Anna Dickinson SPEECHES & WRITINGS FILE PLAYS "The Test of Honor" Acts III - IV3Act 3 The Test of Honor:- A Comedy drama; by Anna E Dickinson Entered accordingly to act of congress, in the year 1880, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. All Rights Reserved 1 Scene:- Side door of Mrs. Campey's Inn. Front of stage, flowers &c. Back of stage showing a cliff or suggestion of the Sea. Bessie, picking flowers, discovered. Presently enters Sam, who laughs to himself, looks about for some mischief, sees watering pot steals up softly and gets it. Bessie there! I'll pick her the very handsomest bunch i can get; (looking towards inn) Ma'am campey says I may, -and that 'll please her- she loves flowes. (Enter Sam) Lord! Lord! what a thing a wedding is to be sure-- even if it is done up in a hurry. (He sprinkles her) Sam! Sam! you ought to be whipped! Sam And why? if you please, miss? Ain't I making myself useful? Doing with this here object just what it was put here to do. Bessie No, you wretch, you know you ain't. That pot is there to sprinkle flowers, as you very well know; not to slop me.2 Sam And where's the fellow who'll say you ain't a flower? Just let me get a squint at him! Bessie No, you don't! You're not going to butter me with that sort. Look at my gown! Sam (maliciously) You needn't be so quick to deny of a compliment. I didn't say what sort of a flower. (she runs at him) Oh, a rose! a rose! of course I meant a rose! (she smiles & retreats) With thorns! Bessie Impudent! You shall feel them. Sam (retreats) No, no. Hold on! I know the size of them already. Bessie (sorting her flowers) For goodness sake, what are you up to now? Can one go nowhere without stumbling on you! Two hours ago you were at the abbey, and now you are here! Sam (same voice) For goodness sake, miss, can one plant himself nowhere in peace 3 without your stumbling on him! Two hours ago you were at the abbey - and now you are here! Bessie You think yourself smart, - don't you? If I couldn't say something new I'd hold my tongue. Sam (pausing in eating a tart) If nobody never said nothing that nobody had never said before them, nobody would never say nothing. - And I don't think smartness is so wonderful. Bessie Some folks are fond of sticking up their noses at what other folks have, and they can't possess. Sam What's that? if you please, miss? Bessie (tapping his head with one of the flowers) Brains, booby. Sam Now you've had the last word- Bessie And the best- Sam Perhaps you'll kindly condescend to tell4 me what you be doing here Bessie I'm here waiting for Miss Elfie -- only she won't be Miss Elfie, -- & Mr. Sergeant Ryde -- & my lord Colonel Marston -- if you please. Sam My eye! -- What for? Bessie Don't you wish you knew? Sam In course. That's why I ask. Bessie You men (going up stage) never have no curiosity. Oh, no! Perhaps not! Sam (following, & very earnestly) Bessie, I'll give you a bran, span, new shilling to buy yourself a ribbon if you'll tell me what you mean. Bessie Honor bright? (coming down) Sam (giving it) There ain't no better proof nor that - is there? Bessie Good boy! Now I will tell you Sam (maliciously) You women never are 5 mer-ce-na-rary -- oh, no! You don't like money! -- Perhaps not! Bessie (throws it down) There - take your dirty — Sam (picking it up) Dirty? Come, I like that! Bessie Shabby, ugly little shilling, and keep it & your bad manners together. (turns away) Sam (with mock humility) There! I'll go down on my two knees, & beg your pardon - & tell you I'm here with the Captain's traps to take the next train to London -- and an awful wax he's in to get there! -- Now'll you let me know? Bessie Now you talk like a gentleman I'll tell you. I'm here with my lady Marston's things and my own to take the next train to London. What have you got to say to that? Sam What? -- What in the world are you talking about? - Lady Marston? - Who's Lady Marston?6 Bessie (with courtesy) She were Miss Elzrida Irwine - at your pleasure. She have been made my lady, beloved Edward Marston but now - and she's going up as far as London with her new husband- Sam (whistles) Her new husband! - Maybe the Captain's goose ain't cooked! Bessie Alack! She'll have to say good-bye to him tomorrow. If I were the lord Governor - or whatever, I'd put an end to the wars - or make the people as wants 'em Gight 'em! Sam That'd put an end to them in a jizzy! -But where?-When?-What?-How?-Which?- Bessie I can't tell all because I don't know all, but its beautifully romantic, I know that. Sam (looks off) There are my lady Rutherford and Mr. Earle. Bessie Then I'll run. (Exits into Inn) 7 (Enter Lady Rutherford & Mr. Earke followed by footman, Sam goes up & takes dressing-case from him as Lady Rutherford & Earle come down) Sam You have a half hour to spare, sir. Earle All right. Take these. (hands some small things.) Lady R. (turning up stage, to footman) Tell Duff to take the ponies round, and see they are cared for, himself. (Earle throws himself down in seat- with dejected attitude, as Sam goes up.) Footman Yes, my lady (puts down her wrap, & Exits) Lady R. (formits to her wrap as Sam crosses to Zun with case ze.) And this. (Sam takes it & exits to inn -Lady R. comes down, puts hand on Earle's shoulder; he starts violently.) Earle I thought it was - I thought it might be - (laughs, & recovers himself) You startled me. 8 Lady R. Startled you? - Why you talk like a girl with nerves. (Looks at him anxiously & shakes her head.) I wish, Raymond, you would tell me what is fretting you. I do not ask as a meddling old woman but because I love you as well though you were my own son, and I can see without these (toweling her eye-glasses )that you are in trouble. Earle Thanks, -but it is nothing you can help, aunt. Lady R. You are in debt? Earle Of course. Who isn't? Lady R. (smiles) You take that easily enough. -You can't be in love? Earle Why not? Because, (coming up & putting hand on his shoulder) save for a little soft shot I think you keep for me, I shrewdly suspect you have no heart. Earle Nevertheless, my dear aunt, I'm un love, (he starts up as she sits down) - so madly... 