ETHEL HALE FREEMAN 
 
 A DRAMATIZATION OF 
 
 IONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS 
 
 WALTER H. BAKER 6 Co., BOSTON
 
 . $inero's 
 
 price, 50 ent Jac') 
 
 TRE AMAZONS ^ arce * n Th rea Acts. Seven males, five females. 
 L, L, i Costumes, modern ; scenery, not difficult. Plays 
 
 a full evening. 
 
 Farce in Four Acts. Ten males, nine 
 femaie8 . costumes, modern society; 
 scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 
 
 DANDY S'CK Farce in Three Acts. Sevon males, four females. 
 Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors. Plays 
 two hours and a half. 
 
 THE 6AY IOSD QUBX 
 
 two interiors and an exterior. Plays a full evening. 
 
 HI? HfWCp IV ADHPD Comedy in Four Acts. Nine males, four 
 UI3 milX W UK1WM females . costumes, modern ; scenery, 
 three interiors. Plays a full evening. 
 
 THF ffflBRY BflPSF Comedy in Three Acts. Ten males, five 
 females . Costumes, modern; scenery easy. 
 Plays two hours and a half. 
 
 I D1C Drama in Five Acts. Seven males, seven females. Costumes, 
 modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 
 
 LADY BOUNTIFUL Play in Four ActS * ^S 111 male8 > seven fe- 
 LiAVl OvviMllvLt ma i e8t Costumes, modern ; scenery, four in- 
 
 teriors, not easy. Plays a full evening. 
 
 I FTTY I >rania ln Four Acts and an Epilogue. Ten males, five fe- 
 **~** males. Costumes, modern ; scenery complicated. Plays a 
 full evening 
 
 Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 
 
 Walter ^, 'BaSet: a Company 
 
 No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts
 
 A Dramatization of 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE
 
 A Dramatization of 
 
 Monsieur Beaucaire 
 
 By 
 ETHEL HALE FREEMAN 
 
 Made from Booth Tarkington's popular novel with the con- 
 sent of that author, his publishers and his collabora- 
 tors in the play of the same title popularized by the latl 
 Richard Mansfield. 
 
 READ CAREFULLY 
 
 This dramatization is intended for the use of amateur player* 
 acting in schools, colleges or under other strictly private conditions 
 of performance, and must not be presented for profit or before a 
 paying audience save for charitable purposes. Presentations given 
 for paid admissions or for the pecuniary benefit of any club or in- 
 dividual are strictly forbidden, all acting rights being strictly re- 
 served under the author's copyright. Permission may be secured 
 for performance of this play by amateurs subject to the above in- 
 variable conditions by payment to the author of a royalty of ten 
 dollars ($10.00) for each performance. Such payments should be 
 made and all correspondence on this subject addressed to ETHEL 
 HALE FREEMAN, 8 West St., Northampton, Mass. 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 
 1916
 
 A Dramatization of 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 FRANCOIS. 
 
 VICTOR. 
 
 SERVANT TO BEAU NASH. 
 
 LADY MARY CARLYSLE. 
 
 LADY MALBOURNE. 
 
 LADY CLARISE. 
 
 LADY RELLERTON. 
 
 LADY BARING-GOULD. 
 
 ESTELLE. 
 
 MARIE. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 DUKE OF WlNTERSET. 
 
 MR. MOLYNEUX. 
 HARRY RACKELL. 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 BEAU NASH. 
 LORD TOWNBRAKE. 
 MR. BANTISON. 
 SIR HUGH GUILFORD. 
 HENRI DE BEAUJOLAIS. 
 MARQUIS DE MIREPOIX. 
 
 Servants to Beaucaire, Marquis, Winterset and Lady 
 Malbourne. 
 
 SYNOPSIS 
 
 ACT I. Scene i. A room in Beaucaire's lodging. 
 
 Scene 2. Lady Malbourne's house. 
 ACT II. Scene i. A park. Late in the morning. 
 
 Scene 2. The same. Late afternoon. 
 
 Scene 3. The same. Evening. 
 ACT III. The assembly room. One week later. 
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1916, by ETHEL HALE FREEMAN 
 As author and proprietor 
 
 All rights reserved
 
 Dramatized for 
 "CAP AND BELLS' 
 
 Smith College 
 
 2114989
 
 DIRECTIONS FOR SCENERY 
 
 This play may be staged by a simple composition of 
 columns and curtains in Acts I and III, and by four ex- 
 terior flats in Act II. 
 
 REQUISITES FOR SETTING 
 
 Six marble pillars ; four curtains, preferably of an 
 cru color ; one pair of curtains, rose-color with border 
 of pink roses ; a pair of wide steps, and platform ; ex- 
 terior back drop and four wood wings. 
 
 ACT I. Scene i. Set the stage far down to the front, 
 using rose curtains in the centre. 
 
 7
 
 DIRECTIONS FOR SCENERY 
 
 ACT I. Scene 2. Move central pillars to either side of 
 steps at centre of upper stage. Remove rose curtains, 
 disclosing exterior back-drop. 
 
 ACT II. Set a simple exterior, using back-drop and 
 four wood wings.
 
 DIRECTIONS FOR SCENERY 
 
 ACT III. Right and Centre stage, same as Act I, 
 Scene 2. On Left, enclose a small room, rose curtains at 
 the front, plain wall at rear. A border of pink roses may 
 effectively be used to dress this scene. 
 
 STAGE PROPERTIES 
 
 Three chairs, style of Louis XIV ; card-table, same 
 period ; marble bench ; palms and ferns.
 
 10 COSTUMES 
 
 COSTUMES 
 
 BEAUCAIRE. First. Dark green or black cloth coat, 
 
 lace cuffs, white stock ; black satin breeches, 
 
 pumps ; black wig. 
 Second, White satin suit, delicate design of pink 
 
 roses on the coat ; white plumed hat ; dress sword. 
 HENRI AND MIREPOIX. Light velvet or satin suit ; dress 
 
 sword. 
 
 WINTERSET. Black velvet ; large black hat. 
 OTHER GENTLEMEN. Velvet or satin coat, satin 
 
 breeches, lace cuffs, white stock ; pumps. 
 CAPT. BADGER. English uniform of early eighteenth 
 
 century. 
 WINTON AND SERVANT TO BEAU NASH. Cloth suit, wide 
 
 cuffs, stock ; white stockings. 
 SERVANTS TO BEAUCAIRE. Black cloth suit, wide cuffs, 
 
 black stock, white stockings. 
 LADY MARY. Pale blue satin, empire style. 
 OTHER LADIES. Empire dress, varying in light colors ; 
 
 fan, parasol, large hat. 
 MARIE. Short black dress ; cuffs, kerchief, cap, small 
 
 lace apron. 
 
 PROPERTIES 
 
 ACT I. Scene i. Cloak and purse for Francois ; cards 
 
 and dice on table. 
 Scene 2. Red or pink roses for Lady Mary ; 
 
 dress sword for Beaucaire ; fan for 
 
 Lady Clarise ; order of dance for Lady 
 
 Malbourne. 
 ACT II. Scene i. Parasol for Lady Malbourne. 
 
 Scene 2. Swords for Capt. Badger, Beaucaire, 
 
 Molyneux and Townbrake ; bandage 
 
 for Townbrake.
 
 PROPERTIES 1 1 
 
 Scene j. Six black masks for Winterset and 
 other men ; six long cloaks ; twelve 
 swords for all men except Beaucaire ; 
 dress sword for Beaucaire ; rope for 
 gentleman ; long whip for Winterset. 
 ACT III. Red rose for Lady Clarise ; fan for Lady 
 Clarise ; orders for Beaucaire ; cards 
 and dice on table ; crutch and bandage 
 for Sir Hugh.
 
