, could injure the reputation of a man like my father, loved by everyone!
Fletcher. And who cheated those very people who loved him—that's only what I did. He was no better than I— [Mrs. Wolton makes a movement and an effort to interrupt him.
Marion. [To Mrs. Wolton.] Let him finish, mother. [Holding her back.
Fletcher. He left you both beggars, and robbed his own sister besides.
Mrs. Wolton. It is not true!
Marion. [Not believing him.] How is it, then, that we have everything, everything we could wish for! How is it we have lived in our old home, lived our old life, if we were beggars!
Fletcher. How?—thanks to my money, I've paid for it all! [Marion opens her lips to speak, but cannot; a short pause.
Mrs. Wolton. You! [Marion stops her with her hand on her arm. Marion and Mrs. Wolton cross to sofa.
Fletcher. [Quietly.] It is true! This is my house you're in! [A pause—the two women are stunned, speechless, unable to comprehend and believe, yet unable to contradict. Re-enter Dawson.
Fletcher. Ah! [Relieved, as Dawson is his proof. Dawson, looking from one person to the other, realizes the situation. He looks a little frightened at the two women. An awkward moment's pause.] Question him if you doubt my word.
Marion. My father! Is what he says true? [The women are afraid to question.
Dawson. [To Fletcher.] Have you told them?
Fletcher. The truth? Yes!
Dawson. [To Fletcher.] Your reason?
Fletcher. I didn't come here to do it; she made me angry. She drove me to it.
Marion. [In a hard, tuneless voice.] He says my father was not honest—is that true?
Dawson. [Answers with difficulty.] Yes. [A sob comes into Marion's throat and she almost breaks down, but she at once controls herself.
Marion. He says his money has been supporting us since—since—
Dawson. [To Fletcher.] A manly way to put it!
Fletcher. [Crosses left. Bursting out again.] I wanted you to feel an obligation to me—I don't want to lose you.—You loved me yesterday; if you were once bound to me, you'd love me again—you can't change like that over night.
Marion. If yesterday had left any love in my heart for you, you would have destroyed it by what you have done to-day.
Mrs. Wolton. [Who has gained control of herself.] But I don't understand how it was his money—
Dawson. [Interrupts.] At the time of your husband's death a large sum of money was needed to keep his wrong-doing from being made public. I took Fletcher into my confidence, and he lent us this sum.
Marion. You should have told me.
Dawson. I wanted to save you.
Marion. No! no! It was placing me in a terribly false position. It was placing all of us! Well, I take the debt now on my shoulders! Between us three we will manage to pay it up in time—I am ready to give up the rest of my life to it. [Crosses to Fletcher.] Don't be afraid, you will be paid!
Fletcher. And you still persist in your refusal to marry me?
Marion. Yes! Yes! Yes!! A thousand times now more than ever.
Fletcher. And do you think all those years you are trying to scrape up the money, I'll hold my tongue? I don't care about the money, I only care about you.—If I can't have you, do you think I'm going to accept the disgrace you helped heap upon me yesterday? Not I, if I know it! Throw me over, and I'll make public your father's record—every dishonest bit of it! [Strikes table.
Mrs. Wolton. [Cries out.] No! No! [Crosses to Dawson.
Dawson. You dare threaten?
Marion. No, no! He can't mean it.
Mrs. Wolton. [Taking Dawson's arm.] No, no! He wouldn't bring this disgrace upon us! What good would it do him?
Fletcher. Then persuade her to marry me.
Dawson. No. Rather the disgrace!
Marion. [To Fletcher.] I never thought I would humble myself before you, but I do, now, and I beg you, for the love you say you have for me, spare the name of a man, who at least never harmed you! Don't dishonour my father's memory. Isn't it enough revenge for you that my mother and I know it! [With tears. Fletcher is a little affected, but Dawson does not see this, and interrupts. He pulls Marion away from before Fletcher.
Dawson. No—I won't have you pleading to him! [Places her to left and Marion puts arms about her mother.
Fletcher. I know who I have to thank for all this—Rhodes!