9 ...in love as to made a fool of myself (laughs) and having done so once must needs do so again by confessing it. -One can sometimes find comfort in jeering at one's one folly. Lady R. In love-You? Earle I. Lady R. With whom? - may I ask? Earle You may ask- and I will answer. (halts in his walk) With Elzrida Irwine. Lady R. You are mad! Earle (laughs) I told you so. Lady R. You? with your tastes, your habits, your- Earle Debts. Lady R. (Assents, half smiling) Your debts, your needs of all kinds, to think of anything but money & position, -to look at a pauper- Earle Not quite that. From some mysterious source has come to her some money- you see 10 I can reason with financial clearness- and yet, (laughs again) I confess it - before she had a shilling I was so infatuated as to have married her. (he walks away & says savagely, in a half-aside) I have staked everything on winning her, (turns in walk back towards Lady R) and now I have asked her -(laughs) Lady R You do not mean to say she has rejected you. Earle (with bow of exaggerated humility) You have spared me the mortification, aunt, by saying it for me. Lady R She could not- Earle Apparently she could. - Since 'tis a fact accomplished. Lady R. She will be glad to reconsider- Earle She? (laughs) Never. You do not know her. She looks a reed- she has a will of iron. Beside (laughs harshly) I insulted my lady so grossly she will never forgive me. 11 Lady R. Insult?-You? Impossible. Earle My dear aunt, all follies are possible to a man who is wild about a woman whom he sees insane about somebody else. Say no more of it, I beg. I have made an ass of myself and there's an end of the matter. (Enter Footman with letter, bows Footman) My lady, the mail bag came in soon after you'd left; (comes down, - she takes letter from him, & puts up eye=glasses) this said, "in haste", so Clement rode after you at once. Lady R. This is for you, Raymond- Earle Thanks. (puts out his hand for it) Lady R. And from Sir Michael Netto, -if I know his hand. (Earle had made motion to open it, glances at it & violently crushes it in his hand. Lady R. turns to footman, -& so does not see his agitation) Where is Clement? -Why did he not bring it in himself?12 Footman If you please, my lady, he is such a figure. Lady R Such a figure? What is the matter with him? Footman All a-muck, my lady. All sand and wet and slop. Earle What should put him in such a plight? Footman If you please, sir. -- If you please, my lady, he thought he would ne'er o'ertake you by the road. Earle (points) And so came by the beach. Well, doesn't he know enough to keep out of the sea? Footman If you please, sir, the tide's almost in, and even on the broad beach he had to keep close to the rocks. So that when he came to the Shark's Mouth -- Lady R Good heavens! he never tried to pass there? Footman Yes, my lady. He wouldn't turn back. 13 He scrambled up & over the rocks, but they are so steep & slippery that Don went down with him twice, and has made him such a guy -- all green slime -- that he's clean shamed to be seen. Earle (Going down stage) He is as vain as a peacock. Lady R (Shakes her head at him) He is a good, faithful boy. (Turns toward Footman) Tell him to get something hot before he rides back. Footman Yes, my lady. (Bows, & exits) (Lady R goes upstage, & looks off as though rock were not far away.) Earle (Looking at closed letter) I have not the courage to look! Lady R That is a dreadful place. Some time some stranger will get caught there. (Comes down) Earle Surely you are never anxious. Lady R No, I am not. If one were crossing the14 sands, or going down the rocks, knowing nothing of the awful dip there, he would think it only shallow water, of course, and go on, and in two steps would be drowned. (Shudders) It is horrible! (going up stage, & looking off) Earle How my hand trembles. (trying to open letter) what a coward I am -- and a fool -- to be scared at a bit of writing! - Simply because it's from him, when I've had a hundred letters from him before. (Crushes it) Pshaw, I'll not need it now. It's nothing important. It can wait. (Opens it violently) I must! (reads) Discovered! My god! (whisper) Lady R (Comes down) I hope you have no ill news. Earle (Crushing paper, & concealing great agitation) A trifling annoyance. Lady R No more? Since its is from Sir Michael Netto I am afraid it is about money. (Pointing to letter) Can I not help you? (He shakes his head) Are you sure it is only trifling? Earle I assure you. (Smiles and thrusts it into 15 his pocket.) Won't you go in, and rest where it is cooler? This October sun has heat in it. Lady R (going) Yes. (Smiles) and have some of Mrs. Campey's fine home brewed ale. (Exits into inn.) Earle -- (Takes out & looks at letter) Ruined! and unless I can raise ten thousands pounds between now & to-morrow night (shudders) disgraced -- arrested -- a felon! (Enter Kate Ryde from Calls to servant in inn) Kate -- Here! You, Tom, Jerry, Tim, Bill, what's your name (enter servant from inn) Come and take this bag. (points) That wretched beast has stuck in a hole & will never get out! How should he? With the head of a hippopotamus, and the legs of an elephant, and a body of bones. I can't wait for him all day to get round to the front door. (Servant has crossed, taken valise, re=enters) Say, then, why don't you set up a hospital for horses? (Following servant to veranda) I never saw such a set of beasts as this town boasts! (looks half angrily at Earle,16 who is watching her intently; then back to servant) Oh, don't you speak to me! Of course you want to blow the horn of your own coach! Get along with you. (Servant grins, & exits into inn, at door of veranda. Kate turns & looks again at Earle who slowly turns his head away) I hope that man will know me next time he sees me! (Kate goes into inn; Earle looks after her with continued surprise.) Earle I never saw anything so extraordinary! (Enter Sam from inn, looking after Kate & almost stumbling against Earle) Sam Nor I. Earle (angry surprise) What do you mean? Sam (great confusion) Beg pardon sir, - I spoke without thinking, sir, - I meant I never saw such an extrornary get up in all my life. Earle And, I never saw so amazing a resemblance! (to Sam) Sam, go ask that woman's name. 17 Sam Yes, sir. (Exits to inn) Earle If she were a trifle taller, and were half-drunk instead of being only loud & sober, she would be the living image of my lady Marston - Lord Marston's reputable & honorable (laughs) wife. (tears his cigar, &c) I have that devil's comfort. - If I can't have her, he can't. (stops, with clinched hand) I wish I had him at a dozen paces. Perhaps a spear-thrust will do his work. (enter Sam) Well? Sam Her name's Montacute, sir, - and she's a circus rider. Miss Constantia Helena Montacute, sir. Earle Montacute? (laughs) Gubbins, - Maria Gubbins, more like. Sam Anything more, sir? Earle Nothing. Sam Yes, sir. (bows, & exits) (Kate enters from side of inn with servant. Earle again looks at her.)18 Earle Yes, she's her living image.