 PLEASE NOTICE 
 
 The acting rights in this play are strictly reserved by the 
 author to whom applications for its use should be addressed. 
 Amateurs may obtain permission to produce it privately 
 under the conditions specified on the title page, on pay- 
 ment of a fee of $10.00 for each performance, always in 
 advance. Correspondence on this subject should be ad- 
 dressed and all such payments made to ETHEL HALE 
 FREEMAN, 8 West St., Northampton, Mass., though pay- 
 ment of royalty may be made, as a matter of convenience, 
 through the publishers. 
 
 Attention is called to the penalties provided by law for 
 any infringements of her rights, as follows : 
 
 "Snc. 4966: Any person publicly performing or representing any 
 dramatic or musical composition for which copyright has been obtained, 
 without the consent of the proprietor of said dramatic or musical composi- 
 tion, or his heirs and assigns, (hall be liable for damages therefor, such 
 damages in all cases to be assessed at such sum, not less than one hundred 
 dollars for the first and fifty dollars for every subsequent performance, as 
 to the court shall appear to be just. If the unlawful performance and rep- 
 resentation be wilful and for profit, such person or persons shall be guilty 
 of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction be imprisoned for a period not 
 exceeding one year." U. S. REVISED STATUTES, Tit It do, Chap. 3.
 
 A Dramatization of 
 
 Monsieur Beaucaire 
 
 ACT I 
 
 SCENE 1. A room in M. BEAUCAIEE'S lodg- 
 ings. 1 A loud knock is heard, upper center, 
 
 SERVANT. 
 
 [Outside.] I will see him, fellow, and there's 
 an end ! 
 
 FRANgois. 
 
 [At door.] No, no, Monsieur, he is 
 not . . . 
 
 [SERVANT to BEAU NASH appears u. o. 
 
 SERVANT. 
 You mean to tell me that he is not at home ? 
 
 FRANCOIS. 
 I do, oui, he is not at home. 
 
 1 See directions for scenery. 
 13
 
 14 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 SERVANT. 
 Bah ! I will see for myself I 
 
 FRANCOIS. 
 
 Pardon. You will ree-main outside, if you 
 .please ! 
 
 SERVANT. 
 By the furies, I will not stay outside ! 
 
 FRANCOIS. 
 Pardon . . . 
 
 SERVANT. 
 
 [Incensed.] Deuce take your pardons ! Make 
 way, sir. Where's the barber, I say ? 
 
 [Enter from R. M. BEAUCAIRE with 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 FRANCOIS. 
 
 Sir, you call our master a " barber " one more 
 time, an' we kill you ! 
 
 SERVANT. 
 
 Ho, ho ! A pretty threat ! He didn't deny 
 it, did he ? Make way ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 [To MOLYNEUX.] You mus' then leave 
 me ? . . . A chair for M. Molyneux.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 1$ 
 
 SERVANT. 
 
 Ah ! there he is ! Mr. Victor, a message to 
 you from Mr. Nash. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Ah! more instructions from Meestaire Nash ? 
 One was not enough he think'. You English 
 mus' al-ways do a thing twice eh ? [M. BEAU- 
 CAIRE takes the letter and reads it.~\ Ah, you 
 are yet there, little frien' ? 
 
 SERVANT. 
 There's a reply, isn't there, Mr. Barber ? 
 
 FRANgois. 
 
 [Threatening.] Hein ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 My man shall bring it to him. You may go. 
 {Exit SERVANT. To MOLYNEUX.] Your Mees- 
 taire Nash, he mak' me laugh, Monsieur. He 
 tell me, here, very cross, I mus' not come again 
 to the Pump-Room. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 Ah! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Was not once an' before all those people, 
 enough ?
 
 16 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 Oh, Monsieur ! I cannot think of you as a 
 barber, and to our Nash, who is as sensitive as 
 a potted plant, the shock has been most un- 
 settling. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 [Thoughtfully.] Ah yes, yes. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 And to all of us, Monsieur, I own it. But, 
 barber or no barber, I like to play with you, 
 for you, sir, are as straight as an Englishman. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Monsieur, Monsieur ! Your manner, is it not 
 as kin' as a Frenchman ? Your great-gran'fa- 
 ther was French, not so ? 
 
 FRANCOIS. 
 
 [In doorway.] M. le Due de "Winterset est 
 dessu^ Monseigneur. [MOLYNEUX crosses to L. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Ah he haf come again. May I ask do 
 you never play with that gentleman, sir, his 
 Grace of Winterset ? 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 Ah, I am not rich enough. [L. c.]
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE I/ 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 [o.] Eh, but he is, of course, hones' ? 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 [Franldy.~] I like better to play with you, 
 my friend. \Enter YICTOR, u. c. 
 
 YICTOR. 
 
 M. le Due de Winterset CEaise poi 
 
 M. Molyneux. 
 
 [FRANCOIS comes to MOLYNEUX and 
 helps him on with his cape. Enter 
 DUKE OF WINTERSET. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 Good-evening, Your Grace. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 I am honor', M. le Due. 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 
 Good-evening, Beaucaire. You are not leav-*/" 
 ing, Molyneux? 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 Your pardon I am waiting on my young 
 cousin, the Lady Clarise, whom I am to escort 
 to-night to Lady Malbourne's ball.
 
 18 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Oh, yes. Make up a table there, Molyneux ; 
 young Badger and Townbrake will play. Pity 
 you are not a gentleman, Beaucaire. I warrant 
 you could dance. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 At leas' I could gaze, Monsieur, at your Eng- 
 
 1 T /> * *F 
 
 lish fair. 
 
 [WINTERSET gives his cloak to VICTOR, 
 U. R., and busies himself with cards, 
 soon sitting at table D. R. c. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 [L. c.] You admire our ladies ? Who does 
 not ? They are after all the crown of flowers 
 we work for, fight for, and behave well for. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Ah ! You have also, then, the romance ? I 
 knew you mus' have it the what shall I call ? 
 the vibration un'erneath your so calm waist- 
 coat. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 You are a surprising fellow, Beaucaire. But 
 I must undeceive you. We English do not care 
 two-pence for what you call " romance." We 
 are so obstinately logical, you know. And 
 there is apt to be danger in romance.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 19 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 [Pityingly.'] But your ladies how they 
 mus' miss it ! 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 There you mistake, my young friend 
 
 Romance is too prone to deceive. If you play 
 with it upon an Englishman, he may take you 
 too seriously forgive you yes, perhaps but 
 he will never forget. If you play with it upon 
 the heart of an English lady, she will never for- 
 get or forgive. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 I thank you for my lesson, Monsieur. 
 
 [Bows. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 Good-evening. 
 
 [MOLYNEUX goes out u. c., followed by 
 FRANCOIS and VICTOR. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 [Going u. C.] Adieu, Monsieur. [Pausing 
 u. L. c.] " She will never forget or forgive." 
 Ah, yes, it is true of mos^ of your English fair, 
 but one, ah, there is at leas' one whose kin' heart 
 will forgive a little romance we shall see, 
 M. Molyneux, that there is one !
 
 20 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 "WlNTERSET. 
 
 "Well, Beaucaire ? 
 
 [M. BEAUCAIEE turns quickly in apol- 
 ogy- 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Your servant, M. le Due. 
 
 [He sits opposite WINTERSET. As they 
 begin to play, FRANCOIS enters. He 
 has a military cape over his arm. He 
 pauses at M. BEATJCAIRE'S left and 
 bows before speaking. 
 