Marion. There is no need to mention his name. [Arms about her mother.
Fletcher. Isn't there! It was he who brought Jeannette here—it was he we both have to thank for yesterday's ordeal.
Marion. [To Dawson, half-heartedly.] What? [She places Mrs. Wolton on sofa.
Fletcher. You didn't believe me when I told you of your father! But this is as true as that was. And the night you promised to marry me, Rhodes threatened to do this very thing.
Marion. It isn't possible! He wouldn't have submitted me to yesterday's humiliation!
Fletcher. How else could she—living quietly in a little town in Switzerland—know of our affairs here?
Dawson. I confess Rhodes tried to prejudice me, but I was too much impressed with Fletcher's generosity.
Fletcher. That money was nothing. I'd do it all over again to-morrow if Marion would only marry me.
Marion. Douglas tried to influence me, too.
Fletcher. He wants you himself, that's why!
Marion. [In despair.] Then I have no one—no friend to believe in! Not even you, Uncle Fred, for you should have told me about my father in the beginning.
Fletcher. [To Marion.] You have me!
Marion. Oh! Can't I make you understand, you least of all! [Servant enters and announces—"Mrs. Lorrimer—Mr. Rhodes." Those on the stage look up surprised.
Mrs. Wolton. Oh! this is more than I will bear! Mr. Rhodes, I must beg you to excuse us.
Douglas. To excuse you?
Mrs. Lorrimer. I have brought Mr. Rhodes— [Interrupted.
Mrs. Wolton. Then, I must ask you to take him away if he is unwilling to leave without you!
Dawson. No, Laura, wait— [Interrupted.
Marion. Mother is right. It should have been enough for Mr. Rhodes to have witnessed our humiliation yesterday. It is adding another insult for him to come here to-day.
Mrs. Lorrimer. Marion, you don't know what you're saying—
Douglas. [Stops Mrs. Lorrimer.] No! Miss Wolton is doubtless right— [Movement from Marion.] You did not tell me Mr. Fletcher was here, or I shouldn't have been persuaded to come. I prefer to go—
Mrs. Lorrimer. No, not without my telling why you came.
Douglas. No, I must ask you to keep the reason entirely to yourself—and Mr. Dawson. [Starts to go.
Dawson. [Stops him.] Not yet. I understand now why you have come with Mrs. Lorrimer. It is not fair that your reason for coming should not be known.
Fletcher. We know it; Miss Wolton has sufficiently explained. His presence here at this moment is only another insult.
Douglas. Oh, you wish me to go? [Mrs. Lorrimer begins to cross back of Douglas to right of table.] That puts another colour on the matter. I am at a loss to imagine how Mrs. Wolton could accuse me of the sentiments she did. I will stay and wait for an explanation from her.
Marion. I will give it to you if you will excuse me for a moment. [Going.
Dawson. [Meeting her.] What are you going to do?
Marion. Bring her here—she is in my room——
Fletcher. [Uneasy.] Jeannette!
Marion. [Ignoring Fletcher, speaks to Dawson in reply to Fletcher's question.] She will tell us who brought her to New York, and that will answer—Mr. Rhodes. [She exits.
Fletcher. [To Dawson.] I refuse to remain to see this woman. [Takes his hat.
Dawson. I have no wish to detain you—but kindly give your address that I may communicate with you.
Fletcher. My bankers you know,—that is all that is necessary, as I shall very likely sail—what day is this?
Dawson. Friday.
Fletcher. [Bitterly.] Oh, yes, of course, my wedding-day was on Thursday! I think I shall sail in to-morrow's steamer. [Marion re-enters. Sees Fletcher going, her voice stops him.
Marion. You are going—wait. This gentleman has asked me a question, which I think you can answer for me, by answering a question of mine to you. How did you know of my marriage to—of my marriage of yesterday?
Jeannette. From a friend who wrote me and sent me the newspapers.
Marion. [Meaningly.] A man or woman friend?
Jeannette. A woman!