- Perhaps it would make Marston happy to see her. (lounges up stage) Kate (to servant, as she enters) You're not going to put me off with those nags, my boy- not much. (Looks after Earle) What a stare=cat! He'd better have a pair of spectacles! His sight can't be good. (To the servant) Drive to the Point? Ten miles? over these beastly roads with those camels!- You must think I want to turn into jelly cake! Tom Indeed ma'am, and they are the very best the 'ouse haffords, & you'll find none finer- Kate in the horse paradise- or wherever the poor beasts go when they're done with this. It's not ghosts I want! Get along, & find me some live animals - (servant going) not rocking horses- and stop! (half to herself) I'll have some beer to cool my impatience a bit while I'm waiting. (Turns & sees servant has gone) Here! booby, here! - Where are you running to? Bring me some beer- cold; a cracker - 19 and be quick about it- do you mind! (she has followed him, & goes into inn. Earle comes down) Earle What a likeness! even Marston would swear it was she - and want to strangle her at sight. It positively is amazing. (Enter Rugge in his near=sighted way: - has a paper in his hand) Rugge So it is , sir; so it is. That sort of good fortune don't often befall a man. If has wife's an angel, and he loves her to distraction, she's sure to die. Whereas is she's Satan incarnate, & there is every reason under the sun why she ought to be translated, she lives forever. — Lord Marson is lucky. Earle (starts violently, - has been listening to Rugge With puzzled air) Lord Marston! — What has Lord Marston to do with your philosophy? - You don't mean — Rugge Yes, I do — Earle That his wife —20 Rugge Yes Earle You know___? Rugge I know Earle That he has a wife? Rugge That he had a wife; and that he has one ___ with a difference! Earle You__ mean__that__Lady Marston___ Rugge (nods) Died ten months ago.___ Just so, __ and that for good & sufficient reasons he has just made Miss Elfrida Irwine Lady Marston. Earle (with contempt) What sort of a joke to you call this? Rugge Joke?__ Mr. Earle. Not at all. No joke at all. A lawyer never indulges in light minded talk about weddings. He knows better. He understands that, as a rule, they are far more serious matters than funerals. (looks at paper) 21 Earle He cannot! Rugge (looks up) True enough, sir. For what a man has just done he cannot do over again. At least somethings. For instance __ marrying. (looks at paper) Earle You are sure? Rugge (busy with paper) Not unless he wants to commit bigamy, __ and Lord Marston isn't that kind. Earle (impatiently) Sure of your information? Rugge (looks up) I've had no information. I had sight. (back at paper) what a man sees he believes in __ if he believes in anything. Earle (sneeringly) You were in at the death ___ perhaps? Rugge (looks up) No. That came by the Melbourne papers. (looks back at paper) At the wedding. __ I saw them married half an hour ago. (folds up paper) That's all right.22 Earle The Melbourne papers? __ Months ago? Rugge They were on board the Vengeance. ___ You know about it __wrecked __ delayed. (looks at watch) The are delayed. They ought to be here now. (goes up stage) Earle Wife!__ His wife! (thrusts hand violently into breast of coat, & unintentionally draw out the letter) Damnation! (or, Death and Jury!) (enter Kate Ryde who returns to inn door) That woman! __ Her image! __ The long time! __ The news __ by the Melbourne papers, (laughs harshly) A newspaper report! Ah_h! I have it! __ Revenge (looks at Rugge who is intently looking off) and safety (crushing letter) combinned. The risk? pshaw, (looks again at letter) this is more desperate. __ But how? How? __ Let me have a moment to think. (goes up stage, as Kate Ryde enters with servant carrying bottle &c. which he puts on table.) Kate Oh, you thought I needed some more 23 exercise to find myself thirsty __ did you? You might know, if you weren't a gaby, that I didn't want it in that stuffy room. __(stops him) owh! don't you dare to pour it, __ you'll make it flat! __ and where's my cracker? get along with you, & bring it instanter. (exit servant) (calls after him) This isn't a divorce court; (sits, & pours beer) beer & crackers are husband & wife, & I don't believe in separating them. (enter Rugge) Rugge Not come! __ Kate (starts up) But I have come. Rugge (gladly) You? I was looking ____ Kate For another woman__ Rugge No. For ___ Kate A man, then. Rugge And found an angel __ just so. Kate If you'd just as lief, I'd rather you'd call me a woman. I've happened to 24 notice that the women the men call angels they generally think fools. __ With your gracious permission I beg leave to state I'm not a fool. Rugge ON the contrary. Kate Now you talk! Shake hands. (they do, __ she takes out a cigarette from some she sees in his pocket, __ Going on talking) I wouldn't like to quarrel with you just as I'm going away. __ You don't happen to have a light about you? Rugge At your service. (giving it.) __ Going away! Where? Kate To hunt buffalo in New York. __ At least, to be hunted with lions and other wild beasts, _for Mr. Bumbum assured me I would be a great lion, & be run after according, _ and if that isn't a hunt, what is? (Re=enter Earle at back._ Halts.) Rugge You are going away? Kate Just so. 25 Rugge To New York? Kate So I was telling you. Rugge For long? Kate For a year. Rugge Soon? Kate To-morrow Rugge (great distress) What? Kate To-morrow. Rugge To-morrow? Kate What's the matter? You are turning into an echo. __ Going into training, maybe, as a first class parrot? __ Take my advice and drop it. You are too original ever to succeed in that line of business. Stick to your own role, and let other people's alone. Rugge I would like to interfere with yours. (Earle_______)26 Kate Eh? (watches him with suspicion & amusement.) Rugge I should think you might like a quiet life for awhile. Kate Do you? Rugge Just for a variety Kate Variety! oh! -- I'd be a sweet fish, (you see I remember you're a sportsman,) to flop round in the dear old dad's little home pond, wouldn't I? Wants me to come into it? Slightly. -- Begs and prays me, -- and that's dear little thing Elfie, too. -- Wants to share all her bit of store with poor Kate. (laughs) Bless you, I've had to tell lies enough to set up the news editor of a daily paper in midsummer, to