 Pardonj Mqnseignettrs,-le. mantel appartient 
 a 1'uiTdes gentileshommes je ne sais a qui. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Ah, one of the gentlemen forget his mantle ; 
 could you tell whom it belong, my frien' ? 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Let me see it looks like Badger's ; yes, 'tis 
 one of Captain Badger's. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Franyois, ree-turn it to the Captain who was 
 here this af'-noon. 
 
 FRANCOIS. 
 Oui, Monseigneur - [Exit, u. c.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 21 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 An' now, my frien', we shall not be interrup' 
 again. {.They play. 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 Stay ! That is mine, I think. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIKE. 
 
 [Rising.] Is not the room too warm, Mon- 
 sieur ? 
 
 [As he crosses L., FRANgoiS announces. 
 
 FKA f *V&^ 
 M. le Capitane est renvenu, lui-meme. 
 
 A~y\JU [Enter CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 Good-evening, Winterset Beaucaire, I came 
 to find my cloak and met your servant just 
 outside, bringing it to me. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 [L.] Franpois has restored to you your cape ? 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 The cape was nothing. But, deuce take it, 
 when a sharp little fellow sees a handful of 
 gold lying loose in one's pocket, and leaves it 
 there gad ! but there's a lad worth keeping 
 your eye on !
 
 22 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 I hope my man knew his duty, sir. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 But the pay for half my company was in this 
 pocket, gentlemen ! 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 
 Ah, most servants might think it their 
 "duty" to take it! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 My servants are all hones', Monsieur. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 Then you are more fortunate than the king ! 
 Here, fellow. This is to encourage your hon- 
 esty. {Giving money to FRANCOIS.] May it 
 never lessen. 
 
 Merci, merci, Monsieur. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 A bright lad, eh, Beaucaire ? Good face ; 
 . . . I never forget a face. "What's his 
 name ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Francois. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 "When he's for sale, let me know.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 23 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 I cannot let you have Franois, Monsieur. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 You're coming, of course, to Lady Mai- 
 bourne's, Duke? 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Yes, I promised Nash I'd call in about nine. 
 Lady Mary Carlysle will attend. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Oh 1 [Scarcely audible. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 Aha, then it will be a ball indeed 'Til 
 
 then, sir. [Slight bow.'] Good-night, Beaucaire ; 
 as for you, boy, look to Badger if you want to 
 change masters eh, Beaucaire ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 You cannot have him, Monsieur. Fran- 
 cois 
 
 \He whispers to FRANpois. CAPT. 
 BADGER looks hard at FRANCOIS and 
 exit. M. BEAUCAIRE and WIN- 
 TERSET now settle down to play in 
 earnest. FRANCOIS exit D. R. ; he 
 soon reappears u. c. and the door 
 D. R. opens noiselessly disclosing JEAN 
 and the other servants just outside.
 
 24 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 M. BEAUCAIKE. 
 Pardon. Was not that a mistake ? 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 [Crossly.] Eh ? Deal again if you like. 
 [A pause. At a signal from FRANpoIS 
 all six of M. BEAUCAIKE'S servants 
 steal into the room. /Suddenly M. 
 BEAUCAIRE leans forward and plucks 
 a card from WINTERSET'S sleeve. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Merci, M. le Due ! 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 It means the dirty work of silencing you 
 with my bare hands ! 
 
 [He starts to spring toward M. BEAU- 
 CAIRE. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 [Quickly, .] Do not move ! Observe behind 
 you. Is it not a compliment to Monsieur that 
 I procure six large men to subdue him ? They 
 are quite devot' to me, and Monsieur is alone. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 It's murder, is it, you carrion ?
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 2$ 
 
 M. BEAUCAIEE. 
 
 What words ! No, no, no ! no killing. A 
 such word to a such host ! No, no, not 
 mur-r-der ; only disgrace ! [Laughs. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 You little devilish scullion ! 
 
 [At these words M. BEAUCAIRE'S men 
 lay hands on WINTERSET. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 [Raises his hand and his men release WIN- 
 TERSET.] Tut, tut ! But I forget. Monsieur 
 has pursue' his studies of deportment amongs' 
 his fellow countrymen. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Do you dream, that a soul in Bath will take 
 your word that I that I 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 That M. le Due de Winterset had a card up 
 his sleeve ? 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 
 [Low tone, growling the words out slowly.'} 
 You pitiful stable-boy, born in a stable 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Is it not an honor to be born where Monsieur 
 must have been bred ?
 
 26 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 
 You scurvy foot- boy, you barber, you cut- 
 throat groom 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Overwhelm' ! M. le Due appoint me to all 
 the office of his househol'. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Fool ! There are not five people of quality 
 in Bath will speak to you. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 No, Monsieur, not on the parade ; but how 
 many may come to play me here ? Because I 
 will play always, night and day, for what one 
 will, for any long, and always fair, Monsieur, 
 always fair with the cards, with-the-diee, or 
 with the small sword, but always fair, Monsieur, 
 al-ways fair ! 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 You outrageous varlet! Every one knows 
 you came to England as the French Ambassa- 
 dor's barber. What man of fashion will listen 
 to you ? Who will believe you ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 All people, Monsieur.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 2? 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Bah' 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Will Monsieur not reseat himself ? So. 
 Jean, Victor, and you others retire ; go into the 
 hallway. [All exeunt except FRANCOIS.] At- 
 tend at the entrance, Frai^ois. Go ; now we 
 shall talk. Monsieur, I wish you to think very 
 cool. Then listen : I will be briefly. It is that 
 I am well known to be all, entire hones' 
 every one say that. And is there never a 
 whisper come to Monsieur le Due that not all 
 people believe him to play al-ways hones' ? 
 Ha, ha ! Did it almos' be said to him las' 
 year 
 
 WnSTTERSET. 
 
 You dirty scandal-monger ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Monsieur, Monsieur ! True I am notreco'nize 
 on the parade ; that my frien's who come here 
 do not present me to their ladies ; that 
 Meestaire Nash has reboff' me in the pump- 
 room ; still do not all say I am hones' and will 
 I not be belief even I, when I lif up my voice 
 and charge you aloud with what is already 
 w'isper ? 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 How much do you want ?
 
 28 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 {Laughing^ I catch you cheatin' an' you 
 offer me money money ! Pouff ! No, no, no, 
 it is not that ! It is that M. le Due, impoverish', 
 somewhat in a bad odor as he is, yet command 
 
 the entree anywhere onless I Ha, ha ! 
 
 Eh, Monsieur ? 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Ha ! You dare think to force me 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Monsieur have talk with his friends of Lady 
 
 Malbourne's ball Is it kin', Monsieur, to 
 
 flaunt your privilege before a poor gam'ler ? 
 No, Monsieur need have more pity I mus' cul- 
 tivate it for him. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Pity ! Bah ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 So Monsieur begin by takin' me to Lady 
 Malbourne' ball, to-night 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 Curse your impudence ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Sit quiet. You see, that's all ; we goin' to- 
 gether.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 29 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 No! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Certain. I make all my little plan 'tis all 
 arrange. 
 
 "WlNTERSET. 
 
 No! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Yes. You goin' take me to-night and 
 after then I have the entree. Is it much I 
 ask? That one little favor, and I never 
 w'isper, never breathe that it is to say I keep 
 always forever silent of Monsieur's misfortune. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 You have the entree ! Go to a lackey's rout 
 and dance with the kitchen maids. If I would 
 I could not present you to Bath society. You 
 would be thrust from Lady Malbourne's door 
 five minutes after you entered it. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Oh, no, no, no ! 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Half the gentlemen of Bath have been here 
 to play. They would know you, wouldn't 
 they, fool ?
 
