II / V 
 
 SWORDS 
 DRAWN 
 
 J.M. EDGAR 
 HART 
 
 The Cornbill Company
 
 SWORDS DRAWN
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 A Romantic Play 
 
 IN FOUR ACTS 
 
 BY 
 J. M. EDGAR HART
 
 Copyright, 1918, by 
 THE CORNHILL COMPANY 
 
 Copyright by J. Af. Edgar Hart, as dramatic composition. 
 
 "Sivords Drawn." All rights reserved, including that 
 
 of translation into foreign languages
 
 DEDICATED TO 
 
 THE MASTER MIND, MR. DAVID BELASCO 
 
 WHOSE DRAMATIC PUPIL I EVER HOPE 
 TO REMAIN 
 
 2083127
 
 *& t 
 <U2CT" 6rK^s
 
 ACT I
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 ACT I 
 
 Monday, December 3rd, 1688. 
 
 Before Curtain Rise, MADAME SANTONI is heard 
 singing in the drawing-room off Right to the accompaniment of 
 a harpsichord, cello, a harp, flute and violin, the following 
 couplet of a song. (Music to the words has been written in 
 order to secure the desired effect.} 
 
 SIGNORA SANTONI (singing): 
 
 "Lover of flowers, of bosk and glade, 
 Wandering through a dusky vale; 
 Where the trees thickest o er-hung the brook, 
 Just as the day waned into night 
 And shadows crept apace 
 There sought I to linger, muse and dream 
 Lo! from the mist that steeped the mountain side, 
 Rose an angel, sylph-like form, 
 As on church naves abide. 
 And as mortals do saints revere: 
 Adore and dare not speak 
 So lisp d I the pray r 
 That spirits lone hear. 
 
 Madame Santoni sustains the high last note of the coup 
 let, then follows the applause of the guests, and as the 
 musicians play the prelude of the refrain, the CURTAIN 
 slowly rises.
 
 4 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 Throughout the act, except when there is singing or some 
 special musical number, there should be heard faintly a 
 constant hum of voices, as of a room full of guests. 
 
 DISCOVERED: SIR ANTHONY LOVELACE and SIB 
 RICHARD DIGWIG. Sir Anthony is a sentimentalist; he is 
 thin and has the countenance of a poet. He is about fifty 
 years of age. Sir Richard is the very opposite; short, portly 
 and his face is ruddy and fat. Sir Anthony is seated Right 
 of the chess table Center, his elbow on the table, his 
 chin in the palm of his hand, his eyes raised to the ceiling, 
 dreamily listening to the song, oblivious of the game of 
 chess before him. Sir Richard stands across the room 
 from him, Left 2, his back to the fire-place, his feet wide 
 spread, his hands clasped behind, observing his senti 
 mental friend with a broad smile. 
 As the curtain rises, Signora Santoni sings the refrain: 
 
 "I dream I press thee goddess sweet! 
 Thou yielding in my arms, 
 Thy heart and halting lips 
 Meshed tween a kiss and kiss 
 
 Sir Anthony closes his eyes in rapturous ecstacy and 
 sighs softly: the smile expands on Sir Richard s face. 
 He chuckles softly to himself. 
 Uninterruptedly, the song continues: 
 
 " I dream thou lovest me 
 I dream yet am awake ! 
 I dream of love 
 I want your love. . . . 
 To dream for aye and e er. . . . 
 To dream to dream 
 
 The voice of the singer ends, as it were, in a sigh the 
 soft strains of the instruments continue for a bar or two
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 5 
 
 longer; Sir Anthony, his eyes still closed, retains the same 
 attitude. Policies loud applause of the guests. 
 SIR RICHARD (immediately after the guests applaud, with 
 heel of his shoe kicking the fire-tongs, causing a rattling 
 sound that startles Sir Anthony out of his reverie) : Pray 
 come to earth, Sir Dreamer! and play! 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (sighing with regret as he lowers his head to 
 study the game) : Ah, a beautiful song, Sir Richard 
 stirring m soul till I felt five-and-twenty again. 
 
 SIR RICHARD: Egad! (With a chuckle) Your memory 
 should be better informed. 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (studying the game, shaking his head dole 
 fully) : Ah, sadly so sadly so (He moves a pawn.) 
 (Music of the instruments off Right.) 
 
 SIR RICHARD (approaching the table and replacing the 
 pawn) : Cannot you tell black from white, Sir An 
 thony? 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (with profuse apology) : In truth in 
 truth! (He studies the game an instant, then suddenly 
 looking up, with a suave expression) I fear this music 
 has distracted me What say you to postponing the 
 game till later? 
 
 SIR RICHARD : T were better so if you are still under the 
 spell. (Shoves chair up to table and circling about chess 
 table, he fills himself a goblet of wine.) 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (rising and also filling himself a goblet of 
 wine): Ah, a beautiful song, Sir Richard, is "Love s 
 Mastery" 
 
 SIR RICHARD: Ha! (Exclamation of laughter.) A man at 
 your age should have done with love. (Grimaces the 
 word) Bah! (Drinks.) 
 
 SIR ANTHONY: Not till I have done with life! 
 
 (Raising his goblet and becoming declamatory drawling 
 sadly upon the interjection "Oh") I
 
 6 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 "Oh let me live and let me love! 
 And with the joys of living, blend - 
 The joys of loving to the end!" 
 
 SIR RICHARD (laughing}: Egad! You recite poetry as 
 some sing at a funeral! 
 
 (He raises his goblet to him) : Here s to your own end 
 then; so you may grow wings (flops his arms) and 
 flop everlastingly with the angels to your soul s con 
 tent. (He chuckles and drinks.) 
 
 SIR ANTHONY: Not so fast merely five-and-fifty, and 
 my friends assure me I am still well preserved. 
 
 SIR RICHARD: Aye! as a herring: dry, short and lean - 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (with conciliatory smile): A disrespectful 
 simile that my friends would resent. 
 
 SIR RICHARD: Not if my table supplied them with better 
 wine. 
 
 SIR ANTHONY: Sir Richard is welcome to my entire cellar, 
 if it will make him as kind. 
 
 SIR RICHARD: Ha! If I partook of your cellar, I should 
 then be inebriated and, like the rest, not be accountable 
 for what I said. 
 
 SIR ANTHONY: Twere better so than being sober and so 
 
 unkind 
 
 SIR RICHARD: Twere better so to make you think your 
 self otherwise than ye are! 
 
 (He takes his arm and tries to make his meaning clear) 
 Ye see, Sir Anthony, the devil of sentiment lurks in 
 every bottle, and then man is apt to prove as consum 
 mate a liar as the spirit he takes in. 
 (Enter LADY RUSSMORE (ALICE) from Left 3 E.) 
 (Lady Russmore (Alice) is the embodiment of perfect, 
 gentle, lovable womanhood. Sometimes, even when happi- 
 esi _ the tears spring to her eyes. The heart predominates
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 7 
 
 in her. She is about twenty-five years of age. At the on 
 set of the play she is in a buoyant, happy frame of mind 
 until apprized of her brother s return. (The moment she 
 enters Left 3 E, Sir Anthony s eyes fall upon her. He 
 abruptly leaves his friend s arm and gallantly goes to 
 her.) 
 
 SIR ANTHONY: Ah Lady Russmore! 
 
 (Lady Russmore extends him her left hand in greeting.) 
 
 LADY RUSSMORE : Sir Anthony (extending her ether 
 hand to Sir Richard) and Sir Richard 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (bending low over her hand) : Your ladyship 
 
 SIR RICHARD (as he takes her other hand): We rejoice at 
 seeing your ladyship. 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (taking the words from his friend s lips): 
 and in such excellent spirits and health. 
 
 ALICE (with smiling acknowledgment): But how fares it 
 with you, gentlemen? 
 
 SIR ANTHONY : Oh, excellently with me but ill with 
 Sir Richard. 
 
 SIR RICHARD : Egad ! the ill is in his throat not in my 
 anatomy. I m in the pink of health ! 
 
 ALICE : In truth I notice you have a good color. 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (laughing at the dig which his friend got) : 
 Oo-oo!He! He!- 
 
 LADY RUSSMORE: I am in search of Miss Scarsdale. 
 Have either of you seen her? 
 
 SIR RICHARD : I much regret 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (again taking the words away from him) : 
 Er I perceived her strolling out into the park 
 (points U. L. C. E.) more than half an hour ago. 
 
 SIR RICHARD : Ha ! Depend upon Sir Anthony "Love 
 lace never failing to see a pretty girl pass. 
 
 ALICE: Tis a sure proof his eyes are still young, Sir 
 Richard.
 
 8 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (laughing again at this fresh sally) : Oo-oo ! 
 
 He! He!- 
 LADY RUSSMORE: But I am digressing. Lord Russmore 
 
 has been discussing politics ever since we arrived 
 
 Shall I claim your escort to find Miss Scarsdale or her 
 
 mother? 
 
 SIR ANTHONY "1 
 
 c (Simultaneously) 
 SIR RICHARD 
 
 Honored : 
 
 (From their respective places both had turned half way 
 about and now stood on either side of her, each one offer 
 ing his arm to her but Sir A., holding his out curved 
 more conspicuously than Sir R., in the attitude of comic 
 French gallantry.) 
 
 ALICE (laughing) : Really, gentlemen your spontaneity 
 gives me much embarrassment. Think you not twere 
 very comic to appear thus doubly attended? 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (maintaining the same attitude of body): 
 I pray Lady Russmore notice that my arm is the proper 
 one to accept being undeniably the right one. 
 
 SIR RICHARD: I faith Lady Russmore if the justice 
 of his argument is in that arm: methinks tis too 
 crooked to be trusted. (Alludes to the manner in which 
 Sir Anthony holds out his right arm, loop-fashion to her.) 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (drawing erect) : T is much less bent upon 
 mischief than your too ready speech! 
 
 ALICE: Oh, pray let me not remain and cause dissension 
 between you. (Turning at exit Right 3) Adieu! 
 
 (Exit Alice Right 3 E.) 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (shifting his eyes from Sir Richard who is 
 laughing at him starting after her) : Lady Russmore ! 
 - 1 protest of this little fat man ! 
 
 (Exit Right 3 E.)
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 9 
 
 SIR RICHARD (starting after his friend) : What now? You 
 thin-edge-keg-waddle-whoop? (Exit Right 3 E.} 
 
 (A slight pause, during which the music off Right is heard. 
 Suddenly the door U. L. C. slowly opens. This door 
 opens directly on the park; a path and shrubberies beyond 
 its threshold. JOSEPHINE SCARSDALE cautiously enters; 
 following her to the threshold, appears LUCY. Lucy, 
 Miss Scarsdale s tiring maid, stops barely inside the door, 
 awaiting her mistress instructions. Josephine Scarsdale 
 is about nineteen or twenty years of age, fair, intellectual 
 looking, sympathetic and pretty. Lucy, her maid, is 
 about sixteen or seventeen. She is very frail; one of those 
 natures whose devotion and desire to serve seem to be 
 a cause for lack of physical strength.} 
 (When Josephine has assured herself that the room is de 
 serted, after glancing at the clock, right of the park door, 
 she steps again toward Lucy.} 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Now return to your post quickly. You re 
 member his description? When he conies, give him the 
 pass word "Elves do I seek." He will trust you. 
 Show him the way but mind : He must not come in 
 until I am alone in this room must remain in hiding 
 until I, myself, open to him this door. 
 
 LUCY: Yes, miss. (She turns to go.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE : And er, Lucy. Afterwards (Xing to Left 3 
 she drops the portiere, masking the door completely} 
 guard this door : Maman will look after the other 
 (she points to Right 3} the moment she sees me drop 
 the curtain. 
 
 LUCY: Yes, Miss. 
 
 (Exit Lucy into the park, closing the door.} 
 (Josephine steps to the entrance of the conservatory U. C. 
 and drops the two curtains, masking the entrance complete 
 ly. Then she comes down to the settee Right C., and, after
 
 10 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 depositing the silk scarf around her shoulders upon the 
 back of it, she sits.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE (glancing at the clock again before sitting down) : 
 Ten o clock : In half an hour now ! My very heart 
 misgives me. (Taking a folded letter from the bosom of 
 her dress, she starts to read.) 
 
 "Dear Josephine: Convinced that I can ask any 
 service from you, I shall present myself at your house 
 this evening. I fully realize that were anyone among 
 your guests to discover my presence, immediate 
 arrest would follow. But if you and Lady Scarsdale 
 will help me, I am confident I can deceive them all. 
 Note brief instructions and let Peter bring me your 
 answer." 
 
 (Her eyes wander down the page and over on the other 
 side, murmuring rapidly the contents to herself. Lastly, 
 she raises her voice sufficiently to be understood, saying) : 
 "Expect me promptly at ten-thirty o clock." 
 (She begins to fold the letter.) I wonder if Alice has yet 
 arrived? 
 
 (As she is on the point of rising to go and ascertain, enters 
 Alice Right 3 E.) 
 
 Oh, Alice. (She goes to her and they kiss each other.) 
 I was on the point of looking for you. 
 
 ALICE (Lady Russmore) : And I have been searching the 
 house for you, everywhere, dear. 
 
 JOSEPHINE (coming down to the settee with her) : Have you 
 been here long? 
 
 ALICE: Nearly half an hour I should judge. 
 
 JOSEPHINE: I m sorry I had something very urgent to 
 attend to but you ve seen maman and of course 
 she s told you. 
 
 ALICE: Lady Scarsdale said that you had a surprise in 
 store for me.
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 11 
 
 JOSEPHINE (Rising and stepping up stage, dropping the 
 heavy curtain before the window s recess U. R.): One 
 moment and we will speak of that. (Coming back, 
 while Alice goes toward the chess table and idly examines 
 the game.) Is your husband here? 
 
 ALICE: I left him in the library arguing politics with His 
 Grace the Bishop Orsini I have grown so weary of 
 hearing politics discussed that I have positively come 
 to yearn for a bal-masque of some sort if only to 
 forget for a single hour that there is such a thing as a 
 war going on at present. 
 
 JOSEPHINE (seated on settee Right C.) : Then you ve 
 you ve likewise ceased to concern yourself with your 
 brother s possible return to England? 
 
 ALICE: Oh, altogether! (She returns to the settee slowly). 
 And I meant to tell you : I received a letter from him 
 this week brought over from Holland : saying that 
 to his utter disappointment William of Orange had 
 detailed him, almost at the last hour, on a mission to 
 France thus preventing his coming over to England 
 with the army of invasion. 
 
 JOSEPHINE (puzzled) : You received such a letter? 
 
 ALICE: Why, yes; why do you doubt it? (Mistaking the 
 look on Josephine s /ace for one of disappointment) 
 Because it disappoints you? Ah, to me twas in 
 finite relief. I should have been in prey to constant 
 anxiety. Remember that my husband is devoted to 
 the King; Milton serves William of Orange. As such 
 they are bitter foes. Even Lord Russmore remarked 
 upon my sudden change of spirits that day. You 
 know he has never met Milton and knows little about 
 his life abroad; somehow, to safeguard him, lest he 
 might return, I ve always kept Lord Russmore in ig 
 norance of everything concerning him.
 
 12 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 JOSEPHINE (anxiously reflecting) : But, still, in the event 
 of his having risked to come back what should have 
 been your own attitude toward him? 
 
 ALICE : He is my brother this means part of self. I 
 hope that my husband should not have judged me too 
 harshly then for protecting a life as dear to me as his 
 own. (Josephine rises and Xes Left, ponderingly.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE : I see 
 
 ALICE: Do you know r that it nearly broke my heart, seven 
 years ago, when we pjarted in Holland? I was leaving 
 him alone in exile. ... to return here and wed Lord 
 Russmore. To my brother I owed years of devotion, of 
 care, of protection; ever since we had gone forth into 
 exile; to Lord Russmore I owed my recall from ban 
 ishment: During our short acquaintance in Paris I had 
 learned to love him. I hesitated between two loves. 
 Each laying claim to me. Brooding over this, I grew ill. 
 One day a letter came from Hugo; Milton learned my 
 secret. He insisted I should accept Lord Russmore; 
 and if there was an-y-thing which could possible have 
 endeared him still more to me it was the very un 
 selfishness which he displayed then! 
 (Suddenly, impulsively dispelling the mood; becoming 
 cheerful again and rising) But there, dear, we shall be 
 talking politics next, again! Everlasting conflicts and 
 politics ! Let us discuss something else or seek fresh 
 diversion in the drawing room - 
 
 JOSEPHINE (detaining her hands): One moment, Alice. 
 You forget maman said I had something to tell you 
 (She goes and resumes her seat.) 
 (MUSIC STOPS in the drawing room off Right.) 
 ALICE: Oh, yes; the surprise! (She goes to the settee and 
 sits.) How unlike a woman to forget. (She laughs, 
 then eagerly) What is it?
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 13 
 
 JOSEPHINE (with seriousness, looking at her fixedly) : Why 
 I don t know now as I should tell you 
 (Alice draws back with an "Oh!" of playful disappoint 
 ment} only only that the person who sent me 
 this, (touches letter hid in the bosom of her dress) abso 
 lutely insists and because I trust him 
 
 ALICE (arching her brows, smiling) : Oh ! there s a him in 
 the surprise. 
 
 JOSEPHINE (reflecting ceasing to look at her) : Suppose 
 that the letter which came from Holland this week 
 should purposely have been written to mislead you 
 and Lord Russmore, as the case might be into be 
 lieving Milton still in foreign land? 
 
 ALICE (a look of apprehension coming to her face): You 
 mean ? 
 
 JOSEPHINE : That your brother is very shrewd and very 
 cautious 
 
 (Alice is about to speak Josephine pursues.) 
 Had I known that you dreaded his return to such an ex 
 tent, I should not have invited you here tonight; but 
 now, since you are here I ve enough to frighten me 
 as t is you must be put on your guard 
 
 ALICE (rising) : Then he ? 
 
 JOSEPHINE (likewise rising) : Yes ! Milton is in England, 
 and he is coming here tonight! . . . 
 
 ALICE (realizing her worst fears, carrying her hands up to 
 her temples, as if stunned, she murmurs with despair): 
 Oh my God! . . . 
 
 JOSEPHINE (herself deeply affected}: Oh Alice don t! 
 (Alice, right of the chess table, sinks into a chair, weeping 
 quietly.) 
 (After a pause.) 
 
 I did not wish to consent to his coming either But 
 maman, who hates the King overruled all my fears. 
 Now I m even more afraid than you are.
 
 14 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 ALICE: Oh, but why did you not send for me and consult 
 me first? 
 
 JOSEPHINE : I know I should have done that But 
 I didn t think He s coming here incognito to seize 
 information regarding the movements of the King s 
 troops tomorrow; 
 
 (Alice raises her head and glares at Josephine.) 
 This means Milton should soon be free again and 
 also wanting to see him I easily yielded 
 
 ALICE (rising) : To seize information. . . . And here you 
 let him come here ! surrounded by enemies ! under 
 the very eyes of my husband, where I must watch 
 over myself 
 
 JOSEPHINE: You mean that I should have refused? 
 
 ALICE (vehement}: By all available means, yes! Oh, but 
 it is not too late! No, Josephine, you must disobey 
 your mother ! . . . you cannot you must not receive 
 him here this night! On no account! Why, it is, as it 
 were, as if I pleaded for his life from you : It could have 
 but one result? here in a house full of Loyalists! 
 Supposing he were detected; could you bear to think 
 yourself in a measure responsible? No! It must 
 not be ! If you truly love him, you cannot permit this 
 mad venture of his ! It is preposterous ! . . . 
 
 JOSEPHINE (deeply impressed her head averted) : You are 
 right. ... I felt it was perhaps wrong. . . . (Facing Alice, 
 with resolve) I will disobey maman ! 
 
 ALICE: Oh, thank you! thank you! 
 
 JOSEPHINE : He will come at half past ten : I was to admit 
 him through that door (points to U. L. C. E.) 
 
 ALICE: We must then arrange a way to anticipate his 
 coming. 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Lucy is out at the gate, waiting for him to 
 come. John can take a note out to her. She ll deliver 
 it. (She goes to desk cabinet Right 2.)
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 15 
 
 ALICE: Exactly! and, tomorrow, I ll send a courier to the 
 Prince begging him curb his prowess, or else send him 
 back to Holland 
 JOSEPHINE: Back to Holland? 
 
 ALICE (coming to her and placing her arms about her) : Ah, 
 dearie Some day you will thank me for having pre 
 served his life for you I beseech you, dear, write at 
 once. 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Very well (sits). Tell John to come to 
 me. 
 
 ALICE: (she first kisses her, and then, starting off toward 
 Left 3) : Immediately. . . . 
 
 (She exits rapidly, drying her eyes and endeavoring to 
 compose herself, lest she encounter anyone.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE (after a moment of hesitation sighing, also 
 composing herself, begins to write): "At the very 
 last moment I find it necessary - to 
 (Enter ROBERT COURTNAY Right 3 E.) 
 (Robert Courtnay is a man of about thirty years of age. 
 He is dressed in the newest and richest fashion, withal he 
 has the deportment, carriage and manner of a court fop. 
 In build he is tall and lanky. His hair is red, and his 
 cold, blue eyes are fringed with the lightest-colored lashes, 
 giving them the appearance of possessing none to his 
 eyes of being beady, and to his eyelids of being swollen.) 
 
 ROBERT (seeing Josephine the instant he enters, merely 
 glancing at her as he passes and proceeds down) : Ah 
 discovered at last, m fair cousin. (He proceeds across 
 the room, playing with the lace of his sleeve.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE (for an instant anxious about the letter which 
 she is writing not looking at him) : You wish to speak 
 to me? 
 
 ROBERT: Yes (Same bantering, smiling manner through 
 out. As he reaches the arm-chair Left C., sitting on the
 
 16 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 arm, facing her.} What think you er . . . of my 
 friend? (The smile is inviting.} 
 
 JOSEPHINE (resuming her message} : Whom Lord Mid- 
 dleton? 
 
 ROBERT: Yes. 
 
 JOSEPHINE : Why a very pleasant sort of person it 
 seems. 
 
 ROBERT: Seems, eh? only seems? (The smile is ever 
 more so inviting.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE (without pausing in her writing) : What would 
 you have me say? Gush at first acquaintance? 
 
 ROBERT (rising) : Heaven forbid ! 
 
 (Advances leisurely across stage.) I feared lest you 
 found him too pleasant. (A few steps below her, play 
 fully folding his arms.) Mark! I will let no man rob 
 me of thee! (His playfulness has the tone of assurance.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE (looking at him): Forsooth! My cousin 
 seems to have acquired a very indisputable claim. 
 
 ROBERT (same play) : Through mine eyes : the day I first 
 came to London and they first rested upon thee Or, 
 if thou wilt, by right of love, if by no other Be 
 cause I love and desire thee, cousin! 
 
 JOSEPHINE (raising her hands in the air in mock despair, 
 turning her back to him and resuming her writing) : 
 Heaven help the sex ! if that decide every girl s fate. 
 
 ROBERT: It were a happy one, if all were as lovable as 
 thou. 
 
 JOSEPHINE (raising her left hand up, with a gesture of im 
 patience): Now, Robert, pray leave me alone and in 
 peace to finish this letter. Besides, (she turns suddenly 
 and faces him) I may as well tell you frankly that your 
 protestations of love do not in the least deceive me. 
 My dowry, you re aware, is considerable: one of the 
 estates is half mine and one half yours; by marrying
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 17 
 
 me you would assume its title; as it is, you are only 
 plain Robert Courtnay; ergo, what you covet is princi 
 pally to acquire this title not myself. You see, I m 
 not your dupe. (Turning her back upon him) I ve been 
 wishing for a long time to tell you I was not the simple 
 ton you took me for. 
 
 ROBERT (who has been listening to her smilingly, pretending 
 not to take her seriously): H n! h n! h n! h n! . . . 
 (Going down stage, heaving a deep sigh) Thorny alas is 
 the fairest rose: hence the more pains to pluck it. But 
 a truce to jesting! Come can you not delay this 
 letter a while? 
 
 JOSEPHINE : I do not wish to. 
 
 ROBERT: I ve promised Middleton to find you. Surely 
 we owe the Secretary of State some consideration, by 
 virtue of his exalted position? 
 
 JOSEPHINE (stopping in the perusal of her message): For 
 my part, I deny having the slightest consideration 
 either for his position or for him which, by the way, 
 is neither meant to encourage your own suit nor to 
 please you! 
 
 ROBERT (laughingly strolling toward Right 3): I faith! 
 your roguish ways, cousin, have the sparkle of wine, 
 which makes the gulp the more delectable. (Then at 
 door, sighing comically with regret, looking at her) 
 H n So be it I ll report to Middleton. Will you 
 come when you have a mind to? 
 
 JOSEPHINE (paying no attention to him) : Yes. 
 
 ROBERT : I ll say you are presently engaged. 
 
 (Josephine, rising with a sigh of weariness, does not 
 answer him. She walks slowly toward the chair Right 
 of chess table.) 
 
 (Robert pauses a second awaiting an answer, fidgets, 
 sighs grimly, and exits softly laughing.)
 
 18 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 JOSEPHINE (glancing over her shoulder and seeing that he is 
 gone) : Thank heaven to be rid of him! 
 (She returns to the desk to add something to the message 
 in her hand.) 
 
 (MUSIC Harp, flute, cello, violin is started off 
 Right, a sort of slow movement ballad.) 
 (Enter JOHN a middle-aged valet, with a quiet mien 
 and trustworthy countenance from Left 3 E.) 
 
 JOHN: You summoned me, Miss? 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Yes, John; one moment. (She starts to fold 
 the message.) 
 
 JOHN: Lady Russmore requested me to say that she would 
 remain in the library until you came, Miss. 
 
 JOSEPHINE (Going to him) : Very well. I wish you to go 
 to Lucy with this 
 
 (At that precise instant, the sharp noise, as of a ring tap 
 ping against a pane of glass in the conservatory is heard. 
 Josephine turns in the direction of the sound without 
 giving John the message. She starts toward the conser 
 vatory. The sound is repeated a second time. Josephine 
 parts the curtains sufficiently to look through. Her back 
 is turned to the servant. The instant she looks through 
 the curtains she draws erect and catches her breath. 
 Quickly commanding herself, she turns indifferently to 
 the servant, coming down stage idly at the same time.) 
 Why, it s Lucy in the conservatory after all. You may 
 go, John. 
 
 JOHN: Yes, Miss. (He starts for the exit Left 3.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE (Turning C., calls toward the conservatory): 
 Lucy 
 
 (Exit servant as she walks leisurely to Right C. The in 
 stant the servant has gone, she returns breathlessly toward 
 the conservatory and parts the curtains sufficiently to look 
 through.)
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 19 
 
 Oh, it is he ! waiting to be admitted ! What shall I 
 do? Receive him? No. But I can t let him stay out 
 there? If I should go out to him? no, I couldn t 
 trust myself : he d convince me despite what Alice said 
 Oh, if she were only here to go to him herself. But 
 no, she mightn t be as sensible as I am to talk to him. 
 (She returns to the curtains and gives another look.) 
 I must receive him he ll understand better from me 
 what risk he runs in remaining. Yes, that s better. 
 Besides I shall have seen him. I can t help it, I want 
 to see him. 
 
 (After glancing of Left 3 E., she crosses the stage rapidly 
 toward Right 3.) 
 
 Just the same, he s so much ahead of time, if I break 
 my word to Alice, it s his fault! 
 
 (This is said as she glances at the clock on her way Right, 
 then before dropping the curtain of Right 3, speaking to 
 someone off stage in quick, excited, gladsome tones) Yes, 
 yes, maman Don t come in too soon ! (She pro 
 ceeds toward the park door after a cautious glance 
 about the room, she swings the door U. L. C. open and 
 steps back a little ways.) 
 
 (A few moments later, appears from off Right, coming to 
 the threshold, SIR MILTON LANTENAY.) 
 (Sir Milton Lantenay is a young man of soldierly bear 
 ing. He is about twenty-seven years of age; his counte 
 nance denotes great frankness and intellect; strength and 
 resolve combine there until it inspires perfect confidence. 
 In contrast to his physical strength and bearing, his 
 manner is gentle and kind. He is the sort of man who 
 has learnt his lesson of life through his own experiences 
 and suffering.) 
 
 (Closing the door, he comes down to her who awaits 
 him, and without a word takes her into his arms in a
 
 20 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 prolonged embrace about them, all is still, except for 
 the strains of music that float in from the drawing- 
 room.} 
 
 MILTON (Releasing her, holding her at arms length his 
 voice intense with feeling but prudently subdued.} 
 There for prudence s sake let me rather look at you! 
 Four years since we ve seen each other! Think of it ! 
 yet the same one whom I knew at the Hotel de Nevers 
 in Paris not in the least changed ! 
 
 JOSEPHINE: But, taller, Milton. 
 
 MILTON: Yes; and, possibly, still more beautiful! Ah, 
 Josephine, how I have hungered for this! Still, all 
 the dreary years of separation seem as forgotten in the 
 joy of seeing you again! ... I was afraid, dear, lest 
 Lady Scarsdale refuse to let me come this night! 
 
 JOSEPHINE (stepping up to the park door and closing the 
 little grill in the lattice, that has been open since the rise 
 of the curtain) : Maman approves of it but as to 
 my sanction 
 
 MILTON: I run not the least danger: Languenoc, who 
 brought you my letter, awaits me with my men con 
 cealed about the park Peter, too, outside the gate. 
 At the least source of alarm, I ll depart; and once 
 astride, I defy anyone to overtake me. 
 (Josephine meanwhile closes and locks the door Left 3. 
 This may be done before he enters. He takes her hands) 
 The world s a game of chance; to gain, one must risk: 
 I shall be richer tonight! 
 
 JOSEPHINE (looking at him; apprehensively] : Ah to 
 night ! 
 
 MILTON (buoyant, optimistic) : Tonight, Josephine, is a 
 rare occasion! I serve the Prince and behold you! 
 In ten days from tonight, my word on it, William of 
 Orange will be king of England.
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 21 
 
 JOSEPHINE: But James is as confident as you are of re 
 pulsing the Invader! 
 
 MILTON (with cheerful assurance) : If I secure the wanted 
 information this night, the pick of his army will be in 
 William s hands tomorrow! 
 
 JOSEPHINE: But, still, as long as James is king, you risk 
 losing your life: the very name you bear is hateful to 
 him. Will it not mean the Block, if anyone discovers 
 you are in England and you are caught? 
 
 MILTON: First of all it means you and welcome to my 
 birth-land, if I live! and I will live for these! there 
 never was fairer goal to spur man s intent! Ah, be as 
 confident as I am! And, besides, mark! I was only a 
 boy when banished; therefore recognition is impos 
 sible. I know no one: Not even the man who es 
 poused my sister. Is she here? 
 
 JOSEPHINE : Yes, in the library. And t is against her 
 wishes I ve received you; now, if you persist to stay, 
 I know not how to face her. 
 
 MILTON : I fancied she would not understand that is 
 why I insisted she should come here that I might 
 dispel her fears. But later. First object of my com 
 ing first! Is Lord Middleton, the king s Secretary of 
 State, here? 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Lord Middleton, yes? 
 
 MILTON : I learnt by chance that he would be and resolved 
 upon the occasion to discover the movements of a 
 body of the King s troops. My name therefore, to 
 everyone here, is Sieur Raoul d Orsay Sieur Raoul 
 d Orsay. Here is a letter from your uncle, Lord 
 Argyle, introducing me as such. It safeguards your 
 responsibility, and you know nought of me. The 
 French side with the King, so a Frenchman s name 
 serves me best. Sieur Raoul d Orsay, a votre service.
 
 22 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 (He mimics a Frenchman, bowing as he speaks the last 
 sentence.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE : But, Milton, were Lord Middleton after all to 
 suspect? 
 
 MILTON: Depend upon me to prevent him. Trust me as 
 you love me, Josephine. 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Ah, misjudge me not, if my heart misgives 
 me; for t is a proof of love; I hesitate only because I 
 love you. 
 
 MILTON: Then, because you do love me, let your faith, 
 unswerving, prove the source of my strength and cun 
 ning this night! the stanchion of my every hope. The 
 thought of possessing you, constantly as it is before 
 me, lends fresh vigor to all my efforts, becomes my 
 strongest incentive to fight! To fight and to struggle! 
 to struggle, girl ! until we conquer ! so that in 
 the hour of victory, with hearts jubilant over the task 
 achieved, I may say to you: "Josephine, I love 
 you . . .be my wife. . . . 
 (He draws her slowly into his arms.) 
 (LADY SCARSDALE, while they are still in embrace, pokes 
 her head through the curtain of Right 3 E.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (playfully) : Sorry to disturb you, chil 
 dren! 
 
 (Josephine blushingly breaks away from Milton s arms 
 and covers her face a second with her hands good-na 
 turedly.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Oh, maman! 
 
 (Enter Lady Scarsdale. Milton brightly goes to her 
 
 encounter.) 
 
 (MUSIC: bright, spirited is started off Right.) 
 
 (Lady Scarsdale is a very refined, genial, kindly and 
 
 handsome matronly woman.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (extending both hands to Milton in wel-
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 23 
 
 come): This selfish girl might have left me out there, 
 
 playing the sentinel all night! 
 
 (Josephine goes to Right 3, remaining near the door to 
 
 keep watch.) 
 MILTON (warmly pressing her hands) : Lady Scarsdale 
 
 How happy I am to see you ! 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Very fortunate you are: (Casting a 
 
 meaning glance in her daughter s direction) I feared you 
 
 might not under the circumstances. 
 MILTON (smilingly) : Always according to the intruder s 
 
 desirability. 
 LADY SCARSDALE: You dear boy. (Then, becoming 
 
 serious) But about this mission, Milton tell me ! 
 