make 'em believe I want to stay at nursery governessing -- nursery governessing! (laughs) Rugge No. No. -- I was talking of a home of your own. I -- ah -- I want to say -- (very self-conscious manner.) Kate (interrupting) No, you don't. (turns to beer) 27 Not if you want to please me. I like you; that is to say, I like some sorts of house-furnishing goods - for instance, rugs; but if there's one thing more than another that I hate it's spoons and spoon victuals. (pours) will you have a glass of beer? Rugge (in his usual manner) With you. (drinks.) Kate (sees servant passing door of inn) Hi! Yi! there. -- You! (enter servant) About those anemiles & that chariot? Tom Nothing better to be had, ma'am. Not for no money. Kate Enough -- get out -- go -- begone. (Tom laughs & exits.) There's no use in quarreling with the inevitable. If a thing must be, it must. (sighs) ten miles of founding over those roads to the Point. (Earle starts.) Luckily I've a ten days sea voyage to recover from its consequences. -- I'll be black & blue from head to foot. Rugge You are going to the Point? -- I know -- to see --.28 Kate (interrupts) Just so! Rugge You needn't -- He -- (Rugge looks off, & starts of stage, -- as Earle, who has seen Marston & Elfrida at same time, comes down with his open newspaper so as to cover Kate who has turned to the table. -- At the same time Earle so stands with his newspaper as to cover his face from Marston & Elfrida, who come from centre & cross directly to inn veranda. Lord Marston Ah, Tony! Here before us. (exits with Elfrida) Rugge (turns back to Kate, --Earle saunters on;) One moment -- I may see you again? Kate I'll be here when you come back. I am not in a hurry to be mangled. (Rugge goes hastily into inn. -- Earl comes forward.) Earle I have it! -- (with great politeness) Pardon, mademoiselle -- Kate (aside) the stare-cat! 29 Earle If my eyes serve me aright this is Miss Montacute? Kate A wise man asks question - a fool answers them. As I've had occasion to remark once before to-day, I'm not a fool. Who are you? (Early offers his card, she takes it,) Mr. Raymond Earle. Earle At your service. Kate I've no service to ask of you. (Drinks her beer.) Earle But I have one to offer you. Kate (smiles, & turns) That's another affair. Earle By chance, I heard you say you had to be at the Point -- Kate (shudders) Don't speak of it! Earle And could find nothing better than the turnout this place affords. Kate (shrugs shoulders) Atrocious! Earle Precisely. - Atrocious - I sympathize30 with you and would like to do somewhat for the comfort of one (bowing) who has given me so much pleasure. Kate (aside) what's his little game? -- (smiles, -- to him) Go on. You talk well. Earle (bows & smiles) My aunt - Lady Rutherford (she starts) has just driven me over to the train, and will be happy to give you my vacant place in return, behind her ponies. Kate (half doubtingly) You mean it? Earle Mademoiselle! Kate (great vivacity) Your'e a duck! I've half a mind to fall upon & embrace you. (He laughs, & opens arms.) No, I'll keep that for Madame, my lady. -- No; (embraces herself) I'll keep it myself. I misdoubt she'll not like it (with exaggerated curtsy) Mr. Raymond Earle, I'm very much obliged to you for saving me a churning. Earle (Through this has Kept between her & the 31 door, and, when she is not looking, has shown great impatience & anxiety,) I wish I were to have the pleasure of driving, myself. --As it is, (going____) will you be presented to Lady Rutherford (Kate looks round for Rugge, -hesitates,-) My time, unfortunately, is brief. Kate I'll see him afterwards. Never lose a good thing you have for a good thing you're not sure of. (To Earle) with you, sir. (Earl turns her, as she is going to door, to French window - or door at the side.) Earle This way, if you please. (They exit.) (Enter Sam & Bessie from veranda door.) Bessie Oh, Sam! How she do look! Sam I know! (smacks his lips) like the stuff a top of a snow pudding. Bessie How low! Sam Low? Miss! Not at all. High! high! it's atop of the pudding, and if you're atop you can't be no higher - be you a pudding or be you a church steeple.32 Bessie (looks off) Here they are. -- Ain't she a beauty! Sam And, my eye! Ain't he just gone on her! Bessie (sighs) Heigh, ho! It must be nice to have anybody so dreadfully in love with you! Sam Which way would you rather have it?-- all in a lump? -- or spread out thin so as to last long? Bessie I'd take it all in a lump for fear it wouldn't last anyway. --Men, they do say, are such fickle creatures! Sam (pulls up collar) They slander us. Bessie Us? -- What-do you know about it? I was talking about men. (Enter Lady Rutherford & Earle Bessie runs off) Earle Sam, see that the horses are round at once. 33 Sam Yes, sir (exits) Lady R My dear Raymond! I have done a great many extraordinary deeds at your request, but you are positively taxing my love for you too far! Take this loud, noisy, vulgar woman - a circus rider or some such atrocity - to my house! Drive her myself! -- and Keep her there on some pretense till to-morrow morning! It is preposterous! I must absolutely refuse. Earle If I tell you you will bestow upon me the greatest favor you can do me in life? Lady R. Even then. For good cause. -- I would not believe you. It is out of reason. (she turns away) Earle But if I tell you it is in reason -- serious reason? terrible reason? Lady R (with incredulous smile) It is not likely. Earle It is a fact.34 Incredible. -- Enough! Enough! Earle (intercepts her) Aunt -- (looks anxiously at his watch) Aunt -- (hesitates, makes violent effort and then goes on)-- because you have always been the best friend I ever had -- and the only one -- I will tell you that by doing exactly what I ask of you, line for line, you save me not only from absolute ruin, (she starts anxiously) but a felon's doom. Lady R (recovers composure) You? -- I do not believe it. Earle You will have the infamous proof? (with effort takes out letter, & gives her) Then, there. Lady R. Sir Michael Netto's letter? (her hands tremble so she can scarcely open it; -- he watches them with bitter smile, and speaks with harsh significance Earle Sir Michael Netto -- as you may remember -- among his other offices -- is the President of a Bank. 35 Lady R (trembles, & drops the letter) Well -- Earl (opens it, &hands her) Read. Lady R (reads) Forgery! (Sinks into seat, drops letter) Earle (takes up letter, folds &c) You see. -- He has discovered it. It can be covered. For