Marion. [Starts—it is the first shock of doubt she has had.] Douglas Rhodes had nothing to do with your appearance yesterday in the church?
Douglas. [Astonished—hurt.] You thought that?
Jeannette. Oh, no, Miss Wolton, he had nothing in the world to do with it.
Marion. [Stands up as if shot, her face full of shame and grief—turns slowly toward Douglas, bows her head, half whispers.] I beg your pardon.
Dawson. [To Fletcher.] You see you were wrong, Mr. Fletcher.
Fletcher. Possibly. Good-bye.
Mrs. Wolton. And our secret, my husband's— [Hesitates, searching for a word—does not finish.
Fletcher. Oh, I was only trying to bully your daughter into marrying me—a drowning man, you know—I thought I could make her love me again if I once had a good chance—that's all. Well—I've bought lots of pleasure at the cost of other people's; now I'm going to pay my debt, I suppose, with some misery on my own account, but—well,—I sha'n't disturb Wolton's memory. [Mrs. Wolton whispers aloud to herself involuntarily— "Thank God!" Fletcher continues speech.] Because, because— [A sob comes in his throat.] I can't help it, I still love his daughter. [After a long look at Marion, exits. Marion has turned from Douglas and listened to the end of Fletcher's speech. As he goes, Jeannette involuntarily seizes Marion's hand. Marion frees herself from Jeannette with an encouraging look at her, and follows Fletcher out.
Mrs. Lorrimer. Well, bad as he is, there is something about that man that takes right hold of me. [To Dawson.] It's lucky I've fallen in love with you, or I might have had one more inning in the divorce club.
Dawson. I'm only afraid there's a little danger of you trying it again, anyway.
Mrs. Lorrimer. With you? Oh, no! The day we are married I'm going to begin writing letters to the newspapers in favour of abolishing the institution.
Marion. [Enters. Jeannette goes to her quickly, calm and hopefully.] Go to him, he is waiting. [Jeannette gives an exclamation of emotional relief and joy.] Be tactful; he wants to sail on to-morrow's steamer—don't ... [Interrupted.
Jeannette. I understand—he shall sail alone, if he will only leave his name behind for my boy.
Marion. That he will do—he said so. [As Marion turns, Jeannette takes her hand and leaves the room.
Mrs. Lorrimer. [Crosses to Marion.] Now, Marion, I want you to know why Douglas came.
Douglas. [Rises, comes center.] Please— [He shakes his head.
Dawson. But she must know some time.
Douglas. Not before me.
Dawson. Have you forgotten, Marion, our debt to Fletcher?
Marion. [Realizes what it is. To Douglas.] You would—Oh no, rather leave the debt with him to repay.
Douglas. Why?
Marion. Because I owe you now more than I can ever repay, for the wonderful friendship you have given me all my life! I haven't the right to accept anything more from you.
Douglas. Let me be the judge of that—
Marion. Still, after all that's gone by, you don't hate me?
Douglas. [Forgetting himself.] Hate you? No. I— [Marion crosses to sofa, sits. Mrs. Lorrimer, as he begins to speak, has touched Dawson's arm meaningly. Dawson moves quickly and softly to Douglas, and, with a quiet, soft, firm touch on his arm, stops him before he can say "I love you."
Dawson. [Aside to Douglas.] Wait—trust to me who love you both, and wait.
Douglas. [To Marion.] You'll leave the debt with me?
Marion. Yes! [Mrs. Lorrimer, Mrs. Wolton and Dawson all exchange happy, hopeful glances. Douglas and Marion look at each other.
Curtain.
Transcriber's Notes
Pages 533, 536: Variations in spelling Jeannette Gros (Jeannette Gross and Jeanette Gross) in the Cast of Characters lists have been retained to match the original book.
Page 540: speakes changed to speaks.
(She speakes aside to one)
Page 548: Punctuation missing in original. Added ! after "something."
(MR. WOLTON. Give me a word of hope, Fred!—something What are you
going to do?)
Page 549: Period added to end of sentence after "corner."
(and placing them down left corner)