 Is it not a very venturesome one ? 
 MILTON: Not if I may count upon your cooperation. 
 LADY SCARSDALE : Ah, that you can depend upon with 
 
 heart and mind. You and I were the victims of a 
 
 same wrong: James foully induced his brother Charles 
 
 II to take your father s and my husband s lives on 
 
 Tower Hill. I ve not forgotten thatl 
 MILTON: Nor has Prince William: Twill knock loudest 
 
 at his heart the day he is King of England! 
 JOSEPHINE (brusquely leaving her position by Right 3, 
 
 approaching her mother) : Maman someone s com 
 ing! (She goes to Center table and takes up Milton s 
 
 letter of introduction.) 
 MILTON (lowering his voice and quickly addressing Lady 
 
 Scarsdale) : My name is Sieur Raoul d Orsay. Sieur 
 
 Raoul d Orsay. 
 
 (Josephine hands her mother Lord Argyle s letter; she 
 
 then Xes to Left 3 and unlocks that door. Milton points 
 
 to letter which Josephine has remitted her.} 
 
 My letter of introduction from your brother, Lord 
 
 Argyle.
 
 24 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 (Lady Scarsdale casts her eyes over it. After opening the 
 
 door Left 3, Josephine descends the stage and sits in the 
 
 arm-chair idly fanning herself.) 
 
 (Simultaneously the voice of Robert Courtnay is heard as 
 
 he lifts the curtain of Right 3, for Signora Santoni to 
 
 enter.) 
 ROBERT (as he holds the curtain aloft for her to enter) : Your 
 
 voice is perfectly ravishing, Signora Santoni: You sing 
 
 yourself into your listeners hearts! 
 
 (Signora Santoni is a voluptuous, genial Italian woman 
 
 prima donna-like.) 
 SIGNORA SANTONI (touching him with the point of her fan 
 
 as she enters) : Oh, fie, Mr. Courtnay You are a con 
 summate courtier. (To Lady Scarsdale, coming to her) 
 
 Flattery is a sin taught at court; ask your nephew 
 
 absent himself from it. 
 LADY SCARSDALE : Methinks it has taught him a true ear, 
 
 Signora. 
 SIGNORA SANTONI : Nay if it is as bad as his tongue. 
 
 (Robert laughs.) 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Signora Santoni, permit me to present 
 
 to you Sieur d Orsay a stranger in our midst. 
 
 (Milton bows.) 
 
 My nephew, Robert Courtnay. 
 
 (Milton inclines his head graciously; Robert stiffly. 
 
 Robert proceeds toward Josephine, curiously examining 
 
 Milton as he walks down.) 
 
 Signora Santoni must perforce favor us again for Sieur 
 
 d Orsay s benefit. 
 MILTON (who has adopted the manner; now adopting the 
 
 tone of a Frenchman) : Eete eeze a pleasure I dare not 
 
 for to ope. 
 SIGNORA SANTONI: The more readily granted then, 
 
 Monsieur. Sieur d Orsay is fond of music?
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 25 
 
 MILTON : Ah ! Like a trrue Frenchman, Madame ! 
 
 SIGNORA SANTONI (sniffing the air with delight}: The 
 odour of mignonettes, Lady Scarsdale? 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (stepping to the conservatory, fastening 
 one curtain, leaving a half masked entrance): They 
 grow profusely in my little garden. Let me gather you 
 some. 
 
 SIGNORA SANTONI (entering the conservatory, followed by 
 Lady Scarsdale) : Oh, thank you. 
 (Milton follows them within, remaining in view beyond 
 the entrance. The two ladies are out of sight.) 
 (Robert Courtnay, who, standing back of Josephine s 
 chair, has been meanwhile studying Milton, now turns 
 his attention to his cousin speaking over her head.) 
 
 ROBERT (with assumed, quiet, indifference): Who is this 
 Frenchman, cousin? 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Maman just informed you: Sieur Raoul 
 d Orsay. 
 
 ROBERT (half to himself, again glancing toward the con 
 servatory) : Strange I ve never heard of him. 
 
 JOSEPHINE (already on the alert. But same, dry, impassive 
 tones) : Because you ve never been in France. 
 
 ROBERT: Made you his acquaintance there? 
 
 JOSEPHINE (deliberate careful of her answer) : I don t 
 think Sieur d Orsay was in Paris at the time. 
 
 ROBERT: Who introduced him here? 
 
 (Josephine s eyebrows draw into a slight frown.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE (still looking ahead quietly) : He presented 
 a letter of introduction from Lord Argyle, of whom he 
 is an intimate friend. 
 
 ROBERT (with a sudden arch of the brow, as if light was mak 
 ing itself in his mind. Josephine is unawares of this) : 
 Forsooth ! ( Then smiling serenely) Then he is the 
 at-the-time nameless, so-called "Gentleman of
 
 26 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 France" whom I overheard our uncle praising in accord 
 with you one day? 
 
 JOSEPHINE (rising and facing him): Robert! what is this 
 idle talk about? 
 
 ROBERT : Oh, nothing. Nothing. . . . (He strolls down and 
 halts D. L. C. idly playing with the lace of his sleeve, 
 speaks on the way) Only, I recollect observing then 
 the strange enthusiasm you manifested in so entire a 
 stranger. 
 
 (Milton, by this time, has disappeared from view within 
 the conservatory.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE (sharply) : What do you mean? 
 
 ROBERT (same calm smile, turning and facing her) : Simply 
 this that I will quarrel with any man who presumes 
 to cross me in love or in politics, cousin. 
 
 JOSEPHINE (with sufficient evidence of vexation under 
 her breath to him): Then, let me tell you in turn, sir! 
 that your pretensions are becoming utterly insufferable 
 and that if you really care for me, you re adopting 
 the wrong means to convince me of it. Sieur d Orsay 
 is our guest, and as such is entitled to our courtesy. 
 If you presume to offend him, maman will never 
 forgive you! First you suspect Lord Middleton, and 
 then this stranger! you re positively stupid, Robert 
 and stupidity is a trait I detest ! Tomorrow, when you 
 have recovered your wits, I may consent to prove to 
 you how absurd you are ! For the present I wish to be 
 left in peace, sir! (She returns to her seat) And mind 
 that you do leave me! 
 
 (Robert remains a second longer where he stood, grinning 
 then abruptly he starts to X the stage Right.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (calling softly from within the conserva 
 tory) : Josephine, dear. 
 
 JOSEPHINE (rising) : Yes, maman.
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 27 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (appearing at the entrance, arranging a 
 bunch of mignonettes) : Will you go request Lord Russ- 
 more and his wife to come and join us? (Without 
 waiting for an answer she returns into the conservatory.) 
 (Josephine remains perplexed a mere instant, but feeling 
 that her cousin s eyes are upon her, smiling at her, as it 
 were, for her recent admonition, she tosses her head up 
 coldly and ignoring him completely, mounts up stage and 
 exits Left 3.) 
 
 ROBERT (laughing softly and grimly, as she thus makes 
 her exit! H n! h n! h nl h nl . . . After her exit, 
 casting his eyes to the floor, then suddenly upwards, re 
 flecting, strolling toward Center) : Tomorrow, eh? ... 
 (He pauses Center, and turns his head and body suffi 
 ciently around to study Milton who is again partly seen 
 within the conservatory.) Same features ! the chin, 
 the brows, and high forehead. I was conscious of the 
 resemblance instantly! Josephine avers that she has 
 met him tonight for the first time, and yet has a 
 small picture painted of him hung in her room; is 
 unaware that I have seen this precious miniature 
 wondering whom the fellow might be. (He starts Right 
 again, smiling grimly.) Tomorrow, eh? . . . (He 
 mounts toward the desk cabinet that stands below Right 
 3 E) H n! h n! h n! h n! ... By m sword no! I ll 
 probe the mystery tonight! 
 
 (He picks up a book from the top of the cabinet, opens it 
 to suggest he is reading it, at the same time casting a 
 furtive glance toward the conservatory, then, facing the 
 desk cabinet, he turns a little hand-painted mirror, set 
 on a tiny easel, so that it shall reflect directly to him every 
 one in the conservatory. Apparently reading his book, 
 but looking over the pages, he observes them. All this is 
 done rapidly and simultaneously as Lady Scarsdale 
 laughs within the conservatory.)
 
 28 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (coming to the entrance, laughing softly, 
 amused at the manner in which Milton portrays the 
 Frenchman): Ha! ha! Pray, Sieur d Orsay to the 
 nature of each gift, conform your expressions of grati 
 tude. (As she passes out, Milton holding the curtain for 
 her) A single stem of mignonette is assuredly merest 
 trifle. 
 
 MILTON (following her into the room): Geeve anyt ing to 
 a Frenchman an ee will t ank you vary much. 
 (Raising the stem to his nose and inhaling with affecta 
 tion} M m I adore ze mignonettes! 
 (Lady Scarsdale smilingly proceeds down to the mantel 
 and arranges her flowers in a vase on the mantel. Signora 
 Santoni has followed them to the entrance of the conserva 
 tory, also arranging a bunch of mignonettes.) 
 
 SIGNORA SANTONI (coming down and also inhaling their 
 perfume) : They are delicious ! 
 
 (She perceives His Grace the BISHOP ORSINI entering 
 Left 3.) 
 
 (His Grace Bishop Orsini is a holy man of about fifty 
 years of age, portly and possessed of a fatherly, good- 
 natured countenance. He is Italian.} 
 (Nodding in greeting to Him) Bouna sera allor sua 
 Excellenza! ("Good evening, your Grace.") 
 
 His GRACE (advancing without seeing Lady Scarsdale): 
 Saluto alia Signora Santoni ! (" Greeting Signora 
 Santoni.") (Then shaking his finger reprovingly 
 serio-comic, marching up to her) Daughter daughter 
 more and more do I hear that thy songs are a 
 source of unrest to all those who with ears and a human 
 heart are blest! 
 
 SIGNORA SANTONI (with mock penitence) : Alas, then, Pa 
 dre, what manner of abstinence again will your Grace 
 impose, or penance decree?
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 29 
 
 His GRACE : Marry, Signora, that you shall sing again 
 
 this night this time for me ! 
 
 (Lady Scarsdale laughs. He perceives her and nods in a 
 
 friendly way.) 
 
 (Enter Lord Russmore simultaneously, Left 3. Lady 
 
 Scarsdale sees him.) 
 
 (Lord Russmore is about 35 years of age. His manner is 
 
 reposeful, courteous, affable, and withal dignified. His 
 
 hair is brown, his face firm, yet kindly; his forehead 
 
 broad, suggestive of frankness withal of determination.) 
 LADY SCARSDALE: (going to him): Greeting m lord. 
 
 (Robert has strolled into the conservatory.) 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Again good evening, Lady Scarsdale. 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Lord Russmore, permit me to present 
 
 to you Sieur d Orsay. Sieur d Orsay, Lord Russmore. 
 LORD RUSSMORE (extending Milton his hand) : France is a 
 
 national ally. To meet one of her sons is a pleasure. 
 MILTON (smiling and at the same time observing the man 
 
 who is his brother-in-law) : Dat eeeze trrue English 
 
 welcome, mee lord. 
 LORD RUSSMORE (addressing Lady Scarsdale) : I fear we 
 
 shall have to make an untimely exit, Lady Scarsdale; 
 
 but I have found Lady Russmore, in the company of 
 
 your daughter, slightly indisposed. 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Oh, I m sure it is nothing more than 
 
 the migraine of which she complained when she arrived. 
 
 Leave her to me I will see what I can do to relieve 
 
 her. 
 
 (CELLO SOLO with accompaniment is started off 
 
 Right.) 
 SIGNORA SANTONI: Ah! Meatore s new creation. (After 
 
 listening a second longer) We ought not to miss it. 
 
 (His Grace steps a trifle Right listening to the music.) 
 (Robert comes away from the conservatory and strolls idly
 
 30 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 toward the table Center. Milton gradually winds his 
 way into the conservatory during the ensuing.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: And think of it, m lord, afterwards 
 Signora Santoni will sing again for us. You mustn t 
 desert us. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: We shall certainly remain to hear 
 Signora Santoni. 
 
 SIGNORA SANTONI: You do me great honour, m lord. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (addressing Robert who is going toward 
 the conservatory disposed to follow Milton there) : 
 Robert! 
 
 (Then, as he stops, addressing the Bishop) Your Grace, 
 my nephew will escort you to the drawing room and 
 introduce you to our friends. If you please, Robert. 
 (He conceals his feelings; she smiles casually, as if her 
 request hid no definite objective : to keep him away. He 
 steps to the exit Right 3.) 
 
 His GRACE: Thank you, Lady Scarsdale. 
 
 (Robert holds the curtain for him to pass out.) 
 
 (Exeunt both.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Pray accept my arm, Signora. 
 (Signora Santoni does so, nodding graciously.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (going to the bell-rope, near the clock 
 U. C., before ringing) : I will join you anon, my lord, 
 together with Alice. (She pulls the bell-rope.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: If you will thank you, Lady Scars- 
 dale. 
 
 (He exits after the Signora. A brief pause during which 
 Lady Scarsdale goes to the park door and drops the latch 
 locking it and sees that the grill is shut. Milton 
 comes out of the conservatory.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (to Milton who goes to Right 3, and looks 
 off a second) : Alice has let her husband see that she s 
 distressed.
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 31 
 
 MILTON (leaving the door) : We must contrive to reassure 
 her. 
 
 JOSEPHINE (entering Left 3) : Maman 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE : Well ? 
 
 JOSEPHINE : Alice is terribly upset And she s determined 
 that you shall go, Milton. She wishes to see you at 
 once. 
 
 MILTON: I ll come. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (stretching out her arm, stopping him. 
 To Josephine) : W T here is she? 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Waiting in my boudoir. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE : Bring her here t is safer. 
 (Exit Josephine Left 3.) 
 
 (To Milton, who proceeds toward the park door, as she goes 
 to Right 3.) Besides, methinks you will need me here 
 with you as a moral prop, to bring her to her senses. 
 (She looks off Right, a second or two. Milton raises the 
 latch of the park door and, opening it, steps out, closing 
 the door two thirds after him. Enter John from Left 3.) 
 
 JOHN: Your ladyship rang? 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (coming to the desk cabinet opening 
 it and seeing that a piece of parchment, ink, quill-pen and 
 sand box are in readiness :) Yes, John. Order more wine 
 served in the drawing room. My oldest vintage for 
 Lord Middleton s cup and see to it that it is never 
 left empty. (She mounts toward the conservatory) You 
 understand? 
 
 JOHN: (crossing toward Right 3 E.) : Perfectly. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (preparing to let down the curtain at the 
 conservatory, which she fastened up previously, earlier 
 in the act) : Shut the door at the other end of the cor 
 ridor Let no one through until I come. 
 (John pauses before the exit to nod affirmatively.) 
 
 (Exit John Right 3.)
 
 32 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 (Clock U. L. C. strikes the half hour after ten. Lady 
 Scarsdale speaks as if it were to herself while arranging 
 the curtains so that the entrance to the conservatory is 
 completely masked) If I m not mistaken, more s to be 
 feared from Alice s attitude than from the Secretary 
 of State. 
 
 (Going to the window curtain, lifting it to make sure that 
 the window is closed, then draping the curtain so that it 
 completely masks.) However, we must bring her to 
 reason. 
 
 JOSEPHINE (re-appearing Left 3 to her mother) : Can she 
 come in? 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Yes; (She looks for Milton and sees 
 him through the opening of the door.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE (meanwhile) : All right, Alice. (Leaving the 
 door, she comes down a little. Lady Scarsdale takes a 
 position awaiting her near the center table, Right of it. 
 Milton slips quietly in as Alice enters Left 3, passing 
 below him, not noticing him. He quietly closes the door 
 back of him and remains on the step, in the casement, re 
 taining hold of the latch.) 
 
 ALICE (as she enters, quickly Xing to Center, then, glancing 
 about and not having seen Milton, addressing Lady 
 Scarsdale) : Lady Scarsdale This is frightful ! Jose 
 phine should never have let him enter. Where is he 
 now? 
 
 (By this time, Milton has slipped indoors, as above 
 described.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (coming to her Center, taking hold of her 
 hands) : Alice I want you to see him ! but first you 
 must be calm, dear! 
 
 ALICE (releasing her hands): Calm? (She comes down 
 stage Left of Center, pressing one hand to her forehead, 
 laughing softly, hysterically for a moment or two, and
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 33 
 
 then, miserably] I was so confident he was still abroad 
 
 now, oh ! (Makes a gesture of despair; then ad 
 vancing to below table, left of same, facing Lady Scars- 
 dale) Why did he write he was being sent on to 
 France? and make me believe 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (coming to Right of table) : Because he 
 well knew your loving heart, which might have be 
 trayed the fear you entertained of his coming 
 
 ALICE : Oh, but he shouldn t have deceived me ! 
 
 (She suddenly hears the muffled sound of applause of the 
 guests as Meatore s cello comes to an end. She Xes to 
 Right Center ; front of the settee, facing in the direction of 
 the draining room) And now he is here here to spy 
 on Middleton, of all men! 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (a trifle down Center, addressing her): 
 Alice 
 
 ALICE (facing her left turn so as not to see Milton as 
 yet): And here you let him be! (Indicating toward off 
 Right) In the midst of James partisans: Each man a 
 foe 
 
 (Milton leaves the doorway and slowly advances till 
 above Center table.) 
 
 just like so many hounds who will end by scenting 
 their prey. . . (Slightly facing Right) Oh, tis beyond 
 daring! (Turning to Lady S. again) I must see him at 
 once ! 
 
 (As Milton left the casement of the park door, Josephine 
 mounted up stage to replace the latch. She replaces the 
 latch, creating a clicking sound, just as the last word 
 passes Alice s lips this clicking sound causes Alice to 
 look in that direction In doing so, she finds herself 
 face to face with Milton, who immediately addresses her. 
 MILTON (speaking firmly and quietly, as she utters the last 
 word, and the dropping of the latch makes her perceive
 
 34 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 him) : Alice To place you on your guard, lest un 
 prepared you had chanced to encounter me elsewhere, 
 twas I who insisted that we should meet here to-night! 
 (With a total change of manner slowly coming to her, 
 his voice now tender, vibrating with subdued emotion) 
 Oh, my sister ! . . . Seven years since I ve seen you! 
 Good God ! what it has cost me With but rare and 
 scant news of you And now . . . here . . . you 
 are . . . 
 
 ALICE (without moving or altering her position; her voice 
 likewise subdued and tremulous) : Aye but . . . 
 here . . . you are bent upon accomplishing your 
 utter ruin! 
 
 MILTOX: On the contrary not mine, but the king s! 
 
 ALICE (drawing erect and interrupting him) : Oh, I know. 
 I can well see that you are fighting-mad; but I beseech 
 you enough that you are in England at least, at 
 least abandon your mad projects here tonight and 
 leave at once! 
 
 MILTON : No 
 
 ALICE: You will not? 
 
 MILTON: No, Alice. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Alice, listen to reason; too much s at 
 stake in the fulfilment of Milton s duty here! 
 
 ALICE: And what if that duty costs him his head, Lady 
 Scarsdale? 
 
 MILTON: As I live it shall not, Alice! 
 
 ALICE: Oh, you will both end by driving me frantic! 
 
 (She Xes Left Lady Scarsdale profits of this to go to 
 Right 3 and glance off, then shut the door.} 
 Duty! Duty! Duty! (Turning to her brother} Milton, 
 every woman that has a heart shudders at the word 
 duty, born of the mind of man. In these times, to 
 her, t is like a monster without feelings ! My husband,
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 35 
 
 like you, is the soul of duty! He is here! And yet, 
 because of duty, though you are his kinsman, he would 
 order your arrest, if he came to suspect; because he 
 serves the King 
 
 MILTON: And I the Prince whom he hates! 
 
 ALICE: So don t you see? . . . O Milton, I beg of 
 you not to attempt to spy on Middleton Even to 
 enter the drawing-room is fraught with danger! 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: But, my dear, no one in England 
 knows Milton, omitting ourselves and Lord Argyle. 
 
 ALICE (She Xes to Josephine): No matter! 
 
 MILTON: Not even your husband! 
 
 ALICE (to Josephine) : I beg of you, dear help me prevail 
 upon him! 
 
 JOSEPHINE: I cannot, Alice; it was wrong of me a while ago 
 to have weakened; now, I m resolved evermore to 
 help him. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (who meanwhile has gone to Right 3 
 again, opened the door and glanced off returning] : My 
 dear Alice once and for all, pray receive the assurance 
 from me that Milton runs not the slightest danger here 
 this night! 
 
 ALICE (hopelessly} : I see t is of no avail to argue 
 You are both in league with him you who mayhap do 
 not care as / do. . . . Milton, it breaks my heart 
 to think that you will not heed me. . . . 
 (Semi-tearjully and semi-laughter) H n! h n! h n! . . . 
 I who should feel so joyous at seeing you again, and 
 who can only tremble and feel anguish God be merci 
 ful. . . . (She sits in the armchair Left Center.) 
 
 MILTON : God is merciful to you and I this night ! For if 
 my mission here turns to good account ours, to 
 morrow, the preponderance over James army Ah, 
 be of good cheer, sister!
 
 36 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 ALICE: Be of good cheer . . . (She laughs grimly) H n! 
 h n! h n! h n! ... If I saw you walking headlong 
 toward some precipice think you I could make merry? 
 
 MILTON: But these are mere fanciful words and imaginings. 
 
 ALICE: No, they are not; but a keener perception of the 
 danger attending your presence here. 
 
 MILTON (firmly and decisively) : Alice Never, ere this, 
 have I spoken harshly to you. You compel me. The 
 danger to me here this night is yourself ! 
 (Alice suddenly glares at him.) 
 
 Nay, hear me through \Vhen you and I w r ere ban 
 ished and we drifted into Holland, penniless exiles, 
 William of Orange gave us welcome took me into 
 his service, honored us as our birth deserved; the day 
 his army landed at Torbay, someone w 7 hom he could 
 trust implicitly was needed to undertake a difficult 
 task, I seized this means and from ulterior motives 
 to prove to him my gratitude. Through seventeen 
 years of exile, Alice, have I waited for this opportunity 
 of avenging the memory of our father. Now the mo 
 ment s at hand ! His last kiss was wafted to you, as he 
 went to meet his doom; but his last words he spoke to 
 me his son! . . . He died a martyr And his 
 murder cries out to the blood in you as well as to the 
 blood in me! To them who suffered most, first retri 
 bution in justice is due! What you and I have lost, 
 alas, in the better part, is forever lost; the dead may 
 not be restored; but the living, who, in bloody pack, 
 by foul means stole their lives away, shall still answer 
 the living! That is why I am here! And that is why you 
 must not thwart me! . . . 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE : Alice dear through the same crafti 
 ness of James to secure his own ends the Block 
 on Tower Hill was still red and warm with my hus-
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 37 
 
 band s blood when your father, in turn, laid down his 
 head upon it. For seventeen years, I have worn the 
 mask that has insured me immunity; you, Alice, his 
 daughter, will you now show less fortitude than I in 
 wearing it for a little while? 
 
 JOSEPHINE (kneeling the other side of Alice} : Maman is 
 right ! and Milton pins all his faith to this night s 
 achievement t is a means that we may soon belong 
 to each other. Won t you help us? You do wish me to 
 become your sister do you not? 
 
 ALICE (drawing her close to her} : Oh, yes ! yes ! 
 
 JOSEPHINE: And you ll be brave and be sure not to betray 
 him? 
 
 ALICE (rising) : Lady Scarsdale what is it that you all 
 exact of me? 
 
 (A sudden noise as of some one trying to open the park 
 door, followed by a discreet rapping, is heard.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE : Sh ! 
 
 (She leaves Right 3; Josephine goes to take her place, 
 opening the door and remaining by the curtain on guard. 
 Simultaneously the applause of the guests is heard as the 
 encore of Meatores cello solo comes to an end. Milton 
 approaches his sister, whose gaze has reverted to the park 
 door.) 
 
 MILTON (taking both her hands, lowering his voice): That 
 you steel your heart, for my sake granting me the 
 double share in meting out His Majesty s dues ! 
 
 ALICE: Promise that you will be careful. 
 
 MILTON: I promise 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (who by this time has opened the slightest 
 bit the small grill in the lattice of the park door, and peered 
 outside a second now closing it) Tis well. Tis only 
 Lucy. 
 (She raises the latch and Lucy enters.)
 
 38 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 JOSEPHINE (leaving Right 3 at the same time) : Milton 
 
 someone is stepping out of the drawing-room. 
 MILTON: Let s pretend to play this game. 
 
 (He sits one side and Josephine the other, of the chess 
 
 table.} 
 LADY SCARSDALE (as Lucy closes the door and replaces the 
 
 latch) : Take John s place in the hall abiding there 
 
 till I ring. 
 
 (Lucy nods and exits Left 3. Lady Scarsdale steps to 
 
 Alice and takes her arm) Come, dear 
 
 (Simultaneously, the curtain Right 3 is pushed aside 
 
 and Lord Russmore enters.) 
 MILTON (simultaneously with Lord Russmore s entrance 
 
 resuming his French) : Je vois Dee knight attack 
 
 me dee queen. 
 
 (Both appear engrossed in the game.) 
 LADY SCARSDALE (walking with Alice to Lord Russmore s 
 
 encounter) : Behold, my lord my restoratives have 
 
 had good effect. 
 LORD RUSSMORE: I m very happy to hear it. How are 
 
 you feeling now, dear? 
 ALICE (affecting a bright smile) : Oh, much relieved, Hugo! 
 
 (Milton and Josephine raise their heads a second and 
 
 exchange glances.) 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Signora Santoni is to sing, and I have 
 
 promised that we should defer our departure until 
 
 afterwards. 
 LADY SCARSDALE: W T e were just on the point of joining 
 
 you. 
 ALICE : I will lead the way. 
 
 (She proceeds to Right 3. Lord Russmore offers his arm 
 
 to Lady Scarsdale. They follow.) 
 MILTON: I weil mak de good bishop interfere for de Queen 
 
 against ze bold knight! (He plays.)
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 39 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (before making her exit, over her shoulder 
 to her daughter) : Are you not coming? 
 (This is meant for Milton as well.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE (quickly) : But one move more we ll follow you. 
 (Exeunt Lord Russmore, Lady Scarsdale and Alice.) 
 (As they make their exit the orchestra begins the pre 
 lude to Signora Santoni s song off Right.) 
 (The following scene between Milton and Josephine 
 should be played quietly and become pleasing through 
 its simplicity.) 
 
 (When the room is once more deserted and while the 
 music is being played preluding the song, Milton and 
 Josephine look at each other from across the chess-board.) 
 
 MILTON (with simplicity) : How wondrous a fellow-player 
 you re proving to be. 
 
 JOSEPHINE (with modest simplicity): That is not strange. 
 Yet, at the onset, my heart almost failed me. 
 ( The song begins off Right.) 
 
 MILTON (rising, slowly) : And now ? 
 
 JOSEPHINE (as she also rises): My heart s altogether in 
 the part I m assigned to play. 
 
 MILTON (meeting her above the table): Would that I had 
 leave now to express all that is in my heart for you. 
 
 JOSEPHINE : Once our side has won you may, Milton. 
 
 MILTON : But until then ? 
 
 JOSEPHINE: We ll keep our troth: our souls merged in 
 hope o the outcome. 
 
 MILTON : Let me then redouble efforts soon to possess you ! 
 
 JOSEPHINE (coy, simple): I m most humbly willing. 
 To begin with, we ll now proceed to meet His Majesty s 
 friends. 
 
 MILTON (extending his hand to her) : Come ! 
 
 JOSEPHINE (as she gives him her hand) : Do you remember, 
 four years ago?
 
 40 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 SONG OF THE SIGNORA 
 
 " Connaissez-vous mon Isabelle? 
 
 Au front si doux, aux yeux si beaux! 
 La blonde enfant que Ton appelle 
 
 La Charmeuse d oiseaux! 
 Elle a dix ans, c est une rose, 
 
 Un vrai bouton de mon jardin! 
 C est une fleur a peine eclose, 
 
 Qui me naquit un beau matin! 
 II faut la voir, il faut 1 entendre 
 
 Ah, gazouiller, la chere enfant; 
 Et de sa voix si pure et si tendre 
 
 Chanter, inviter les oiseaux! 
 (Trill.) Oh-ho!oh-ho!oh-ho!oh-ho!oh-ho! . . . 
 C est Isabelle qui vous appelle! 
 
 Venez manger petits oiseaux! 
 C est Isabelle qui vous appelle! 
 
 Venez chanter mes chers oiseaux! ..." 
 
 (Repeat ad lib. to end during Robert s soliloquy.) 
 
 MILTON (smilingly): At that time you staked all to lose 
 by me. 
 
 JOSEPHINE : And now you have all but won for me. 
 
 MILTON (raising her hands to his lips) : Heaven realize 
 my hope of the future for you ! 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Heaven will hear you tonight And when you 
 are in there, (Points Right) think think con 
 stantly, so it may guide you, that you hear me saying: 
 
 MILTON: What? 
 
 JOSEPHINE (looking up into his face) : I love you, Milton. 
 As much as you should like to be loved by the woman 
 whom you loved best of all.
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 41 
 
 MILTON (his arm encircling her waist, looking down fondly 
 into her face) : That is a great deal ! 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Far less still than I love you. (With playful 
 coyness) Is it still insufficient? 
 
 MILTON: Nay! But more than I can ever reward you for 
 (He draws her in fond embrace not kissing her, 
 their heads close to one another on each other s shoulder.) 
 (The proximity of the curtains, Right 3 E and the one 
 masking the window U. R., creates an opportunity for 
 one to introduce himself, unperceived, back of each 
 drapery, thereby reaching the window recess. At the 
 precise moment when Milton silently embraces Josephine, 
 the spectators become aware that a figure is slipping 
 back of the curtains, till it eventually reaches the window 
 recess. The lovers are unaware of the intrusion, for 
 the purpose of eavesdropping.) 
 
 (Parting the curtain with one hand, Right 3, leading her 
 off with the other.) 
 
 Come! . . . (Exeunt Right 3.) 
 
 (A pause, during which the song continues to be heard.) 
 (Suddenly Robert Courtnay comes out from behind the 
 curtain at the window. He comes out Left of it, retaining 
 hold of the curtain, his eyes riveted upon the door 
 Right 3. A sardonic smile is on his lips.) 
 
 ROBERT (grimly) : Ye gods ! Can the devil have given 
 me a spy as well as a rival to deal with? 
 (Coming down stage. Grimly) H n! h n! h n! h n! If 
 so t is well. (Sneaky) I ll satisfy my grudge in serving 
 the King! (Plotting) After the man s out of the way, 
 lest I expose her for abetting an enemy of His Majesty, 
 Josephine will be most amenable for her mother s 
 sake then, if contrary to her own expectations. (Look 
 ing toward the desk cabinet, going to same and examining, 
 finding nothing of any use.) I wonder to whom was she
 
 42 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 writing? (Leaving the desk cabinet) I must contrive 
 to pay a little visit upstairs to her secretary. (He pro 
 ceeds Left, reflecting, laughing grimly) H n! h n! h n! 
 h n! ... a pure-blooded Frenchman, eh? 
 (End of Signora s song during this speech.) 
 One who expresses himself crudely in our presence, 
 yet can speak as pure English as I ve ever heard. . . . 
 (Prolonged applause of the guests after the song then 
 general hum of conversation.) 
 
 Sieur d Orsay, eh? H n! h n! Bah! a name for 
 the circumstance! I ll unravel this mystery though 
 and to-night, my shrewd cousin not to-morrow ! . . . 
 (Boisterous laughter is heard off of Sir Richard and Sir 
 Anthony, as they come along the corridor leading to 
 Right 3. Robert mounts U. L. C., then as they enter and 
 come down he Xes up stage and exits Right 3, unperceived 
 by them.) 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (as he enters arm-in-arm with Sir Richard, 
 disengaging his own and proceeding down to his chair 
 Right of chess table) : A knavish trick a knavish 
 trick! . . . None other than Sir Richard could have 
 thought of it! 
 
 SIR RICHARD (above chess table, filling himself a goblet of 
 wine, laughing) : No other way no other way, Sir 
 Anthony. You see : a bit o scandal is all engrossing to 
 some old women, and our worse-halves would never 
 have allowed us to return to our little chess game, had 
 I not provided them with something preferable to 
 ourselves to peck at! 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (sighing dolefully) : Ah what a pity that 
 women do not grow young instead of old. 
 
 SIR RICHARD (setting two goblets on the table, resuming his 
 chair Left of table): A plague on you, Sir Anthony! 
 Would you have a man, who married a lady of twenty,
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 43 
 
 have a wife, at thirty-and nine crawling on the floor 
 with a bib? 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (smiling broadly}: Your arithmetic is cer 
 tainly astounding. 
 
 SIR RICHARD (holding his cup before his lips, starting to 
 giggle, as he conceives a picture of his friend with a baby- 
 wife) : Fancy my old friend Lovelace in his night 
 cap and bare feet, his wife in his arms, cutting her teeth 
 all over again! (He rocks back in his chair, laughing 
 boisterously.) 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (Grown suddenly serious) : The game 
 the game, Sir Richard ! I m in the mood 
 
 SIR RICHARD : T was your turn to play. 
 
 SIR ANTHONY: In truth I do not recognize the 
 board. 
 
 SIR RICHARD (after a gulp of wine again giggling) : 
 Fancy yourself in the gloaming, each night, rocking 
 Lady Lovelace to sleep (He starts to rock and sing, 
 mimicking) "Do do do do! Fiddle-dee-dee \ 
 Clo-s-se yur eyes, my darlint. Fur the bogey-man s 
 comin around. ..." (He resumes drinking, chuckling.) 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (setting his own untouched cup before Sir 
 Richard): Here! have some more wine to make you 
 sober. 
 
 (Sir Richard unceremoniously accepts it and passes his 
 own empty one to Sir Anthony.) 
 