 30 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 No you mistake, they will not know me. 
 Beside you goin' presen' me to the ladies, at 
 las' ! To Lady Mary Carlysle. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Ha, indeed ! Lady Mary Carlysle, of all 
 women alive, would be the first to prefer the 
 devil to a man of no birth, barber. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Oh is that why she have tolerate you? 
 Ha, ha ! 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Also dolt she would know you, if you 
 escaped the others. She stood within a yard of 
 you when Nash expelled you from the pump- 
 room. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 [ Angrily. ~\ You think I did not see ? 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Do you think because I introduce you, Bath 
 will receive a barber ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 [Proudly.] I beg to call Monsieur's atten- 
 tion I have renounce' that professi'n.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 31 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Fool! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 I am now a man of honour ! 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Faugh ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Shall you be shame' for your guest's manner ? 
 ^o, no ! My appearance, is it of the people ? 
 Clearly, no. Do I not compare in taste of ap- 
 parail with your young Englishmen ? Ha, ha ! 
 It is to be hope', Monsieur, it is to be hope' ! 
 You shall have nothin' to worry you nothin' 
 in the worl' I am goin' assassinate my poor 
 mus^achio likewise remove this horrible, dark 
 p^ruqoe, and these remarkable patches and 
 
 emerge^ in my own hair Behol' ! When 
 
 it is dress', I am transform'. 
 
 [Sweeping off the Hack wig and revealing 
 his own origlit hair. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Ho, ho ! Think you one cannot tell a gentle- 
 man from a stable-boy ? Perhaps you think 
 you were born a gentleman ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 [Slowly.'] No I was not born a gentleman, 
 no I was not born a gentleman, I was born a
 
 32 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 lebi! Ah, you need have nottin' to worry 
 you, Monsieur, nottin' in the worl'. No one 
 shall reco'nize M. Beaucaire or " Victor." 
 
 WlNTEESET. 
 
 Curse you do you think I am going to be 
 saddled with you wherever I go ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIEE. 
 
 No, no, Monsieur, all I requi' all I beg is 
 this one evenin' after, I shall not need Mon- 
 sieur. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Take heed to yourself after ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Conquered, conquered for to-night ! Ah, I 
 shall meet some strange frien's of yours after 
 to-night, not so? I mus' try not to be too 
 much frighten'. [Front.l " Victor," the artis', 
 is condemn' to death ! His throat shall be cut 
 with his own razor. " M. Beaucaire " [throw- 
 ing dice in his black wig and hurling it out 
 D. E.] " M. Beaucaire " shall be choke' with 
 his own dice-box. Who is this Phoenix to re- 
 main ? Choose for me, Monsieur, choose for 
 me. Shall it be comte, vicomte, marquis, chev- 
 alier or what ? Ah, no, no, no ! Out of com- 
 pliment to Monsieur, should I desire to be any-
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 33 
 
 thing that he is not ? Ah, no, no, no 1 I shall 
 be M. le Due, M. le Due de Chateaurien. Ha, 
 ha ! You see ? You are my confrere ! 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 Ah, indeed ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 But how I forget my age. I am twenty- 
 three. I rejoice too much to be of the quality. 
 Your pardon, Monsieur. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 All England does not possess such a rascal of 
 impertinence. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIKE. 
 
 Your England ah, it is too much for me 
 I am goin' tell you a secret. The ladies of 
 your country, they are very different than ours. 
 One may adore the demoiselle one must wor- 
 ship the lady of England. Ours are flowers, 
 yours are stars. Ah, yes, and there is one 
 among these stars, ah, yes, there is one, the 
 poor Frenchman have observe from his humble 
 distance. Even there he can bask in the glow- 
 ing. Ah, what radiance ! Those people up 
 there over the sky, they wish to show they 
 wish the poor earth to be happy they smile 
 and they make this lady !
 
 34 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 "WlNTEESET. 
 
 Ha, ha, ha ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIEE. 
 
 Ah, you laugh ! What do you know, Mon- 
 sieur, what do you know ? The heart of a lady 
 is a blank to you you have nothing of the 
 fibre oh, yes, you can laugh the war is open', 
 an' by me ! There is one great step taken. 
 Until to-night, there was nothing for you to 
 ruin, to-morrow you have got a noble of France, 
 your own protege, to besiege and sack. It shall 
 be a game of romance, Monsieur a game of 
 superb romance ! 
 
 WlISTTEESET. 
 
 Stop, do you forget Mr. Molyneux what he 
 said of an English lady ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIEE. 
 
 I do not forget I defy his words. There is 
 one heart that can beat with romance as there 
 is one name in England more beautiful than 
 all the res', and that is " Mary." Ah jus' to 
 watch her an' to wonder ! It is strange, but I 
 have almos' cry out in rapture at a look I have 
 see' her another man a look for another ! 
 Ah, yes an' to many others an' to you one 
 day a rose, Monsieur, while I I could not be
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 35 
 
 so bless' as be the groun' beneath her little 
 shoe ! But to-night, Monsieur, ha, ha ! to- 
 night [elaborate bows] two princes, you an' me, 
 M. le Due de Winterset and M. le Due de 
 Chateaurien an' we are goin' arm in arm to 
 that ball, an' / am goin' have one of those 
 looks, I ! And a rose ! I ! It is time ! But 
 ten minutes, Monsieur, while I go in the nex' 
 room an' assassinate my mustachio an' inves' 
 myself in white satin. Ha, ha ! I shall be 
 very gran*, Monsieur, I shall be very gran' ! 
 Francois, sen' Louis to me ; Yictor, two chairs 
 for Monsieur le Due an' me ; we are goin' out 
 into the worl' to-night ! 
 
 [Loud and joyous as he runs off L. 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
 SCENE 2. LADY MALBOURNE'S house. LADY 
 MALBOURNE stands D. R. c. ; ESTELLE on 
 her R. ; WINTON, u. c. ; MARIE, D. R. 
 
 WIN-TON. 
 
 [c., announcing^ Mr. Harry Rackell. 
 
 [Enter HARRY, buoyantly, u. 0.
 
 36 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 LADY MALBOURNE. 
 
 What, Harry ! Ah, we heard you had re- 
 turned from France. [D. B. c. 
 
 HARRY. 
 Do you not observe my Parisian pirouette ? 
 
 LADY MALBOURNE. 
 
 Dear boy! you are quite dazzling surely. 
 "Welcome once more to Bath. 
 
 HARRY. 
 Will you not greet me as kindly, Estelle ? 
 
 ESTELLE. 
 
 Do not come to me for compliments until I 
 have observed you quite thoroughly. 
 
 HARRY. 
 
 Oh, your pardon. I had forgot you had en- 
 tered the ballroom of fashion. Dear me you 
 are quite quite a lady, I see. 
 
 ESTELLE. 
 Sir! 
 
 HARRY. 
 
 \Sighing.~] Alas! Will you never again 
 race me over the lawn, or play castle on the 
 wall ? But, Madam, you will, at least, permit 
 me to paint you.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 37 
 
 LADY MALBOUENE. 
 
 Indeed, yes, Harry. You need not pout, 
 Estelle, for you know very well that your hair 
 and color will never be better. 
 
 ESTELLE. 
 
 [Laughing.] Now is not that a gloomy ob- 
 servation. friend Harry ? But so it goes, does 
 it not ? No sooner may one enter the gay ball- 
 room than lo ! the music stops. Oh, yes, paint 
 me at once/ or teach your art to transcend the 
 
 HARRY. 
 