your sake -- and the family name, he will allow me four and twenty hours to make it good. Lady R. And if you fail? Earle I have told you Lady R. (covers face) No. -- No. -- (looks up) Ten thousand pounds! -- I could not raise a fraction of it! Earle By doing what I have asked, you can, within a fraction of certainty, give me the means of raising it all myself. Lady R Is this true? Earle Is it a subject on which I would be apt36 to lie? I will tell you all -- (looks at watch) by and bye. There is not a moment to spare now. Lady R Enough. Honor before all things -- but good name if you cannot preserve honor -- but, oh, Raymond! Raymond! Earle You will do precisely what I asked you? (she assents,) and when Sam speaks you will understand the signal? (she assents.) Do not come a moment before nor after; and, whatever happens, you will not hesitate a moment, -- but go right on? Hesitation will spoil all. Lady R You need not fear. I will not fail. -- Whatever it may mean -- I will make no mistake -- with such a stake. Earle (with great feeling) I cannot thank you -- but -- (exits------) Lady R (great agitation) I feel as though I were in a nightmare. -- (Sees Elfrida & Marston at door of inn) Oh! (turns so as to avoid them. Marson bows, unseen) 37 Marston (comming down, with gay tenderness) She don't see us! -- Well & good!-- I don't wish to listen to her talk! (Elfrida has some business with flowers, suppressed feeling &c.) Lady R (reaching veranda, looking back) How happy they are, and I -- (She goes into inn.) Elfrida Poor lady, she looks sorrowful; has she cause? Marston None that I know Elfrida I have, myself, so much gladness that perhaps other people's soberness seems like sadness. (business with flowers, &c. Marston takes her hands -- looking at gloves) these make me clumsy. Marston You are glad -- (business about glove &c.-- holding her off,) How good you are -- how lovely -- Elfrida -- my wife. (Draws her towards him) Tell me that you love me -- I have scarce heard the words. Speak them again. -- Say Edward -- give me my name.38 Elfrida Edward -- Edward -- 'Tis a lovely name. -- I love you, -- Ned. Marston And you give yourself and all your future into my hands. Elfrida Truly, and entirely, from my heart's core. Marston That future -- (turns away.) Elfrida Oh, Edward! Marston What a selfish wretch am I to cast a shadow on this sunshine. (laughs) And I have come out of a score of battles. Elfrida (touches arm) But this was a wound, -- and the next -- oh! -- Marston What, -- I thought you were a soldier's daughter? Is this to be a soldier's bride? (gayly) You must give me courage. It is I who go away. Elfrida There. (brightly) Is that right, sir? But, Edward, if you who go away were Killed, I, who stay at home, will die also. -- I am 39 not ashamed to tell you now -- if you had not come back to me I would have died. -- Yes -- I am just so weak, my darling. I would have died. I cannot live without you. Marston My little one! (Enter Bessie) Bessie (with great air) My lady, it is almost time for the train. Elfrida Yes, Bessie. (Enter Sergeant Ryde. Exit Bessie) Ser. Ryde I thought I had best come and look after you myself -- or ye might forget all about my sublunary matters. Marston (smiles) Right, Sergeant. Take her with you. Ser. Ryde (laughs) For fear she'd forget to put on her hat straight? -- Maybe, to put it on at all? Elfrida (laughs) No, no, guardy. That a woman never forgets. (Looks back smiling at Marston, then follows Ser. Ryde into inn. Marston looks after her as Earle comes from______.)40 Earle I'll tear that from him ___ and safety too. -- Lord Marston. Marston (turns, puts out hand cordially) Earle? -- I'm glad to see you -- but Lord Marston? Why so formal? -- (smiles) Am I to have all my state by reason of my new dignity? (looks towards inn.) Earle What is that? Some fresh honor? You have been promoted? Marston (turns) To happiness, -- Yes. (Comes up, smiling, & puts hand on Earle's shoulder) Earle, I was married to Elfrida Irwine this morning. Earle (with affected horror), Don't say it! Married! -- For heaven's sake, man, take it back!-- Say you are jesting -- say you are dreaming what you would like to be reality. Marston (amazed) I will say you are mad -- if that will serve you as well. I know of nothing I can say with more propriety. Earle It is you who are mad. I don't blame you 41 with such a temptation, -- but why didn't you get away with her quietly? She was enough in love with you not to have asked such a price. You run too great a risk. It is a nasty word to fling at a man, and even you can't stand it if my lord Justice should happen to hurl it at you from the bench. Marston What word? Earle Bigamy. Marston I said you were mad. (laughs) If I wasn't so happy I'd call you out and make you answer for that. Do you take me for a compound of idiot and brute? You must Know I was free before I came near that woman with a word. Earle Free? What has freed you? You always said nothing but death could do that. Marston Death has done it. Earle She is not dead. Marston Months ago.42 Earle No. Marston You want a quarrel? Earle God forbid! You have enough on your hands without that. Marston In what shape? Earle In the shape of Lady Marston -- nee Belle Brent -- drunken, dissolute, devilish, if you will -- but your wife. Marston (with suppressed fury) what do you mean? Earle I mean that the whole thing is a a put up job. That she had the notices of her death (Marston looks inquiringly) --oh, you see I know all about it -- written, and printed, and sent to put you off your guard. She hoped you would fall into some sort of trap -- and would be glad to buy her off -- it's money she wants -- she's more extravagant than ever. She is here in England -- she has sought the countenance and help of Lady Rutherford -- she has wit enough to wear a mask while it serves her 43 purpose. -- She is with her now. -- She is in that house. Marston It is a lie! Earle I am too sorry for you to be angry. Will you have the proof? Shall I bring her here, or will you go within? Marston She is there? (clutching Earle) As you hope for heaven -- is she there? -- Yes or no? Earle Yes. -- And does not dream you are here. Ser. Ryde (within) Come, my lady. Elfrida (within) Yes, Yes. In a moment, guardy. Marston Elfrida! -- My God! Earle I can take her away. I can shut her mouth. I can get her out of England. It's ten thousand pounds she's after. Marston (in agony) Don't tempt me, man! Earle You are going away to-morrow. She