 SIR RICHARD (raising the full goblet in the air) : Drink ! 
 Drink ! to the realization of your wish, my bald-headed 
 friend ! 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (with a show of petty temper pushing the 
 empty cup away) : Now, pray thee, Sir Richard at 
 least at least ! respect my grey hair ! 
 
 SIR RICHARD: If you ll prove to me there s any left 
 neath your wig to inspire such. (Raising his goblet in
 
 44 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 the air his voice at the same time} Here s to the fer 
 tility of your scalp ! 
 
 (He arrests Sir Anthony s hand in mid-air, who is in the 
 act of moving a pawn.} 
 Look out! you re playing one of my own men ! 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (slightly exasperated shaking his wrist 
 free, A trifle peevish] : It all comes of your tittle-tattle ! 
 
 SIR RICHARD : It all comes of your listening too much and 
 thinking too little! 
 
 (He drinks. Sir Anthony picks up another pawn, holds 
 it in mid-air hesitatingly, then shaking his head, sets it 
 back where it was. Sir Richard, observing him from 
 across the rim of his goblet, giggles.) 
 Like a cat on wet ground doesn t dare move 
 (He takes a gulp of wine which he sicallows with difficulty. 
 Then, while his friend does his utmost to concentrate on 
 the game, observing him, he titters.) 
 (With good-natured sarcasm) Sir Anthony Love-lace 
 Zounds your mother must have had a vein of humor to 
 christen a Love-Zace an Anthony? 
 
 SIR ANTHONY : Pray drink if you will but leave me 
 and the women alone! 
 
 SIR RICHARD: Alone? Not if I can ever prevent it - 
 you old libertine! 
 
 (Enter LADY DIGWIG, followed by LADY ANTHONY from 
 Right 3 E.) 
 
 (Lady Digwig is old with a bull-dog neck, hard, 
 stout, and short. Lady Anthony is old, hard, snappy as 
 a snuff box, prim and thin. 
 
 (Perceiving their husbands, Lady Digwig advances to 
 Center. Lady Anthony stops half way. Neither Sir 
 Richard nor Sir Anthony are aware of their presence 
 until Lady Digwig speaks; then Sir Anthony ignores his 
 own wife s presence, until, in turn, she addresses him.)
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 45 
 
 LADY DIGWIG (indignant arching her brows) : Sir Rich 
 ard I am going ! (She walks to above Left Center and 
 stops to wait for him.) 
 
 SIR RICHARD (reverting his eyes to Sir Anthony, as she starts 
 on her X, speaking under his breath) : Oh, Lord why 
 hast Thou punished me so! (He starts slowly to rise.) 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (with head bowed, looking at Sir Richard 
 through his eyebrows) : The Lord chasteneth him whom 
 He loveth. 
 (Lady Anthony starts to the Center.) 
 
 SIR RICHARD (Pushing his chair close to the table mut 
 ters back to Sir A.): Then He greatly loveth married 
 men! (He starts up.) 
 
 LADY ANTHONY (snappily): Sir Anthony! 
 (He starts.) 
 I am going also! . . . 
 
 SIR ANTHONY (rising, with great docility.) 
 Ye-es, my love. . . . 
 
 (He joins his wife. The four start toward Left 3, and 
 walk off, like a funeral.) 
 
 (As they disappear, enter Josephine Right 3. She is 
 brightly excited. She goes straight to the bell-rope U. L. 
 C. and pulls it. As she does so enters Alice from Right 
 3, also cheerfully excited both meet.) 
 
 ALICE: Oh, I m so glad it s all over! I feel all worn out 
 from sheer tension watching him ! 
 
 JOSEPHINE: You behaved splendidly! 
 
 ALICE: No, I ve been very stupid to fear. It s positively 
 amazing. He s so master of himself. Did you observe 
 how he led and changed the conversation at wish? 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Milton is very wonderful! 
 
 ALICE (embracing her): You plucky darling! I ve not 
 been half as courageous as you have 
 (Enter Milton leisurely Right 3; the instant he sees that
 
 46 
 
 only the two women are there, he dashes quickly toward 
 the escritoire of the desk cabinet, where everything is in 
 readiness.} 
 
 MILTON (jubilant going toward the escritoire) : Tis done 
 (He starts to write.) 
 
 ALICE and JOSEPHINE (almost in the same breath both 
 going toward him) : 
 
 ALICE: Well? 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Tell us ? 
 
 MILTON (continuing to cipher up his message on one of the 
 parchment pieces of paper) : Thanks to Lady Scarsdale s 
 maneuvres and good wine 
 
 (Josephine steps to Right 3, to watch off and listen at the 
 same time.} 
 
 Middleton was not half the shrewd man I deemed him 
 to be. Ran into my net as innocently as a fish! 
 (Enter Lucy Left 3.) 
 (Josephine leaves Right 3 and Alice takes her place.) 
 
 LUCY: You rang for me, Miss? 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Yes. 
 
 (Then to Milton who is folding the message.) 
 I answer for Lucy as for myself! 
 
 MILTON (Xing toward Lucy) : Oh, Lucy and I have al 
 ready made acquaintance. (Remitting her the mes 
 sage) You will find Peter the old man with the organ 
 outside the gate. To his query, give him the same 
 pass-word "Elves do I seek" -Tell him to play, the 
 moment he s despatched Languenoc with this to 
 inform me. 
 
 (She takes the paper and tucks it inside her blouse.) 
 (Josephine raises the latch from the park door.) 
 
 LUCY (turning to go) : Play to inform you yes. 
 
 (She exits. Josephine closes the door and opens the little 
 grill that the sound of Peter s organ may be heard.)
 
 47 
 
 MILTON (advancing toward Alice, who comes to meet him) : 
 At last! the deed is done! 
 
 (Josephine starts across stage to assume Alice s place 
 near Right 3.} 
 
 ALICE: Oh, I m so happy for both your sakes! (To 
 Milton) I ve been a horrid coward but I promise to 
 try . . . only, you must depart now; I ve no more 
 pretext to offer Lord Russmore to remain and I wish 
 to return home knowing you safely away from here. 
 
 MILTON: Merely time to bid Lady Scarsdale and Jose 
 phine farewell and I will go, Alice. 
 
 ALICE: Thank you! 
 
 MILTON (leading her down stage ) : Dear, dear sister ! 
 You little realize what this message means and I d 
 fain send you home with the very sense of conviction 
 now within me that the day of our victory is now 
 assured. Think of it! Free to visit you at your home 
 to renew the old ties! Tell me something about your 
 self: Your boy; he is now over five years, isn t he? 
 How I should like to see him! to perch him on my 
 shoulder and trot him along, or play see-saw - as I 
 used to do with you once; only, then, you frequently 
 suddenly slipped off your end and let me bump. 
 (Alice laughs at the recollections.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE (cheerfully approaching them from Right 3): 
 Your husband and maman are coming this way. 
 
 ALICE (quickly embracing Milton) : Good night, dear 
 God protect you ! 
 
 MILTON (he resumes his seat Right of table) : Shall we re 
 sume the game? 
 
 (Josephine quickly sits. Alice stands above table watch 
 ing them. At this moment, as it were to warn those in 
 the room of their approach Lady Scarsdale laugh off 
 Right 3.)
 
 48 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (laughingly coming through the cor 
 ridor that leads to Right 3} : Ha ! ha ! ha ! And judging 
 from all this gayety, my lord, one could imagine every 
 soul without a single care? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (as he appears and holds the curtain aloft 
 for her to enter} : In sooth when the times are so 
 oppressive, a diversion of this kind is singularly re 
 freshing 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (having entered and taking back his arm) : 
 To say the least I feared it would be in-apropos. 
 (To Josephine) Again at the chess-board? (To Lord 
 Russmore) My daughter is insatiable. 
 
 ALICE (approaching them) : I have been playing chaperone. 
 
 MILTON (risen politely} : Mademoiselle eeze a won 
 derful player. 
 
 (Josephine laughs. He picks a few chess-men lying off 
 the board, on his side.) 
 Look! I have none! 
 (He drops them on the table again.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (Lady Scarsdale on his left arm offer 
 ing his right hand genially to Milton) : Good night, 
 Sieur d Orsay. Let us have the pleasure of your com 
 pany sometime. 
 
 MILTON (stepping to him and pressing his hand warmly) : 
 Eete will be a grreat pleasure, mee Lord Russmore. 
 
 JOSEPHINE (who has risen and approached Alice, address 
 ing Milton) : Sieur d Orsay it is your turn to play : 
 Will you excuse me for a few moments? 
 (Milton bows. Lord Russmore and Lady S. start for 
 Left 3.) 
 
 I will accompany you to the door, Alice. (She takes 
 her arm.) 
 
 (Lord Russmore and Lady Scarsdale exeunt Left 3. Alice 
 and Josephine start to follow, but the moment they are
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 49 
 
 well out of the room, Alice stops and turns to Milton, 
 
 speaking to him cautiously, hardly above a whisper.) 
 ALICE: Do not come to our house, Milton! 
 MILTON (shaking his head negatively. Smiling): Have no 
 
 fear, sister. 
 
 (Alice starts for Left 3.) 
 JOSEPHINE (backing toward Alice at the entrance Left 3) : 
 
 Stay here. I shall come back to say "good-night" 
 
 the instant Alice goes. 
 MILTON: Yes. 
 JOSEPHINE and ALICE (arm in arm at Left 3, before exiting 
 
 whispering happily to Milton, one after the other, 
 
 Josephine speaking first) : 
 JOSEPHINE : Au revoir 
 ALICE : Good night 
 
 (They back themselves out Left 3.) 
 MILTON (as they exit thus) : Good-night ! 
 
 (Suddenly the distant sound of Peter s organ is heard. 
 
 Milton shifts his eyes toward the park door and listens 
 
 a mere instant.) 
 
 (His face lighting up still more happily) The message is 
 
 now on its way to William s camp. 
 
 (He pushes his chair close to the chess table and walks 
 
 leisurely toward the park door. He opens the park door 
 
 after unlocking it and stepping to the threshold, stands 
 
 still, listening, looking into the night.) 
 
 (Advancing toward the park door, appears Robert Court- 
 nay.) 
 ROBERT (ingratiatingly approaching the threshold, as 
 
 Milton backs off the step indoors) : Good evening, Sieur 
 
 d Orsay. 
 
 MILTON (puzzled for a second): Mr. Courtnay, I be 
 lieve? 
 ROBERT (stepping inside, extending Milton his hand) : Yes.
 
 50 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 (Retaining Milton s hand) My aunt left me in the 
 drawing-room to supervise the entertainment; it ap 
 peared in the end superfluous so I decided to walk 
 out and breathe the air. 
 
 MILTON: Yes? 
 
 ROBERT: I m most hapy to find you alone. I have been 
 wishing all evening to make your acquaintance, 
 (Saying which he comes leisurely down to above chess 
 table and starts to fill two goblets) but unfortunately 
 my aunt claimed some service or other from me in 
 cessantly. 
 
 MILTON (instinctively suspicious of the man but con 
 cealing this feeling under a suave and polite demeanor, 
 comes down leisurely): Zat eeze vary kind from you, 
 Mr. Courtnay. I was waiting eere for Lady Scarsdale 
 to return for to say goode night. 
 
 ROBERT: Not going surely? 
 
 MILTON : I have travel far to-day 
 
 ROBERT (indicating the clock): Oh, but tis not even 
 eleven yet. (He fills the second goblet) My aunt tells 
 me you are Lord Argyle s friend I have the deepest 
 affection for him: hence, a desire to become yours, 
 Sieur d Orsay. 
 
 MILTON (who is strolling Left, aside to himself): What s 
 his motive? (He turns. Pleasantly) Mr. Courtnay 
 eeze vary kind. 
 
 ROBERT (offering him one of the goblets) : Come, Monsieur 
 let us drink to better acquaintance. Nothing like 
 a sprinkle of wine to make good-fellowship ripen. 
 
 MILTON (who has accepted the goblet) : Zee English gener- 
 allee cultivate eete wit ale. 
 
 ROBERT: Except when their cellars provide a better bev 
 erage. (Right of chess table) You play chess, Sieur 
 d Orsay?
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 51 
 
 MILTON: A leetle. 
 
 ROBERT: I faith let us finish this game and measure skill. 
 
 (He draws his chair Right of table.} 
 MILTON (depositing his goblet, untouched, upon the table 
 
 Left}: I fear I cannot remain, Monsieur Courtnay: 
 
 Lady Scarsdale 
 ROBERT (sitting down} : Oh, we can cease when she returns. 
 
 Twill take no more than three moves. Come, be 
 
 seated! You a Frenchman, / an Englishman. By my 
 
 troth! we ll play the King s fortunes and pitch battle! 
 MILTON: Pardon ("Pardon" said as in French} ze 
 
 King of France eeze a friend not an advarsaree? 
 ROBERT (bantering all through): True! the title fits the 
 
 Orange Prince. So be it ! you ll play his men and 
 
 we ll make this game one of prophecy. 
 MILTON: But a French man eeze an ally an cannot 
 
 elp de Prince to 
 ROBERT: Nay; here tis but in jest. There! I move! . . . 
 
 (Milton sits, concealing his unwillingness to do so) And 
 
 now, the better your play the more ignominous 
 
 Prince William s defeat! 
 
 (Milton studies the game a second, then he quietly moves 
 
 a pawn.} 
 
 Ah skillful move! (He plays.} Here, then for 
 
 His Consumptive Highness May the devil take 
 
 him! 
 
 (Milton shoots a rapid glance at Robert, then lowering 
 
 his gaze as quickly, he moves a rook.) 
 
 H n! h n! h n! h n! Clever! (Studying the game 
 
 grimly smiling) I faith! this most degenerated Prince 
 
 hath enlisted the services of a wondrous tactician! 
 
 (He lifts a pawn, holds it still a second in mid-air, then 
 
 brings it down with a little thud; as it were decisively 
 
 attacking) This, then, again for the blackguard!
 
 52 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 (Milton remains impassive, now and then surreptitiously 
 observing Courtnay, endeavoring to read his mind.) 
 
 MILTON (relaxing his face into a broad smile and looking 
 Robert straight in the face) : Eete was a feint, Monsieur 
 Courtnay. 
 
 (He moves one of his men and removes one of Courtnay s. 
 Robert laughs ironically; Milton laughs good-naturedly.) 
 
 ROBERT : True ! like all the Prince s maneuvres ! ( Then, 
 suddenly, leaning forward over the chess-board with a 
 sardonic, nagging banter) Six men yester-eve called 
 William a bastard before one of his own supporters 
 and, by my oath! the fellow laughed with the rest! 
 (He leans back laughingly.) 
 
 MILTON (quietly composedly) : Ze fellow was a coward, 
 Monsieur Courtnay. 
 
 ROBERT: But think! one man against six! 
 
 MILTON (same play): Eete does not mattare one man 
 against a dozen. 
 
 ROBERT (playing surprise): What? Would you have 
 quarrelled with so many? 
 
 MILTON (looking him straight in the face, but refraining to 
 evince any open antagonism or resentment in the least): 
 Eef in my presence and of my King foi d honneur, 
 Mr. Courtnay ! I would ave endure a thousand deaths 
 radther than swallow dat insult! 
 
 ROBERT (once more leaning forward, as far as he can toward 
 Milton with a confidential smile) : Well, then since 
 I am addressing a friend and no foe I confess t was 
 I who called Prince William a bastard! 
 (The sardonic smile expands as he continues to look 
 Milton in the face some time longer. Milton remains 
 still as a rock, regarding him blankly. Finally Robert 
 leans back laughing boisterously.) 
 H n! h n! h n! h n!
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 53 
 
 MILTON (composedly, as if nothing were): Eete eeze 
 Monsieur s turn for to play. 
 
 ROBERT (seated nonchalantly back in his chair, regarding 
 Milton with the same grim smile, speaking with biting 
 satire) : Verily, Monsieur is surpassingly clever What 
 with m king sorely pressed (Mere indication of the 
 index toward the board) and mine opponent proof 
 gainst all device the Prince hath the better of the 
 argument. (Rising) Nay, I faith, tis wasting the 
 hour! Come, Sieur d Orsay, I ve a better sport to pro 
 pose for the settlement! Drain your cup in a toast 
 with me! (He raises his goblet.) 
 
 To the fortunes of war and health of King James the 
 Second ! 
 
 (Milton does not take up his cup.) 
 What? . . . Monsieur hesitates? 
 
 MILTON : I do not wish for to dis-oblige but a French 
 man drinks but to one monarch 
 
 ROBERT: Oh, but, then, Monsieur is not French! H n! 
 h n! h n! h n! (Haughtily he steps away, laughing sati 
 rically, as he speaks the preceding line. He turns at the 
 end of same to surprise Milton looking at him frowningly. 
 He continues with the same sneer) Pray deem me not 
 so your dupe! Nay h n! h n! h n! h n! (This as he 
 approaches the table again and picks up Milton s goblet, 
 extending it to him) And yet, forsooth, if Sieur d Orsay 
 will but drink the toast proposed albeit, I shall be 
 lieve that he s not an Orange dog! (Approaching a 
 step to him with the goblet still extended) Come, Sir 
 Knight ! prove to whom your allegiance ! . . . 
 (Milton folds his arms and regards him quietly.) 
 Aha! Sieur d Orsay will not drink! 
 (He drops the cup sharply on the table.) 
 
 MILTON (dry, deliberate, and in a firm low tone of voice) :
 
 54 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 Enough innuendoes, Courtnay! What is your pur 
 pose ? 
 
 ROBERT (exultingly) : Bravo ! At last Monsieur s dis 
 posed to cast off the mask! 
 
 MILTON (same firm, low voice but with greater stress): 
 I ask what is your purpose! 
 
 ROBERT: To learn your true identity resolved to make 
 you confess (lie taps the hilt of his sword) by the 
 achievement of m sword if necessary ! 
 
 MILTON: And after that? 
 
 ROBERT: I faith! methinks I ll take your head to the king 
 and barter it for his favor. He exults in the death of an 
 Orangeman ! 
 (Both men glare at each other.) 
 
 MILTON : Courtnay you may rue this hour ! (Between 
 his teeth.) 
 
 ROBERT (meaningly) : Let him who outlives it judge! 
 (He bruskly unsheathes his sword.) 
 
 MILTON (stepping away and snatching up his hat} : Nay ! 
 I ll begone! (He turns to X toward park door.) 
 
 ROBERT (quickly stepping across his path): Stay! 
 
 (Milton stops. His hat in his left hand he lays his right 
 upon the hilt of his sword. Robert continues sneering 
 sardonically.) 
 
 Monsieur risked much to come here to pay his court to 
 my cousin and I suspect to spy as well ! Now s the 
 reckoning! Myself determined to espouse her, I wel 
 come the pretext which Monsieur s allegiance to Wil 
 liam furnishes me to slay him! 
 
 MILTON (coldly retreating before Robert s advance) : 
 T will not be easy I warn you (He unsheathes his 
 own sword.) 
 
 ROBERT (stopping short a moment, leaning forward, bending 
 his sword the point of the blade resting upon the floor
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 55 
 
 laughing boastingly) : H n! h n! h n! h n! Sieur 
 d Orsay has not lived in London, else he d speak less 
 lightly of m sword! (He advances again.} 
 
 MILTON (stepping of table Center, Robert Left of it) : Not 
 in a lady s house! I ll give you satisfaction outside! 
 (He turns to go toward the park door}. 
 
 ROBERT (quickly anticipating him, interposing himself, 
 running up to the park door, kicking it to close it, imme 
 diately then advancing, facing Milton again) : Nay ! 
 I trust you not! 
 
 (Here he kicks the door, Milton discards his hat it 
 falls below the Center table. Robert continues to speak, 
 advancing toward Milton, the latter engaging his blade 
 and retreating diagonally down stage, close to the Right of 
 Center table.} 
 (The following dialogue runs through the ensuing fight.} 
 
 MILTON (angered at the suddenness of Robert s attack 
 parrying his thrust}: You re forcing this upon me, 
 Courtnay ! 
 
 ROBERT : T is thus we urge cowards to fight ! 
 
 (Milton has caught sight of the park door being shoved 
 open by one of his own men outside; only the arm of 
 the man is perceptible and it as quickly withdraws from 
 sight. Milton breaks into a soft laugh. He thereupon 
 endeavors with many a deviating step to deceive 
 Robert as to his intention to turn him around and him 
 self be up stage to back toward the park exit.} 
 (Robert makes a vicious lunge which Milton parries, 
 stepping aside and laughing confidently.} 
 
 ROBERT : Ah ! Wonders ! Sieur d Orsay knows how 
 to fence, too! 
 
 (Milton backs below the settee, and leads him up stage 
 back of same, thus gaining his point. As he passes back 
 of the settee, he gathers with his left hand the silk scarf
 
 56 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 which Josephine placed on the settee s back at the begin 
 ning of the act continuing to fight, he gathers up this 
 scarf into a big bunch in his hand.) 
 
 MILTON: More schools than one! 
 
 ROBERT: Then the more pretentious fools! 
 
 (By this time Milton has started to back across stage to 
 Left toward the park door. Robert, quick to divine his 
 motive, immediately describes a circle below him, so as to 
 interpose himself again only, kept on the alert as he is 
 fighting he has not glanced toward the door, to see that 
 it is partly open.) 
 
 (Starting to circle below Milton) Nay ! Trickery will 
 not avail you! You ll remain to fight and to confess 
 your full purpose here! Come! your answer spy! 
 (He thrusts wildly at Milton who is driving him toward 
 the park door.) 
 
 Dog of Orange! I ll call all here present to unloosen 
 your tongue and dispose you to 
 (The last words remain unspoken; by the lock-trick, well 
 known to wrestlers making use of the scarf all in a bunch 
 in his left hand Milton pokes that hand straight to 
 Robert s face, and over his mouth. Robert raises his 
 free left hand to Milton s chest, in order to push him away. 
 Milton, dropping his sword, quickly catches hold of 
 this hand by the wrist, brings it down, causing Robert s 
 elbow to bend, bringing the arm back of Robert now, 
 with the arm bent in this way, by forcing it upward, 
 Robert s body is forced gradually to wheel about Right. 
 Meanwhile Milton s hand that covers his mouth more and 
 more encircles his head, as it turns around Right. As 
 soon as Courtnay s back is nearly turned to him Milton 
 jerks Robert s head backward, and shoving him forward, 
 pins him prone against the wall Right of the casement of 
 the park door. This is done in lightning style, 1,2,3, 4> 5.
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 57 
 
 MILTON (as he dashes the hand with the scarf at Courtnay s 
 face): By heavens! . . .(Then as he pins him to the 
 wall) Damn you for this witless threat ! (Quickly 
 calling, intensely under his breath toward the park open 
 ing) Bray ton Murray Blondin ! . . . 
 
 (Instantly enter the room first BRAYTON, then MUR 
 RAY, then BLONDIN in rapid succession a fourth mem 
 ber, ROCK, a boyish-looking lad appears and remains in 
 front of the threshold Blondin at once goes to the can 
 delabra Right, and extinguishes it Rock steps indoors 
 and partly closes the door.) 
 
 (Brayton is a burly individual after the swash 
 buckler s type. Murray is thick-boned broad and hard 
 as nails. Blondin is thick-set and so-called on account 
 of his light hair and almost whitish eyebrows. All are 
 rough looking and determined.) 
 
 (As Brayton easily wrenches the sword out of Robert s 
 hand) Is there likely interference out there? 
 
 MURRAY : Several guests have come out (He blows the 
 candles Rock partly closes the door as above de 
 scribed.) 
 
 BLONDIN (taking a piece of twisted leather from his own 
 girt) : They re roaming about the moat ! 
 
 MILTON : Murray and you on guard here at the doors 
 Rock outside! 
 
 (Rock disappears outside, partly closing the door, Blondin 
 tosses the piece of twisted leather to Brayton, starts for 
 Left 3, looks off and remains on guard. Brayton tosses 
 Robert s sword away Murray picks it up and starts on 
 his way to Right 3, where he looks off and remains on 
 guard.) 
 
 (To Brayton, while both descend a trifle down with 
 Robert between them, and Brayton starts to fasten his 
 hands together by means of the piece of twisted leather).
 
 58 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 But for this expedient the knave was about to shout 
 to those here! 
 
 BLONDIN: Why have interdicted us a door, till you called, 
 master, so set tween us and your peril? 
 
 BRAYTON: Raphael himself couldn t have stood out there 
 as we did abiding to come in and grapple with the 
 devil? 
 
 MURRAY (at Right 3) : This door hath a key He ex 
 hibits the key inquiringly for instructions.} 
 
 MILTON: Make her fast. 
 
 BLONDIN (taking off his neck-cloth - tearing off a thick long 
 strip from same coming to Milton and giving it to 
 him) : Here s for a gag, Master. (He returns to Left 3.) 
 (Robert makes a sudden lurch forward to free himself 
 from Milton s hold.) 
 
 BRAYTON (grappling with him while Milton retains his 
 hold) : Aye Merry there m lamb ! every man 
 his turn and give the devil his dues ! . . . 
 (They start to gag him. ) 
 
 BLONDIN: A cursed loyalist! we ll carry him off and 
 hang him! 
 
 BRAYTON: Marry he should dangle, Master! 
 
 MURRAY (having locked Right 3, coming down to the settee 
 throwing Robert s sword there and blowing out all the 
 candles, from the candelabra back of the settee) : We ll 
 swing him up here in the park, under the very nose of 
 the cursed king s minions in there! 
 
 MILTON (imposing them silence): Nay! Fellows - 
 this is a friend s house ! 
 
 (He turns to holding on to Robert while Brayton sloops 
 and fastens his ankles together with a bit of cord taken 
 from his girt.) 
 
 You hear, Courtnay? and yet I would fain see you 
 live. Because your blood s kindred to theirs whose
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 59 
 
 guest I am in that measure am I loath to see you 
 murdered and have the blood of their kinsman on 
 my hands. 
 
 (Blondin and Murray appear disappointed. Having 
 blown the candles Murray goes to the conservatory en 
 trance, and now that there is no longer light back of him 
 parts the curtains sufficiently to observe outside through 
 the panes of glass at the rear of the conservatory, off Left. 
 Milton, meanwhile, continuing to address Robert.) 
 But mark me well for this ! 
 
 (Erect, while Brayton is fastening his anldes together 
 looking Milton straight in the eyes; the gag between his 
 lips and fastened back of his head; his arms fastened back 
 of him.) 
 
 T is true I came hither bent on seeking to win your 
 cousin s favour true I am not French I am Eng 
 lish, I attest but if you think there s more in the 
 deed than I ve declared except that every loyalist 
 is not my friend and you dare soever involve Lady 
 or Miss Scarsdale in this to advance your own suit; 
 I swear before God! that although you were at the 
 earth s furthest end I d seek after you there 
 then I should not spare you, Courtnay! 
 (As Brayton rises, he addresses the men the latter 
 acting promptly as he gives the orders) 
 Everyone now withdraw ! to horse ! One of you out 
 side to lead me to mine ! Summon Languenoc ! Alone 
 I ll take charge of our erring knight! 
 (Murray brings him the key of Right 3. Blondin opens 
 the park door. He steps outside to Rock the latter is 
 afterwards seen running off Left. Murray exits, and 
 Brayton last. Music is started in the drawing-room; very 
 faintly, this time only the harpsichord, flute and harp. 
 Only the small candelabra on the wine table, above the
 
 60 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 chess table, is still left burning. The room is corre 
 spondingly dark.) 
 
 MILTON (While the men make their exit, starting to drag 
 Robert toward the conservatory entrance) : Come, Court- 
 nay thou wilt rest in the midst o roses . . . May 
 they be as devoid of thorns as I am of malice toward 
 thee! (He disappears dragging the form of Courtnay 
 through the curtains in semi-obscurity of the room.) 
 (By this time all the men are outside and have disappeared 
 except Brayton, whose shoulder back turned to the 
 audience is still perceptible, outside right of the case 
 ment of the door.) 
 
 (A pause, during which only the faint strains of the 
 music reach the room.) 
 
 BRAYTON (Suddenly stepping forward, in full view of the 
 opening addressing someone off Left) : Whom do you 
 seek? 
 
 LUCY (appearing in view) : Elves do I seek. 
 
 BRAYTON: Pass! (She enters simultaneously as Milton 
 comes out of the conservatory. He approaches her near 
 U. L. C.) 
 
 MILTON (with a gesture for her not to speak): Sh! (Then 
 cautiously to her so that Robert may not hear) at once 
 go to Lady Scarsdale. (He points Left 3.) Say that 
 her nephew having threatened exposure, my men and 
 I have garroted him. He lies there. (He points the 
 conservatory) Say that they must pretend to know 
 nought of this affair. To both I am still Sieur d Orsay 
 met for the first time. Say all this to them, then 
 return here. It were best that no one but you should 
 set him to freedom. Enter there as it were by acci 
 dent suggest surprise and display ignorance of 
 ought thou knowest understand? 
 
 LUCY: Yes.
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 61 
 
 MILTON: No one must enter this room till he s released. 
 Here s the key of the other door. Go first. 
 
 LUCY: At once. (She starts for Left 3.) 
 
 MILTON (stepping to her) : And pray 
 (She stops and turns.) 
 
 To-morrow morn, one of the men will be by the postern 
 gate pass him word that all is well (He extends 
 his hand to her.) I thank you, Lucy 
 (She takes his hand with cheerful appreciation and 
 nodding, she exits Left 3.) 
 
 (Milton immediately goes after his hat and sword 
 speaking the while, his eyes toward the conservatory.) 
 Mayhap it were wiser to have taken him along? but 
 nay; his fanaticism had provoked such as accompany 
 me to swing him in mid-air ere daybreak ! 
 (Clock starts to chime the eleventh hour. Milton steps 
 above the center table and blowing a few more lights out, 
 continues uninterruptedly.) Thou wouldst have been 
 too much a charge, Courtnay As tis, I ll match a 
 better strategy and woman s wits to dispose you judge 
 me less vindicatively in the future. 
 (Having sheathed his sword, on the way to make his exit, 
 he stops in a line with Left 3 his eyes remain a second 
 in that direction his thoughts with Alice and Jose 
 phine. The clock chimes its eleventh stroke; he glances at 
 it and marches to the threshold. As he stands in the 
 opening, adjusting his hat firmly with both hands, Bray- 
 ton passes before him and strolls off Left a slight pause, 
 and Milton follows him briskly.) 
 
 (In turn the curtains of the conservatory seem to be mov 
 ing then, finally Robert, standing up contrives to 
 slip through between them losing his balance, he reels 
 against the Right arch carrying the curtain fully open on 
 that side. Moonlight streams into the room through this
 
 62 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 opening; also through the open park door. The glow of 
 the fire-place, this flood of moonlight and the light from 
 the couple of tapers still burning on the center table con 
 tribute the sole lighting of the room.) 
 (After reeling against the frame of the conservatory Right, 
 Robert braces himself up and seeing his sword on the 
 settee manages to jump forward once then, by means 
 of a chair, and finally, and by any device, reaches the 
 settee. Taking up the sword with both hands back of him 
 he succeeds in inserting its point in the cord that holds 
 his feet together he drives the point into the floor the 
 cord becomes severed. Dropping his sword and Xing 
 the stage, tugging at the fetters at his wrists his gaze 
 falls upon the burning candles. He goes there and holding 
 his hands up, back of him, lets the flame of the candle 
 lick the cord until it ignites it. This can be carried out 
 in the following manner While in the conservatory the 
 knot is untied and both ends are held one in each hand 
 an additional piece of fibre easy to ignite and flame 
 out is placed in one of the hands. This piece of fibre 
 once ignited it is easy for Courtnay to free his hands. 
 Once his hands are free, he quickly slips off the gag from 
 his head. He simultaneously hears the door open Left 3, 
 and wheels about.} 
 
 {Enter Lucy. As she sees his form in the semi-obscurity, 
 she gives a slight ejaculation of fright.) 
 
 LUCY (after partly recovering her composure): Who is it? 
 
 ROBERT: Robert Courtnay. (Then composing his voice 
 as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened) Where is 
 rny cousin? 
 
 LUCY : My lady has gone to her room, sir 
 
 ROBERT: Pray go to her and say I still hope she ll come 
 down and speak with Lord Middleton ere he leaves. 
 
 LUCY : Yes, sir. (She exits quickly Left 3.)
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 63 
 
 ROBERT : I will watch you my fair cousin. (He starts 
 to light up all the tapers with one that he plucks out of the 
 candelabra Center) and ferret you out, d Orsay ! (Stop 
 ping on the way to the settee to light the candelabra there 
 looking at the gag and cord in his left hand laughing 
 bitterly t with injured pride): H n! h n! h n! h n! . . . 
 Gad! . . . 
 
 (With sardonic laughter he starts to light up the taper s 
 Right Center slowly the curtain descends.) 
 
 CURTAIN
 
 ACT II
 
 ACT II 
 
 THE FOLLOWING EVENING, AT LORD RUSSMORE S HOUSE, 
 IN WEST KENSINGTON 
 
 Scene THE LAWN IN FRONT OF LORD RUSSMORE S 
 
 HOUSE. 
 Time NEARLY SEVEN O CLOCK IN THE EVENING. 
 
 At Rise of Curtain: Alice is discovered wearing a rid 
 ing-habit of plush, or velvet, of a dry-leaf green color, and 
 a large hat, with an ample plume gracefully tilted to one 
 side. She is seated in a rustic arm-chair Center, her 
 left elbow resting upon the arm of the chair, idly stirring 
 up the fallen leaves at her feet with the riding-whip in her 
 hand. 
 
 Lord Russmore is standing a few feet away from her, lean 
 ing nonchalantly against the rustic table that surrounds 
 the huge tree Left Center, smoking his long pipe and 
 thoughtfully observing his wife. 
 
 Now and then, throughout the scene, a few leaves flutter 
 from the trees to the ground. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (after blowing out a thin, long cloud of 
 smoke, speaking softly the tempo at the start of the act 
 is slow and quiet) : Are you not going for your habitual 
 ride, Alice? 
 
