plays [50]
to-day I never rightly valued her; sure, she is fit
to be a queen. I have a remorse here at my heart to which I am a
stranger. Oh! that was a brave life, that was a great heart that
I have ruined.
FENWICK. Ay, sir, indeed.
AUSTIN. But, sir, it is not to lament the irretrievable that I
intrude myself upon your leisure. There is something to be done,
to save, at least to spare, that lady. You did not fail to
observe the brother?
FENWICK. No, sir, he knows all; and being both intemperate and
ignorant -
AUSTIN. Surely. I know. I have to ask you then to find what
friends you can among this company; and if you have none, to make
them. Let everybody hear the news. Tell it (if I may offer the
suggestion) with humour: how Mr. Austin, somewhat upon the wane,
but still filled with sufficiency, gloriously presumed and was
most ingloriously set down by a young lady from the north: the
lady's name a secret, which you will permit to be divined. The
laugh - the position of the hero - will make it circulate; - you
perceive I am in earnest; - and in this way I believe our young
friend will find himself forestalled.
FENWICK. Mr. Austin, I would not have dared to ask so much of
you; I will go further: were the positions changed, I should
fear to follow your example.
AUSTIN. Child, child, you could not afford it.
SCENE IV
To there, the ROYAL DUKE, C.; then, immediately, ANTHONY, L.
FENWICK crosses to MISS FOSTER, R. AUSTIN accosts the DUKE, C.,
in dumb show; the muted strings take up a new air, Mozart's
'Anglaise'; couples passing under the limes, and forming a group
behind AUSTIN and the DUKE. ANTHONY in front, L., watches
AUSTIN, who, as he turns from the DUKE, sees him, and comes
forward with extended hand.
AUSTIN. Dear child, let me present you to his Royal Highness.
ANTHONY (WITH NECKLACE). Mr. Austin, do you recognise the bribe
you gave my sister's maid?
AUSTIN. Hush, sir, hush! you forget the presence of the Duke.
ANTHONY. Mr. Austin, you are a coward and a scoundrel.
AUSTIN. My child, you will regret these words: I refuse your
quarrel.
ANTHONY. You do? Take that. (HE STRIKES AUSTIN ON THE MOUTH.
AT THE MOMENT OF THE BLOW -)
SCENE V
TO THESE, DOROTHY, L. U. E. DOROTHY, UNSEEN BY AUSTIN, SHRIEKS.
SENSATION. MUSIC STOPS. TABLEAU
AUSTIN (RECOVERING HIS COMPOSURE). Your Royal Highness, suffer
me to excuse the disrespect of this young gentleman. He has so
much apology, and I have, I hope, so good a credit, as incline me
to accept this blow. But I must beg of your Highness, and,
gentlemen, all of you here present, to bear with me while I will
explain what is too capable of misconstruction. I am the
rejected suitor of this young gentleman's sister; of Miss Dorothy
Musgrave: a lady whom I singularly honour and esteem; a word
from whom (if I could hope that word) would fill my life with
happiness. I was not worthy of that lady; when I was defeated in
fair field, I presumed to make advances through her maid. See in
how laughable a manner fate repaid me! The waiting-girl derided,
the mistress denied, and now comes in this very ardent champion
who publicly insults me. My vanity is cured; you will judge it
right, I am persuaded, all of you, that I should accept my proper
punishment in silence; you, my Lord Duke, to pardon this young
gentleman; and you, Mr. Musgrave, to spare me further
provocation, which I am determined to ignore.
DOROTHY (RUSHING FORWARD, FALLING AT AUSTIN'S KNEES, AND SEIZING
HIS HAND). George, George, it was for me. My hero! take me!
What you will!
AUSTIN (IN AN AGONY). My dear creature, remember that we are in
public. (RAISING HER.) Your Royal Highness, may I present you
Mrs. George Frederick Austin? (THE CURTAIN FALLS ON A FEW BARS
OF THE 'LASS OF RICHMOND HILL.')
THE END
----------------------------------------------------------
Play: ADMIRAL GUINEA
DEDICATED WITH AFFECTION AND ESTEEM TO ANDREW LANG BY THE
SURVIVORS OF THE WALRUS
SAVANNAH,
to be a queen. I have a remorse here at my heart to which I am a
stranger. Oh! that was a brave life, that was a great heart that
I have ruined.