 Let us begin, then, at once [HARRY and ES- 
 TELLE move L. c. together], before youth cools 
 down and the ruthless grip of time - [BEAU 
 NASH appears u. C., where he crosses L. to R. ; 
 HARRY sees him and stops abruptly] Bah ! 
 cease emotions. I am cut off by a wagging fop. 
 [ESTELLE laughs. LADY MALBOURNE frowns 
 in disapproval.] What a perfect doll is our 
 Beau, a powdered, exquisite rosette no, a 
 captious poppy bobbing on its stem ! 
 
 ESTELLE. 
 
 Take care, Harry ; mother will place a keen 
 eye on your manners to-night. 
 
 HARRY. 
 "Madam Mother" shall be rewarded you
 
 38 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 shall see me when the pompadours arrive. No 
 one shall match me for velvet and elegance ! 
 
 ESTELLE. 
 
 Softly, Harry ; mother, you know, believes 
 you are vastly clever ; be careful not to arouse 
 her attention or she will discover how really 
 dull you can be. 
 
 [LADY MALBOURNE is giving directions 
 to MAEIE. 
 
 HARRY. 
 
 Nonsense, Estelle. It is quite impossible for 
 me to be dull. Besides, since leaving England, 
 I have looked on things which would startle 
 music in a stone. I have seen 
 
 LADY MALBOURNE. 
 What have you seen, young Harry ? 
 
 HARRY. 
 Such painting, Madam ! 
 
 LADY MALBOURNE. 
 Ah, indeed ! 
 
 HARRY. 
 
 [Crossing c., earnestly."] Through the cour- 
 tesy of our Ambassador, I was permitted to 
 enter the Galerie Royale where some new
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 39 
 
 paintings were hung by a great French mas- 
 ter, though yet scarcely known. There was 
 one it was of a young prince 
 
 LADY MALBOURNE. 
 My dear Harry, I applaud your fervor, but 
 
 ah, excuse me Winton, set more lights in 
 
 the second card-room. Marie, the ladies who 
 arrive in chairs will be conducted to the recep- 
 tion speciale. 
 
 ESTELLE. 
 
 [Sweetly. ~\ Harry, you may tell me about 
 the portraits. Come into the conservatory. 
 
 HARRY. 
 Gladly. [.They start out D. L. 
 
 "WlNTON. 
 
 Lord Townbrake ! 
 
 HARRY. 
 
 [After one glance over his shoulder at TOWN- 
 BRAKE.] Just in time. It's unpardonable for 
 an English lord to possess a face like his ! 
 
 [They laugh and exeunt D. L. 
 
 TOWNBRAKE. 
 
 Ah, Lady Malbourne, your servant. Is it 
 possible I am here before Nash ? Ah, I forgot, 
 he appears after we are gathered to make a 
 sensation, of course. Quite so.
 
 40 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 WlNTON. 
 
 Mr. Bantison, Lady Clarise. 
 
 {Enter BANTISON ; LADY CLAH^SE and 
 MOLYNEUX behind. 
 
 LADY MALBOUENE. 
 
 {With evident pleasure but not losing her 
 dignity.'] My dear child, delighted. And is 
 not Mr. Molyneux to come, also ? 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 But two steps behind, Lady Malbourne. 
 Think you it would be prudent for me to en- 
 trust my young cousin to this foolish Bantison ? 
 My compliments, Madame. 
 
 BANTISON. 
 What's that, Molyneux ? 
 
 LADY MALBOUENE. 
 
 He says you are not a safe escort for Lady 
 Clarise. Fie, Mr. Bantison ! 
 
 BANTISON. 
 
 Eh? Ha, why no ah of course you 
 know I vow I should run away with her on 
 the spot ; ha, ha !
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 4! 
 
 LADY CLAEISE. 
 
 How witty you are, Mr. Bantison ; now who 
 but you could do such a thing as " run away on 
 the spot " ? 
 
 BANTISON. 
 Eh ? ah ah I don't follow ah. 
 
 WINTON. 
 Beau Nash. 
 
 \Enter BEAU NASH, u. c. ; Tie enters 
 pompously, and out once assumes a 
 place of importance E. c. LADY 
 MALBOUENE is on his E. TOWN- 
 BEAKE has moved D. E. BANTISON, 
 LADY CLAE}:SE L. o. MOLYNEUX 
 u. L. c. 
 
 ALL. 
 Ah! 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 
 My compliments, Lady Malbourne. Good- 
 evening, all. 
 
 LADY MALBOUENE. 
 
 My dear Beau, pray tell me, are the colors 
 right and the ferns, do say that the ferns 
 
 are 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 
 [ Very seriously.~] Ah too bright a green at 
 the mirror, and a trifle dark in yonder retreat.
 
 42 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 Otherwise ah very well; yes, I may pro- 
 nounce it very well done. 
 
 LADY MALBOUENE. 
 
 Oh, I am so happy ! And will you not cor- 
 rect the order of the dance ? 
 
 [She hands him a paper. 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 
 [ With great importance."] Ah, yes, certainly 
 at once. Hm ! Harry Rackell who is he ? 
 [He and LADY MALBOUBNE start down 
 stage. 
 
 LADY MALBOUENE. 
 A young artist, just returned from Paris. 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 
 Hm ah 
 
 LADY MALBOUENE. 
 
 He has been presented at the Assembly at 
 Lyons. 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 
 Ah, that will do. Of course one must make 
 sure of these little matters. 
 
 TOWNBEAKE. 
 
 Eh ? Kackell ? Is he back ? Clumsy young 
 cur ; hope he's improved.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 43 
 
 LADY CLAR!SE. 
 
 Have you ever tried the Paris cure, Lord 
 Town brake ? 
 
 TOWNBRAKE. 
 
 Eh ? What ? What Paris cure ? 
 
 LADY CLAEISE. 
 
 Mr. Rackell's. Come, Mr. Bantison, you 
 may lead me through the rooms. 
 
 [Exeunt LADY CLAR!SE and BANTI- 
 SON D. L. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 I do not see your charming daughter, Lady 
 Malbourne. 
 
 LADY MALBOURNE. 
 
 She is relieving the room of Harry's crude 
 manners there beyond. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 Ah, giving him a few finishing touches. I'll 
 
 plead for a lesson, as well 
 
 [Exit, D. L. 
 BEAU NASH. 
 
 And who is to lay claim to the Beauty of 
 Bath ? Winterset, no doubt ? 
 
 LADY MALBOURNE. 
 I believe Lady Mary is to favor Mr. Moly-
 
 44 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 neux to-night. [A trifle disturbed.] The Duke 
 is less prompt than usual. 
 
 "WlNTON. 
 
 Sir Hugh Guilford, Captain Badger, Lady 
 Baring-Gould. [Enter the same ; TOWNBRAKE 
 crosses to D. L. c.] Lady Rellerton, Lady Mary 
 Carlysle. 
 
 [A silence j the men watch eagerly. 
 MOLYNEUX appears at door, D. L., 
 bringing two other ladies. Enter 
 LADY RELLERTON and LADY MARY, 
 u. C. A. silence y all turn and bow pro- 
 foundly ; then group nearer LADY 
 MARY. 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 
 [To LADY MALBOURNE.] I think we may 
 allow the musicians to begin. 
 
 [LADY MALBOURNE signals to WIN- 
 TON, who motions to musicians, off 
 u. L. A few notes sound from an ad- 
 joining room. SIR HUGH and BAN- 
 TISON move with ladies toward D. K. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 "Winterset is not here. 
 
 {Joining TOWNBRAKE, D. L. MoLY- 
 NEUX also joins them.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 45 
 
 TOWNBRAKE. 
 
 So much the better for our cards. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 Oh, he will come. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 'Tis said some one is coming with him. 
 