 ALICE (turning her head in his direction an instant and 
 smiling graciously} : No 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Are you expecting anyone? 
 (He replaces the pipe in his mouth.) 
 
 ALICE (shaking her head negatively): No, m lord (Then
 
 68 
 
 rising and walking slowly toward the rustic bench Right 
 Center, striking the leaves on the ground with her whip as 
 she walks} Unless Josephine, who, last night, said 
 she might come. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (after emptying the barrel of his pipe 
 against the palm of his hand, leaving it beside the jar of 
 tobacco, on the rustic table, strolls toward her, and sits 
 on the arm of the rustic chair which she has just vacated, 
 facing her) : Alice do you know I have been seri 
 ously concerned about you of late? 
 
 ALICE (arching her brows in playful surprise, sitting down 
 on the rustic bench) : About me, m lord? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Yes; I find you changed, dear. 
 
 ALICE (smiling, affecting incredulity): I changed, Hugo? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : Perhaps I do not express it very clearly. 
 I mean that at times, I have found you looking 
 well: so depressed then, by turn, in excellent mood; 
 and, withal, at times, exceedingly nervous : in the state 
 such as you are to-night, for instance. 
 
 ALICE (smiling and attempting to remonstrate): M lord 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (continuing uninterrupted): You al 
 ways assure me that you are not ill, and yet, at the 
 same time, your manner betrays unmistakable symp 
 toms of over-wrought nerves. 
 
 ALICE (same playful manner): Oh, pray, m lord cease. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (going up and reclining on the arm of the 
 rustic bench, beside her) : Now Alice - - what is it, 
 dear? 
 
 ALICE (affecting unconcern, smilingly shaking her head, look 
 ing down on the ground before her) : I m sure the ailment 
 of which you speak exists but in your fancy, m lord 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: No, it does not, Alice. I ve never 
 wished to dwell on the subject before, but now I m de 
 termined not to accept an evasion for an answer. There
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 69 
 
 must be some reason for your condition, and you can 
 give it to me if you wish it. 
 
 ALICE (same manner) : Must I? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : Please. This week, His Majesty 
 orders me away to Chichester and the neighboring 
 towns. 
 
 ALICE (with a show of surprise): To what purpose, my 
 lord? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (smilingly, with semi-derision): An idle 
 one : To study the situation there probably from the 
 middle of this week on to the following Wednesday. 
 (With increasing amusement) This in order that His 
 Majesty may hold daily sessions of his Council, mean 
 while, in peace, without me. 
 
 ALICE: Sessions of the Council without you? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : Aye ! for it seems my bellicose spirit 
 might oppose the negotiations they intend to pro 
 mulgate. The pretext does not deceive me. But 
 the King commands, and I shall obey. However, 
 enough that I shall fret over this, and I wish my mind 
 relieved in its concern for you. I see that you are not 
 well and I want to know the reason. Won t you 
 confide in me? 
 
 ALICE (evasively) : In truth, I would but suppose the 
 reason were a question which I should dread to 
 have you answer. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : Then, rely upon my discretion and con 
 sideration to answer. What is it, Alice? 
 
 ALICE : Well (She rises, reflecting. A pause, and then, 
 laughing softly, she proceeds down stage, away from him.) 
 Ah I m afraid you will laugh at my absurdity. At 
 times I almost think myself stupid; but I suppose it s 
 just like a woman s heart (Aside, as she moves still 
 further away / must again mislead him)
 
 70 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Well, Alice? 
 
 ALICE (circling back toward him) : Promise me that you 
 shan t laugh 
 
 (He shakes his head negatively.) 
 Well- 
 
 (She stands, pausingly beside him toying with the lace of 
 his collar. Presently, she winds one arm about his 
 shoulder and speaks, as it were, with intense feeling) 
 - Pledge me your word that you shan t go and fight 
 for the king that such is not your purpose in going 
 to Chichester I ve been dreading to hear of it every 
 day! 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (Regarding her with astonishment 
 rising): Well ! upon my faith. And it is this? 
 Of all the fancies! (He moves away, unable to repress 
 his laughter then he faces her again) And you have 
 been tormenting yourself with such notions? Egad! 
 if it were anyone but you saying this, I should sincerely 
 believe that person indulging in sarcasm. 
 
 ALICE (poutingly) : There you see, Hugo I knew 
 you would laugh. You make me almost regret that 
 I told you except that you have not reassured me 
 as yet. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (coming up to her taking her hands. 
 Speaking with amusement): Well be this the cause: 
 You can now dispel all anxiety. (He finally lets go her 
 hands and clasps his own behind him, speaking, humor 
 ously, satirically.} His Majesty will not let me depart 
 neither from London, nor from his person; except when 
 my absence becomes desirable, by the fact that I might 
 defeat some further negotiations, instituted in behalf of 
 peace. . . . Each time then, I shall be sent on to 
 Chichester, I know, but during the war, have no fear, 
 my destination will never be the battle-ground Never!
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 71 
 
 ALICE: Oh, I m so relieved. His Majesty is such a sen 
 sible man! 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: I quite disagree with you. 
 ALICE (turning. With playful remonstrance): Oh, m lord 
 
 lese Majeste . . . 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Oh! as to his good sense, I agree 
 Only I meant, he did not consult 
 
 ALICE: Your own poor one? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: If so you wish to call it. (Then becoming 
 thoughtful) But it is this, Alice : The forced inaction of 
 the very men who are truly devoted to him and have 
 been at all times public figures by his side, now presents 
 a very pitiable and demoralizing spectacle to the people 
 who had faith in them. Meanwhile, William is gaining 
 a number of followers. The most zealous among these 
 employ every means to influence the weak: circulating 
 his literature, or the false report of some exploit. Why, 
 just judge from this: It was rumored this afternoon 
 that ten thousand of the King s best soldiers had sur 
 rendered to William. Ten thousand men mark me 
 well at a single stroke. Can you even conceive the 
 possibility of it? 
 
 ALICE (who, her back turned to him, has manifested her joy 
 at the tidings now turning composedly and facing 
 him) : But supposing the report were true 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (with a wave of the hand. Moving away) : 
 Utterly impossible! 
 
 (While he is not looking, Alice claps her hands with 
 childish glee. She resumes her look of indifference as he 
 turns and faces her again.) 
 
 Nevertheless incredible though it was there 
 were scores who believed it. Ah, Alice, would that I 
 were permitted to take the field with a handful of the 
 men I know But nay, His Majesty enjoins me to
 
 72 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 stay near him; and my sword must dangle at my 
 side through the streets : a mere toy for the populace to 
 gape at! 
 
 ALICE : Oh I know you would have preferred wield 
 ing it instead of the pen. But does even a King s favour 
 justify such zeal, m lord? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (who has been strolling about with growing 
 animation) : It much less excuses cowardice. (Halt 
 ing) Think of it, dear: men whom he has befriended 
 are daily deserting his standards and flocking to those 
 of the Orange Prince. Could I still entertain one single 
 claim to your respect if / proved as base as they? 
 Nay ! Consequently, as long as James wields England s 
 sceptre he is my King and, as such, to devote my 
 sword to his service appears to me my sacred as well as 
 my imperative duty ! In fact, the only duty which 
 does not admit of any other consideration whatsoever! 
 (His words convince Alice that he would not even spare 
 Milton. Idly strolling toward the huge tree, she turns 
 in front of the rustic table Left Center.) 
 
 ALICE: I fear that a woman s heart fails to comprehend 
 the meaning of the word "duty" in that sense and to 
 such an extent, m lord. (Her voice is sad gentle and 
 without reproach.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (simply and with kindness) : Not when 
 you stop to consider, Alice, how deeply indebted I am 
 to him. Then, too, dear, it was he who on the advent 
 of my journey to France, seven years ago, where I had 
 met you, granted me on my return your recall from 
 exile. 
 
 ALICE: That was only partly repairing an injustice, 
 m lord. I cannot love the King the more for that. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (realizing his error) : Of course not 
 you couldn t I know you could not now, on any
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 73 
 
 account: The wrong was unfortunately irreparable. 
 But what I really wished to say, for my part, is this: 
 That in granting me the favor of your recall in that 
 one act alone, irrespective of all others, His Majesty 
 bestowed upon me the favor which I still value most 
 to this day : the possession of your dear self, Alice 
 the best and gentlest in womankind ! For we have 
 been happy, have we not? 
 
 ALICE: Oh, yes; we have, Hugo (She returns his ardour, 
 leaning against him and pressing the hand which retains 
 hers) And I hope, for my part, you are never dis 
 enchanted, m lord. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (affectionately drawing her closer to 
 him and laughing} : Ho ! ho ! ho ! How could this ever 
 be! . . . 
 
 (At that precise moment, Henry, the five-year old son of 
 Lord and Lady Russmore, who has run out on the balcony 
 over the portico, speaks to his father. He is a lovable 
 little fellow, with a frank, bright face, and golden hair. 
 He pokes his little arms through the bars of the railing, 
 extending his hands as he speaks.) 
 
 HENRY: Papa 
 
 (Mary, his governess a kindly, matronly woman of 
 fifty comes out after him.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : Yes, my son papa will go in in 
 stantly. 
 
 (Mary leads the child back indoors. Lord Russmore 
 starts for the steps to the house, addressing his wife.) 
 I promised our son to teach him a new trick with his 
 blocks. Will you excuse me, dear? 
 
 ALICE (after nodding a smiling assent): Are you going to 
 Whitehall to-night? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (before entering, turning at the top of the 
 steps) : Yes, presently But I am first to inquire at
 
 74 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 Sir Andrews to learn definitely where his Majesty de 
 sires us to assemble. 
 (He enters the house.) 
 
 (The red glow of the setting sun, upon the trees of the 
 park Right, and the garden Left, has gradually ere this 
 disappeared, and the evening shades have very slowly be 
 gun to fall.) 
 
 (Upon Lord Russmore s exit, a belfry-bell in the neigh 
 borhood begins to toll seven o clock, with a long, dismal, 
 reverberating stroke.) 
 
 (Alice, meanwhile, walks meditatively Left.) 
 ALICE (after he has gone in, suddenly raising her head, speak 
 ing with suppressed delight) : Ten thousand men cap 
 tured by William s troops: 
 (Second stroke of the Bell.) 
 
 And what Hugo proclaims an unlikely feat of arms is 
 my brother s own exploit! 
 (Third stroke of the Bell) 
 
 Oh, I begin to fear I m turning out now even worse a 
 rebel 
 
 (Fourth stroke of the Bell) 
 
 than I was before my marriage. - (She approaches the 
 fenceD. L.) I wonder what can be preventing Josephine? 
 (Fifth stroke of Bell) 
 She said she would come, last evening. 
 (Sixth stroke of the Bell.) 
 (Alice looks down the road, toward off Right.) 
 (Simultaneously enter Leyburn and two other men, from 
 along the road L. I. They proceed across the stage toward 
 R. I., without remarking her presence: the wall of the 
 garden Left shielding her from sight, as they come on 
 and pass toward the right.) 
 
 (Alice indifferently observes them as they walk at an even 
 pace along the roadway.)
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 75 
 
 (Seventh stroke of the Bell as the three men enter L. I.) 
 (Leyburn and the other two men are wrapped in long, 
 trailing black cloaks the sombre hats partly hiding their 
 features.} 
 
 LEYBURN (as he reaches about half way across, walking 
 down stage ahead of the others, pointing ahead to them in the 
 distance): T is called the "Cross-Road-Inn." There ll 
 be eight of us there! (They exit off R. I. E.) 
 
 (As they cease talking, Alice stops looking at them, and 
 her eyes lifted toward the house, idly mounts, diagonally 
 up stage.) 
 
 (A mere second after the exit of the three men, Peter 
 appears on the scene, backing on from R. I. E., looking 
 after the three retreating figures, his cap in his hands, as if 
 he had but extended it to them for alms. Peter is an old 
 man, grey-reddish haired, and carrying a small barbaric 
 pipe-organ on his back. He stops a few steps away from 
 the entrance, and then quickly reverts his eyes toward 
 the house. Upon perceiving Alice, who has reached about 
 half way across stage, with a vitality totally unexpected 
 in one seemingly as old, he approaches the fence about 
 D. R. C.) 
 
 PETER (leaning over the rail and calling in low suppressed 
 tones) : Your ladyship . . . your lady 
 (Alice turns and sees him half motioning a letter to her.) 
 
 ALICE (instantly coming down and then suddenly recog 
 nizing him): Peter! . . . Is it you? 
 (She gives a cautious glance toward the house. Her voice, 
 also suppressed and low, vibrates with gladness.) 
 
 PETER: Old Pete aye! your ladyship. Your old-time, 
 faithful servant, turned musician for the nonce! 
 
 ALICE: And in such disguise. 
 
 PETER: T is the dressing of the part I play. I precede 
 the master whither he goes, reconnoitering and playing
 
 76 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 on my instrument to indicate to him that the way or 
 the place is safe. 
 
 ALICE: Dear old Peter! And my brother, at this mo 
 ment, where is he? 
 
 PETER (nodding off Right): At the "Cross-Road-Inn" 
 I bear this letter from Miss Scarsdale Begging your 
 ladyship s leave, she is the bonniest 
 
 ALICE: Aye; but, Peter, Lord Russmore is indoors: He 
 mustn t surprise us conversing. 
 
 PETER (swinging his instrument upon his back) : And I 
 may not tarry, your ladyship: Whither the Master 
 goes, there do I ever precede him, and wherever he is, 
 there must I be on the lookout 
 
 (Cap in hand he backs away to Left, and raising his eyes, 
 glancing at Heaven) But God grant the old days 
 back soon again. (He turns about, putting on his cap, 
 and proceeds toward L. I.) Good-night, your Ladyship 
 . . . (His voice is low; his expression is happy.) 
 
 ALICE (very softly, wafting the words after him): - 
 Good-night! . . . (She comes to the left of the gate-way 
 Center, at the railing and watches him off.) To think of 
 him thus accoutered (Then with genuineness.) The 
 dear, old soul ! Such as he always lay down their lives 
 for those whom they love and serve. (She looks after 
 him a moment longer and then drops her eyes to the letter 
 which she has, meanwhile, mechanically unsealed. She 
 gives a cautious glance toward the house, before reading it.) 
 " Alice I am going to meet him to-night, at the 
 "Cross-Road-Inn." Peter is escorting me there with 
 Lucy. Afterwards, I will immediately come to your 
 house, and I shall have something of great importance 
 to communicate to you. He leaves London to-night, for 
 several days. Wait for me Josephine. "- 
 (From now on, the stage gradually grows darker.}
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 77 
 
 The "Cross-Road-Inn" If I only dared: tis so 
 
 near. . . . 
 
 (She is interrupted in her deliberation by the sound of her 
 
 husband s voice.) 
 LORD RUSSMORE (coming out of the house and turning 
 
 around at the top of the steps, addressing himself to his 
 
 son within) : Good-night, my boy 
 
 (As he turns to descend, he perceives Alice with the note 
 
 still in her hand.) 
 
 Is this a message for me? 
 ALICE: This? Oh, no! (She begins quickly to tear it; 
 
 then, at the same time, affecting a cheerful manner) 
 
 Er, shall I expect you home early? 
 LORD RUSSMORE (placing his arm about her waist and walk 
 ing slowly toward the gate D. C.) I fear it will again be 
 
 an all-night conference, Alice. I would therefore 
 
 recommend that you retire early and not wait for me. 
 
 (Stopping before the gate) I want my wife to become 
 
 soon her real, former self again. 
 
 ALICE (smilingly): But I am my real self , always, Hugo. 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Oh, no, you are not. Look at your 
 
 nervous fingers tearing up this paper. Do they not 
 
 indicate a serious condition? 
 ALICE (crumpling the pieces in her hand, enforcing herself 
 
 to laugh) : I fear you are a wretched alarmist, m lord. 
 LORD RUSSMORE (scrutinizing her face, with affection): 
 
 Ah, fain would I mistrust my eyes, Alice. 
 ALICE (playfully, slightly drawing away, knowing from 
 
 the nature of his gaze that he will presently kiss her): 
 
 You can, m lord else, they ll find pretext to keep 
 
 His Majesty waiting. 
 LORD RUSSMORE (laughingly) : Very likely (He opens 
 
 the gate Center. He then steps back and kisses her.) 
 
 Good-night! . . . 
 
 (He swings through the gate and starts rapidly Left.)
 
 78 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 ALICE : Good-night ! 
 
 (He raises his hat to her, nodding smilingly in response, 
 as he is about to walk off L. I., down the roadway.} 
 
 ALICE (after looking in his direction an instant, heaving a 
 sigh): Ah, what would I not give to be able to trust 
 him with the simple truth (She reverts her eyes to the 
 right and re-opens the gate Center.) The "Cross-Road- 
 Inn" ... I wonder if I dare now (Again she looks 
 the way her husband departed and deliberates) But he 
 said he would not return till morning and so ... 
 (As she once more turns her eyes Right, disposed to go, 
 she sees Josephine who has entered R. I., and who, after 
 casting a furtive glance over her shoulder, comes rapidly 
 to her in a state of panic.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Oh, Alice! Alice! . . . 
 
 ALICE (to her encounter) : Josephine why, dearie, what 
 is it? - 
 
 (Josephine passes by her and goes rapidly toward the Left 
 of stage and looks off a second.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE : Oh, I don t know (She comes back to Alice 
 they meet near the gateway Center.) Only after Peter 
 had left us, Lucy and I went toward the indicated Inn 
 - We found a score of men about to surround it. Lucy, 
 quick-witted, ran in to give warning. Left alone, 
 I became terrified and came hither, hoping still to 
 find Peter: he must alarm the men. . . . 
 
 ALICE: He went away after giving me your letter: But 
 then, these men, whom you saw, may be Milton s own? 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Nay I heard one of them say: "Dead or 
 alive take him! he s a cursed yellow spy!" 
 
 ALICE (brusquely facing Right, looking in the direction of the 
 Inn): Oh! ... 
 
 JOSEPHINE: What can we do? ... 
 
 ALICE (facing her and quickly entering the gate) : Do?
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 79 
 
 (She starts toward the house} Arm ourselves and go to 
 his aid Even represent that he s Lord Russmore s 
 brother, on the way, if necessary to gain assistance! 
 JOSEPHINE (following her up to the Center, speaking as 
 Alice exits into the house) : Ah, make haste, Alice ! 
 (Then, she turns about and comes down to the fence rail 
 again.) Oh, if Robert has ought to do with this am 
 bush, let him beware! 
 
 (Three shots are heard, muffled, and in the distance, in 
 quick succession. Josephine stifles a cry. She leans over 
 the railing, looking off Right, in suspense. A brief 
 pause.) 
 
 They ve begun attack on the Inn; they will try to 
 force an entrance . . . Ah, provided he can only hold 
 out till we reach there 
 
 (A distant clamor is heard of "Surrender," "In the 
 name of the King open, " etc.) 
 
 But when they ve battered down the doors: Oh, may 
 God help him then! If this be Robert s work, he will 
 give no mercy . . . Oh, why does n t Alice come ! . . . 
 (The light in Alice s room is lit, at the second story, near 
 the balcony. As Josephine proceeds quickly toward the 
 house, to go and hasten Alice; as she reaches the foot of 
 the steps, a single shot resounds, in the nearer vicinity 
 than the three former ones. The light in Alice s room is 
 simultaneously put out. At the sound of the report, 
 Josephine turns about at the foot of the steps, and stares 
 Left in momentary suspense.) 
 
 That report was nearer. . . . 
 
 (Coming quickly down to the railing.) Then, he must 
 
 have escaped and they are pursuing him! . . . (On 
 
 her way down, she turns again impatiently toward the 
 
 house, murmuring) Alice. . . . 
 
 (Instantly, while her back is thus turned, enters from
 
 80 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 R. I. E. without his coat, in shirt sleeves, panting for 
 
 breath, running with a halting step, at the same time 
 
 delving with one hand into the opening of his shirt and 
 
 extracting a package of papers Milton Lantenay.) 
 MILTON (his sword in his right hand, and the package of 
 
 documents in the left, his eyes upon Josephine, running 
 
 to the Center and resting one hand on the stone post of the 
 
 gateway, calling to her as he comes on) : Josephine . . . 
 
 Josephine 
 JOSEPHINE (turning about and coming down to him): 
 
 Milton! . . . 
 MILTON (half faint, supporting himself on the gate post, 
 
 speaking brokenly} : Conceal these papers . . . My 
 
 life they may take But these . . . they must 
 
 not! . . . 
 JOSEPHINE: Oh, Milton are you hurt? . . . 
 
 (She passes out of the gate.) 
 
 MILTON (clasping his right arm with his left) : Nay 
 JOSEPHINE (on the instant, catching sight of Alice coming 
 
 out) : Alice 
 ALICE (seeing the two hurriedly coming down, dropping 
 
 the two pistols on the rustic table on the way) : Milton 
 
 It is you . . . 
 MILTON (raising his head half bitterly) : Aye 
 
 (Josephine takes a few steps Right, looking off.) 
 JOSEPHINE (to Alice) : Hide him, Alice I hear them 
 
 coming 
 ALICE (taking hold of him): In the garden quick! 
 
 I pledge to see you safe, Milton. . . . 
 MILTON (weak, resisting, apprehensively, for her sake): 
 
 Wait! is not Lord Russmore home? 
 ALICE : Nay He s away for the night. . . . 
 
 (They mount toward Left 2 E.) 
 JOSEPHINE (Resolutely, to herself) : Oh, I will warn Alice
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 81 
 
 of what occurred last night (As she goes to extreme 
 Right to watch) She must be put on her guard gainst 
 my scurvy cousin ! . . . 
 
 MILTON (to Alice, as he stands near the entrance to the 
 garden Left 2) : Josephine has my papers Save them 
 they mean everything to our cause I ... 
 
 JOSEPHINE (leaving her position and coming back through 
 
 the gateway} : Away, Milton I see them coming. . . . 
 
 (Exit Milton; Alice comes down instantly.) 
 
 ALICE (bringing Josephine down, till both stand in the 
 open gateway) : Now ! to foil them, dearie . . . Do as I 
 do Look the way he went and turn not about ! 
 (Josephine imitates Alice, intently looking Left down the 
 roadway; Alice standing in the Center of the gate opening, 
 Josephine inside, leaning over the railing.) 
 (They have barely assumed this position, when the tramp 
 of feet announces the approach of the pursuers.) 
 
 ALICE (cautiously, under her breath) : Don t look, dearie, 
 save this way! . . . 
 
 (Leyburn, at the head of several men, appears R. I.) 
 (Moonlight now very gradually begins to light up the 
 scene.) (Upon perceiving the forms of the two women, 
 Leyburn stops abruptly at the entrance, and spreads his 
 arms cross-wise to arrest the others, close behind him. 
 Alice, at this moment, knowing them to be within earshot, 
 addresses Josephine, raising her voice as it were under 
 excitement, but without ceasing to look Left.) 
 
 (Oh, t is surely some fugitive ! wounded. No 
 ticed you? . . . 
 
 LEYBURN : Hark ye ! t is the right track ! Follow hence ! 
 (The men all start rapidly across; some armed with 
 swords, others with muskets.) 
 
 ALICE-JOSEPHINE (at the sound of Leyburn s voice, and 
 the men starting across appearing to be greatly startled
 
 82 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 stepping back with alarm as they pass; Josephine 
 taking the cue from Alice} : Oh ! . . . 
 
 (They come back to the railing as the men disappear 
 Left.) 
 
 (A pause of waiting till the sound of their feet has dimin 
 ished.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE (clutching Alice s arm as the latter turns) : Oh, 
 Alice, Alice how resourceful ! 
 
 ALICE (starting up) : Ah, there is yet a possibility of their 
 returning ! 
 
 JOSEPHINE : I ll keep watch ! 
 
 (Milton simultaneously comes out Left 2. Alice goes to 
 him. The stage gradually grows lighter; the branches 
 and the leaves cast their shadows in the moonlight. On 
 his entrance Left 2, Milton sways toward the floral ped 
 estal which stands in line with the garden entrance, a few 
 steps away from it. He braces his right arm, fully ex 
 tended against the flower-urn on top of the pedestal. He 
 speaks haltingly, a sort of nervous titter, at times, dividing 
 his sentences.) 
 
 MILTON : Alice I had no intention ... of coming here 
 
 I took what way I could I shouldn t have risked 
 involving you. . . . 
 
 (He compresses his right arm with his left; his sword is 
 
 still in his right hand) Only they d deprived me of 
 
 the use of my arm. . . . 
 ALICE (for the flrst time seeing the blood that stains the 
 
 white sleeve) : You are wounded . . . 
 MILTON: The shot of a bad marksman. 
 JOSEPHINE (leaving her position by the railing, and coming 
 
 up): Oh, Milton This is dreadful! Is he badly 
 
 hurt? - 
 ALICE: Josephine, dear, you mustn t take your eyes off 
 
 the road!
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 83 
 
 (Josephine at once returns to her post. Alice prepares to 
 tear up his sleeve as far as the elbow.) 
 MILTON : Nothing more than a flesh wound I think 
 
 (He tries to assist Alice.) 
 
 ALICE: Nay, let me! it s bleeding profusely, and you re 
 weak from loss of blood Support yourself on me 
 MILTON: Nay, I ll rest too heavily Wait. . . . 
 
 (He steps to below the opening Left 2, and braces his 
 left arm, fully extended, against the garden wall, Alice 
 follows him there): H n! H n! H n! H n! . . . I m 
 mostly weak from exertion. . . . First, it took all 
 my strength to disarm two men that had entered the 
 Inn then, all the speed I could command to rush out 
 and evade the rest till I could draw the pack after 
 me ... so that Lucy . . . should escape 
 JOSEPHINE: Where is she now, Milton? 
 MILTON: Gone to inform the men. . . . They d but 
 turned in and gone to sleep when I left I was loath 
 to rouse them 
 ALICE : Watch the road carefully, dear, either way lest 
 
 they appear. 
 
 JOSEPHINE: All is still and I perceive no one. 
 MILTON (smiling grimly) : Bless me, your house is the least 
 likely harbour where either friend or foe will think 
 I ve taken refuge. . . . However, the men should be 
 notified; the security of my papers must be assured. 
 They comprise the full record of my mission had 
 they fallen into their hands, a number of lives had 
 paid the penalty. 
 ALICE : The instant Lucy comes, Milton, Josephine 
 
 will send her back to direct your men hither. 
 JOSEPHINE: Oh, Alice, she ll not in the least think I ve 
 come here; she ll surmise I ve gone straightways home. 
 MILTON: And tarrying here, the while I stay, you both
 
 84 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 incur danger. . . . When you ve finished dressing my 
 arm, Alice, I will go. 
 
 ALICE: Nay, that you shall not do. In your present 
 state, why, twere foolhardy; you shall remain here 
 till I otherwise so decide. 
 
 JOSEPHINE: I, myself, will go and apprise his men, Alice. 
 
 MILTON: Nay, Josephine, stay I cannot let you both 
 assume all this risk 
 
 ALICE : Going to the "Shallow-Brook-Tavern" entails 
 not the slightest risk to anyone else but you. Yes, go, 
 dearie but through the other gate : (She indicates 
 Right 3.} It s the shorter way right between the 
 houses, until you reach the road at the rear: the "Tav 
 ern" is a short distance to the right. 
 
 MILTON : Josephine, I beg 
 
 ALICE: Nay, sir, you may not even remonstrate. 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Here are the documents; twere best you 
 kept them now. 
 
 (Alice takes the packet. Milton takes it from her. Alice 
 goes down to the railing to glance down the road, Right and 
 Left.} 
 
 Rely on me to despatch your men hither Mean 
 while, Milton, tell Alice why you assigned me rendez 
 vous to-night I may not return here, but send me 
 immediate word of your safety at my house. 
 (She moves nearer to him. He lays his left hand upon her 
 shoulder at arm s length. Alice, seeing them thus occupied, 
 raises her over garment and tears a broad strip off her 
 petticoat.) 
 Good night . . . 
 
 (With his left arm Milton gathers her close to him and 
 kisses her.) 
 
 MILTON: God bless you! . . . (He releases her.) 
 
 ALICE (tearing the piece from her petticoat into strips,
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 85 
 
 strolling toward the angle, where the fence-rail and the 
 garden-wall meet Left}: Come over here, Milton 
 (Josephine moves away toward Right 3 E.) that I 
 may attend to you and watch at the same time: You 
 will keep your eyes in the opposite direction. 
 
 JOSEPHINE (turning at the massive gate Right 3} : Ah, Alice, 
 see that he obeys you! 
 
 ALICE: Have no fear, dearie. 
 
 JOSEPHINE (as she passes out and then disappears rapidly 
 off U. R.): Fare you will! . . . 
 
 MILTON (who has not moved from where he stood, when he 
 and Josephine parted, looking after her): In all this 
 world, there is no woman that I can compare in 
 courage and unselfishness to her; . . . (He reverts 
 his eyes toward Alice) and to you, Alice, who made 
 my escape possible. 
 
 ALICE: Don t talk, sir! Raise your arm. 
 
 MILTON (raising his arm and at the same time casting a 
 glance toward the house) : Pray, why elect to stand here 
 in full view of the house, where the servants perchance 
 shall espy us? 
 
 ALICE : The servants are at their evening meal where 
 you may see the light shining through the casement. 
 (She makes a slight gesture, indicating the house beyond 
 the huge iron fence Right.) Here we can better watch 
 for your men to come. (Suddenly brightening up at the 
 thought) But tell me, Milton; about His Majesty s 
 ten thousand soldiers Lord Russmore said it was a 
 stupid fabrication and I could hardly repress my 
 utter joy at the tidings. 
 
 MILTON (as she begins slowly to bandage his arm) : There 
 were no bounds to mine, sister: the King s Council is 
 in a rage and five thousand Louis have been offered 
 for the capture of him who sold, as t is believed, th 2
 
 86 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 information to William. Alas, Middleton, so then in 
 his cups, will never suspect that he was the betrayer. 
 - To-night, I return to William s camp to render full 
 account of my mission; and I go convinced that every 
 barrier must now eventually fall, that s set athwart the 
 Prince s on-coming. 
 
 ALICE: Ah, Heaven will that it be so! (Then, as she takes 
 a fresh strip from, the railing of the fence) And why was 
 it you assigned rendezvous to Josephine? 
 (She tears the strip in her hands into narrower ones, to 
 make a sort of taping with which to fasten the first band 
 age securely to the arm.} 
 
 MILTON: In the interest of your happiness. To-morrow, 
 or the following day, Lord Russmore journeys forth to 
 Chichester. 
 
 ALICE : Yes ? 
 
 MILTON: Returning the following Wednesday, his arrival 
 will be acted upon as a signal by a number of William s 
 supporters, residing in London, who, on the evening of 
 Lord Russmore s return, will, under some pretext or 
 other, gain admittance into the house of each leader of 
 the King s faction. They will set upon each one of 
 these men and have them deported secretly to Wil 
 liam s camp. 
 
 ALICE : Then, you mean ? 
 
 MILTON : That by such means the King, on the morrow, 
 will find himself isolated and at the mercy of his Par 
 liament. Lord Russmore, Alice, is unfortunately 
 among those designated for arrest. 
 
 ALICE: Oh, Milton, no! ... 
 
 MILTON: Aye; but because he is your husband, and you 
 love him I give you assurance no harm shall come 
 to him. 
 
 ALICE: Oh, but you surely do not know him. He would
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 87 
 
 never give himself up: to his last breath he would 
 fight! 
 
 MILTON: I know be out-numbered and cut to pieces. 
 But I intend he shall run no such peril. 
 
 ALICE: Oh, then you know a way to prevent it? 
 
 MILTON: Which is what I desired Josephine to come and 
 explain : Day after to-morrow, upon reaching Wil 
 liam s camp, I shall ask him for some writ, bearing his 
 hand and seal, protecting Lord Russmore against such 
 an attempt. I shall afterwards travel North, but in 
 ample time before Lord Russmore s return, on my 
 way to Reading; I will come through London again, to 
 deliver you this document. 
 
 ALICE : Thank you thank you ! But then, why should 
 you not go directly to these men? 
 
 MILTON: Because it were impossible to learn accurately 
 whom they are; themselves members of a secret order, 
 their selection was made by drawn lots and even 
 the Prince shall not know to whom befell the several 
 tasks. Therefore, his mandatory message must be de 
 livered to you, and yourself, in turn, present it to whom 
 soever shall seek admittance on that evening : In short, 
 next Tuesday afternoon, at about 3 o clock, I shall 
 present myself here to deliver you this paper. 
 
 ALICE: But, Milton, what if Lord Russmore should hap 
 pen to return a day earlier from Chichester? 
 
 MILTON : It matters not, since he has invited me to call 
 but it matters much to you, and everything to us: 
 The safeguarding of our plot, as contained in the 
 Prince s order, will be at stake and that William 
 may rest assured it can fall into no other hands but 
 yours, I must perforce pledge him to come here in 
 person and deliver it. 
 
 ALICE: Ah, indeed, tis meet that you should.
 
 88 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 MILTON. Under these conditions, knowing his affection 
 for you, I can promise you his aid. 
 
 ALICE: Oh, and just think! you are striving to protect 
 the life of one who would not spare yours, came you 
 to grief in the discharge of your own duty Oh, it 
 hurts me 
 
 MILTON : Nay, (He suddenly draws erect, as the sound 
 of Peter s instrument is heard in the far off distance) 
 Listen, Alice! ... T is Peter playing: --by this 
 means he speaks to me and the men, through a code of 
 airs. 
 
 ALICE (coming well down, leaning over the railing, and look 
 ing off Left) : What does it signify, Milton? 
 (The overture of an air changes abruptly to another air.) 
 
 MILTON (as the overture ends) : "I am watching. " (Then, 
 as the abrupt change to another air occurs) "Relief 
 now on its way. " 
 
 ALICE: He means your men? 
 