FENWICK. Ay, sir, indeed.
AUSTIN. But, sir, it is not to lament the irretrievable that I
intrude myself upon your leisure. There is something to be done,
to save, at least to spare, that lady. You did not fail to
observe the brother?
FENWICK. No, sir, he knows all; and being both intemperate and
ignorant -
AUSTIN. Surely. I know. I have to ask you then to find what
friends you can among this company; and if you have none, to make
them. Let everybody hear the news. Tell it (if I may offer the
suggestion) with humour: how Mr. Austin, somewhat upon the wane,
but still filled with sufficiency, gloriously presumed and was
most ingloriously set down by a young lady from the north: the
lady's name a secret, which you will permit to be divined. The
laugh - the position of the hero - will make it circulate; - you
perceive I am in earnest; - and in this way I believe our young
friend will find himself forestalled.
FENWICK. Mr. Austin, I would not have dared to ask so much of
you; I will go further: were the positions changed, I should
fear to follow your example.
AUSTIN. Child, child, you could not afford it.
SCENE IV
To there, the ROYAL DUKE, C.; then, immediately, ANTHONY, L.
FENWICK crosses to MISS FOSTER, R. AUSTIN accosts the DUKE, C.,
in dumb show; the muted strings take up a new air, Mozart's
'Anglaise'; couples passing under the limes, and forming a group
behind AUSTIN and the DUKE. ANTHONY in front, L., watches
AUSTIN, who, as he turns from the DUKE, sees him, and comes
forward with extended hand.
AUSTIN. Dear child, let me present you to his Royal Highness.
ANTHONY (WITH NECKLACE). Mr. Austin, do you recognise the bribe
you gave my sister's maid?
AUSTIN. Hush, sir, hush! you forget the presence of the Duke.
ANTHONY. Mr. Austin, you are a coward and a scoundrel.
AUSTIN. My child, you will regret these words: I refuse your
quarrel.
ANTHONY. You do? Take that. (HE STRIKES AUSTIN ON THE MOUTH.
AT THE MOMENT OF THE BLOW -)
SCENE V
TO THESE, DOROTHY, L. U. E. DOROTHY, UNSEEN BY AUSTIN, SHRIEKS.
SENSATION. MUSIC STOPS. TABLEAU
AUSTIN (RECOVERING HIS COMPOSURE). Your Royal Highness, suffer
me to excuse the disrespect of this young gentleman. He has so
much apology, and I have, I hope, so good a credit, as incline me
to accept this blow. But I must beg of your Highness, and,
gentlemen, all of you here present, to bear with me while I will
explain what is too capable of misconstruction. I am the
rejected suitor of this young gentleman's sister; of Miss Dorothy
Musgrave: a lady whom I singularly honour and esteem; a word
from whom (if I could hope that word) would fill my life with
happiness. I was not worthy of that lady; when I was defeated in
fair field, I presumed to make advances through her maid. See in
how laughable a manner fate repaid me! The waiting-girl derided,
the mistress denied, and now comes in this very ardent champion
who publicly insults me. My vanity is cured; you will judge it
right, I am persuaded, all of you, that I should accept my proper
punishment in silence; you, my Lord Duke, to pardon this young
gentleman; and you, Mr. Musgrave, to spare me further
provocation, which I am determined to ignore.
DOROTHY (RUSHING FORWARD, FALLING AT AUSTIN'S KNEES, AND SEIZING
HIS HAND). George, George, it was for me. My hero! take me!
What you will!
AUSTIN (IN AN AGONY). My dear creature, remember that we are in
public. (RAISING HER.) Your Royal Highness, may I present you
Mrs. George Frederick Austin? (THE CURTAIN FALLS ON A FEW BARS
OF THE 'LASS OF RICHMOND HILL.')
THE END
----------------------------------------------------------
Play: ADMIRAL GUINEA
DEDICATED WITH AFFECTION AND ESTEEM TO ANDREW LANG BY THE
SURVIVORS OF THE WALRUS
SAVANNAH,