 \Reenter HARRY with ESTELLE, D. L. 
 
 WlNTON. 
 
 The Duke of Winterset the Due de Cha- 
 teaurien. 
 
 [WINTERSET and M. BEAUCAIRE a/p- 
 pear, u. o. 
 
 LADY MALBOURNE. 
 
 Ah, my dear Winterset. For the first time 
 the violins begin before you are come. 
 
 [LADY MARY crosses to D. L. 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 
 Pardon, Madam, I was waiting upon this 
 gentleman. May I present to you the Duke 
 of Chateaurien, who is newly arrived in Bath. 
 
 LADY MALBOURNE. 
 
 Ah, sir, I must forgive the Duke's tardiness 
 since you are the excuse. [Bowing.
 
 46 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Madame is mos' kin'. Will she receive my 
 ielicitations ? 
 
 [Bows ; music now plays for dance. 
 
 BEALF NASH. 
 Charming^ charming', a foreign duke ! I con- 
 
 fratulate you, Lady Malbourne. [Aside.'] And 
 ow delicately his vest harmonizes with the 
 background ! Quite, quite charming ! Pray 
 permit me. 
 
 [Bows and offers his hand and leads her 
 to the dance. M. BEAUCAIRE, who 
 has been talking with LADY BARING- 
 GOULD and TOWKBRAKE, now ap- 
 proaches LADY MARY, D. c. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Madame, I have the honour to be the leas' 
 worthy to offer you my han' ; will not she 
 .the most gracious accept it ? 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 It is a pleasure, M. de Chateaurien. 
 
 [He bows ; he leads LADY MARY ; they 
 dance. Exit WINTERSET, angrily, 
 
 D. L. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Ah, Mademoiselle, I would have that dance 
 las' for for al-ways.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 47 
 
 \Eeenter WINTERSET, D. L., as the dance 
 ends. As the dance breaks up, the gen- 
 tlemen, TOWNBRAKE, BANTISON, SlR 
 
 HUGH and MOLYNEUX move off u. L. 
 BEAU NASH escorts ladies off u. R., 
 leaving upon stage LADY MARY with 
 M. BEAUCAIRE, D. R. c., WINTERSET 
 at R. of LADY MARY. CAPT. BADGER 
 and LADY CLARKE, D. L. Music 
 stops. 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 
 Lady Mary will, I trust, permit me to lead 
 her through the halls. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 I thank you, Duke, but as you see I am al- 
 ready bestowed. 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 
 Ah, I thought the Duke of Chateaurien had 
 promised he would grace the card-room ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Is it so soon ? Then the card-room will ap- 
 plaud that I relinquish not my pos' as a lady's 
 escort. 
 
 [Bows ; they go u. c. WINTERSET re- 
 turns furiously, D. L., and exit.
 
 48 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 I vow, Lady Clarise, if yonder fellow were 
 not so provokingly gracious I should be roused 
 to a mortal jealousy. You have had eyes for 
 no one since he arrived. 
 
 LADY CLARISE. 
 Did you not see his superb step in the dance ? 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 Well, that proves not that he is honester than 
 another man, I think. 
 
 LADY CLARISE. 
 
 I was not praising his honesty, Captain 
 Badger. No one could excel you in that. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 Clarise ! 
 
 LADY CLAR^SE. 
 
 Lady Clarise, if you please. 
 
 [MoLYNEtrx and LADY MALBOURNE 
 appear ', u. 0. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 I vow, Madam, if you torment me longer I 
 will ride, this night, to the most perilous point 
 on the frontier, and
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 49 
 
 LADY CLABISE. 
 
 And shout gaily, no doubt, to the enemy 
 " Come, gentlemen, do me the courtesy to shoot 
 me ; I am weary of pursuing the Lady Clarise." 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 Never ! Let us go into the gardens. 
 
 \Exeunt off D. L. MOLYNEUX conies D., 
 with LADY MALBOUENE. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 Can you think so, Madame ? 
 
 LADY MALBOUENE. 
 
 Why not, sir ? "Where there is youth, there 
 is folly. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 Your.g Harry hath a fine eye to my manner 
 of thinking. 
 
 LADY MALBOUENE. 
 Is it not dull compared with Estelle's ? 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 Whose could be otherwise ? Yet, believe 
 me, he's a good lad. 
 
 LADY MALBOUENE. 
 
 I did not know you were so profound a 
 searcher of character, Mr. Molyneux.
 
 50 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 Could one favored by your friendship remain 
 dull in perception, Madame ? 
 
 LADY MALBOUENE. 
 
 Your alertness, then, has found more than 
 one subject for study to-night. Lady Mary 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 [Quickly.'] Ah ? 
 
 LADY MALBOTJKNE. 
 Is there not a new luster in her eyes ? 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 They are, indeed, like stars or is it sunlight, 
 reflected from France, in them ? 
 
 [Reenter WHSTTEKSET with LADY REL- 
 LEETON, u. c. They come to E. c. 
 Reenter the others D. E. and D. L. 
 
 LADY MALBOUENE. 
 
 {After watching WINTEESET.] The sunlight 
 of France is kindling a dangerous gleam in some 
 English eyes. See the big Duke chafing in his 
 curls ! 
 
 \They laugh lightly / music / couples 
 return. As M. BEAUCAIEE and LADY 
 M.AT&Y pass a shout goes up from out- 
 side. MOLYNEUX and LADY MAL- 
 BOUENE come L. c.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 5 1 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 [Pausing.] What enchanting people ! I 
 should like to shout with them. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 I am honored, M. de Chateaurien. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 No, no ! BehoP a poor Frenchman whom 
 Emperors would envy. 
 
 [They turn away from audience. They 
 linger u. c. talkvng together. M. BEAU- 
 CAIRE removes his sword and hands it 
 to FRANCOIS, who turns and moves a 
 little D. R. c. CAPT. BADGER sud- 
 denly perceives FRANCOIS, and starts. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 Molyneux, Molyneux, who is that ? 
 
 MOLYKEUX. 
 Do you mean that servant ? 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 Where is it that I have seen him ? 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 I see nothing in him familiar or startling. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Francois.
 
 52 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 Ah, that name, that face ! {Stepping up to 
 FRANCOIS.] Fellow, I remember you very 
 well, out cannot understand your presence 
 here. Will you kindly tell me whom you are 
 attending? {Looking hard at him.'] Where 
 is your master ? [At this moment WINTERSET 
 is standing very near. FRANOIS adroitly turns 
 to him and hows as though in attendance upon 
 him.] Humph ! Winterset. 
 
 LADY CLAR^SE. 
 
 [Amused.] How easily you are ruffled, 
 Captain ! 
 
 [TOWNBRAKE and LADY BARING- 
 GOULD cross to group R. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 What is Winterset doing with a French serv- 
 ant ? It's scarce three hours since I left that 
 fellow at a gambler's lodgings. 
 
 LADY CLARISE. 
 
 Wonderful! Captain is becoming a de- 
 tective. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 Hold ! Why may it not be
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 53 
 
 LADY CLAR!SE. 
 
 And I suppose if I were to tell you that that 
 very, very graceful and pleasing servant did 
 not belong to Winterset, but to the distinguished 
 visitor, you would conclude with your indubi- 
 table precision that the Duke was related to the 
 gambler himself. [M. BEAUCAIRE and LADY 
 MARY withdraw u. L. from u. c.] Ah, Cap- 
 tain, you are, indeed, a boy, a most hot-headed, 
 though not entirely wicked, boy. 
 