 MILTON (turning about and facing Right 3, through which 
 Josephine went to apprise them) : Aye. 
 
 ALICE (mounting toward the rustic table, glancing toward the 
 servants 1 quarters at the same time, picking up her hat 
 and turning to him again): Come you then into the 
 house where you can abide till they rive and I 
 will cleanse the blood from your arm. 
 
 MILTON (going toward Right 3, to look off U. R.): Nay, 
 Alice, lest in not seeing me here, they go elsewhere; 
 conjecturing that I am gone. But stay ! 
 (The instrument in the distance has suddenly changed 
 air: one that is now slow and weird. Milton steps slightly 
 back toward Center, listening.) 
 
 Peter is now playing "Conceal yourself Enemy." 
 (He feels for the package of records, mechanically, and 
 afterwards takes them out, from within the opening of
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 89 
 
 his shirt.} I will again trust these unto your keeping 
 (He gives them to her, then turns, looking around Right) 
 whilst, hereabout, I seek some other cover both 
 on the alert, Alice, till the men come. 
 
 ALICE (doubtfully) : Hereabouts, nowhere else shall 
 you find shelter as safe as in the house, Milton, 
 (She darts down to railing and looks off Right and Left. 
 She comes up again.) that I may provide you with 
 a coat too: disguised, you may afterwards speed on 
 your way. (As she comes up) But in the state you are, 
 your pursuers would be sure to recognize you 
 (Back to the rustic table, as she picks up the pistols there.) 
 Come . . . (She starts violently, as she sees the dim 
 form of someone running across the garden offstage 
 toward Left 2 E.) But look you! (She backs toward 
 him, below Center.) 
 
 MILTON (stepping to her) : Where? 
 
 (Peter s music continues weirdly all this time.) 
 (Rustle of the trees; leaves fall.) 
 
 ALICE (in like, subdued tones) : There ! there ! . . . 
 (Backing toward him., as she reaches him, she touches 
 him with her left hand and levels her pistol with the right.) 
 
 MILTON (advancing Left, above her, past her) : T is 
 Rock. . . . 
 
 ALICE (a step down, addressing Milton, at the same time 
 aiming at Left 2 E.) : Friend or foe? 
 
 MILTON (down to her) : A friend Hold ! . . . 
 
 (He sets his hand upon her wrist, bringing down the 
 
 pistol.) 
 
 (Rock is a lad of about fourteen years of age. He has the 
 
 appearance of a rustic, but is possessed of rare keenness; 
 
 he is fleet as an arrow and agile as a cat.) 
 
 ROCK (breathlessly, off Left 2): Master! . . .(Then as he 
 passes in, through Left 2.) Master! (Cap in hand,
 
 90 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 past the flower-urn, he leans upon if) Away hence with 
 me ! else be ye a-hiding. With intent o surrounding 
 ye, a score or more o cut-throats o errun the high 
 ways. . . . 
 
 (He simultaneously darts down to the railing to glance 
 off Left.) They be a seekin for ye! . . . 
 
 MILTON: Where are the men? 
 
 ROCK (twisting around, looking Right, then coming up) : Mak 
 ing their way hither, round about, this side o the river, 
 till well within the foe s line: taking to the tree-tops, 
 I saw them as I passed o erhead. Now I be informing 
 Peter I am with ye! (At Left 2 he gives a strident, 
 prolonged whistle, off, in three different keys.) 
 
 ALICE (who has gone down to the railing to look off, as 
 Rock came up, now, in turn, coming up and pro 
 ceeding toward the house, speaking whilst Rock signals 
 Peter) : I ll go first indoors to prepare for your com 
 ing in 
 
 (She pauses a mere second to glance toward the servants 
 quarters off U. R.) whilst the servants are still at 
 their meal to elude pursuit, you will come and as 
 sume a disguise. 
 (She enters.) 
 
 (At the second key of the whistle, Peter abruptly stops 
 playing; at the third key, he starts a new air.) 
 
 ROCK: Peter be now a-telling the men. (Rock again 
 runs down to the railing to look off.) 
 
 MILTON: Is Languenoc with them? 
 
 ROCK: Aye, and hath vowed to eat out the heart of him 
 whose pistol sought after the heart o ye, Master. 
 
 MILTON: Nay; except it be a question of life, let no one 
 provoke an affray at this house and thereby compromise 
 Lady Russmore 
 
 ROCK (meanwhile intently looking Left): Master, I be
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 91 
 
 now detecting two men advancing; one with a lighted 
 fagot-stick examining the footprints along the way. 
 
 ALICE (at this moment coming out, coming down a couple of 
 steps): Come in now, Milton; All s perfectly safe. 
 
 MILTON: Remain you here, on guard, Rock Give signal 
 when the men have arrived and we can all depart. 
 But, above all, caution them to hazard no fight whilst 
 here. . . . 
 
 (He turns toward Alice, and mounts up as far as the 
 foot of the steps) Ah, Alice, I trust you never have 
 cause to regret your solicitude this night; I should 
 never forgive myself for having ventured hither, 
 before this house 
 
 ALICE (pressing the package of his records between both her 
 hands): Twas purely in the hope of saving these, 
 you came and I am glad : Come in 
 (She takes his hand. He mounts up into the recess of the 
 portico. She gives a glance back at Rock, watching by 
 the railing, then enters, closing the portico door after 
 them.) 
 
 (A slight pause, then Rock slowly backs away from the 
 railing, diagonally up stage, keeping the road Left in 
 sight.) 
 
 ROCK: Marry, if the man with the fagot stick hath a mo 
 tive as heinous as the face which his light doth show, 
 t were well to learn his namesake 
 (He goes over to the entrance Left 2, looks off a second 
 then darts directly toward the huge tree Left Center, quickly 
 ascends it and conceals himself high in the foliage 
 Several leaves fall in his ascension, then all is still, except 
 for the music of Peter, which, still in the far-off distance, 
 is felt sensibly approaching.) 
 
 (After a slight pause, Robert Courtnay, draped in a long, 
 sombre cloak, his hat so adjusted as to conceal his features,
 
 92 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 appears, stealthily, quietly L. I. He comes as far as the 
 corner of the garden wall, and, his right hand, braced 
 against it, peers cautiously around at the house and in the 
 enclosure. As he reaches this position, Leyburn follows 
 him on, carrying a good size piece of branch, ignited in 
 guise of a torch. He carries it in his left hand, trailing it, 
 and examining the ground. Robert extends his left arm 
 out across Leyburn s path, as he, himself, peers around 
 the corner of the wall. Leyburn rises erect and holds his 
 fire-brand aloof Left.) 
 
 ROBERT (speaking over his shoulder, his eyes toward the 
 house, addressing Leyburn in modulated, angry tones, 
 between his teeth): Stay where them art! ne er a 
 track more shalt thou find, than there were men at 
 thy heels: thou and they are a pack of blunderers, to 
 have even let him suspect thy designs ere / arrived 
 much less have attacked him 
 
 LEYBURN (cringingly) : But twas that he was alone, and 
 the occasion seemed rarely opportune. 
 
 ROBERT : Aye, how much so thou hast convincing proof 
 now ! Put out thy brand ! 
 (Leyburn stamps out the fire of his torch.) 
 Where didst thou last lose sight of him? 
 
 LEYBURN (indicating over Robert s shoulder toward the 
 bending of the road off R. I.) : Around yon turning, 
 Master Courtnay. 
 
 ROBERT: And her ladyship stood where? Proceed to show 
 me. 
 
 (The casement at the second story of the house, near the 
 balcony, becomes suddenly lighted, and an undefined 
 shadow passes across the drawn blind.) 
 
 LEYBURN (coming forward) : In yon gateway. 
 
 COURTNAY (passing him, at the same time observing the 
 lighted window. Speaking over his shoulder, as both are
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 93 
 
 facing Right] : And with whom? (He advances to past 
 the Center gateway, so as to keep the foliage of the tree 
 between himself and the window.} 
 
 LEYBURN (following him to Left of the gateway. Meekly) : 
 I did not know. 
 
 ROBERT (who is now facing Left, speaking with contempt 
 uous sarcasm and mimicry): And Lady Russmore 
 stood here, and said as you came within earshot " T is 
 no doubt some fugitive" and thou didst not have 
 the wit to put two and two together: that if she saw 
 him, she must have recognized him, and if recognized 
 him : sheltered him not have thus been musing un 
 concernedly about her brother? 
 
 LEYBURN (exhibiting surprise) : Her brother? 
 
 ROBERT (bending over the railing and examining the 
 ground for an indice) : Aye: my cousin hath a miniature 
 of him. Determined to again examine it, (He looks 
 steadily at the window) I resigned myself to wait till 
 she left the house with her mother this evening: his 
 name was full written across the back. (Turning to 
 Leyburn, who has followed his example, and is examining 
 around) Thou didst serve me well in discovering his 
 whereabouts: but ill in not notifying me sooner. 
 
 LEYBURN (pointing to the post Left of Center gateway): 
 Look you, Master Courtnay ! 
 
 ROBERT: Which is the proof of my reasoning: the print 
 of a bleeding hand. He was wounded : Lady Russmore 
 has given him shelter. 
 
 LEYBURN: What must we do, Master Courtnay? 
 
 ROBERT: That is the problem: If Lord Russmore s in 
 doors and is cognizant of his wife s action, we cannot 
 enter: He is all-powerful with the king, and I will risk 
 to compromise with no man for this spy! We ll there 
 fore seize him after he leaves. Thou hast a poor wit,
 
 94 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 Leyburn, but mark me well: If he slip through thy 
 fingers again, thy brother, now in prison, may rot 
 in his cell ere I raise my hand to secure his freedom. 
 
 LEYBURN (meekly): Oh, say riot so, Master Courtnay: 
 I ll do my very best to serve thee. 
 
 ROBERT : See to it ! (Indicating Left) Bid thy men crawl 
 under the hedges along the road Post two men at 
 the rear of this house. I will look after yonder bridge. 
 (He suggests off Right.) Thyself station where thou wilt; 
 muster more men if thou choose, but let no one, leaving 
 pass unchallenged See to it ! . . . 
 
 LEYBURN (who has started already to back off Left) : Aye 
 at once, Master Courtnay. (So saying, he turns and 
 disappears Left.) 
 
 (Robert gives a glance at the house, as he wheels about to 
 the right, at the same time mechanically withdrawing the 
 gag from his pocket that was placed on him the previous 
 evening. His pace becomes slower as he looks at it.) 
 
 ROBERT (looking at the gag, dangling in his left hand): 
 Egad! I swear thou wilt wear thine own gag, Lante- 
 nay! h n! h n! (He turns facing the house abruptly, 
 as he reaches the end of the railing and stands half con 
 cealed in front of the tall, iron, massive fence, clutching 
 same with his left hand.) I ll stretch such a cordon about 
 thee that even thy spirit may not break past it ! . . . 
 (Gloatingly) Five thousand Louis offered for thy cap 
 ture; and with m lord Russmore in Chichester: t will 
 be an easy hanging h n! h n! h n! h n! . . . (Darkly 
 drawing erect, exultant) To-night we settle score, 
 Lantenay. To-night! . . (The last is in voice that is 
 suppressed) h n! h n! h n! h n! . . . (Laughing, he 
 turns about and walks off rapidly R. I.) 
 (Peter s playing in the distance, now stops.) 
 (A pause after Courtnay s exit, during which we become
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 95 
 
 aware that Rock is shifting his position in the tree, 
 through the leaves that drop from same to the ground. 
 Suddenly a man the first of Milton s body-guard 
 appears, halting a second in the opening Left 2, looking 
 in the direction which Robert took. At a glance, making 
 sure he is gone, he steals down toward the railing, along 
 side the garden-wall, to observe. Rock, upon perceiving 
 him, makes a brusk movement in the foliage of the tree 
 and whistles twice, softly, toward the lighted window, 
 where he has seen Lady Russmore s shadow cast against 
 the blind. Hearing the familiar whistle, the man at the 
 railing turns, facing up stage as Rock starts to tumble 
 down the tree. Simultaneously, the light in Alice s room 
 is extinguished.) 
 
 (Precisely at that moment when Rock tumbles down the 
 tree, Languenoc, followed by Blondin and another man, 
 waft into sight, through Left 2. The last man to enter 
 runs toward Right 3 to mount guard at that exit, whilst 
 Blondin comes in, then returns to Left 2, likewise to watch.) 
 (The men represent for the most part, a rough and uncouth 
 appearance. Nothing in their attire should indicate to 
 which faction they belong. Languenoc, Brayton, Murray 
 and Blondin bear a closer resemblance to the swashbuckler 
 type. Languenoc is a trifle less rough looking than the 
 others, but all give the impression of leading a hard, ruth 
 less life. Brayton is a powerful, burly-looking individual; 
 Murray is querulous and wiry; Blondin is thick-set and 
 blond.) 
 
 LANGUENOC (recognizing Rock, even ere he passes through 
 Left 2) : Lad! Whe - re is he? ... 
 (The man already at the railing, now turns facing the road 
 and looks off Right and Left.) 
 
 (Care should be exercised in subduing the voice, yet without 
 decreasing its intensity.)
 
 96 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 ROCK (as he tumbles down and prepares to start toward the 
 
 railing) : Where the light hath gone out, in yon 
 
 chamber 
 
 (He starts down, when he is halted by Brayton who wafts 
 
 in through Right 3, followed by two other men.) 
 BRAYTON (low, tremulous, immense voice; the moment he 
 
 sees Rock, as he bursts in) : Whe-re be he in hid 
 ing? . . . 
 ROCK (pausing on his course just long enough to indicate 
 
 window): Where yon casement opens! (He proceeds 
 
 D. R. to watch.) 
 BLONDIN (at this point, addressing those up stage, in low, 
 
 nocturnal tones) : All s well . . . 
 
 (Milton simultaneously appears in the casement of the 
 
 darkened room.) 
 LANGUENOC : Master come ye down : We ll wedge our 
 
 way through, though the fiends o hell contended ! 
 MILTON: Hold Where is Miss Scarsdale? 
 BLONDIN (stepping forward from the entrance Left 2) : With 
 
 her maid, safe, at the Tavern. 
 
 BRAYTON: Master, I rankle with fire and brimstone; un 
 leash me against the scullions! 
 
 (Murray has wafted in Right 3, followed by two more 
 
 men.) 
 
 MURRAY (standing below left of the stoop) : Aye ! and to me 
 - 1 pri thee allot two scores o their heads to 
 
 cr-r-r-r-r-op ! 
 MILTON : Nay, t were much time lost and little gained 
 
 i the onslaught a mettle on your prowess, till I and 
 
 you are away from here. 
 BRAYTON (coming down stage. Disconsolate, and in low 
 
 sepulchral tones) : And I who d hoped to heap a 
 
 monument to the king with their carcasses 
 
 (He looks fiercely about.)
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 97 
 
 MILTON: Languenoc see that Miss Scarsdale is safely 
 conducted home. Have my horse brought to the rear: 
 We meet at the "Quadrangle" to-night! Order the 
 men under covert. Unless provoked to it, nary a sign 
 o life! I shall come down presently. (He closes the 
 window , draws down the blind, and the light is again made 
 in the room.) 
 
 LANGUENOC (stepping down to Center): Harken to me, 
 Fellows! False is he to his oath who conforms not to 
 my dictates Rock, attend to the master s horse ! 
 Crompton, hence to Mistress Scarsdale. Brayton 
 Murray to the rear to seize the two men they pro 
 pose to station there ! (He goes down to the railing, as 
 one of the men on guard at the angle of the wall and railing 
 signals to him, indicating that he distinguishes someone 
 in the distance off Left.) 
 
 BRAYTON (starting for Right 3, followed by Murray): 
 Marry that pleases me : t is inaction I despise 
 mostly. . . . 
 
 LANGUENOC (after cautiously glancing off Left, coming up 
 again): Half o ye in yon garden; (Points Left 2.) 
 your eyes and ears open but nary a sign. The 
 rest o ye over there! (He points Right 3.) 
 
 BLONDIN (leaving the angle Left Xing toward Right 3, 
 as he passes Languenoc, motioning Left): Two of 
 em. . . . 
 
 (Languenoc looks the way Blondin motions. All make 
 their exit, he alone is left. He glances at the window 
 again, then reverting his eyes Left, once more, keeping his 
 gaze in that direction, he slowly makes for Right 3. He 
 exits, drawing the massive gate almost closed after him; 
 he hides back of the iron post.) 
 
 (The disposition of the men has been effected rapidly; 
 the men acting while the next order is given. The instant
 
 98 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 the order was given, Rock darted across the lawn, and 
 disappeared off Right 3; Crompton also exits Right 3; 
 Murray and Brayton exit Left 2; One half of the men 
 exit Left 2; Blondin and the rest Right 3. All become 
 hidden, and there s nary a sign of life.) 
 (As the last two divisions made their exit, the night breeze 
 again stirs the tree softly, and leaves drop to the ground 
 all through the successive silence and pause.) 
 (After a slight pause, Lord Russmore and Sir Andrews 
 enter upon the scene from Left I. Both walk slowly on, 
 at an even pace, their eyes cast to the ground, their hands 
 clasped behind their back except Sir Andrews, who 
 supports himself upon a short, heavy cane apparently 
 both lost in deep reflection. Sir Andrews is a patriarchal 
 looking man, with thick locks of curly, gray white hair. 
 Both advance in this manner, until Lord Russmore 
 glances up toward the house and rests his hand upon the 
 gate Center.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: I had informed my wife I should re 
 main away all night: I could not foresee His Majesty s 
 indisposition. 
 
 SIR ANDREWS (halting past Lord Russmore, turning and 
 raising his head from the ground) : Verily, this constant 
 nose bleeding of His Majesty greatly alarms me. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Ah, if His Majesty would only permit 
 us to act; methinks his health would soon improve, 
 through a goodly measure of our acts. 
 (He parts the gate open) Will you not rest a moment 
 and smoke a pipe, Sir Andrews? 
 
 SIR ANDREWS : No, thank ye, my lord I am going 
 straight ways to bed t is so seldom we can, these 
 days (Raising his cane and pointing off Left) I still 
 perceive the knave loitering on the road, who so in 
 spected us.
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 99 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: I liked not his looks. I will ask his 
 
 reasons, if he comes by. 
 
 SIR ANDREWS (turning about and going Right): Good 
 night, my lord. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (touching his hat in response entering 
 the gateway) : Good-night, Sir Andrews 
 (Sir Andrews proceeds Right, and exits. Lord Russmore 
 proceeds toward the rustic table that surrounds the tree, 
 looking up at the lighted window. As he about reaches 
 the rustic table, the window s light goes out suddenly.) 
 H n! Alice shall be agreeably surprised to see me re 
 turned so early. 
 
 (On reaching the table, he picks up his pipe and starts 
 to light it.) 
 
 (As Lord Russmore now stands, facing down stage, 
 lighting his pipe, Languenoc slowly, slightly pushes the 
 iron gate Right 3, open, pistol in hand, ready to aim at 
 Lord Russmore, and forbid him to enter the house. How 
 ever, Lord Russmore, after lighting his pipe, slowly 
 strolls down to the railing again to look off Left, in the 
 distance, after the man that is lurking there. He stands 
 so that the huge tree Left Center is directly placed between 
 him and the portico, at the top of the steps. Standing by 
 the railing, Lord Russmore, smoking tranquilly, blows 
 out two long trails of smoke. At the second puff of smoke, 
 the door of the portico cautiously opened, and from the 
 shadow within, Alice looks out.) 
 
 ALICE (failing to see her husband, turning to the inner door) : 
 Come out now Everything s quiet. 
 (Milton steps out of the house into the portico, his back 
 barely inside the threshold of the outer door as he turns 
 around to his sister. He wears a long black cape, and is 
 carefully muffled in its high collar.) 
 (At the sound of his wife s hushed tone of voice, Lord
 
 100 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 Russmore slowly removes the pipe from his mouth and 
 his head slowly turns around. The forms of Alice and 
 Milton are only half discernible within the portico. As 
 Alice spoke, Languenoc passed his hand through the iron 
 bars of the gate, levelling his pistol at Lord Russmore. 
 
 MILTON (as he steps below Alice, within the portico; speaking 
 even before Lord Russmore has fully turned his head 
 around): God bless you for your love; and till you 
 behold me here again next Tuesday at three o clock, be 
 of good cheer (He backs out, drawing the door closed 
 after him, saying reverently) Good-night ! 
 
 LANGUENOC (the instant Milton appears outside, uttering 
 a warning call, hissing the sound more than voicing it) : 
 Master! . . . (He at the same time opens wide the gate.) 
 (At his appearance, Lord Russmore remains rooted 
 where he stands At Languenoc s warning call, he takes 
 a step back, unsheathing his sword.) 
 (Milton, upon hearing Languenoc s call and seeing him 
 push open the gate for his egress, without waiting to 
 ascertain the cause, leaps off the Right of the steps and 
 passes through. Lord Russmore, nonplussed for the in 
 stant, the next moment dashes up toward Right 3. The 
 gate quickly slams back and the iron rod, on the other side, 
 is shot into place, locking it.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (after one futile effort to open it) : Cursed 
 be the bolt!! . . . (He drops his sword and, hoisting 
 himself on the tip of his toes, passing both arms through 
 the bars, he succeeds to dislodge the rod. Rapidly then 
 picking up his sword and opening the gate, he swerves 
 through, and between the houses, in pursuit off 
 U.R.) 
 
 (As Lord Russmore disappears, the sound of horses 
 hoofs, moving rapidly away, is heard 
 (The door on top of the portico opens and Alice comes out
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 101 
 
 on the balcony. She stands by the railing Right, intently 
 listening. The sound of hoofs continues to be heard.) 
 
 ALICE (with happy relief}: Heaven be praised! He is 
 safely on his way. . . . 
 
 (She looks about for signs of anyone A breath of wind 
 rustles through the trees, and a few leaves fall. Seeing no 
 one about, Alice returns indoor, closing the balcony door. 
 The light goes out behind the lattice of this door.) 
 (A slight pause, during which the sound of hoofs dimin 
 ishes.) 
 
 (Now, in turn, the men that were concealed off Right, in 
 the bushes, on Languenoc s side, cautiously come 
 through the iron gate Right 3, and, stooping as they run 
 start Left across the lawn toward the garden entrance Left 
 %. As the last man, Blondin, starts across, Peter appears 
 bare-headed, wiping his forehead with a red piece of 
 cloth L. I.) 
 
 BLONDIN (halting mid-way in his course, lowering his voice 
 and hailing Peter): Peter! Go ye not that way: else 
 ye wish ter challenge the devil. Come ye with us! 
 
 PETER (quickly entering the gate Center) : And the master? 
 
 BLONDIN: Made good his escape! (Helping Peter off) 
 There s a hole out o mischief this way! 
 
 (They exeunt Left 2.) 
 
 (The sound of hoofs has died away by now. Again a 
 breath of wind rustles through the trees the leaves fall. 
 The light in Alice s room is put out and the house is tem 
 porarily dark. The sound of the wind is soft, but dismal; 
 such as where pines grow in a forest and murmur 
 weirdly even on a fine day.) 
 
 (Lord Russmore now returns. He slowly passes through 
 the gate, Right 3, retaining hold of it and partly support 
 ing himself. Utterly dejected, his sword limp by his
 
 102 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 side, he pauses and his weight closes the gate. Leaning 
 heavily against it, his head sunk between his shoulders, 
 he raises his hand and brushes it across his forehead, as 
 if to alleviate the suffering of his mind, his eyes the 
 while cast to the ground before him. Suddenly light is 
 made back of the two ground windows of the house, and 
 the darkness outside is made lighter. As it were conscious 
 of this and his thoughts gradually centering upon his 
 wife, indoors, Lord Russmore slowly raises his head, his 
 face transitiving from pain to anger, from dejection to 
 resolve. His hand gradually clutches the pummel of his 
 sword and, drawing erect, swinging his hat on he 
 starts for the steps with a firm step. His hand rests a few 
 moments on the knob of the portico door; then, resolutely 
 he enters, shutting the door quietly after him. A soft 
 swish of the wind leaves fall and the curtain slowly 
 
 descends.) 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
 ACT II SCENE II 
 
 THE FAMILY DRAWING-ROOM, W T ITHIN LORD Russ- 
 MORE S HOUSE. JUST BEFORE THE LATTER ENTERS. 
 
 Discovered, at rise of curtain, HENRY, seated on the hearth 
 rug, in front of the fire-place, occupied in constructing a 
 castle out of wooden blocks; and Alice entering from Right 
 I., and crossing to Left Center, where she empties the 
 fragments of Josephine s letter out of one of her gauntlets 
 into the palm of her hand. Henry s childish form is 
 silhouetted against the ruddy glow in the grate, the latter 
 illumining his little face, and tinging his golden hair with 
 red. 
 ALICE (as she crosses): Isn t my darling getting tired?
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 103 
 
 (For sole answer, Henry shakes his head from side to side 
 
 negatively, after a child s fashion when his whole mind s 
 
 absorbed.) 
 
 (Alice crosses to the fire-place with the fragments of 
 
 Josephine s letter and pinch by pinch drops it into the 
 
 grate watching it burn.) 
 
 (Suddenly and noiselessly the door Left I opens and Lord 
 
 Russmore crosses the threshold. Alice does not see him; 
 
 he stops and watches her in her occupation. His brows are 
 
 knit and every line of his face suggests the coming storm.) 
 
 HENRY (first to catch sight of his father pointing with 
 pride at the incomplete castle) : Papa, loo - 
 (Alice drops the last fragments and turns.) 
 
 ALICE (quickly suppressing her surprise) : Why . . . Hugo. 
 (She contrives to smile happily, and goes to his en 
 counter.) 
 (He closes the door with a jerk.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (dryly) : Yes (And, ignoring her move 
 ment of welcome passes her, and proceeds to the settee, 
 U. R., speaking as he goes up) Send the child 
 away! . . . 
 
 ALICE (remains where she stood, mechanically following 
 him with her eyes. He deposits his cape and hat on settee.) 
 (With the prescience of evil) : What has happened? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: I shall inform you when the child has 
 gone. (This is said without looking at her, proceeding 
 toward the window U. C. where he remains with his back 
 turned to the room, his hands clasped behind him.) 
 
 ALICE (reverting her eyes from her husband to Henry 
 going toward the latter and addressing him, her voice 
 tremulous) : Darling Papa wishes to speak to maman 
 Come, darling. . . . 
 
 HENRY (looking up and then rising with docility) : Wi 
 maman?
 
 104 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 ALICE : Yes, my darling. Baby can come back to play in a 
 little while. 
 
 HENRY (as his mother leads him fondly toward the door) : 
 Leedle w ile? 
 
 ALICE : Yes, my sweetheart Go find Mary. (Stooping 
 and kissing him at the door) You dear darling! . . . 
 (Exit Henry R. I. E., to look for Mary. Alice closes the 
 door, then coming forward, speaks eagerly.) 
 Now, Hugo, what is it? What has happened? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (turning an infuriated countenance to 
 her. Coming forward) : You! . . . you! . . . (Halting 
 and glaring at her.) That you should even ask me! . . . 
 
 ALICE: I don t know what you mean? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : This then ! that upon returning home 
 unexpectedly, I surprise my wife in the embrace of 
 another ! 
 
 ALICE (starting to half realize the situation, and the reason 
 for his action and words): Oh, no-no-no-no! ... It 
 isn t so! ... 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : I saw with my own eyes, Madam ! 
 
 ALICE: But still you mustn t believe me capable 
 (A sudden look of apprehension comes to her face.) 
 Oh, my God! you say you saw! Oh, then you 
 must have . . . Hugo ! what is it you have done f . . . 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Oh, be re-assured, Madam, if that 
 alone concerns you: lovers like thieves do not face 
 punishment, who can still resort to flight! 
 
 ALICE: M lord! can I believe that you speak such 
 words to me? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Who else should they be spoken to, 
 Madam? Who else but you so far forgot decency and 
 honor as to commit the act of a wanton! 
 
 ALICE: Hugo! Don t you dare! don t you dare! You 
 have not the right! . . .
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 105 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : Right ? When I can thus account for 
 your strange moods of the last month and your state 
 of nervousness, to-night, in anticipation of this meeting? 
 
 ALICE : Oh, it is too too horrible ! . . . 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (uninterruptedly): Then, that letter 
 which you tore at my departure your inquiries 
 then as to when I should return evidently that 
 same letter being destroyed at my entrance ! My com 
 ing home; the light in your room (This sudden 
 thought transfigures him. He glares at her. A short 
 pause, then in low, suppressed tones} Tell me ! He 
 was there! . . . 
 
 (Alice becomes still as marble, staring at him as if 
 hypnotized Suddenly she breaks the spell; at first, 
 weakly; then, forcefully.) 
 
 ALICE (weakly): No no! . . . (Vehemently) No! No! 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: He was there! (Same suppressed tones; 
 but positive.) 
 
 (With clenched hands, advancing threateningly toward 
 her) Why don t you deny it! ... (Forcefully.) 
 
 ALICE (recoiling tremblingly joining her hands in appeal) : 
 Hugo! 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (pressing his hands to his temples, turning 
 away): God! . . . 
 
 ALICE (appealingly toward him): Ah, m lord; nothing 
 of this nothing that you think is true ! . . . Noth 
 ing! not even that letter was from him 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (sharply turning upon her) : Who from 
 then? 
 
 ALICE : It was from (She stops abruptly, afraid to even 
 risk compromising Josephine) Oh, I m afraid to even 
 tell you that But it proves nothing ! 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Proves nothing? 
 
 ALICE: Oh, you cannot possibly think such monstrosity
 
 106 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 of me, Hugo? It is too unfair . . . too unjust. . . . 
 (With pathos) If you have really cared for me, m lord 
 you cannot now entertain such thoughts of me? . . . 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: We love inasmuch as we respect, 
 Madam : no more ! No less ! 
 
 ALICE : Oh, Hugo How can you 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: You choose to make appeal to these 
 sentiments in me which in love s purest sense I bore 
 you and yet : not one word in vindication of yourself 
 indifferent to my pain and humiliation ! Hither 
 I have come, hoping gainst hope despite even the 
 proofs presented to my own eyes that you would 
 assert your innocence; at least advance some likely 
 plea but, instead, your one palpable thought, your 
 sole concern remains to shield this thief of my good 
 name ! 
 
 ALICE : Oh, Heaven give me strength ! 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (uninterruptedly) : Obviously, then 
 his safety is of more account to you than my honor 
 but nonetheless honor still means ev-e-rything to 
 me ! and the man who has outraged it must now reckon 
 with me!! . . . 
 
 ALICE (with increasing alarm) : What will you do ? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : Do ? // my equal, fight him ! If 
 not ! Have him scourged and shot, as he deserves ! . . . 
 
 ALICE: But he escaped You failed to recognize him? . . . 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Aye! But you are here to inform me! 
 
 ALICE (wildly, recoiling from him): Oh, no-no-no! . . . 
 you will not force me to do that! . . . 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: My fixed resolve, Madame! 
 
 ALICE: No-no! but you must not, Hugo . . . you must 
 not. . . . 
 
 (With pathos. He stands glaring at her.) 
 Oh, what is it I must say to move you. . . .
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 107 
 
 (She kneels. The moonlight that streams in the room, 
 through the window U. Center, reaches to where she is 
 kneeling.) 
 
 See ... I implore you ... on my knees If you 
 only knew . . . M lord . . . Oh, I m so fright 
 ened, Hugo ... I cannot think . . . But I can t 
 ... I can t! I don t dare to. ... Because, be 
 cause it s for your sake that I cannot. . . . Won t you 
 believe that? It s for your sake Won t you trust 
 me? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: I distrust all motives that have for 
 object to shield him. I want the truth! ruse can 
 nowise justify what I saw! 
 
 ALICE : But listen ! listen, Hugo ! even admitting, on 
 the one hand, that you have reason to think as you do, 
 but still contending on the other, that what I say and 
 claim is true; that even higher a motive than my pres 
 ent duty to you, m lord than obedience to your 
 command forces me to remain silent 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : Then, I do say this to you, in turn : that 
 you have not the right to withhold your confidence from 
 me and that it is my prerogative to exact it from you! 
 
 ALICE: Merciful Heaven what shall I do? ... Alas, 
 I can not tell you anything, Hugo not even defend 
 myself. . . . For pity s sake, then Can you not 
 see? . . . 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Enough of this, Madam! First of all, 
 , \I demand that you reveal his name! 
 
 ALICE : Nay ! nay ! you will drive me mad. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Tell me his name! 
 
 ALICE: Oh, I m afraid of you . . . Why are you so piti 
 less? . . . Already, anger has made you blind to 
 aught I have been to you to all I now suffer. . . . 
 But I must I must, still keep silent, and I will still
 
 108 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 do what I deem is right ! Aye ! rather will I submit 
 to anything you say do anything : save in this : 
 because I cannot! Do you not see I can t speak? 
 and I will not! because ... I cannot, Hugo ... I 
 can not ... I can . . . not . . . Hugo ... I can 
 . . . not . . . 
 (She cries, burying her face in her hands.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : Then you leave me no other alternative 
 but to compel you! (He goes to the bellrope Left, and 
 pulls it: a distant bell is heard.) 
 So be it! . . . 
 (He returns to the Center.) 
 
 I am your husband, and command your obedience 
 I overheard this man s words to expect him next 
 Tuesday afternoon, during my absence: Unless you 
 consent to furnish me his name and address, that I 
 may seek him ere then on that day, mark you ! I 
 shall compel you to decoy him into my presence. 
 
 ALICE (staring at him. With smothered exclamation): 
 Oh! ... 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : In the meantime, keeping you closely 
 confined. 
 (His tone is icy and matter-of-fact.) 
 
 ALICE : Hugo 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : Afterwards when I have satis 
 fied my honor you and I shall separate forever; 
 nevermore to enter this house. 
 