can't follow you there. - At the pace she's44 going she can't last long. -- think of -- miss Irwine. Marston My wife. Earle Your wife. Marston If you speak again in that tone I'll kill you. Earle It is the tone the whole world will use tomorrow. -- For her sake. Elfrida (runs out gayly, hands on hat) There -- you see it is straight! Earle (aside) Shall I get her away? Marston On any terms. Elfrida (bowing coldly) Mr. Earle. Earle Your happiness is mine. From my heart I congratulate you - Lady Marston. (Marston shows extreme agitation) Elfrida Thanks, Mr. Earle. (Comes up to Marston, who shrinks from her hand, as Earle goes up stage & makes 45 sign to Sam outside.) Why, Edward, how you look! -- Are you ill? -- Is it your arm? -- What is this? you frighten me. (Marston looks towards Earle) That man -- (Lady Rutherford & Kate Ryde just back of inn door. Sam comes to centre of stage, back.) Sam My lady, the carriage waits. (Exits) Lady R Ready. (Comes out with hand on Kate's arm, in conversation, & so as to keep Kate's attention, & crosses to back centre. -- Ser. Ryde comes from French window at side.) Ser. Ryde The train is coming, my pretty. (Sees Kate, who does not see him, -- & recoils, horror=stricken) Who's that Earl speaks with Lady R. & Kate a moment as he meets them ostentatiously covering Marston.) Elfrida Guardy!-- What is the matter?-- Edward is turned to stone.46 Ser. Ryde That woman --! (Marston makes agonized gesture to stop him; Elfrida turns, sees Lady R. & Kate disappearing. Kate laughs.) Elfrida Who is she? Earle (who has come down, speaks to Marston as he passes him) You will betray yourself! Elfrida Who is she? Ser. Ryde My daughter Agnes! Marston My wife! Picture, Curtain. End of 3rd Act.Act 4 The Test of Honor: -- A Comedy Drama; by Anna E Dickinson. ------- Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1880, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. All Rights Reserved. 1 Scene: -- Sitting room belonging to Elfrida's room at inn. Sergeant Ryde seated at her closed door in attitude of profound dejection. Marston knocks at opposite door, -- Sergeant Ryde goes to it, --Marston enters, leaving door open showing hall=way. Ser. Ryde goes back to his seat Ser. Ryde (at door) Come in, my lord, come in. There's naught to bar you. (Xing) I am alone. (sits) She's not come nigh the door. She does not move. She will not speak. She will not answer. -- It is as still as the grave. Marston (Shuddering, & with great expression) Still as the grave! Ser. Ryde Why do you shudder like that, my lord?-- Are you afraid it has killed her? Marston Not yet. Ser. Ryde But it will, -- ye would say? Marston (violently, brokenly, with distraught gestures, &c.) In the devil's own time. --2 By-and-by.-- Not now. Death, to her, would be merciful.-- What, man, haven't you lived long enough to know that death tarries in his approach to the miserable? (laughs) Come, come! Console yourself with a little philosophy. -- She is young! She has all time before her! She can suffer enough to become a saint before she dies! (Earle passes door, turns, hesitates, comes in & down as Marston with violent change of manner sinks into seat, head in hands,) Oh, my God, - is there no justice in Heaven? Earle (puts hand on Marston's shoulder) Courage, Marston. This is not like yourself. Marston (bitterly) Is it not! Myself am a compound of poltroon and devil. -- How should I show courage! (laughs harshly) Blame fate - not me. Earl (looking towards Elfrida's room) And she? Marston (recovers manner) You are right. We will think only of her. -- God bless you 3 for thinking of her, and closing my mouth, and saving a public scandal to begin with. Earle That seemed best. There was no need to add shame to heart=break. --The secret is in a safe circle. Marston Lady Rutherford? Earle I sent Sam after her with a note that will make her dumb till I go to her, & that tells --- Lady Marston her sole hope of securing what she wants is absolute silence, & quitting England to=morrow. She is not a fool. She will be silent. She will go. -- And his reverence -- Marston Yes? Earle Says, where speech can only be used to harm, one should be mute. Marston Thank God! Ser. Ryde Bessie, my lord, will be still enough. She loves -- her -- too well to chatter. Earle And Sam knows nothing, and will go with me to-morrow.4 Marston You? -- Where? Earle To America. I will see that woman keeps faith with you. -- Don't thank me. -- The trip is a bagatelle. -- It will be safer. -- I would do twenty times as much for the same cause. -- It is lucky Rugge knows nothing. Marston You don't like him. -- He is to be trusted. He must know all, later. Earle Yes. I know. Still for some reason i'm glad he was in haste for the train. Ser. Ryde Isn't it a bit queer, my lord, he didn't get off the train when he found nobody followed him. Marston No. It stops only a moment. He's so near-sighted he couldn't tell one person from another, & would get away thinking us in another compartment. Earle And couldn't learn otherwise till he reached the Junction. -- There's no stop till then. 5 Marston And nothing up now till the Parliamentary. --God! How the hours drag! Ser. Ryde What a sore pity, my lord, the delay's here. With all ye have to do ye'll bare catch the steamer. If ye had more time -- Marston (violently) What should I do with time? Ser. Ryde Ye might get an extension, my lord -- Marston I don't want it. Ser. Ryde And see things straightened yourself. (Earle starts anxiously) Marston (laughs bitterly) I? -- The best thing for every one is for me to get away -- quick -- into action. It is no good would follow any stay of mine here! Ser. Ryde (turns towards door) Ah, merciful mother! He is right. Marston (comes down to Earle) Will you let me have that checque? (Earle starts and hesitates) Do not fear; I have not changed6 my mind. (Goes up to table, & writes, -- Earle watching, -- then tears checque.) Earle What are you doing? (Marston hands him what he has written) You have drawn it for eleven, instead of for ten thousand pounds. Marston Yes. There is no reason why you should pay the expense of such a pleasure trip, --taken in my behalf! Earle I will not have it so. Marston You have nothing to say. (closing his hand with great feeling over Earle's) This is my affair. Earle Enough. As you please. (goes up) I'll see to the wiring of those messages now. Marston Thanks. (Earle exits.) (Marston stands leaning head on arm, on back of high chair. Ser. Ryde starts away from