 [She smiles at him provokingly over her 
 fan. In the meantime the crowd has 
 gathered about BANTISON, R. c., who, 
 delighted by their attention, is letting 
 his imagination run riot by improvis- 
 ing recollections concerning the home 
 of the new Duke. BEAU NASH and 
 LADY BARING-GOULD are one half 
 U. R. C. The ladies laugh from time 
 to time as he proceeds, the gentlemen 
 nod and talk together, but a few 
 monosyllabic roars from WINTERSET 
 are out of key with the exclamations 
 and expressions of the others. CAPT. 
 BADGER regards BANTISON pityingly 
 as he and LADY CLAR^SE approach him. 
 
 BANTISON. 
 
 Ah, true, true, a most engaging fellow ; such 
 blue blood very blue. Ah, Lady Baring-
 
 54 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 Gould, my dear Badge, I was remarking to 
 Lady Malbourne how gratifying it is to me to 
 observe the Duke de Chateaurien. For some 
 years ago I had the great pleasure of visiting 
 the chateau. 
 
 [HARRY and ESTELLE are D. L. 
 
 LADIES. 
 Did you ? 
 
 BANTISON. 
 
 Ah, yes, yes ; dear, old, delightful castle. I 
 assure you ah, yes mossy towers, winding 
 
 fardens, and all of that sort of thing, you 
 now. 
 
 LADIES. 
 
 How enchanting, Bantison ! Oh, yes ; en- 
 chanting, enchanting, quite so. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 Bah! 
 
 BANTISON. 
 Eh? 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 Do you mean that you are acquainted with 
 the young man's family ? 
 
 BANTISON. 
 
 Eh ? Oh eh I believe they were away at 
 the time.
 
 MONSIEUR BE A UCAIRE 55 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 But you saw their portraits, no doubt ? 
 
 [HARRY listens eagerly. 
 
 BANTISON. 
 Ah no doubt yes. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 And the present Duke, was he among them ? 
 
 BANTISON. 
 
 Hang it all ! If you are going to quarrel 
 the ladies ! 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 \Bowing c.] As you please. 
 
 ESTELLE. 
 
 What is it, Harry, that you are making so 
 poor a failure to restrain ? 
 
 HARRY. 
 Did he not say a painting of the Duke ? 
 
 ESTELLE. 
 
 Well ! Can you think of nothing but paint- 
 ing? 
 
 HARRY. 
 Could I but remember where I have seen it 1
 
 $6 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 ESTELLE. 
 
 What? 
 
 HAEKY. 
 
 That face in a gallery near the king. 
 Yes ; yes, it was in the Galerie Koyale ! 
 
 ESTELLE. 
 Harry ! Are you mad ? 
 
 HARRY. 
 No ; Estelle ! [Breathless.] Estelle ! 
 
 ESTELLE. 
 Well? 
 
 [M. BEAUCAIRE and LADY MARY turn 
 as if to come down from steps, u. 0., 
 then linger. 
 
 HARRY. 
 
 Ah, there he is coming this way ; look, 
 look! 
 
 ESTELLE. 
 
 Harry, I can make nothing of what you are say- 
 ing. It is the new Duke who is coming toward 
 us. He is visiting his Grace of Winterset ; it is 
 the Duke of Chateaurien. [Again M. BEAU- 
 CAIRE and LADY MARY start to descend from 
 u. c. HARRY gazes at M. BEAUCAIRE, uncon- 
 sciously moving toward him. ESTELLE, touch- 
 ing his arm.'] Harry ! if you do not cease staring
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE $7 
 
 so rudely when a foreign guest arrives in Bath, 
 you will find yourself dropped from the Assem- 
 blies. Are these your newly acquired Parisian 
 manners ? 
 
 HARRY. 
 Your pardon, my dear Estelle ! 
 
 \They join a group, B. 
 
 SIR HUGH. 
 So glad you are with us, my boy. 
 
 HARRY. 
 I thank you, Sir Hugh. 
 
 SIR HUGH. 
 
 A painter too ; gad, now you must all sit for 
 him, ladies. 
 
 HARRY. 
 Is that a commission, sir ? 
 
 SIR HUGH. 
 
 Eh ? You will take me up, no doubt ! Lady 
 Baring-Gould, think you he can do justice to 
 your curls ? 
 
 [All laugh. Beenter M. BEAUCAIRE 
 and LADY MARY at u. c. ; WINTER- 
 SET takes out LADY RELLERTON D. L. 
 exit.
 
 58 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 
 [To LADY MALBOURNE on L.] Quite, 
 quite perfect, Lady Malbourne. 
 
 [Indicating M. BEAUCAIKE and LADY 
 MARY. 
 
 TOWNBRAKE. 
 
 A handsome fellow, to be sure, but with no 
 taste whatever for cards. 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 
 [L.] Indeed ? That is very odd ; he has the 
 eye of a shrewd player. 
 
 BANTISON. 
 
 No, no, don't agree with you, Beau ! I fancy 
 hunting and dancing are altogether his line. 
 Now what is your opinion, Lady Malbourne ? 
 [The groups withdraw as M. BEAUCAIRE 
 and LADY MARY approach. Reenter 
 M. BEAUCAIRE and LADY MARY. 
 They advance c. ; WINTERSET u. c., 
 and follows down as M. BEAUCAIRE 
 and LADY MARY approach D. L. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Am I to be lef ' in such on-happiness ? That 
 rose I have beg for so long
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 59 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 Never ! 
 
 [As they move down stage, the other 
 groups withdraw u. R. and u. L. 
 Exeunt TOWNBRAKE, LADY BARING- 
 GOULD, BANTISON and LADY, and 
 MOLYNEUX and LADY. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Ah, I do not deserve it, I know so well ! 
 But 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 Never ! [Exit first group. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 It is the greatness of my on worthiness that, 
 alone, can claim your charity ; let your kin' 
 heart give this little red rose, this great alms, to 
 the poor beggar. 
 
 [WiNTERSET appears u. c. and comes 
 down ike stairs. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 Never ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Ah, give the rose. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 Never ! Never !
 
 60 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Ah! 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 Never ! 
 
 [Drops rose at his feet as she makes her 
 exit D. L. Cheers outside as LADY 
 MARY goes out. The others bow to 
 LADY MALBOURNE, and start to go, 
 severally. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 [Advancing.] A rose lasts 'til morning. 
 
 [Enter FRANCOIS, D. c., and stands be- 
 hind WlNTERSET. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 'Tis already the daylight, Monsieur ; was it not 
 enough honour for you to han' out Madame, the 
 aunt of Lady Mary ? Lady Rellerton retain 
 much trace of beauty. 'Tis strange you did not 
 appear more happy. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 The rose is of an unlucky color, I think. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 The color of a blush, my brother. 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 Unlucky, I still maintain.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 6l 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 The color of the veins of a Frenchman. Ha, 
 ha ! What price would be too high ? A rose 
 is a rose ! A good-night, my brother, a good- 
 night. I wish you dreams of roses, red roses, 
 only beautiful red, red roses. 
 
 [Laughing and talking of ladies up 
 stage. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Stay ! Did you see the look she gave those 
 street folk when they shouted for her ? And 
 how are you higher than they, when she knows ? 
 As high as yonder horse-boy ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Fra^ois, my chair. {Exit FRANOIS, D. L.] 
 Mesdames, Mesdemoiselles, good-night to this 
 faires' Assembly and add, I beg, to your long 
 lis' of English brave, the name of one French- 
 man who leave his heart with you. [Goes u. c. 
 and pauses on the step ; to WINTERSET.] Red 
 roses, my brother, only roses. I wish you 
 dreams of red, red roses ! 
 