 ALICE: Oh, it is too . . . too . . . cruel. . . . 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : You can prevent this meeting taking 
 place here and spare yourself the ordeal of being pres 
 ent, by revealing his name to me. 
 
 ALICE: Alas! . . . that is impossible . . . impossible, 
 Hugo. . . . Ah, at least, at least! . . . give me time 
 . to think ... to think! . . .
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 109 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: I will grant you till the stroke of the 
 hour to reflect, Madam. . . . 
 (There is an audible knock heard at door Right 3.) 
 Come in. 
 
 (Alice at once averts her face toward the fire-place, ap 
 proaching same.) 
 
 (Enter Fobs: a middle-aged servant, valet to Lord Russ- 
 more.) 
 
 FOBS: Your lordship rang for me? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Fobs, see that every door is made fast 
 for the night afterwards bring all the keys to me in 
 my study. 
 
 (Fobs proceeds to Left I. E. and exits. After his exit, 
 Lord Russmore steps to the door and shuts it. Alice has 
 broken into a nervous, hysterical laughter.) 
 
 ALICE (as her husband goes and shuts the door): H n-h n- 
 h n-h n-h n Oh, have no fear that I shall try to es 
 cape, m lord: be these precautionary measures against 
 me . . . 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: I shall not trust you until you have 
 yielded (He goes to Left 3, E., locks the door and re 
 tains the key.) Furthermore, that you may hold con 
 versation and communicate with no one you shall 
 not even leave this room till you ve reached your de 
 cision. 
 
 ALICE: Oh, that you should be so altered tow rd me, 
 m lord . . . 
 (She sobs.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Upon the stroke of the hour I shall re- 
 enter this room, hoping to find you more disposed to 
 yield to my wishes: In the meantime, consider that 
 I am determined not to be trifled with, and that 
 submission on your part is the only means whereby 
 you can gain some clemency afterwards! ! !
 
 110 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 (He averts his eyes bruskly away from her and exits Right 
 3, closing the door quietly after him. Alice, her gaze fol 
 lowing his exit, gradually collapses into a weak discour 
 aged state.) 
 
 ALICE (weakly) : Oh, my God . . . what am I to do? . . . 
 Heaven help me . . . (Pathetically) He s so convinced 
 I ve sinned gainst honor and will be so determined 
 ... so unjust ... I can t betray my poor brother 
 to exonerate myself? (Starting, as the thought occurs 
 to her) And his threat to confine me till next Tuesday ! 
 . . . Oh, just Heaven no! ... I mustn t let him! 
 That would ruin all! And that paper which Milton is 
 to bring : were Hugo to seize it it would lead to the 
 discovery of the plot Oh, no, no ! ... (With simple 
 pathos) And he is coming here to save Hugo s life 
 (This with a glance toward Right 3, E.) Oh, I must 
 not remain here! . . . (She goes to the Virginal for 
 her hat and gauntlets) I must escape! . . . But where? 
 . . . where? ... I can t think . . . But I must - 
 (With sudden inspiration.) Ah, yes! ! . . . To Mar 
 garet my old nurse, in Surrey I can go to Lord 
 Argyle, and he ll see me escorted there this very night ! 
 . . . (Puts on her hat) Then Hugo knows nothing of 
 her, and while there I can communicate with Josephine 
 to warn Milton gainst his coming here ! . . . (She goes 
 toward the window U. C. while drawing on her gauntlets.) 
 Provided I can only take my horse out unobserved 
 (She peers out and returns toward the desk Left 2) 
 All s dark in the stable! . . . (As she comes to the desk 
 and takes a small purse from the drawer) The servants 
 have retired : I shall escape through the basement 
 He will (Glance Right 3 E.) never think of that . . . 
 (She comes to table, takes her riding whip and proceeds 
 toward Right I. E.) Yes it is the only w r ay Heaven
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 111 
 
 grant that I succeed! . . . (She tries to open the door. 
 It resists her efforts.) (Faint with discouragement.) 
 "Pis locked Oh, n-n-n-n-no! Heavens! What 
 shall I do? What is to become of me (Xes to 
 Center, looking toward Left I. E.) If I only dared to 
 appeal to Fobs; nay that were futile as well 
 But I cannot remain here I shan t be able to bear 
 it; ah, I must escape I must! I must! (Looking 
 wildly for some place of issue.) God! I shall grow 
 wild I ! 
 
 (Suddenly the rattle, as of the turning of the door knob 
 is heard Right I. E. Alice stops in suspense. Simul 
 taneously with repeated rattle of the door knob, Henry s 
 little voice is heard calling.) 
 
 HENRY: Maman Baby wan tie come in! 
 
 ALICE (with joyous inspiration) : Henry! (Then going to 
 the door quickly, pulling on the knob so as to facilitate 
 for him the sliding of the bolt.) Henry darling 
 Open the door for Maman ! push the bolt out, my 
 sweetheart Can baby do so? 
 
 HENRY: N-no! 
 
 ALICE (pathetically) : Try try, my darling Try, my 
 sweetheart try 
 
 (The door suddenly opens. Alice utters a stifled exclama 
 tion of joy.) 
 Ah!- 
 
 (She picks him up after closing the door again.) You 
 blessed sweetheart ! Kiss Maman good bye 
 
 HENRY: Maman goin ? 
 
 ALICE (smothering him with kisses) : Yes, my dear. Baby 
 be a good boy and love papa, and Maman will bring 
 him nice playthings. (She lets him down Center.) 
 
 HENRY: Playtlings? 
 
 ALICE (going to door) : I must not tarry Oh, how shall I
 
 112 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 bear this separation! (At door Right I., blowing him 
 a kiss) Good bye, my sweetheart. 
 (He kisses his little hand to her as she exits. He then 
 proceeds to the hearth and resumes the completion of 
 his castle.) 
 
 (A slight pause then the belfry bell heard in the pre 
 vious scene, strikes the first stroke of the hour. After 
 the second stroke the voice of Mary is heard calling off 
 Right I. E.) 
 
 MARY : Oh, Master Henry Pray where art thou, Master 
 Henry? 
 
 (Third bell stroke as Mary enters Right I. E.) 
 My lady bid me come put thee to bed tis unusually 
 late for thee to be up. 
 
 HENRY (plaintive reluctance) : N-no ! 
 
 MARY: Eh, and at once! The sandman will soon be 
 a-comin ! 
 
 (Fifth stroke of the bell; enter Lord Russmore Right 3 E. 
 He stops upon realizing the absence of Alice and the 
 presence of Henry and the servant.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (advancing to the Center of the room): 
 Where is Lady Russmore, Mary? 
 
 MARY: My lady went up to her room. She ordered a 
 strong herb potion prepared and brought up, as she 
 suffered from acute headache. 
 
 FOBS (who has meanwhile entered Left I. E.): Here are all 
 the keys, m lord. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (to Fobs) : Has anyone gone out? 
 
 FOBS: No, m lord. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : Mary you are positive that her lady 
 ship went upstairs? 
 
 MARY: Yes, my lord. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : Then go pray tell her to come down to 
 me here. 
 (Mary inclines her head, and exits Right I. E.)
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 113 
 
 FOBS: Anything further m lord? 
 
 (Henry, meanwhile, has come over to his father, and 
 clinging to him with one arm, indicates proudly his com 
 pleted castle with the other. The castle quite tall, 
 stands in relief against the red glow of the fire-place.) 
 
 HENRY: Loo ! Loo papa! bably blilt his cassel. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (looking toward the castle, pressing the 
 child to him at the same time After a slight pause, ad 
 dressing the servant, without detaching his eyes from the 
 castle, simply): Fobs lead the child upstairs. Go, 
 Henry. 
 (The servant comes and takes Henry s hand.) 
 
 HENRY (looking inquiringly at the servant as he is being led) : 
 Wi Flobs? 
 
 FOBS (quietly) : Yes, Master Henry. 
 
 (They exeunt Right I. E. Lord Russmore looks after them 
 as they exeunt then after a slight pause.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : My poor little chap (He reverts his 
 eyes again toward the castle.) Yes you have built 
 your first castle; but even as you built it your castle 
 was being demolished that castle of a higher sort : 
 your home and not even love of you my little 
 son, stayed the hand that destroyed it 
 (Chilled at heart, sad, despondent, his head finally droops 
 and he stands immobile, frowning, staring at the floor 
 before him. Pause.) 
 
 CURTAIN
 
 ACT III
 
 ACT III 
 
 Scene INTERIOR OF THE MODEST COTTAGE INHABITED 
 
 BY JOHN AND MARGARET RAYNES IN SURREY. 
 Time TUESDAY MORNING, Six DAYS LATER. DECEM 
 BER ELEVENTH. 
 
 Log fire in old-fashioned stone hearth, U. L. C. The 
 kettle hanging directly over the brazier beside the gridiron, 
 by means of a chain, is spouting steam and murmuring 
 shrilly. Realistic breakfast cooking. The furniture of 
 the room is heavy, primitive and plain. Everything is 
 very neat and tidy. On each side of the hearth a few cook 
 ing utensils are hung. Also a couple of copper pans, 
 well polished, though denoting frequent use. A small 
 curtain stretches across the lower half of the window U. R. 
 Through the upper half part of the window the trees are 
 perceived. For the present, they are but dimly seen as 
 through a dense fog. 
 
 Discovered: attired in the peasant s dress and cap, white 
 hood of the period, MARGARET RAYNES, a middle-aged 
 very stout, matronly woman with a round, ruddy, kind 
 face. She is bustling about, setting the table and preparing 
 breakfast for Lady Russmore. 
 
 MARGARET (as the curtain rises, setting the pitcher of milk 
 upon the table, stepping back and, with her arms arched 
 upon her hips, contemplating the setting with satisfaction) : 
 There! trim as I kin make it. (Her gaze goes to a 
 knife that is spotted. She picks it up and starts to rub the 
 spot off the blade with the reverse of her apron.) But my 
 lady won t touch a morsel. Weeps and walks the floor
 
 118 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 the whole night long. (Replaces the knife and goes up t 
 the fire-place, drying her eyes, on the way, with her apron.) 
 I daresay t is those evil bodied tyrants again perse~ 
 cutin the poor bairn. (Taking the teapot from the grid 
 iron and returning to the table) May the just saints bring 
 her relief! And woe to their wicked heads! 
 (She wipes the bottom of the teapot and lays it down, and 
 proceeds toward a sort of sideboard Left 2. As she starts, 
 the noise as of a door opening and shutting off Right is 
 heard. Margaret walks more slowly toward the sideboard 
 keeping her eyes in the direction of the door Right I., as 
 it were expecting someone to appear. Reaching the side 
 board, she opens the drawer and takes out from among a 
 great many other things, a silver spoon, carefully wrapped 
 up in a piece of white cloth. Eyes still toward Right I., as 
 she unwraps the spoon. Enter her husband, JOHN RAYNES . 
 At his appearance, Margaret arches her arms above her 
 hips, facing him, and disposed to scold.) 
 (John Raynes is an odd-looking, good-natured, a trifle 
 oldish sort of an individual of medium height. He is not 
 stout but more wiry, and the hair on the top of his head is 
 very spare thinning down to almost baldness in the 
 center of the top, but quite full and curly at the sides and 
 at the back. The color of his hair is sandy red and 
 grey. His face is ruddy, his nose stubbed and tilted, his 
 mouth large and smiling, his eyes small, blinking and 
 merry.) 
 (Exhale) 
 Well! 
 
 JOHN (throwing his hat upon a chair, jovial and rubbing 
 his hands ) : Well, wife here I be at last. 
 
 MARGARET (same frowning attitude) : And in goodly time, 
 Master Raynes! (Her scoldings always make John 
 laugh.)
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 119 
 
 JOHN (good-natured, impassive, rubbing his hands}: He! 
 he ! he ! he ! Now don t ye scold, wife. The mare got 
 hurt and I had ter put her up at the "Cock" overnight 
 and ter walk her home this mornin . 
 
 MARGARET : A like excuse, ter set yer wife and my lady 
 a-frettin an a-worryin all night over ye. (She puts 
 the cloth into the sideboard and comes down to the table 
 with the spoon.) 
 
 JOHN : Now, now, Maggie it was nobody s fault but the 
 fog, which made Mary Jane mistake a hole fur solid 
 ground and stumble. 
 
 MARGARET (placing the spoon at Alice s place) : T is well 
 the accident took place before ye got to the tavern; 
 else I d be a-thinkin twas the load that made her 
 stumble. (She goes to sideboard and closes the drawer.) 
 
 JOHN: He! he! he! he! he! 
 
 MARGARET (returning) : But what of my lady s errand? 
 
 JOHN (nosing curiously at the fire-place) : The young miss 
 was out, Maggie. So I gave her ladyship s message to 
 Lady Scarsdale. (He raises the cover of a pan to see 
 what s cooking in it.) But how s she feelin today, wife? 
 
 MARGARET (fussing above table, her back to him) : Enough 
 to turn a body s head. Has been walkin the floor the 
 whole night till I could count her steps in my sleep. 
 
 JOHN: An what think ye is the real cause, Maggie? 
 
 MARGARET (going to hearth and elbowing him out of the 
 way) Well s posin I did know? It s not fur me ter 
 satisfy an inquisitive mind. 
 
 JOHN (good-naturedly leaving the fire-place, and coming down 
 to the table, chuckling to himself as he comes down) : 
 D ye think I m curious, Maggie? 
 (She empties the water from the boiling potatoes.) 
 Well, ye have n t been fully appreciatin yer husband 
 all these years, darlint. (Having picked up a knife, he
 
 120 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 starts to slice himself a couple of pieces of bread from the 
 loaf.} He s the last tommy cat in the wurrld, thot 
 would poke his nose in superior folks cups. (He digs 
 up a piece of butter with his bread knife, and starts to 
 butter up the two chunks of bread.) Ye used ter say at 
 the castle, I was over fond of her ladyship. Well, 
 maybe I m still more over fond of her now that she s 
 sufferin , poor soul. I ve not been abed here the whole 
 week, a-runnin the country hither and thither fur her. 
 I be n t complainin fur ye can be cocksure, Maggie, 
 thot I d walk ter Jerusalem ter bring her back the 
 smiles of her bonny young days agin! 
 
 MARGARET (coming down to him and, after wiping her lips 
 with her apron, smacking a kiss on the cheek of John, 
 which is nearest to her) : There ! Ye re a good man, John, 
 and yer Maggie s proud o ye. 
 
 JOHN (undisturbed, chuckling to himself, tranquilly con 
 tinuing to butter his bread) : He ! he ! he ! Reminds me, 
 wife ye haven t done this fur a whole month. 
 
 MARGARET : Well I be not inclined ter kiss folks that 
 don t ask fur them. 
 
 JOHN (raising his knife and quietly shaking it at her) : He ! 
 he ! he ! he ! yer apt ter be sorry now ye spoke, Maggie. 
 
 MARGARET (her eyes suddenly falling upon the loaf of bread 
 which John has cut out of shape) : Good saints ! Look 
 at that bread! 
 
 JOHN (looking at the misshapen loaf, then at the chunk in his 
 hand): Well what s the matter with it? Ye baked 
 it, did n t ye? 
 
 MARGARET (bawling the words in mimicry after him) : " Ye 
 baked it, didn t ye?" (With sharp anger) What does 
 it look like? 
 
 JOHN (looking at the piece in his hand, turning it around, 
 then inquiringly at her) : Well tain t cake, is it?
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 121 
 
 MAKGARET (again mimics him): " T ain t cake, is it?" 
 (She wrenches the knife away from him) This, Master 
 Raynes, is decent folks way to cut bread! 
 (Then simpering as she repairs the damages done to 
 the loaf.) 
 
 M m My lady s breakfast that I d tried make look 
 so dainty and ye come and spoil it all. (With sud 
 den explosive, petty temper) What else d ye want? 
 
 JOHN (smiling imperturbably) : Well it s all accordin to 
 what ye can spare. 
 
 MARGARET: Take these eggs. They re too cold now for 
 my lady, and be off ! 
 
 JOHN (greedily taking the plate of eggs from the table) : Oo- 
 oo! Thank ye! My chickens, yer just the ones I cov 
 eted. 
 
 MARGARET (as she sees him go with the plate) : But not the 
 plate not the plate ! (Reaching him she takes hold 
 of it.) My best plate! 
 
 JOHN (with some show of impatience) : Ye don t expect me 
 to carry eggs in my hands, do ye? 
 
 MARGARET (dumping the eggs into a wooden or brown earth 
 en plate, taken from the kitchen table Right 2) : There 
 and be gone! My lady s nerves ain t fit to stand a 
 busybody around ! 
 
 JOHN (recovering his good humor) : Come along, my chick 
 ens. (Going for his hat) We ll go to the henery be 
 fore Mrs. Raynes tells us to go to the devil. I guess, 
 anyway, this is a bad place fur yees ter roost. (Stop 
 ping at the door and addressing them confidentially) 
 Yer see, Mrs. Raynes expected her husband home last 
 night, who did n t turn in so she s cross as two sticks 
 this mornin . (He casts a furtive glance at her then 
 shakes his head and exits Right I.) 
 
 MARGARET (setting the table in order again, and repairing
 
 122 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 the looks of the butter cake with a knife) : And the butter 
 
 lookin as if been pitched into the plate like so much 
 dough. Creatin all this rumpus to annoy my lady. 
 (Enter Alice U. L. E. She still wears her riding skirt, 
 but instead of the bodice she has donned a loose jacket 
 which Margaret has lent her.) 
 
 ALICE (coming down toward the table Center) : Good morn 
 ing, Margaret. 
 
 (Alice is very sad, and her face portrays a strain she has 
 undergone during the last five days.) 
 
 MARGARET (with an attempted courtsey): Good morning! 
 
 Is my lady rested? 
 
 ALICE (sitting Left of breakfast table, resting her elbow on 
 
 the edge and leaning her forehead in the palm of her 
 
 hand) : 
 
 Oh my no What day is to-day, Margaret? 
 MARGARET : Tuesday, my lady. 
 ALICE (musing to herself): This afternoon, then, that 
 
 Milton will come to my house. 
 
 (To Margaret) Has John returned, Margaret? 
 MARGARET : Yes, my lady. 
 ALICE: And my letter? 
 MARGARET: Seein Miss Scarsdale was out he gave it to 
 
 her ladyship. 
 ALICE: That was right. Josephine should then be here 
 
 at noon, eh, Margaret? 
 
 (Alice, by degrees, becomes animated and nervous. Her 
 
 voice is tremulous.) 
 MARGARET (with a glance toward the window) : Unless the 
 
 fog delay her, my lady. 
 ALICE: Oh, let us hope that it will not. If it does, I must 
 
 start out alone with John, Margaret. It is the only 
 
 means I still have to warn my brother in time. (She 
 
 goes to look out of window.)
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 123 
 
 MARGARET (with simple entreaty): Won t my lady eat 
 some breakfast? 
 
 ALICEJ I don t think I can, Margaret. 
 
 MARGARET : My lady ought to try in order to keep up her 
 strength. 
 
 ALICE (resuming her seat before her plate tremulously) : 
 Yes, I suppose I ought to. I should also rely on Lady 
 Scarsdale helping us. (She picks up her fork.) 
 Dear Margaret (She lets her fork drop) But I m 
 afraid I can t eat (She looks up at Margaret across 
 the table and her eyes fill with tears) I can t, Margaret 
 my heart s too full I can t eat 
 (She bows her head into her hand.) 
 
 MARGARET (coming around the table, standing above her, 
 endeavoring to comfort her) : There My lady must 
 not lose courage. 
 
 ALICE (with effort): No, I must not. (Suddenly raising 
 her face, looking at Margaret) How many days have I 
 been here now, Margaret? 
 
 MARGARET : Six days, my lady. (She Xes toward the hearth, 
 drying her eyes.) 
 
 ALICE (seated sideways, Right, elbow upon the edge of the 
 table, thumping her cheek nervously with her closed 
 Right hand) : Ah, yes six long weary days 
 without anyone away from my child. He must 
 have missed his mother don t you think? 
 
 MARGARET (at hearth) : Indeed, my lady. 
 
 ALICE : Oh, if I were a man or knew one whom I could 
 trust a woman is so helpless. 
 
 MARGARET (coming down to the table, and setting a dish 
 before her, cheerfully calling her attention to it): There, 
 my lady. Fresh from the hen this morning ! 
 
 ALICE (absently) : So thoughtful of her I mean of you. 
 Oh, please forgive me; I don t know what I m say-
 
 124 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 ing. But I really haven t any appetite, Margaret. 
 I m so sorry you went to such trouble. You still pre 
 pare things just as you used to for me at the castle. 
 (Looking up at her with pathos) But have such days 
 really existed, Margaret? 
 
 MARGARET: To be sure they have; and surely they ll 
 come back again for, as the Kirk says: "Sorrows are 
 like clouds that cannot rest always twixt the sun and 
 the clear Miller s pond." (Places cup beside her.) 
 Here my lady must eat, if only to preserve her 
 strength. 
 
 ALICE: You are right. Indeed, it s wrong to let myself 
 weaken this way. I ll try to eat Is this tea strong, 
 Margaret? 
 
 MARGARET: Yes, my lady. (Standing across the table 
 Right, she places a plate in front of her.) And toasts as 
 crisp as I could make them. 
 
 ALICE: Thanks. How faithfully you have remembered 
 my old fads. (Breaking a piece of toast) And where did 
 you get the jacket I have on? 
 
 MARGARET : T is the same your mother presented me at 
 your christening, my lady. 
 
 ALICE : Just fancy (She munches a piece of toast, and 
 makes vain efforts to swallow it.) 
 
 MARGARET (seeing her eyes gradually filling with tears): 
 Drink a little tea, my lady. 
 
 (Alice extends her hand for the cup, trembling, but then, 
 suddenly breaking down, she turns her head away and 
 shifting sideways upon her chair she sobs.) 
 
 ALICE: I can t eat, Margaret it s no use I can t 
 (Again Margaret comes above her and tries to console 
 her.) 
 
 MARGARET : There there my lady must not let her 
 courage desert her.
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 125 
 
 ALICE: Oh, but you don t know, Margaret. Grave dan 
 ger s threatening my brother and my husband also. 
 Whichever way I look, I can only see the one or the 
 other s peril. If I am not at home this afternoon 
 this evening my husband will be arrested, and forfeit 
 his own life before he surrenders. If I return and cross 
 the threshold of my house, I will be made the means 
 to decoy and imperil Milton. I have tried every means 
 to locate his whereabouts. I have failed. Lord Argyle 
 could have helped me but on the night when he took 
 me here, he also was fearful of arrest, and has since 
 vanished. I find myself here alone, isolated. I ve sent 
 John scurrying after every clue to reach Milton 
 Josephine, too, has failed. Even William sent her word 
 that he knew not where he was. When I arrived, I had 
 six days before me to act Now I have only till this 
 afternoon, and the thought is driving me mad, Mar 
 garet ! Mad ! Mad ! 
 
 (She moves away, pressing her temples between her 
 hands, under the strain of intense agony of mind.) 
 
 MARGARET (following her Left, placing her arm about her, 
 trying to soothe her): Don t! Don t! my lady 
 a-frettin and worryin yourself so will not avail. 
 
 ALICE (sobbing, her head on her arm upon the top of the 
 sideboard) : I know I know 
 
 MARGARET: Surely the patron saints will yet send some 
 timely means to prevent harm coming to Sir Milton 
 and to his lordship. 
 
 ALICE : If I could only think out a way think of some 
 plan but it s to-day 
 
 MARGARET: The more reason, for their sakes, why my 
 ^ lady should sustain her strength the better to think 
 out the way. 
 
 ALICE : Yes, for their sake I should. And when Josephine
 
 126 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 comes we must arrive at some plan. Milton must be 
 
 warned. Desperate though the chances be: if it takes 
 
 Josephine and I alone to go bar his approaching my 
 
 house! 
 MARGARET: John will accompany you. 
 
 (Enter John excitedly R. I.) 
 JOHN : Beg pardon, wife but a gintleman has arrived 
 
 inquiring for your ladyship. (He closes the door, and 
 
 stands rolling his hat in his hands,) 
 ALICE: Inquiring for me? 
 JOHN: Aye. I said I was new to the place. "I don t know 
 
 as there be anyone in the house by the name your lord 
 ship mentions" says I, "but I ll go in and inquire." 
 ALICE: W T ho is he? 
 
 JOHN : As far as I kin make im out, he be a stranger. 
 MARGARET: Ye asked not after his name? 
 JOHN : Aye, and so I did, wife. " Mention that I come from 
 
 Miss Scarsdale, " says he. 
 ALICE: Who can it be? 
 JOHN: Your ladyship can see him through yon window. 
 
 (Points U. R.) 
 MARGARET: Possibly a messenger from Miss Scarsdale, 
 
 my lady. 
 
 (Alice has gone to the window and raised a tiny corner of 
 
 the curtain, looking off.) 
 ALICE (drawing away) : No. Impossible ! Whomever 
 
 sides with the King is to be shunned. What can this 
 
 mean? 
 
 JOHN: Maybe I kin offer a little suggestion. 
 MARGARET (checking his presumption): Master Raynes! 
 
 Keep it till you be asked! 
 
 (John cannot repress a smile lowers his eyes and rolls 
 
 his hat. Heedless of both, Alice has been reflecting.) 
 ALICE (arguing with herself) : And yet how comes he to
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 127 
 
 know I am here? Unless Josephine has told him and 
 
 if so must have trusted him mayhap for some reason 
 
 sent him on ahead of her. You are positive you heard 
 
 him say that Miss Scarsdale sent him? 
 JOHN : Aye, your ladyship 
 ALICE: Then I can t be mistaken. He s surely been sent 
 
 to my assistance. 
 MARGARET : He be stepping off his horse, my lady. 
 
 (At window.) 
 ALICE: Show him in, John. 
 
 (John exits R. I.) 
 
 Margaret, if I divine rightly, this is the end of my trials. 
 MARGARET: Just as I said, my lady the just saints 
 
 would be sure to send some timely means 
 ALICE: Ah, heaven be praised if it s so. Mayhap he brings 
 
 news of my brother and Josephine has succeeded in 
 
 reaching him. At any rate she has sent him. 
 MARGARET : Yes, my lady. 
 ALICE: How can we doubt it when Lady Scarsdale, her 
 
 daughter and Lord Argyle alone, knew that I was here. 
 
 He s Lady Scarsdale s nephew, so what s more plausible 
 
 than they have sent him. 
 
 MARGARET: Indeed, my lady, tis most fortunate. 
 ALICE: (growing more and more joyfully excited): Any 
 way, being a man, he will be so much more resourceful 
 
 than I. 
 
 (Robert passes the window, preceded by John.) 
 MARGARET: Here he comes, my lady. 
 ALICE: We must be very cautious, though. 
 
 (John opens the door U. R. C.) 
 JOHN : If you please this way in your lor ship. 
 
 (Enter Robert Courtnay, cool, deliberate, self-possessed. 
 
 John exits, closing the door after him. He next passes 
 
 beyond the window off Right.)
 
 128 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 (Margaret draws forth a chair. Robert declines it as he 
 comes down toward Alice Left Center.) 
 
 ROBERT (quietly) : No doubt, Lady Russmore is surprised 
 to see me, but I needn t assure her 
 
 ALICE (interrupting him): One moment, Mr. Courtnay, 
 first I wish to know which is your side; the King s or 
 the Prince s side? 
 
 ROBERT (at ease, smiling slightly) : I make but one answer 
 to that, Lady Russmore (He closes his eyes an in 
 stant to collect his thoughts, but without pause) Like 
 Clarendon, I declare religious principles to be above 
 those of loyalty. My religious beliefs are, unfortu 
 nately, at variance with the King s (Smiling, with a 
 slight arch of the brows) I leave the conclusions to you. 
 
 ALICE: But you forget, Mr. Courtnay, that in these 
 dreadful times one is compelled to mistrust even a 
 friend. 
 
 ROBERT (after casting a glance at Margaret) : May I speak 
 freely, Lady Russmore? 
 
 ALICE: Yes, without reserve. Margaret is my old nurse. 
 She has all my confidence. 
 (Margaret makes protestation to withdraw.) 
 No I wish you to remain. 
 
 ROBERT: Permit me to return to you your missive to my 
 cousin. In it you recount the number of efforts made 
 to reach your brother, enjoining her in the end to come 
 to you that together, you may resolve upon some 
 last plan to save the situation. I have participated 
 in my cousin s endeavors to find your brother, Lady 
 Russmore. From the general tone of your message, 
 my cousin grew apprehensive lest new complications 
 had set in. In sum, impatient, from sheer anxiety, 
 she begged me to ride on ahead, present her letter as 
 credentials, and place myself at your service.
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 129 
 
 ALICE (looking fixedly at him): A trust upon which life 
 depends, is serious matter, Mr. Courtnay. Misplaced 
 confidence in this instance would hold me responsible. 
 Ought I then to feel sure that I can trust you? 
 
 ROBERT : Consider at whose request I have come 
 
 ALICE : Oh, I know 
 
 ROBERT : And who else but my cousin could have directed 
 me to where you were, Lady Russmore? 
 
 ALICE: Still, I am a woman, Mr. Courtnay, and, like a 
 woman, timid, so you must forgive me if I hesitate to 
 yield information upon which so much depends. 
 
 ROBERT : If I prove conclusively to Lady Russmore that 
 it was in my power to have betrayed and caused her 
 brother s arrest days ago, but did not do so, owing to 
 the bond of sympathy existing between us as be 
 tween him and Lord Argyle, for example would Lady 
 Russmore longer hesitate to believe me? 
 
 ALICE: No, no. I would not! Give me such a proof and 
 I will trust you. 
 
 ROBERT : Learn then that I was aware, Monday week ago, 
 on the evening of my aunt s house party, that Sieur 
 Raoul d Orsay was, in reality, Sir Milton Lantanay. 
 
 ALICE : You knew that? 
 
 ROBERT (smiling serenely): And yet did not betray him. 
 After you had gone that night, I was let into the secret. 
 I may even quote to you the letter which he sent to 
 Josephine, asking leave to come, in which he insisted 
 that you should be present so as to place you on 
 your guard 
 
 ALICE (taking hold of his hand) : Oh yes, I can trust you. 
 Josephine never told me. 
 
 ROBERT : For want of an opportunity. From Lady Russ- 
 more s manner at my entrance it was easy at once to 
 conclude that she had no knowledge of my conduct in
 
 130 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 this respect. Let us hope that we may still avoid a 
 disaster ! 
 
 ALICE: And God reward you for your kindness! Won t 
 you be seated? (Robert nods acceptance, and sits Right 
 of table. She sits Left.) 
 
 ROBERT: Let us briefly sum up the situation. In the first 
 place our principal aim is to give Sir Milton warning. 
 
 ALICE: And prevent him from going to our house, yes. 
 
 ROBERT (noting in his mind) : To your house exactly. 
 You feel sure that he will go there? 
 
 ALICE : Without doubt for in failing to do so he would 
 abandon me to face dreadful circumstances. 
 
 ROBERT: How? 
 
 ALICE: I cannot tell you. 
 
 ROBERT: At what time did you expect his visit? 
 
 ALICE : He said he would come at about three o clock this 
 afternoon. Lord Russmore overheard this, and is sure 
 to set a trap for him. 
 
 ROBERT: A trap? (Then correcting himself) Most likely. 
 
 ALICE: So, he must be prevented. 
 
 ROBERT: Pardon me, Lady Russmore, if I seem to follow 
 you imperfectly but, beyond the fact that you have 
 left your house and have secluded yourself here 
 I have only my own deductions to base judgment 
 upon as to why this was compulsory. My cousin was 
 somewhat reticent as to your reasons grave as they 
 must be for having left London. Before I can de 
 cide what steps had better be taken, I must ask you 
 more fully to enlighten me, I 
 
 ALICE: You wish to know what compelled me to desert 
 my home? 
 
 ROBERT: My desire to assist excuses my inquisitiveness. 
 
 ALICE: I will tell you. It is well that you should under 
 stand the true situation.
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 131 
 
 ROBERT : Thank you. 
 
 ALICE: Lord Russmore unexpectedly came home last 
 Tuesday evening and surprised Milton and myself in 
 embrace, just as the latter was leaving the house. You 
 well know Lord Russmore s temper tis the dread 
 of the court. My brother escaped without so much 
 as being recognized, but I was left to face my hus 
 band s anger. He accused me of well infidelity 
 
 ROBERT: Inconceivable! 
 
 ALICE: Aye! and little blame to him. He had sufficient 
 grounds for his suspicions. But it was so different. 
 Finally, rather than betray a secret as dear to me as 
 my own life, and be made the means to decoy my 
 brother into his presence on his subsequent visit I 
 was left no alternative except to run away. 
 
 ROBERT (rising, pacing, half closing his eyes, biting his 
 under-lip) : I see I see 
 
 ALICE: Have you seen my husband, Mr. Courtnay? 
 
 ROBERT: The day after you disappeared. I have since 
 ascertained that to all friendly inquiry after your 
 welfare, he maintains that you are still at home and 
 all is well. 
 
 ALICE: Oh, he is shrewd! And Milton is certain to have 
 made the same inquiry and believes I am still there. 
 
 ROBERT: Undoubtedly and that all is well. Is Lord 
 Russmore not aware that Sieur Raoul d Orsay and 
 Sir Milton are one and same? 
 
 ALICE: No. They had never met previous to that evening 
 at your house. 
 
 ROBERT: Why not have risked telling him the truth? 
 
 ALICE: He might have deemed it his duty to have had 
 Milton arrested. Besides, there was another reason 
 which I may not impart even to you and so much de 
 pended upon it, I could not have assumed the least risk.
 
 132 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 ROBERT : True being, so to speak, the right hand of 
 his Majesty, he would never have spared a foe even 
 his kinsman. Neither side shows mercy ! Lady 
 Russmore, no time must be lost in action. 
 
 ALICE: What do you propose to do? 
 
 ROBERT : I will depart for London at once. 
 