crouching attitude at Elfrida's door.) Ser. Ryde My lord, -- I hear her, -- at last. -- She 7 moans -- she is moving about. I have spoken to her again & again to tell her I was alone. She'll think it -- mayhap she'll come out. Oh, go! go! Marston (Who has started towards her door, then stood still) No. Ser. Ryde Your promise, my lord, -- your promise -- and mine. Her poor white mouth never spoke save to whisper, "Hide me away from him -- hide me away. Don't let him see me. Don't let any one speak to me till he's gone." (drawing him away) Come! Come! Marston (yields -- then breaks away) I cannot! Ser. Ryde My lord! For pity's sake! For mercy's sake! What good can come of it? Sure she shall know all, but it's better I should tell her when you're gone. Don't put any worse strain on her poor, sore heart. It's nigh ceased to beat now. You'll stop it entirely. Come! come! (Marston hesitates, then breaks violently from the room -- Ryde following. Presently from her room comes Elfrida, like one in a dream -- hand to her head, &c.)8 Elfrida Am I in a dream? -- If this is a dream let me waken. If I am awake let me die ------Oh, do not flatter yourself -- you are not going to die. If you were, you would have died since yesterday. -- Yesterday? It was this morning. Oh! -- if a single day be such an eternity how am I to live for years? --Edward!--No! No! -- I must not turn to him, not even in thought. -- He did not love me. --I was to be the plaything of an hour, and then ----Oh, if I could hate him. -- He is going away -- has he gone? -- No. -- Something here tells me he is near. --But you must let him go away -- without a word -- this night ----- forever. --- No! No! I can suffer no more. I can not! I will not! (throws herself a moment on knees) Yes. --After all, time is short, Eternity long, Love immortal, I can wait! ------ My heart claims its own now, now. My lover! my husband! -- Edward! Edward! Why do you not hear, and come! Marston (pushes open door, comes down violently, seizing her in his arms) I hear! I 9 come. ----- My darling, I frighten you, but I had to burst in like a thief, you have been to yourself so close a jailer. What have you been suffering there alone? (holds her off & looks at her) What have you done to yourself! Elfrida! ---You are fainting---dying. Elfrida No. I am tired. (whispers) I cannot speak. --I think--I want--some water. (He pours, & gives it to her; she drinks & leans back wearily. He watches her, then opens his arms-- she shrinks away.) Marston What! You have so soon learned to hate me? (she shakes her head dissentingly.) Oh, it is that you will not touch--Lady Martson's husband. You think his embrace contamination? (she again dissents) that he belongs to another. Elfrida You say it. Marston And you think I knew the path I have been traveling? That I sinned wittingly? That I have sacrificed you ruthlessly to my mad passion? (she10 dissents.) That, knowing myself to be legally bound to one woman I loath, I have sought to bind to me another woman I adore? Is it so? Elfrida (assenting) It is so. Marston And you -- you hate me. Elfrida I?--I adore you. -- No! no! do not touch me-- that is why I ought not to see you now -- Why I must never see you again. -- And I must never confess it any more. Marston Thinking this of me! (turns to her with passionate gesture) Oh, my love, if you would have seen me, -- even have seen the poor old Sergeant, -- you could have been spared this one pang. -- How could you believe me so infamous! How love me, thinking so!----You could have learned that I was -- (recoiling at word) married when I was a boy -- in Canada, to a coarse, beautiful, infamous woman. --How can I tell you of her? -- Belle Brent as she was called, Agnes Ryde as I now know her. How can I make you -- you understand what she is, 11 What her life is, and has been! It was money, money alone she cared for, and her own reckless life. She went her way -- and I went mine. --I saw you, -- I loved you. -- With every fibre of body and soul I loved you. -- I fled from a temptation under which I was fast breaking down. I sought death. -- Death came not, but the word of freedom. You know the rest -- till that woman came. The word in which I had trusted was a lie. She had planned a fiend's plan, an infamous trick to extort money. Money! -- she could have my last shilling if it would drag her down ------- Elfrida No! No! Not that. Do not say it. Marston You believe me? Elfrida I always believe every word you speak. Marston And you forgive me? Elfrida Forgive? -- What have I to forgive? Marston Is this, then, the end?12 Elfrida The end. Marston And now? Elfrida Now you must go away Marston Yes-- you say truly -- I must go away Elfrida All is said, but good bye. Marston Is that your farewell? What do friends ---- we are friends?-- (she assents) do at parting?-- When they love one another ----when one is going to face death -- and the other staying at home to die?-- When the parting is forever? (she sobs, &c--rushes into his arms) Elfrida!--I cannot let you go.-- You will come with me? You shall be my wife -- Elfrida (recoils) Your wife? Your wife is living. You said so this morning, and again but now. If I go away with you I shall then be---- Marston No! No! You will not comprehend. I love, 13 I adore you. You are my better self, my good angel. It cannot be wrong to cling to that. To tell me I have any other wife is mockery. Elfrida I cannot argue. In mercy do not try me.-- I only feel, if I cannot say it right, that you are wrong. Marston You are saying what you have heard others say -- what you have been taught. Happiness cannot be wrong. Elfrida, is it right to blast two lives -- kill yourself,--(it was but this morning you confessed you could not live without me--) drive me to despair, to perdition-- is this heaven's law?--No! No! Your tears-- your sobs-- your heaving breast -- your bursting heart, deny it. They tell you to yield. Elfrida It is true. But what then?--Oh, how can I say it to make you listen?-- You know so much more than I--if you would say it for me. --Happiness is not all.-- There are such things as duty-- oaths-- you know. --It is not wicked to love you. No, no, never that -- but it would be to obey you.14 Marston Is it then my name or me that you love? Elfrida Edward! Marston I am brutal, -- forgive me. -- But if a man is having his life torn up by the roots he cannot be just. Just!