 ALICE: Alone without us? 
 
 ROBERT: Better and safer for all concerned that I cope 
 alone with the situation. Since the appointment s for 
 three o clock, and granted that Sir Milton thinks him 
 self sufficiently secure to present himself at your house 
 believing you still there, and that s all serene in 
 your household affairs it follows that we must ap 
 prehend him: to do so, tis urgent to lose no time in 
 reaching London ahead of him, to be on the watch. 
 
 ALICE : Forsooth ! for the fog is like to retard you greatly ! 
 
 ROBERT : I go at once ! Er pray my cousin remain here 
 with you till I send you word! I ll muster a num 
 ber of trusty fellows sufficient to patrol every road 
 leading to your house. 
 
 ALICE: Yes, I see! Oh, how shall we ever thank you 
 enough? 
 
 ROBERT: Say no more about it. But meantime, promise 
 you ll rest at peace and know that he ll not escape our 
 vigilance ! 
 
 ALICE: Thank you! Thank you! And you ll accompany 
 him back here at once? 
 
 ROBERT: Aye! 
 
 ALICE: I pray you, say nothing to him of my husband s 
 accusation. He s so hotheaded, he d take a notion to 
 resent it. 
 
 ROBERT: I ll not inform him. Fare you well! 
 
 ALICE: Fare you well! 
 
 (Exit Courtnay U. R. C. E. A second later he passes 
 rapidly beyond window U. R.)
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 133 
 
 (The moment he is gone Alice gives ventto her joyousness.} 
 (With joyous transport) Margaret, at last! The sit 
 uation is saved is saved ! Margaret ! 
 MARGARET (with similar transport) : Ye yes my 
 
 lady! 
 
 ALICE: Do you conceive it at all! Mr. Courtnay will 
 
 escort him here then we shall all go back together. 
 
 I will save my husband, and all will be well once 
 
 more. Oh, I m so happy! 
 
 MARGARET : Yes ! The good saints sent a means as I 
 
 said to my lady ! 
 
 ALICE: Oh, we ll burn all the candles we can find in the 
 house to them, Margaret! It s such a relief such 
 infinite relief! I m so happy! (With tinge of pathos) 
 I don t know what to do 
 
 MARGARET (inspired) : Eat your breakfast, my lady. 
 ALICE: To be sure, I ll eat my breakfast. (She goes to 
 table.) Never fear, I will eat now, Margaret. Before I 
 couldn t really I could not, Margaret. (She sits 
 Left of table.) 
 
 MARGARET (other side of table) : I will cook you other eggs. 
 ALICE : No, no these will do nicely, thanks ! 
 MARGARET: But they re all cold. 
 
 ALICE: Never mind! Cold eggs can t matter now I m 
 happy! And these hard toasts I so relish! (She bites 
 off several mouthfuls with a crunging noise): Oh, I m 
 just ravenous! 
 
 (She picks up her cup of tea.) 
 
 MARGARET: Let me warm up your tea a bit, my lady. 
 ALICE (speaking with her mouth full) : I know it s perfectly 
 delicious as it is! (She swallows a large gulp of tea to 
 help down the food, and then, as soon as she can manage, 
 begins to rattle on) Do you know, Margaret, I just feel 
 like a little child, I m so relieved, so happy now. I
 
 I SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 could just have hugged Mr. Courtnay! And wasn t 
 it perfectly clever of him to think of collecting a lot 
 of men to patrol all the highways. 
 (Descriptive gesture of the hand.) I can see them from 
 here, promenading themselves here and there, every 
 one of them on the watch. Mr. Courtnay would make 
 a splendid general! He s Miss Scarsdale s cousin. 
 You ve never seen Miss Scarsdale, Margaret, have 
 
 you 
 
 MARGARET (offering her the butter plate): No, never, my 
 lady. 
 
 ALICE (taking a piece of butter) : Well (She hurries to 
 swallow more toast, aided by a fresh sip of tea) : she s 
 Milton s sweetheart and she s devoted to him 
 and, besides, she s beautiful and sweet, gentle and good, 
 clever and brave, kind and lovable Ah, Margaret, 
 nothing like happiness to make one feel at peace with 
 the whole world! Where is John? I want to thank 
 him, too. I shall never be able to do enough for you 
 both, after this Oh ! there goes my tea ! (Accident 
 ally she has upset her cup of tea.) 
 
 MARGARET : Wait, my lady ! (She takes a white cloth from 
 the kitchen table Right 2, returns Center, and soaks in the 
 tea from the table cloth.) 
 
 ALICE: Oh, I m so nervous. I I suppose it s because 
 the pain is gone. Oh, how I suffered, Margaret. I 
 know now that hearts do not break; they only ache, 
 Margaret. (More and more slowly, with increasing 
 tremor) and mine ached and ached 
 (The reaction setting in, her elbows upon the table, press 
 ing her face between her hands) : Oh, it has been terrible. 
 (She weeps quietly.) 
 
 MARGARET: Nay, nay my lady mustn t weep any more. 
 
 ALICE (rising, walking down stage, drying her eyes) : Please
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 135 
 
 don t mind me. These tears do not hurt. They do me 
 good. (She slowly turns and forces herself to smile 
 through her tears Nervously) Ha ! ha ! what a cry 
 baby you must think I am. But there (She makes an 
 effort at being cheerful) I won t do so again (With 
 increasing cheerfulness) I ll try to laugh instead. Yes, 
 for I want to laugh now and be merry. (With smiling 
 touch of pathos) It s the first time in so many days, 
 Margaret. 
 
 MARGARET: Merry an it is! 
 
 (Enter Josephine quickly R. I. E. She wears a riding 
 habit.) 
 
 ALICE (rushing to her) : Josephine ! 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Alice! I m so glad to see you! 
 
 ALICE: I m glad to see you too! Have you come all alone? 
 
 JOSEPHINE: I dismissed our man servant after fording 
 the river, as he had to be back and I knew the way. 
 
 ALICE : Anyhow you re here. 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Aye, but you Oh, Alice, isn t it alto 
 gether perfectly dreadful? 
 
 ALICE : Why no, dearie 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Then, you ve had news of Milton? 
 
 ALICE : No, but there s nothing further to apprehend now. 
 Mr. Courtnay has been here and has gone to warn 
 him. 
 
 JOSEPHINE: To warn him? Who? 
 
 ALICE (during the following speech Alice, who has Jose 
 phine s hat in her hand, goes to deposit it Left, speaking 
 rapidly) : Milton, of course. (She moves away, speaking 
 brightly and rapidly.) He s just left, and is going to 
 muster up several men who will patrol the highways 
 and simply surround Milton as he approaches our house. 
 (Coming back) It is fortunate you sent him ahead it 
 gives him more time.
 
 136 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 JOSEPHINE (who has been glaring at her recovering the 
 faculty of speech) : But Alice / did not send him ! 
 
 ALICE (stopping short, repeating slowly after her not 
 yet realizing the full significance of Josephine s words) : 
 You did not send him? 
 
 JOSEPHINE (trembling with suspense) : Why no ! 
 
 ALICE (her voice gradually beginning to quiver) : How then 
 came he to know I was here? 
 
 JOSEPHINE: I don t know; possibly traced back your 
 messenger. 
 
 ALICE (her alarm increasing) : But he brought me 
 back my letter to you. Here! (She presents her the 
 letter with trembling hands. Letter was on table near 
 hei .) 
 
 JOSEPHINE : I cannot understand it ! He must have stolen 
 it! He s Milton s bitter enemy! 
 
 ALICE (half reeling, with a moan of despair) : Oh, my God ! 
 
 JOSEPHINE (wildly, with utter dismay) : Oh, what is it you 
 have done? What have you told him? 
 
 MARGARET (joining her hands) : Merciful heaven ! 
 
 ALICE (with a wail of despair) : Alas ! Ev-e-ry-thing ! 
 Ev-e-ry- thing ! 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Oh, Alice! 
 
 MARGARET: My poor, unfortunate lady! 
 
 ALICE: Oh, the coward! The coward! (Transitting grad 
 ually from despair to anger) : And all the time, while he 
 was cross-questioning me, he w r as laughing. Well, 
 we ll see he laughs best who laughs last ! 
 
 JOSEPHINE: What can we do? 
 
 ALICE: Do? Start immediately on his tracks! 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Aye! and reach London before him! 
 
 ALICE: Margaret, fetch my waist. (She begins to remove 
 the jacket she is wearing.) 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Where s my hat?
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 137 
 
 ALICE: There! 
 
 (Josephine goes and gets it.) 
 
 Oh, the arch-fiend! Well! We ll see! My blood is 
 
 roused now I m full of fight! 
 
 (Margaret returns on the run with the waist.) 
 
 MARGARET : Here s your waist, my lady. 
 
 ALICE: Help me, Josephine! We must hurry. He has 
 half an hour s start on us. Margaret, tell John to saddle 
 my horse and one for himself, too, to accompany us! 
 I don t care what happens now husband or no hus 
 band! king or no king! They re all a lot of sanguinary 
 fiends ! 
 (Josephine is helping her.) 
 
 MARGARET (who meanwhile has opened the window, leaning 
 out and calling off Right, at the top of her lungs) : Ja-ahn ! 
 (Uttered in two notes, the last climbing up to a falsetto 
 range, after the fashion of a yodle.) Hurry! On yer 
 life, man ! ! Saddle my lady s horse an yer own 
 too! ! 
 
 JOSEPHINE (to Margaret, speaking above Alice s shoulder, 
 fastening the latter s waist) : And mine also. 
 
 MARGARET (shouting again): An Miss Scarsdale s, also. 
 
 ALICE: Margaret! My hat and my purse! 
 
 (Every time that Margaret starts on the run to execute 
 these orders being extremely stout and heavy her 
 feet make a sort of thump, thump noise on the floor.) 
 
 MARGARET (starting across stage for U. L. E., without clos 
 ing the window) : Yes (She already breathes heavily 
 from sheer exertion.) 
 
 ALICE: And to think that he s related to you! 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Don t mind! I despise him as much as you 
 do! 
 
 ALICE: The traitor! 
 
 JOSEPHINE : I meant to put you on your guard the evening
 
 138 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 I was expected at your house, after meeting Milton at 
 the "Cross-Road-Inn," but when I came you know 
 under what circumstances it went out of my mind. 
 He tried to kill Milton at our house the night you were 
 there, after you d gone. 
 
 ALICE: Oh! the liar and hyprocrite ! And he was rejoicing 
 all the time to find you hadn t told me! And he made 
 use of it to gain my confidence. 
 
 MARGARET (always running, enters from U. L. E. She is 
 puffing} : The hat and purse my lady! 
 
 ALICE: My gauntlets are on my table in my room, dearie. 
 (Josephine starts for U. L. E.) 
 My whip, too! 
 (To Margaret} 
 
 Hold this! (She tries to press the purse in the nurse s 
 hand in order to put on her hat, but both are so excited 
 and nervous that the purse ends by dropping to the floor. 
 Margaret picks it up. Alice starts to put on her hat.) 
 My poor brain is on fire! Isn t it horrible, Margaret 
 now isn t it? That there should exist in the world 
 men so unprincipled as to take advantage of a woman 
 as helpless as myself? 
 
 MARGARET (softly weeping, shaking her head with pity for 
 Alice) : Oh, my lady 
 
 ALICE : Don t waste a tear yet, Margaret wait till you 
 hear! I was never more determined in my life than in 
 the present undertaking ! Ask John to take his 
 blunderbuss along. I may have use for it! 
 
 JOSEPHINE (entering rapidly from U. L. E.) : Your gaunt 
 lets and whip, Alice. 
 
 MARGARET (once more running and calling off through the 
 window, this time not so loud, as John is presumably 
 nearer) : Ja-ahn, get yer blunderbuss ! My lady says 
 so!
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 139 
 
 ALICE (receiving the gauntlets from Josephine): Thanks. 
 
 (She starts to put them on.) I m going to make things hot 
 
 when we reach London! You ll see! 
 JOHN (off Right, responding to his wife from the distance] : 
 
 All right wife! 
 ALICE : We can muster men as well as he and before his 
 
 men seize Milton, I ll kill Mr. Courtnay! 
 JOSEPHINE: I wish you would! Hurry, Alice, the horses 
 
 are ready ! 
 
 (Have one horse, if possible, seen in the foggy atmosphere 
 
 outside, beyond the window. Josephine opens U. R. C. 
 
 door and exits off Right. She is seen later hoisting herself 
 
 into saddle.) 
 
 ALICE (taking up her whip from the table) : Yes, yes ! Good 
 bye, Margaret. 
 MARGARET (who has been all this while weeping) : Oh, my 
 
 lady I m afraid, 
 
 (Josephine disappears from view on horseback.) 
 ALICE (edging back toward the door of exit): Now don t 
 
 you worry over me, dear old nursey ! 
 MARGARET (following her to the threshold, reluctant to let 
 
 go of her hand) : I will implore God every moment for 
 
 you! 
 ALICE (in doorway) : Nay, but more for my brother. Pray 
 
 that I arrive in time, Margaret, before Robert Court- 
 ^nay reaches him. 
 JOSEPHINE (once more coming in view before the window for 
 
 a mere second) : Alice ! Come ! 
 
 (Again she disappears.) 
 
 ALICE: Yes! (Then quickly to Margaret, embracing her a 
 )8f second) Fare you well ! (She starts off Right.) 
 MARGARET (in the doorway, a trifle outside) : God speed my 
 
 lady! 
 
 (Possibly the same horse used by Josephine can now back
 
 140 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 slightly in view, as Alice mounts it. After Alice has 
 
 mounted her horse and disappeared.} 
 
 Good bye, John! Watch ye well over her ladyship! 
 
 (Another slight pause and then as if they were all moving 
 
 away together.} 
 
 Fare you well 
 
 (Another pause. Then she waves her hand as if they were 
 
 too far already to hear her voice. She remains still 
 
 against the frame of the door, watching them gradually 
 
 gallop away. The curtain comes down quietly, with 
 
 Margaret still gazing steadily afar, a lone figure on the 
 
 scene.} 
 
 CURTAIN
 
 ACT IV
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 Scene LORD RUSSMORE S STUDY, TUESDAY AFTER 
 NOON, DEC. HTH, 1688. AT RISE OF CURTAIN, IT Is 
 NEARLY THREE O CLOCK. THE WALLS OF THIS 
 ROOM ARE OF A LIGHT GRAY COLOR, FINISHED WITH 
 GOLD; HERE AND THERE, A PANEL OF TAPESTRY. 
 THE CURTAINS AT THE Two WINDOWS UP STAGE ARE 
 ALSO OF A SOFT GRAY COLOR. THE WHOLE EFFECT Is 
 COLD. THE FURNITURE is SOFT-GREENISH-GRAY 
 AND MASSIVE. 
 
 Directly up center, there is a book-case, three or four feet 
 high, with closing doors. Rows of books are perceived 
 through the glass. On the top of this book-case, two 
 candelabra on each end, and a dark-wood, heavily- 
 carved casket in the center. Hanging above the book-case, 
 a large oil painting representing Lord Russmore s father. 
 It is quite sombre, but for the face which stands out white, 
 austere and proud, and bears out traits of resemblance to 
 the son. A few steps down stage from the book-cases 
 a large rectangular writing table an arm-chair stand: 
 between it and the book-case. On this writing table: 
 pieces of parchment, a sand-box, ink, quill, an immense 
 red book with a gold tassle to it, a small steel hoop, half an 
 inch of same cut off at one place in guise of a gong. 
 It is suspended to two uprights and one horizontal little 
 pole; a small steel rod, to strike the sound with, leans 
 against the hoop. U. R. and U. L., respectively, stiff 
 straight-back settees, set obliquely R. C. a heavy arm-chair; 
 one with a tall back to it.
 
 144 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 Left 2, a second book-case, this time without doors to it. 
 On top of this book-case, two medium size antiques 
 Roman urns: in the center, an antique gold cup with 
 carved garlands of vine leaves and grapes wound around 
 from stem to rim the rim of this cup is dented and 
 broken here and there. Hanging above the book-case, a 
 large oil painting of the Queen of England. Chairs on 
 either side of the book-cases (Left 2, and U. C.) with 
 straight tall back, set flat against the wall. Similar chairs 
 D. Right, and D. Left. Doors: Right 1 and Right 3, 
 Left 1 and Left 3 Right 2 a mantel and fire-place. 
 Fresh logs are in the grate, but no fire is lighted. On top 
 of the mantel, two small gold candelabra at each end: in 
 the center, a casket of carved ivory over the mantel, like 
 drop of blood on the wall, and in the colorless surroundings 
 hangs an oil painting of His Majesty, James II, in 
 purple-red royal garments. The oil paintings of the King 
 and Queen should be of similar size; the one of Lord 
 Russmore s father should be larger. Two pair of trailing 
 curtains soft grey color to the respective windows 
 U. L. C. and U. R. C. One of the panes of U. R. C. 
 window is set in a separate casing, to form a ventilator 
 that swings open on hinges and is fastened by means of a 
 little latch. Through the windows, the exterior in front 
 of the house, as represented in Act II, Scene I, is dimly 
 perceived. The fog, however, has lifted, but the day is 
 dismal and gloomy. It gradually clears and brightens 
 up as the act progresses, until, finally, the sun shines 
 brightly at the end. Lord Russmore s cape, hat, sword 
 and belt repose on the settee U. Left. 
 Discovered, at rise of curtain, Lord Russmore, seated 
 before the writing table, absorbed at work; Fobs, the valet, 
 stands before the book-case Left 2, quietly assorting and 
 arranging the books on the shelf, once in a while wiping
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 145 
 
 away dust from one of them. Mary, the child s governess, 
 is seated in the tall arm-chair Right C., a folio of colored 
 pictures in her lap, showing these to Henry who stands 
 beside her. 
 
 A pause after curtain rises, then the same belfry-bell heard 
 in Act II, Scenes I and II, is heard striking 3 o clock. 
 During Intermission, preceding this act, the orchestra 
 may play "Alice Where Art Thou. " Any curtain music 
 should cease as the curtain rises, so as to permit the 
 scratching noise of Lord Russmore s pen, as it runs over 
 the parchment, to be heard. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (speaking only after a pause, and the 
 three strokes of the belfry have died away quietly, with 
 out so much as raising his head or interrupting his writ 
 ing) : Fobs 
 (A short pause.) 
 
 MARY (turning to a new picture, addressing Fobs softly, 
 who hasn t heard): Fobs. (She nods her head slightly 
 in Lord Russmore s direction.) 
 
 FOBS (drawn out of his reverie) : Oh. (He approaches Lord 
 Russmore.) I beg pardon, m lord. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (quietly speaking, without looking up): 
 Close the window. 
 
 (Fobs inclines his head. He closes the window U. L. C. 
 and arranges the curtains.) 
 
 HENRY (suddenly looking up inquiringly at Mary) : W ale 
 is mamma, eh, Maly? 
 
 MARY (trying to divert him, affecting not to have heard, 
 quickly turning to the next picture): Look! Look! 
 Master Henry The nice bow-wow ! (She indicates 
 it.) 
 
 HENRY (plaintively) : I wan tie go loo w ale is mamma. 
 
 MARY (closing the folio and lifting him into her arms) : No, 
 no, Master Henry.
 
 146 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 HENRY (weeping quietly} : I wan mamma ! . . . 
 
 (Mary pillows his little head against her, and starts to 
 rock him, endeavoring to soothe him.) 
 
 MARY: Now now not now, Master Henry; Bye and 
 Bye: mama will surely come. (She rocks him singing) 
 La! la! ... La! la! ... Master Henry mustn t cry 
 Mary cannot bear it. ... (She hums her song half 
 tearfully herself) La ! la ! . . . la ! la ! . . . 
 (During the latter part of this, Lord Russmore has 
 stopped writing, looking at them. He now rises and quiet 
 ly approaches Mary and the child.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (after a pause, standing beside them): 
 Is the child unwell, Mary 4 ? 
 
 MARY (continuing to sing and rock Henry) : Only since 
 yesterday has he taken these spells, m lord. (Hums 
 La! la! ... (Then proceeding almost to sing the lines) 
 The greater part of last night he lay awake crying and 
 calling for his mamma . . . (Hums) Ah-ha ah-ha 
 Now he s again asking for her ladyship. . . . (Hums. 
 All this time not looking at Lord Russmore) M m! M m! 
 . . . La! la! 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (with reserve, though with visible pain): 
 Let me have him a while. 
 (Mary rises.) 
 He s sleepy. 
 
 (He takes Henry into his arms.) Come, my little man, 
 with papa! . . . (He kisses him fondly.) 
 
 HENRY (feverishly rubbing his eyes and nose with his little 
 closed hand) : Henly wan tel go to mamma. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Yes, of course you see . . . (He 
 stops abruptly, remembering the servants presence.) 
 We ll go and talk it all over by ourselves. (Going toward 
 Left I.) Papa will take good care of his little son. 
 (He stops as he reaches the exit) Fobs it is three
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 147 
 
 o clock now; either you or Mary attend the door. Carry 
 out my instructions. And one of you inform me 
 whilst the other admits any caller. (This is said over 
 his shoulder, facing front to them.) 
 
 FOBS: Yes, m lord. 
 
 (Lord Russmore stoops over the childish form in his arms, 
 
 and exits embracing his son.) 
 
 (Fobs closes the door after Lord Russmore. Mary, 
 
 meanwhile, picks up the picture folio from the floor, and 
 
 goes to deposit it on table above mantel. 
 
 (Addressing Mary in quiet remonstrative tones) Why 
 
 have told is lordship about the child s cryin spells, 
 
 Mary? (Shaking his head disapprovingly, mounting to 
 
 resume his work) It doesn t elp matters a bit. 
 
 MARY (simply): I just couldn t elp it, Fobs. Seeing the 
 poor bairn crying all night, an me not knowin what 
 to say, was enough to turn a body s head. Our dear 
 mistress away, an no means of learnin why, whither, 
 or where she went. 
 
 FOBS (assorting the books, sadly shaking his head): The 
 more reason why you should n t hev given is Lordship 
 added pain. Maybe he cannot elp imself: He s been 
 a good master to you and me, Mary. 
 
 MARY: I know. (Sighing) All this mystery betokens 
 some great trial we know not wot of. What think you 
 can have happened? 
 
 FOBS: One cannot tell. In these dreadful days t is enough 
 if one kin call one s soul is own. 
 
 MARY: I shall never understand it. And Sir Andrews 
 who yesternoon brought a score o men here for his 
 lordship to hire. 
 
 FOBS (flourishing his book in indication): And them 
 scurryin hither and thither about the premises since 
 this mornin Jacob says they re now lyin about in
 
 148 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 wait, an they will step in an arrest this caller his 
 lordship expects. 
 
 MARY: Surely some State offender. 
 
 FOBS: But then, what / cannot make out is why this man 
 will come ere askin to see her ladyship? Yesternoon, 
 after the men had gone, his lordship says to me : " Fobs, " 
 says he, "to-morrow, about three o clock, should any 
 visitor come askin to see Lady Russmore, admit him 
 and say she is at home ; should he ask after me 
 say that I am still in Chichester: immediately h-inform 
 me." 
 
 MARY: And his lordship spoke the same words to me. It 
 must be this has to do with our lady s absence some 
 how. 
 
 FOBS : Jacob says t was rumored late last night the 
 Queen and her child had fled to France. (He pauses 
 abruptly in his work upon hearing the front door bell 
 ring.) There! . . . 
 
 MARY: Go and open. (She goes to window to look cau 
 tiously out between the curtains. 
 
 FOBS (starting quickly for Left 3.} I wonder if it can 
 be- 
 
 MARY (as Fobs exits, looking out): Likely tis Lady 
 Scarsdale; tis her usual hour to come and visit the 
 child since her ladyship s away. 
 
 (She arranges the curtains. Enter Lady Scarsdale Left 
 3E.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (Xing to the writing table and depositing 
 a small package, greeting Mary with a pleasant nod on 
 the way): Fobs said I should find you in here. (She 
 starts to undo the package that she has brought.) 
 
 MARY: Good afternoon, your ladyship. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: This morning I purchased a little 
 novelty for Henry. A French toy to amuse him.
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 149 
 
 (She produces from the box a Jumping-Jack painted in 
 French Pierrot coloring.) 
 
 MARY: Oh, indeed, your ladyship, it will delight him. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (setting it to motion by pulling the strings) 
 Isn t it amusing? (Laying it in the box) How is the 
 dear baby to-day? 
 
 MARY : Last night t was pitiful he lay awake the whole 
 night long crying for his mother, and no way to console 
 him. (She takes the wrappings of the box, and puts them 
 in fire-place under the logs.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: The poor, dear little man. 
 
 MARY: In the end I cried myself twas so sad. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: I can understand. You love your mis 
 tress very dearly. 
 
 MARY: Oh! . . . (Expressive of "a great great deal.") 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: And I imagine you would do a great 
 deal, if you knew, in some way or other, that you could 
 make her very happy. 
 
 MARY : Indeed I would 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE : Mary you say that her dear child 
 cries demanding her; what if it should be in your power 
 to help me bring her to this dear little heart again? 
 
 MARY: I could do this, your ladyship? 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Would you hesitate? 
 
 MARY: Indeed no, your ladyship. But how is this to be 
 done? 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: On my way here to-day, I resolved to 
 trust you with a secret. Are you capable of keeping 
 my confidence even from Lord Russmore? If I 
 pledge you in the end to restore happiness to this 
 house? 
 
 MARY : Oh, please rely upon me. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Yes; for I m sure that I can trust you. 
 My plan may fail; it may succeed, it largely depends
 
 150 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 upon us at any rate, no harm will come of it to try. 
 
 Where is Lord Russmore? 
 
 MARY: He left the room a while ago with the child. 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Does Fobs alone answer the door, 
 
 Mary? 
 MARY: Either Fobs or myself, when I m not attending 
 
 the child. 
 LADY SCARSDALE : You must then contrive to relieve him, 
 
 otherwise remain outside in front of the house with 
 
 the child if possible. Can you do this? 
 MARY: Easily. 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Now, pay attention carefully, Mary, 
 
 if you betray my trust, you will ruin your master and 
 
 mistress irretrievably. 
 
 MARY: Your ladyship knows full well I shall not do so. 
 LADY SCARSDALE: I believe you. Listen! When you see 
 
 a gentleman presenting himself this afternoon wait 
 
 not till he speaks, but ask him outright if he is Sieur 
 
 d Orsay. 
 
 MARY (repeating) : Sieur d Orsay? 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Sieur d Orsay. Insist on it! And if he 
 
 answers yes say to him that Lady Scarsdale is here 
 
 awaiting him to receive the message which he carries. 
 
 That he must come straightways to me. 
 MARY : I understand, but 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Mary, I wish you to trust me, even 
 
 though I cannot tell you more; but if you do this, 
 
 probably to-night, or to-morrow, your mistress will be 
 
 here and herself thank you for the service you ll have 
 
 rendered her and your master as well, unbeknown to 
 
 him, this day. 
 
 MARY: Depend upon me! When must I start? 
 LADY SCARSDALE: At once! Without delay! 
 
 (Mary starts.)
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 151 
 
 Take this toy ! (She goes and gets it and meets Mary half 
 way) It furnishes you an excuse to relieve Lord Russ- 
 more of the care of the child. (Accompanying her 
 toward L. I. E) Remember, Sieur d Orsay. (She stops 
 about Left C.) 
 
 MARY (on her way to L. L E.) : Sieur d Orsay. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: And, Mary. (Mary stops.) If my 
 daughter should come here, be sure to do whatever she 
 asks of you. 
 
 MARY: Aye. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Sieur d Orsay. 
 
 MARY : Sieur d Orsay. (At doorway) Bless me, if I don t 
 feel as it were, my mistress was here already! (Brush 
 ing a tear away with the reverse of her hand, she exits 
 L. I. E.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (who has mounted up stage on her way 
 toward both windows): Now, provided my little 
 stratagem works out till the end, and I succeed in ex 
 tricating Milton from here, (she sets the curtains of 
 U. R. C. and U. L. C. windows far apart) for the 
 time being, the situation will be materially changed. 
 (As she opens the ventilator and puts a last touch to the 
 curtains) This way I can gain a better view of the out 
 side. (She comes down stage.) 
 (Enter Lord Russmore L. I. E.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Good afternoon. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (to his encounter) : Good afternoon. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (as he shakes her hand and retains it): 
 Faithful from first to last to come daily and cheer us 
 up. (He lets go her hand.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Some people have so little to do, my 
 lord, so much time to themselves, that tis no great 
 credit if they devote a little of it to others. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (shaking his head negatively, as he steps
 
 152 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 toward the arm-chair Right C.) : Misrepresentations of 
 your golden acts will only serve to lend them fresh 
 lustre. This instance, for example. (As he draws the chair 
 a little up stage in invitation for her to sit down) Lady 
 Scarsdale, I thank you for taking the trouble to bring 
 my little son a new toy. A very ingenious one. I 
 placed it in his hand. 
 
 (Lady Scarsdale has gone to the arm-chair, Lord Russ- 
 more Xes to the mantel, remaining standing by same.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (sitting down): How is the darling boy 
 to-day? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: For the present he is fast asleep. I 
 sang him one of Alice s songs. He was accustomed to 
 hear her sing it before retiring. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: This, naturally, soon lulled him to 
 sleep. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Yes. (After a brief pause) I have been 
 hoping that in time he may grow to miss her less ; that 
 is, if it is not too much to ask of you to come here 
 once a day for some time yet to help me. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Oh, I am glad to hear you speak so; 
 until four days ago, you would not yield to my sugges 
 tion of doing this. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : I could not comprehend until then that 
 your perseverance to call here came solely from your 
 own great kindness of heart. Pride blinded me. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Lastly you confided your misfortune 
 to me. It made it easier for me to help you bear it. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Yes. I think the blow was so great 
 that to a degree it made me numb insensible, as it 
 were, to kindness as well as to any additional pain. 
 At first, the mental anguish nearly drove me frantic! 
 Now, I m cold and collected: one part of me is dead 
 that part of me where my heart existed . . . The love
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 153 
 
 that I bore my child and the love that I bore her only 
 differed in sense, but each filled a complete heart in me. 
 That made two hearts whose every throb I*felt with 
 unspeakable pride and joyousness. Now, of the two, 
 only one remains: the other died and changed to gall, 
 instilling murderous thoughts against him that deprived 
 me of its life. Constantly before me is the spectacle of 
 their infamy. I cannot escape; always it recurs to my 
 mind; to blot him out of the picture I must perforce 
 seize this thief of her good name ; in the rest I shall then 
 aim to become resigned time will teach me per 
 haps who knows. . . . 
 
 (He remains still absorbed in thought. Lady Scarsdale is 
 the first to break the scene by rising and slowly Xing left. 
 He becomes conscious of her movement, and also comes out 
 of his meditation.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE : You are confident that he will keep his 
 appointment to come this afternoon, m lord? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: I have no reason not to hope so. Un 
 less (He looks toward the windows.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Unless they are together, you mean. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (reaching the windows, he draws the cur 
 tains together, taking some precaution to keep out of view 
 from the outside) : Pardon me, if I draw the curtains : 
 some passer-by might chance to espy me. Will you re 
 main to take tea? 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: No, my lord; I sent Josephine on an 
 errand to a poor woman in distress; I should be home 
 when she returns. By the way, I asked Sieur d Orsay 
 to stop here and escort me home on his way; I hope 
 you ll not deem my asking him to call here a liberty. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Not in the least. (He strikes the steel 
 hoop on the writing-table. Afterwards he sits facing same.) 
 How is Sieur d Orsay? I have not seen him since
 
 154 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 I recollect; (takes up pen) we spoke to each other 
 the day of Lady Russmore s disappearance no, it 
 was the following morning the day I supposedly 
 left for Chichester. Pray excuse me if I write. We 
 met on the way to the palace. 
 (Enter Fobs Left 3 E.) 
 
 Fobs, despatch Jacob to Quigsby to learn if ought has 
 occurred wait till he returns and bring me word. 
 
 FOBS: Yes, m lord. 
 
 (Exit Right 3.} 
 
 LADY SCABSDALE (who has divined the truth, but has mas 
 tered herself quickly) : Have you someone out there 
 watching, my lord? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Several men. (He resumes his writing, 
 she goes to the window.) 
 
 You will not see them; they re in hiding. I ve left 
 nothing to chance 
 (Standing above him, Lady Scarsdale glares.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: But how will you know the culprit if 
 he s nabbed before he enters the house and asks for ? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : Everyone will be allowed to call at this 
 house unmolested, but none to depart and pass without 
 a word from me. 
 
 (Lady Scarsdale appears somewhat relieved.) 
 On the other hand, anyone seen lurking or loitering 
 about, approaching this house without entering it in 
 the end, will be stopped and afterwards examined by 
 me. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE : Indeed you could not have taken more 
 thorough precautions I hope the wretch is taken ! 
 (The last line is said as she comes down stage and a 
 flicker of a smile comes to her lips.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: He will be if he comes here! (Having 
 risen, he comes to her.) Considering that you and Sieur
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 155 
 
 d Orsay will be leaving together t were well to pro 
 vide you with this order to the men who are watching. 
 (She takes the permit.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Thank you. (Then with paper in hand, 
 laughing a little) To be frank, I was about to demand 
 a dozen such. I feel so timid. So glad we happened to 
 talk about it. For, imagine Sieur d Orsay, for instance, 
 seeing anyone barring our way, or being rude to me: 
 Goodness! fancy him becoming excited and pouring 
 out his indignation in French to them 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: True, that should have produced a 
 crisis. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (mounting up stage): And if anything 
 had happened to him, oh, my daughter would never 
 have forgiven me. (She turns front, her back against 
 the front of the writing table.) There! ... I knew I 
 should end by doing it ! 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: What? 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: I ve committed a breach of confidence. 
 I ve betrayed her secret. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Have you? (Tumbling) Oh! (He 
 crosses to the mantel to lower down the cover of the ivory 
 casket which is raised.) I thought it was Mr. Court- 
 nay who was in favor. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Oh, Robert is easily accounted for 
 (She suddenly hears, as it were, voices off Left. She turns 
 sharply towards Left 3, and while Russmore is Xing to 
 the mantel, ascertaining this first, she Xes to Left 3, E, 
 continuing to speak) he s attracted by her dowry. 
 (She parts the door quickly a little and as rapidly with 
 draws and seems seized with great agitation) Lately he s 
 been insanely jealous of Sieur d Orsay. 
 (Meanwhile she comes further down stage, speaking and, 
 at the same time, trying to think out how to meet an emer-
 
 156 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 gency. Lord Russmore, after taking up the casket and 
 glancing inside and touching the contents, places it back 
 on the mantel.) 
 
 Josephine has great trouble in keeping them apart. 
 (She suddenly gets an inspiration and approaches Left 
 I.) I think I hear the child crying 
 (Simultaneously enters Mary Left 3 E.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (shifting his eyes from Lady Scarsdale 
 to Mary) : What is it, Mary? 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (as Mary looks at her) : Is it someone for 
 me? 
 
 MARY: Sieur d Orsay to see Lady Scarsdale. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Tis well. Admit him. (To Lady 
 Scarsdale while Mary departs) Pray receive him in here, 
 whilst I look after the child. (Saying which he crosses 
 to Left I. E.) You ll remain till I return? Pray do. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Certainly. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: As soon as Fobs is here, Mary can re 
 lieve me. 
 
 (Lady Scarsdale nods assentingly Exit Lord Russ 
 more Left I. E.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (changing manner the instant Lord Russ 
 more is out): Phew! ... I nearly lost my head, he 
 took me so by surprise! (Said on way to Right 3 E., her 
 eyes turned in the direction of Left 3 E.) I never thought 
 of his being admitted by Mary without first ringing ! 
 (She casts a quick glance off Right 3 to see that Fobs is 
 not returning and closes back the door. As she starts 
 toward Left 3, enters Milton. She quickly raises her 
 finger to her lips enjoining him silence, crosses him and 
 closes the door Left 3. They turn simultaneously, 
 facing each other.} 
 
 (Her voice subdued, with intensity and speaking rapidly) 
 Quick! Give me the paper that you bring Alice!
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 157 
 
 You re in the lion s lair ! With spies swarming the prem 
 ises outside! Here s a pass to get us through! 
 
 MILTON (one hand inside his doublet, taking the pass with 
 the other) : Where s Alice? 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE : Don t ask any questions but give 
 me the paper there s no time ! Lord Russmore may 
 step into the room any moment! 
 (She steps down stage, her eyes focused on Left I. E. 
 He follows her down, taking the paper out from inside his 
 coat.) 
 
 MILTON (above her right shoulder) : Then he is not in Chi- 
 chester? 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (still her eyes focused on Left I. E.): 
 No; he doubled back on his steps at nightfall the day he 
 went and has since been hiding here! (She snatches 
 the paper from his hand, but keeps on looking at Left I. E.) 
 I made pretense I was waiting for you Sieur d Orsay 
 
 to escort me home on your way. Is this it? (Mean 
 ing the mandate.) 
 
 MILTON: Yes; but one word more where is Alice? 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Ran away rather than betray you. 
 
 Never fear, I shall be here to-night to present this paper. 
 MILTON: Then Russmore who, the next day, led me to 
 
 believe 
 LADY SCARSDALE: He deceived you like everyone else. 
 
 The important thing is that we get away. I promised 
 
 we would remain till he returned. He knows nothing 
 
 so resume your French. When we leave I will tell 
 you everything! (She takes a sudden step toward the 
 door Left, then quickly warning Milton.) Sh! . . . 
 (She crosses to Right C., and sits while Milton steps 
 up stage, placing Lord Russmore s order to pass inside 
 his coat.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (heard as he opens the door): Here we
 
 158 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 are ! . . . (He enters leading the child in front of him 
 
 into the room) Now demonstrate to Lady Scarsdale how 
 
 well you can manipulate it. (Urging the child forward, 
 
 as he raises his head and perceives Milton.) 
 HENRY (Xing to Lady Scarsdale, making the toy wiggle) . 
 
 Loo! . . . (He is greatly amused.} 
 LORD RUSSMORE (genially to Milton): Ah Sieur d Orsay. 
 
 Welcome ! 
 MILTON (effusively pressing his hand): T ank you, mee 
 
 Lord Russmore! 
 
 (Lady Scarsdale laughs, chiming in with the child s 
 
 amusement.) 
 HENRY: Mamma blought Henly nice playtling. (He 
 
 manipulates it afresh.) 
 LADY SCARSDALE (fondly taking him up in her lap): 
 
 Mamma brought him nice plaything Just listen to 
 
 him. 
 
 HENRY : Loo ! (He manipulates it and laughs.) 
 MILTON (Xing to them) : An dis eeze your leetle son 
 
 mee lord? 
 LORD RUSSMORE (remaining where he stood): Yes, Sieur 
 
 d Orsay. 
 MILTON (fondly placing his hand upon his golden head): 
 
 A nize leetle man. 
 
 (Enters Mary quietly Left 2 E. She comes down Left of 
 
 stage slowly.) 
 
 He eeze ow old, mee lord? 
 HENRY (quickly) : Flive years ! 
 
 (Lady Scarsdale laughs and hugs him.) 
 MILTON: Five? H n!h n!h n! . . . 
 
 (Lady Scarsdale first catches sight of Mary and releases 
 
 the child.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: What is it, Mary? 
 MARY: Miss Scarsdale has just come and wishes to see 
 
 your ladyship.
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 159 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (rising): Certainly! 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Why not ask her to come in? 
 
 MARY : She would not, m lord, as she has been riding and is 
 
 covered with dust. 
 LADY SCARSDALE : The poor darling must be tired out ! 
 
 Will you excuse me? 
 
 (Lord Russmore nods Milton bows.) 
 
 (Lady Scarsdale turns at door.) 
 
 I will see if I cannot coax her to come in, Sieur d Orsay. 
 MILTON : Please ah yes ! . . . 
 
 (Exit Lady Scarsdale Left 3 E.) 
 LORD RUSSMORE (to Milton, as the latter approaches 
 
 Henry and stands back of him) : Lady Scarsdale has a 
 
 very big heart, Sieur d Orsay. 
 MILTON (his hands resting each side of the child s shoulders) : 
 
 Trrue, mee lord and Miss, her daughter, has a vary 
 
 beautiful soul! (His gaze becomes uplifted.) 
 
 (Lord Russmore looks at him and cannot help smiling at 
 
 his fervour.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Both remarkable women! 
 HENRY: Loo ! (He pulls the strings of the toy violently, 
 
 the latter goes into antics.) 
 MILTON : Ah ! . . . (He sits in the arm-chair and draws the 
 
 child near him) a f unnee pantin ! 
 
 (The word pronounced as it is in French.) 
 HENRY: Mamma blought Henly playthling. 
 MILTON: Yes? ah-ha! . . . 
 
 (To Lord Russmore) Pardon, mee lord I ave not 
 
 ask yet ow eeze Lady Russmore? 
 
 (Pardon is said as in French.) 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Quite well, thank you. She is away at 
 
 present. 
 
 MILTON: Oh, I am sorree (He turns his attention imme 
 diately to the child, smiling to him.)
 
 160 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 HENRY (more and more enthusiastic, and making the toy 
 wriggle frantically}: Loo ! Loo ! . . . (He laughs the 
 while.) 
 
 MILTON (laughing) : Yes (He lifts him up on his knees) 
 Come an sect eere. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: You re fond of children, Sieur d Orsay? 
 
 MILTON: Ah to "distraction," mee lord! 
 ("Distraction" is said as in French.) 
 I ave a leetle nephew, mee lord; ze same age as your 
 lee tie son. 
 
 (To Henry) You are lak my leetle nephew. (Pointing 
 out with his finger playfully) ze hair ze eyes yes, 
 nose altogethare lak im ! (He gives him a fond play 
 ful hug) I love im vary, vary much often I would 
 lak for to go an play wit im, but I cannot al 
 ways I mus go a-way. 
 
 HENRY: Mamma glone away too? 
 
 MILTON : Mamma mus miss you vary much ! 
 
 HENRY : Mamma kliss Henly goo-bye an say Henly mus 
 be goo boy. 
 
 MILTON: Dat eeze Fright! 
 
 HENRY: An Henly love papa, and mamma bling Henly 
 nice play tling : Loo ! 
 
 (He shows the toy without working it. Lord Russmore has 
 stood by the while, still and not betraying his own feelings.) 
 (Enter Lady Scarsdale Left 3 E.) 
 
 MILTON (as Henry shows him the toy, as above described) : 
 Ah-ha! . . . 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (as she opens the door and enters) : They 
 will excuse you, dearie. 
 
 JOSEPHINE (still off stage, entering) : But I look a sight ! 
 (Henry is first to turn his head in their direction. He 
 slips off Milton s lap as Josephine enters. Milton 
 rises.)
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 161 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: They all know that you rode on an 
 errand for me. 
 
 JOSEPHINE (coming down first to Lord Russmore) : Good 
 afternoon, my lord. I am glad to see you safely re 
 turned from Chichester. 
 
 HENRY (running to her} : Loo ! 
 
 JOSEPHINE (bending the knee and embracing him): Oh, 
 you darling! 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: My daughter hesitated to come in, 
 particularly on your account, Sieur d Orsay! 
 
 JOSEPHINE (rising): Sh! maman. (Then Xing to Sir 
 Milton) I was all mussed up You took me by sur 
 prise I did not expect finding you here. 
 
 MILTON (taking her hand, with French gallantry: A most 
 happy "rencontre," mademoiselle, for mee. 
 ("Rencontre" said as in French,) 
 
 JOSEPHINE (to Lady Scarsdale) : Sir Andrews told me you 
 were here, maman; I stopped there on my way. 
 (To Lord Russmore) The whole city is in uproar. 
 Everywhere one hears the rumor that His Majesty has 
 fled to France. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : His Majesty 
 
 JOSEPHINE : Preceded by the Queen and her child. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Impossible. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: One hears so many rumors. (She looks 
 significantly at Milton.) 
 
 MILTON : Mon Dieu an earing so manee, one eeze slow 
 to believe! 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Depend upon it, again this time, tis 
 one more attempt of William to demoralize the people. 
 The trick will fail. Besides, I should have been one of 
 the first informed, had anything happened. 
 
 JOSEPHINE: But everyone believes you still in Chi 
 chester.
 
 162 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : Sir Andrews knows I am here. 
 
 JOSEPHINE: He was starting out to discover whence 
 originated the rumor when I left. 
 
 MILTON: I ave a rendez-vous at zee palace an I weil send 
 you full "information," mee lord. 
 ("Information" said as in French.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (taking his hand offered in leave-taking} : 
 Thank you Not that I am interested in such con 
 coctions, but more curious as to who spread the 
 news. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Sieur d Orsay, it is agreed that you 
 shall escort my daughter home instead of me. I have 
 decided to remain to tea, my lord, since Josephine 
 found me here. 
 
 (Milton approaches Josephine.) 
 
 (Josephine whispers to Milton to give her Lord Russ- 
 more s permit.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Thank you. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: I have provided my daughter with the 
 order w r hich you gave me. (Josephine has it in her 
 hand by this time.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (to Josephine) : If you should prefer, 
 I will send one of the men along with you. (He 
 catches sight of Lady Scarsdale shaking her head nega 
 tively at him, as much as saying "Don t, They wish to 
 be alone." 
 
 JOSEPHINE (meanwhile): This will suffice, thank you. 
 LORD RUSSMORE : Oh, yes, of course I see ... (He 
 goes, smilingly to L. I. E.) I will accompany you as far 
 as the door.) 
 
 (Opening L. I. E., and turning inquiringly) Your 
 horse is in the rear? 
 
 JOSEPHINE: Yes. Au revoir, maman. (She passes out.) 
 LADY SCARSDALE (nodding to her in response as she passes
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 163 
 
 out, then, addressing Milton who is Xing toward the 
 exit) : Au revoir, Sieur d Orsay. 
 
 MILTON (with a gallant bow at door) : Adieu Madame. 
 
 (Exit Milton.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Won t you come along? 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (standing by Henry s side): Henry and 
 I are going out in the park, my lord. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Excuse me then. (He exits L. I., closing 
 the door. Lady Scarsdale nods to him as he exits.) 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (with elation, the moment he is gone): 
 Heavens! who could have believed it? So far, my 
 little stratagem has succeeded! Now, provided the 
 news which Josephine brings is confirmed (Picking 
 the child up in her arms) Oh, my darling ! my darling ! 
 you will see your mother again! You have the most 
 plucky, the most courageous mother that ever lived! 
 (She smothers him with kisses, walking about the room, 
 then when near R. I. E.) Come! We ll also keep watch 
 in the park! 
 
 (Exit Lady Scarsdale quickly R. I. E. with Henry in her 
 arms.) 
 
 (A mere second s wait and Fobs enters rapidly, followed 
 by MASTER QUIGSBY of the King s soldiery. They enter 
 Right 3, E., Fobs very excited, and walking rapidly, 
 Quigsby very slowly and sluggish. He s very warm and 
 exhausted.) (Quigsby is extremely portly, a pompous 
 sort of an individual, arrogant to his inferiors. His eyes 
 fairly bulge out of his fat, round, ruddy face. He fans 
 himself with his hat as he enters.) 
 
 FOBS (half crossing the room toward Left 3 E., then coming 
 back on his steps) : But one moment, Master Quigsby 
 his lordship is hereabouts (Stepping down to the 
 arm-chair, he drags it a couple of feet up stage, wheeling 
 it so that it faces Left.) But pray be seated ! (He starts
 
 164 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 off again, but again returns on his steps.) And let me 
 take your hat. (He takes it.} Maybe you would like a 
 cup o wine to restore ye a little? 
 
 (The more flustered and polite Fobs appears, the more at 
 ease and patronizing is Quigsby.) 
 
 QUIGSBY: Thank ye, Master Fobs, but oi niver imboibe 
 whoilst oi m purformin mee duty! 
 
 FOBS (starting off with Quigsby s hat): I sometimes do! 
 It elps! (He turns again.) I meant no offense. 
 
 QUIGSBY (clearing his throat, coming down toward the chair) : 
 Howiver seein as yur so keen ("kane") about it, 
 oi ll accipt afturr oi ve seen ("sane") his lor ship. 
 (Enter Mary Left 3, E., as Quigsby is about to sit. He 
 stands up again.) 
 
 MARY: What is it, Fobs? 
 
 FOBS (going U. R. and placing Quigsby s hat on the settee) : 
 Where is his lordship? 
 
 MARY : In the rear seeing Miss Scarsdale off. W T hat s 
 amiss? 
 
 FOBS (more and more excited, on his way rapidly toward 
 Left /. E.) The knave his lordship h expected to call 
 as been caught ! (He returns a few steps again toward 
 Center.) H excuse me, Master Quigsby. (He turns to 
 Mary) Mistress Brown this is Master Quigsby of 
 the King s Soldiery. (A few steps away and a few steps 
 back again toward Quigsby.) Mistress Brown will en 
 tertain ye whilst I inform his lordship. (He starts off 
 Left I., returns abruptly again at door.) H excuse me 
 
 (He exits Left I.) 
 
 MARY: And have you truly caught him? 
 
 QUIGSBY (important, with a lofty air) : Aye, Mistress 
 an as ragin a miscreant as iver bawled out oaths and 
 curses. 
 (Enter Lord Russmore Left I. E., followed by Fobs.)
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 165 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Well, Quigsby. You ve arrested some 
 one? 
 QUIGSBY (now become greatly deferential): Aye, yur lor - 
 
 ship. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: What took place? Where is he? 
 QUIGSBY: Under guard insoide the deserted meetin house 
 
 thot stands near the road, on the other soide of yur 
 
 lor ship s park. 
 
 FOBS : He was first spied upon the high road, m lord 
 QUIGSBY (finishing the sentence begun by Fobs) : Roidin 
 
 breakneck our way at about 
 FOBS (continuing Quigsby s thought) : Not more than a 
 
 quarter of an hour ago. 
 LORD RUSSMORE (front of his writing table) : Fobs let 
 
 Quigsby tell it his own way. 
 FOBS: Yes, m lord. 
 QUIGSBY: He halted in front o the meetin -house and 
 
 aftur lookin kirfully about, an there bein no one in 
 
 soight, as he thought, he took his horse back o the 
 
 house and hid it in the bushes. 
 LORD RUSSMORE: What happened then? 
 QUIGSBY: Thin he started off on foot toward this house. 
 
 (Front door bell is heard.) 
 LORD RUSSMORE (to Mary): See who this is! 
 
 (To Quigsby) Proceed! 
 
 (Exit Mary Left 3, E.) 
 QUIGSBY: Reachin the end o the w r all on the road, he 
 
 peered kirfully round it siveral toimes at the house; 
 
 each toime makin sure thot no one was about. 
 
 (Lord Russmore begins to pace back and forth up stage.) 
 
 Thin he turned back and, cloimbin the wall, got into 
 
 the park. 
 
 (Lord Russmore stops and hears Quigsby out.) 
 
 We followed. Behoind the house, he spoid the horse,
 
 166 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 the same thot a young loidy rode up here upon; in a 
 twinklin he was leadin the beast away. "The scurvy 
 thief expicts company," say we to one another "else 
 he is after changin his mount." Howiver, one of us 
 slips into the park and pretinds to be wurkin - 
 "Good day, yur worship," says our man to him as he 
 comes by. "Are ye one of the household?" he asks. 
 "Aye," says our man. "Is Lord Russmore at home," 
 he asks agin. "Nay, his lor ship s in Chichester. " 
 "Thank ye," says he, an he flips him a gold coin. 
 Here tis. 
 
 (He gives it to Lord Russmore who examines it.) 
 (Enters Mary simultaneously Left 3. Her face is tadiant 
 by contrast to the sombre faces in the scene.} 
 
 MARY: Sir Andrews to see you, m lord. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (without turning}: Ask him to kindly 
 walk in. (He returns the coin to Quigsby.} What is the 
 prisoner s name? 
 
 QUIGSBY : He refused to answer. As he was tyiri the horse 
 nixt to his own, we surrounded him. Thin, devancin 
 the rist oi stood behoind him. "Thou thief!" quote I 
 "explain why thou lurkest about and has stolen 
 this horse." "None o thy business, blockhead!" 
 says he "Thou wilt then come answer to him whose 
 business tis!" says I "I will see thee in hell first!" 
 says he: and thereupon he discharges his pistol full at 
 me. 
 
 FOBS: In the nick o time Jacob threw a stump at him it 
 hit his arm 
 
 QUIGSBY: Aye, and was it Jacob that threw the stump? 
 
 FOBS: Aye. An afterwards brought back the stolen 
 horse. 
 
 QUIGSBY: Marry there s small chance of missing me 
 an but for thot stump
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 167 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (impatiently, ceasing to pace the floor): 
 
 Finish what followed then? 
 QUIGBBY: Thin all the rist of us came out o hiding a 
 
 fell on him to a man! 
 
 In sum, you arrested him: 
 
 chance blow on top o his head dropt i 
 He loies there since in the house recoverm his sen 
 Oi thoght best to inform yur lor ship moi: 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Very well! . 
 
 (He simultaneously sees Sir Andrews entering Left 3 
 He goes to him. Mary, a second later, foil ows Sir An- 
 
 indication to believe that if the pnsoner be not the 
 arch villain himself, at least he is connected somehow, 
 orts in conspiracy with him. Fobs! accompany Mr. 
 
 Quigsby. 
 
 (Fobs goes quickly for Quigsby s hat.) 
 See to it that your prisoner revives Quigsby ! Aft, 
 wards detain him and bring him hither - 
 (Qwgsby bows and follows Fobs out Rights EJ 
 SIR ANDREWS: Do you ignore who the prisoner is, my 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: So far he has not divulged his identity; 
 
 we ll soon find it out, once he s brought here! 
 SIB ANDREWS: But supposing that this man was merely 
 
 after the one whom you expected. 
 
 BD CMOKE: For what purpose F What s h,s reason?
 
 168 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 No. His actions alone denote he only sought to insure 
 his personal safety. He was caught lurking, his move 
 ments smacking of suspicion! My good Sir Andrews, 
 there was deeper plotting in the outrage than was pos 
 sible for us to conceive at first. However, we ll soon 
 get at the root of this entire affair now! 
 SIR ANDREWS : Aye, and so you shall I have been to 
 
 Whitehall, my lord. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Oh yes, and you have come to tell me 
 the news? Forgive me, this deplorable business has 
 so preyed upon my mind of late Why, I have not 
 even offered you a chair. 
 
 SIR ANDREWS: I prefer standing thank you. (Taking 
 Lord Russmore s hand in his) You have been very 
 severely tried of late, my lord. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Oh, but I am now getting on passably 
 well, Sir Andrews and with Lady Scarsdale s good 
 help. But pray you have been to Whitehall, you 
 say tell me how fares his Majesty? (Smiling 
 bitterly) Twas thought I had too much influence over 
 him, so they urged an apparent estrangement to exist 
 between us. Fancy this! But nevertheless, in my heart, 
 I feel the king still reposes all trust in me! For he 
 knows that I serve him unselfishly unselfishly ! 
 Sir Andrews and even to the extent of consenting 
 for his policy s welfare to be publicly dismissed and 
 sent on to Chichester There was the test ! 
 SIR ANDREWS: My dear, true, loyal friend. Sit down and 
 
 let us talk matters over. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Yes, Sir Andrews. I always value your 
 advice. (He brings a chair to center and indicates the 
 arm-chair to his friend) And once my wretched house 
 hold affairs are more settled, you and I will go together 
 to the palace. (Sits.) How is His Majesty?
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 169 
 
 SIR ANDREWS: That is one of the subjects I came here 
 especially to speak about. (Leaning forward in his 
 chair toward Lord Russmore) His Majesty (Lastly 
 taking hold of Lord Russmore s hand) Hugo, my dear 
 staunch friend he prepared for very deplorable 
 news (His voice quivers with emotion, born of feelings 
 of loyalty.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: His Majesty is unwell? 
 
 SIR ANDREWS : Have no news reached you as to what has 
 occurred? 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: None except those that you have 
 brought me. I ve held no other communication with 
 the outside now for several days. I ve been a total 
 recluse. 
 
 SIR ANDREWS : But to-day Miss Scarsdale told you 
 (Lord Russmore glares at his friend an instant. Sir 
 Andrews head droops, tears filling his eyes. Lord 
 Russmore rises. He passes his hand across his forehead 
 and slightly reels, gazing at the stooping figure before 
 him.) 
 
 (Speaking tremulously, with his head lowered, after a 
 pause) The queen and her child fled to France last 
 night. His Majesty followed them on the way to 
 exile to-day. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (scarcely audible) : W T ho told you? 
 
 SIR ANDREWS : The Lord Chamberlain himself 
 
 (Lord Russmore slowly faces the portrait of the King, 
 Right 2, and gazes a long time at it with emotion. Sir 
 Andrews raises his head, sees him and also rises.) 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (after awhile, addressing the portrait of 
 the King) : Oh you should not have deserted us 
 Your Majesty 
 
 SIR ANDREWS (sadly and quietly): His enemies were 
 yours, my lord they forced him to go
 
 170 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (slowly turning, squinting his eyes, as 
 the truth of the situation dawns upon him): I see- 
 profiting of the time when I was no longer there 
 by _ (Gradually becoming more and more animated.) 
 Now I comprehend their full motive in urging the 
 policy of a seeming estrangement. In inducing me to 
 consent to being dismissed and sent on to Chichester - 
 God Almighty! (With abandon to vehement rage) And I 
 believed them! Believed that it would win back to His 
 Majesty s standards scores of Dissenters and all the 
 time they were mocking me! Me! And I was sot 
 enough to believe! Here I ve stayed, faithful to my 
 pledge not to appear in London ere to-day whilst 
 they, meanwhile By the God above! I will yet foil 
 their damnable tricks! Drive the lie back at their 
 crafty heads! We ll convene the Council and send 
 couriers after who will bring back the King! (He 
 starts for settee U. R.) 
 SIR ANDREWS: T is too late, my lord already the 
 
 Council has seceded, and William is hailed Ruler! 
 LORD RUSSMORE (coming down with his hat, cape, sword 
 and belt, which he deposits upon the chair Center) : No 
 matter! ! All will yet be saved when His Majesty s 
 brought back! (He starts by putting on his sword and 
 
 belt.) 
 
 SIR ANDREWS: My lord, the city s in a ferment, 
 worth your life than to attempt to do this! 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: And a nation s destiny is worth any 
 man s life! Think you the rabble intimidates me? A 
 pack of weaklings! Minions every one! (Having 
 buckled his sword on, he picks up his cape.) We ll pro 
 ceed first to Whitehall you ll accompany me - 
 
 SIR ANDREWS: I will not accompany you, my lord. 
 (Lord Russmore, in the act of tying his cape, stops.)
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 171 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (after looking at his friend a second re 
 suming to fasten his cape on) : Then I shall go alone ! 
 
 SIR ANDREWS : But first you will hear me then, neither 
 you shall go 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (after taking up his hat): Why not? 
 
 SIR ANDREWS: Because you will grant the uselessness of 
 your project. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: How so? 
 
 SIR ANDREWS: You will not be able to convene the Council 
 And the King has already embarked for France: 
 But above all, you have not the right to go and sacri 
 fice your life to immolate yourself when your 
 child has first claim to your protection here! 
 (Lord Russmore remains stock still, listening. Sir 
 Andrews, noting that speaking of his child has had the 
 wanted effect, continues immediately to speak.} 
 Oh, I am not less animated by sentiments of loyalty 
 than you are in the present crisis, my courageous 
 friend but I concede our defeat : The last page of 
 the drama is written a new era has begun; your little 
 son needs you now more than ever. He has a sacred 
 right to your care at his tender age, he cannot 
 speak for himself so your old friend here pleads with 
 you in his behalf And I say to you, remain here. 
 Stand by him ... T is God s will don t risk leav 
 ing him alone . . . Fatherless. . . . 
 (Slowly the large plumed hat in Lord Russmore s hand 
 slips to the floor.) 
 
 Bring yourself, if you can, to think of that 
 (Lord Russmore sinks down to the chair Center, the pic 
 ture of discouragement. He should sit so as to face Left, 
 and a trifle up stage.) 
 
 (Sir Andrews quietly goes to Right I. and noiselessly opens 
 door. Mary appears on the threshold. Sir Andrews
 
 172 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 facing up stage, Mary facing down stage, he leans his 
 head sideways to her and whispers some instructions. She 
 nods affirmatively and quicldy withdraws. Sir Andrews 
 steps up to the mantel and observes the dejected attitude 
 of his friend. Lord Russmore now gradually comes out of 
 his sad meditations, and, rising, he slowly walks up stage 
 until he stands below his table, his back to the audience. 
 He unfastens his cape, lays it on the table and then starts 
 to unfasten his sword belt. Enter Henry Right I., led in 
 by Lady Scarsdale. Sir Andrews warningly raises his 
 finger to his lips. He steps toward the child and takes his 
 hand, leading him toward his father, at the same time 
 bending down and whispering something in his ear, point 
 ing to Lord Russmore. He leaves the child half way up 
 and takes a position by the bookcase Left 2. Lady Scars- 
 dale comes a tnfle up by the mantel Right 2.) 
 
 HENRY (left of Russmore) : Henly wan tie kiss papa. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (leaving his sword on the table and turning, 
 lifting Henry into his arms): Oh, my little chap, yes! . . . 
 (He kisses him) And papa is going to remain to stand 
 by his little son ! . . . 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE (stepping to Right C.) Courage, my lord, 
 
 I have heard the news. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (grimly with bitterness coming for 
 ward): H n! h n! h n! isn t it incredible? Undone 
 in everything that I held precious on earth except 
 my little son in barely eight days time. Fate has 
 been very harsh to you, my boy: a broken home and 
 your father s ended career your lot: from where I 
 must begin again to build for you. 
 
 HENRY (brightly) : Henly see mamma 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : Nay mamma will nevermore return ; 
 mamma has deserted us, and the King has deserted us 
 
 so you and I w r ill ever be alone
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 173 
 
 SIR ANDREWS (coming forward} : My lord, if you recollect, 
 when you yielded to my entreaties several days ago 
 and told me of your wife s desertion, I maintained a 
 doubtful attitude as to whether such a thing were even 
 admissible I had known her so long and so well 
 Now, I must confess that despite the proofs which you 
 then presented, despite them all I have right along and 
 still now entertain the same views : that you have been 
 mistaken. 
 
 (Sharply, Lord Russmore stares at him he slowly lets 
 Henry slip down to the ground.} 
 
 You and I were to have been arrested this night, each 
 in our respective home, and, together, with every mem 
 ber of his Majesty s Council, were to have been carried 
 off to William s camp. (He receives the mandate from 
 Lady Scarsdale s hand and hands it to Lord Russmore.} 
 Here is a mandate from William, granting you im 
 munity, which Lady Russmore was to present to-night 
 to any intruder, under the guise of a friend, seeking to 
 arrest you. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (to Sir Andrews): But how come you 
 to know aught of this? 
 
 SIR ANDREWS: I will proceed in order: The knave whom 
 Quigsby has caught is Robert Courtnay come hither 
 to seize the person whom your wife expected at three 
 o clock this afternoon. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : I still do not follow you. 
 
 SIR ANDREWS: Lady Russmore, having pledged her 
 word to safeguard William s plot in exchange for se 
 curing this means of protecting you, ran away rather 
 than endanger the safety of this messenger. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Lady Scarsdale, this mandate was in 
 your hands. Was it Alice who sent it you? You know 
 where she is?
 
 174 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: My dear Hugo, have patience. We 
 have all been plotting for your sake. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : Sir Andrews, tell me do you know 
 who was the man who on that night 
 
 SIR ANDREWS: Sieur Raoul d Orsay, my lord. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: He who is engaged to my daughter. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (more and more confused) : Sieur d Or 
 say? (To Lady Scarsdale) But I still less understand 
 after what you know 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Oh, my poor Hugo prepare yourself 
 for joyful news. The same spoke of the wheel is not 
 always nearest the ground and, unexpectedly, at times, 
 through a sudden rift in the clouds, the sun will shine. 
 In compensation for all your trials, great happiness is 
 yours once more. Alice was never unfaithful to you, 
 but, her heart, full of love, w r as equally courageous 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Not unfaithful? 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: Sieur d Orsay is not really Sieur 
 d Orsay. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: Who then? 
 
 SIR ANDREWS: Sir Milton Lantanay. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (failing to connect the name for the mo 
 ment): Lantanay? 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE : Yes your wife s brother. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (looking at her, then the whole truth dawn 
 ing upon him): It was he? then I see I see! 
 Alice ! where is she? 
 
 (Alice appears simultaneously in doorway Right I. 
 Henry sees her and runs from Lady Scarsdale s side to his 
 mother s side. Lord Russmore remains rooted to where 
 he stands.} 
 
 HENRY: Mamma mamma! 
 
 (She presses the child, up stage, closely to her side, the 
 while not removing her eyes away from her husband.}
 
 SWORDS DRAWN 175 
 
 ALICE (smiling serenely, coming to him, speaking sweetly 
 
 and quietly) : Hugo 
 LORD RUSSMORE (at arm s length, after regarding her 
 
 awhile) : My wife ! I dare not ask you for forgiveness 
 
 except look ! I took good care of him and 
 Lady Scarsdale came every day and helped me. 
 
 ALICE : Hugo our little son has told me all about it. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE : I ve been cruelly unjust 
 
 ALICE: Nay, I never blamed you. 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE: You ve grown so pale, I ve made you 
 
 suffer. 
 ALICE: If so, I don t remember or think of anything now 
 
 save that I m so happy I could shriek it aloud 
 You dear, great, big blunt Hugo. If you had not loved 
 me as you did, you would n t have been half as indig 
 nant. But wait! (She runs to Right I., and calls off) 
 Milton! 
 
 LORD RUSSMORE (Xing to Sir Andrews and warmly taking 
 
 his hand) : Sir Andrews we have been friends for 
 
 many years, yet I have never recognized you were one 
 
 more so than now, after what you have done for me 
 
 and mine this day. 
 ALICE (as Milton and Josephine enter Right I.) : Hugo 
 
 this is Milton. There are no longer two sides now 
 
 you should meet as brothers. 
 
 (Josephine Xes to her mother. Henry follows Alice 
 
 wherever she goes.} 
 LORD RUSSMORE (taking Milton s hand): Sir Milton, 
 
 you sought to save my life. I am one of the vanquished 
 
 and poor to repay you 
 MILTON: My lord, to-morrow Alice will be able to ask 
 
 William anything that she wishes for you 
 
 (Enter Fobs Right 3.) 
 FOBS: The prisoner is here, m lord.
 
 176 SWORDS DRAWN 
 
 SIR ANDREWS (hastily) : Tell him to go to the devil 
 (Apologetically) Pray excuse me. 
 
 FOBS (seeing Alice with joyful surprise) : Your lady 
 ship! 
 
 ALICE (brightly) : Keep the prisoner waiting, Fobs. 
 
 JOSEPHINE: We ll have him exiled, Alice, unless he gives 
 good assurance to mend his ways. 
 
 MILTON: Lady Scarsdale, your daugher and myself can 
 not agree to determine the day of our marriage. We 
 have decided to compromise and leave it to you. 
 
 LADY SCARSDALE: When do you think it should properly 
 take place, Alice? 
 
 ALICE: I will question them both separately and make 
 known my decision. 
 
 MILTON and JOSEPHINE (simultaneously): When? (They 
 sharply look at each other their eagerness makes every 
 one laugh.) 
 
 ALICE : To-morrow 
 
 (To Lord Russmore) To-day, I owe myself to you, 
 my husband!
 
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