-- Why should I be just! There is neither justice or mercy here or with God! (flings himself down in despair: she watches him with anguish.) Elfrida Is he right? Is he wrong? -- Which way shall I turn? What shall I do? What shall I do? -- Oh, how miserable he is! (She goes to him, kneels, kisses his hand timidly.) Marston (starts, lifts her passionately in his arms,) You consent?--You will go with me?-- We will forget the world.--I will make you so happy you will never know a moment's sorrow. Elfrida Not if I make your life glad, -- but 15 if I do that you will have to hide me where nobody who ever knew will see me -- or -- or -- they might trouble you -- and I am afraid you will soon tire of that. Can I make good to you all the world? You, who have so much? Marston (recoiling) What am I doing? It is you who give all. I who take everything. Can I make good to you all I take from you. Kiss me once. Tell me you will love me always. Let me go -- now--quick--or I will turn mad again. (He tears himself away. -She drops into chair, with head on table. As he is going up meets Earle, who enters looking at paper & so not seeing Elfrida.) Earle The messages have been wired. Is there anything else? (looks up) Pardon -- I intrude. (Going, meets Rugge. Marston stands with hand on back of Elfrida's chair, bowed head, &c.) Rugge (entering, in near-sighted way) Is Sergeant Ryde within?16 Earle In the devil's name, where did you come from? Rugge If I came in his name (points) from below, -- but as there is no smell of sulphur on me, presumably from elsewhere. -- (putting on his glasses) I want to use my eyes on the old Sergeant. Earle Why on him? Rugge To see how delighted he'll look over the agreeable surprise I bring him. Earle What agreeable surprise could you bring him? or any one else, from the train? --and how the deuce did you get back? Rugge Train? What train? -- Get back? Behind some nags, of course--and with the best companion in the world. (laughs.) Earle Who? May I ask? Rugge Why, his daughter. 17 Earle What! Rugge (clapping hands on head) Don't do that again. You are worse than a nitro=glycerine cartridge. -- I said -- I came -- back -- with the old Sergeant's daughter -- and a nice race I had for her, and a pretty time getting her away from my lady Rutherford, even when I told her her father was here (Kate laughs outside.--He rushes up to window, & back) Huzza! She has found him! Marston For God's sake, Tony, what was your motive for bringing Lady Marston here Rugge (amazed) I bring Lady Marston! (looks round) There she is! There I found her!--What in the name of Bedlam had I to do with bringing her here! Marston Stop. You must be drunk, but there are limits to patience even with drunkenness. I say, why (Kate at door with Sergeant Ryde, unseen by others, points to Earle; old Sergeant nods, & retires. Kate listens.) did18 you bring back that woman -- Lady Marston -- Sergeant Ryde's daughter -- my wife. Kate (coming down, business with Rugge) Sergeant Ryde's daughter -- yes. But wife? -- your wife.-- Come, I like that. You're a grand gentleman, I suppose, but I don't care to be disposed of in that way. I prefer my own choice. Rugge (recovering his amaze) Just so. (Earl has stood irresolute. Sam rushes to door, & beckons -- Earle springs to it.) Marston (To Kate & Rugge) This is infamous. (Seeing Earle's motion towards door.) Ah! (intercepting) not till we have a word of explanation. Earle (thrusting him violently back) Stand back. (He springs by him, & out of the door, having struck Marston's lame arm.) 19 Elfrida (Coming to Marston as he staggers back) Oh, Edward! Kate (to Marston) Are you hurt? (laughs as Elfrida draws back) Make yourself easy, my lady. Don't let me interfere with your pleasure, I bet. (laughs). Elfrida (looking from Kate to Rugge & to Marston) She -- she -- Kate Is not his wife. Rugge Not at all, my lady, very much not at all. I hope some day -- Kate No -- Rugge Yes --- to make her mine. Elfrida She is -- she isn't -- No, -- Yes, she is -- Kate! Rugge (nodding) Just so -- Kate (great flourish) Sergeant Ryde's daughter (Marston starts violently, &c.) Kate -- not Agnes.20 Rugge Her twin sister. Kate Do ye mind? (laughing, and with affectation of brogue) Though he can't make out yet -- how this pea=fowl's poor Kate, (laughs). All in due season. (to Elfrida, & pushing her towards Marston) Go along. It's where you belong. Sure, it's in your own house ye can afford to be at home. Elfrida Edward! How pale you are -- and you are trembling. Marston (smiling) With joy. Rugge (at his side) With his broken arm -- it is damaged afresh. (Marston assents). Kate So much the better! Eldrida (joyfully) He can't go? Rugge (looks at watch) Not even if the train hadn't gone. Elfrida shows anxiety. 21 Kate Never mind, darling, -- He'll have the longer time to embrace ye with one arm, If he can't do it the stronger. ---- ---- Sure, if I keep on, I'll rival Tom Moore. (All laugh. ---- Enter Sam in disorder, followed by Sergeant Ryde,) Sam Oh, sirs. Oh, my lady. Mr. Earle! My poor master! Marston What of him? Kate Where is he? Ser. Ryde I was out there, watching, --(I knew he would start in a breath,) but he went by like a flash--I after.--Sam was standing below--by his nag.-- The train? he cried. The train's just gone, sir, said Sam. At that, before I could reach him, he snatched the bridle out of his hand, flung himself into the saddle, and spurred like a madman to the beach. He means to take the short cut, cried Sam -- he don't know the tide's near the full. He22 screamed after him -- that only made him go faster. He aimed for some rocks. --- We saw they were right against the Shark's Mouth, and knew that would be death for him -- and ran after (with some more who were there.) He heard us, but he never turned, only plunged in the spurs -- the poor beast shook on the steep edge, -- he plunged them in deeper -- Don reared - reared again -- lost balance -- fell over -- on him. -- When we picked him up -- Omnes No -- No -- Marston Not dead? Ser. Ryde Stone dead. His neck broken. Kate What a deed! He must have been desperate. Marston What crime -- had he done? Elfrida Edward! Why do you say -- crime? Marston Crime must have gone before this day, or he would never have lived it. -- And now it is done. 23 Ser. Ryde Quite done. (Crosses himself.) Elfrida Merciful Heaven! Ser. Ryde Aye, ye say right, darling. (looking up) There's naught else for him to look to, now. He's gone to face his Great Judge. Elfrida Who is all merciful. Marston And good. (encircling her) He has given me you. Picture Curtain End of Play.