 CURTAIN
 
 ACT II 
 
 SCENE 1. A park) late in the morning. At 
 the back, SIR HUGH is walking with several 
 ladies. MOLYNEUX stands with LADY 
 MALBOURNE, u. L. c., CAPT. BADGER and 
 LADY CLARISE and LADY BARING-GOULD 
 stand u. c., HARRY and ESTELLE sit on 
 the bench, D. R. c. 
 
 As the curtain rises, LADY MALBOURNE comes 
 a little forward, MOLYNEUX following. 
 
 LADY MALBOURNE. 
 
 Estelle ! Estelle ! Behold your work, Mr. 
 Molyneux. Perhaps you are able to convey 
 to my daughter that we are starting for the 
 Bazaar. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 Certainly, yes. [He steps c. toward ES- 
 TELLE.] Miss Malbourne, ahem ! [Embar- 
 rassed, he returns to LADY MALBOURNE.] Ah 
 er why tell her at all, Madam ? Upon my 
 word she will not miss you. [The others laugh.~\ 
 Permit me. 
 
 [He takes her parasol and they go u. 
 toward the others. 
 62
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 63 
 
 SIR HUGH. 
 
 Ladies, what say you? Shall we to the 
 bazaar? 
 
 LADY BARING-GOULD. 
 Yes, pray let us go. Do not be vexed, my 
 dear Lady Malbourne ; remember there was a 
 time when you 
 
 LADY MALBOURNE. 
 
 Never ! Talked moonshine and in broad 
 daylight ? 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 And in Heaven's name, why not ? 
 
 LADY MALBOURNE. 
 
 [Laughing.] I marvel you have stayed a 
 bachelor, Mr. Molyneux. 
 
 [Laughing, they move U. C. All but 
 HARRY and ESTELLE go out, gradu- 
 ally, in pairs, during following dia- 
 logue. 
 
 HARRY. 
 
 Is it true, Estelle ? You do not scorn to be 
 the wife of a poor painter ? 
 
 ESTELLE. 
 
 Not a poor painter, Harry, an artist. I 
 love you because you love and believe in beau- 
 tiful things. No one could help trusting you.
 
 64 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 HARRY. 
 
 Dear Estelle ! If I could put into words all 
 I would say to you but no one could no one 
 has ever been able to say it, except in music. 
 But I can work for you, and put my will to de- 
 serve you into every stroke of my brush. 
 
 ESTELLE. 
 
 Come, let us walk together and talk of the 
 things we will try to do. 
 
 {Exeunt off p. L. CAPT. BADGER is 
 just following LADY CLARISE off u. R. 
 when he stops suddenly as he perceives 
 LADY MARY and M. BEAUCAIRE enter 
 u. L. c. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 You will dine with us to-night, M. le Due ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE 
 
 I shall come. But the feas' is superfluous, 
 Mademoiselle, to that feas' I have al-ways, 
 when you graciously permit me to be near. 
 
 [Exit CAPT. BADGER abruptly. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 I know not how to answer you, sir. But I 
 had forgot to thank you for the verses of your 
 French poet. They are very beautiful.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 65 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 I thank you for him, Mademoiselle. How 
 happy it will make him when he know' ! 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 He is, then, a friend of yours ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Oh, yes he is a dear frien'. But is there 
 not, in the verses, too much for you of of the 
 romance, Lady Mary ? 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 {Laughing lightly^ You think we English 
 have no romance, sir ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 [Aside.] If I could but know how much! 
 [To her.] Mr. Molyneux tell me it is a thing 
 of danger in England. [Aside.] Ah, for me 
 yes! 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 A danger only when it is used wrongly, sir. 
 Is it not like a cloak that should adorn, but not 
 disguise ? An innocent romance we quite 
 adore ; did you not see Estelle Malbourne 
 walking in the woods yonder with dear young 
 Harry ? A boy without a penny, sir, and she, 
 the daughter of a lady of the "proudest pedi-
 
 66 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 gree. Theirs is romance truly, but it does not 
 hurt them. It will but teach them to climb 
 the wall. [In half whisper, looking front. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 [Softly."} Yes, to climb the wall and to 
 look over into the rich gardens beyond. Who 
 does not long to climb that wall and who 
 does not try ? Ah, Lady Mary, tell me one 
 thing, I beg. You would not think it wrong 
 to climb up there for a man to reach that 
 faires' garden by wearing for a little, jus' a 
 trifle, the cloak of another's disguise ? 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 What is that you ask, sir ? I do not fully 
 understand. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 If I could only make you to see. Ah, 
 Mademoiselle, a man will do anything to 
 reach that garden an' has he not the right 
 if he belong there ? 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 You puzzle me, sir, I confess. Why need 
 there be any disguise for a true man ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 [Aside.'] Is it can it be ? No, no, I will 
 not let them fade, those roses, I will hoi' them
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 67 
 
 too close to my heart ! [To her.'} Madem- 
 oiselle, one day I will tell you why I ask 
 these strange questions you trus' me, Madem- 
 oiselle ? 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 It were either dull or ungracious in me to do 
 otherwise, Monsieur. 
 
 [Enter CAPT. BADGER, u. R. ; he cornea 
 obrwpily, D. c. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 Pardon, Lady Mary, Lady Rellerton begs 
 you to drive with her and with Clarise. Will 
 you not join them ? 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 [Wearily.] Yes. [Very sweetly.'] M. de 
 Chateaurien, we shall be waiting for you to- 
 night. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Mademoiselle, your servant al-ways. [Bows. 
 LADY MARY starts u. L. M. BEAUCAIRE fol- 
 lows her u., and bows her off u. L. ; then he re- 
 turns D. L. c.] Captain Badger poor you an' 
 me are lef in the col' shadow. The sun has 
 gone. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 You may keep your poetry to yourself, sir !
 
 68 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 M. BEAUCAIEE. 
 
 Ah ? I thought I had been present' to you at 
 Lady Malbourne ! I see I am mistaken. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 Fellow ! My forbearance to disclose your 
 low birth was merely out of delicacy to a 
 lady How you deceived the Duke 
 
 M. BEAUCAIEE. 
 Monsieur ! 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 That, I say, has no bearing on the matter. 
 Enough that you play suitor to this lady 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Sir! 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 Do I not make myself clear ? Then permit 
 me to tell you bluntly that you are an im- 
 postor. Chateaurien is nothing ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Ah, so, Monsieur ! Yery well nothing 
 means nothing. But we shall see. I advise 
 you make good practice with your swor' ! 
 
 {Enter LADY CLARisE during last speech.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 69 
 
 LADY CLAUSE. 
 
 Captain, Captain I knew it a quarrel with 
 the Duke, and your promise to me ; what of 
 that, sir ? 
 
 CAPT. BADGEE. 
 
 Pray return to the carriage, Madam ; this is 
 no encounter for a lady to witness. 
 
 LADY CLARISE. 
 
 And is it an encounter for a gentleman to 
 enter ? What strange notion has taken posses- 
 sion of you, that you dare bring charges against 
 a duke ? 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 It were cause enough, Madam, that you are 
 so ready to espouse his cause. He has insulted 
 all the ladies with his insufferable deception 
 quite as completely as he has bewitched you 
 with his insolent affectation. 
 
 LADY CLARISE. 
 
 What folly to permit your pride and jealousy 
 yes, I fear that is the word, sir to plunge 
 you into a quarrel with a French gentleman 1 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 A gentleman !
 
 70 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 LADY CLAUSE. 
 
 Can you prove, sir, that he is less ? You are 
 in danger of being laughed at, Captain. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 And you, Madam, run the risk of believing 
 in an unknown trifler who hides his low birtn 
 beneath a satin coat and the title of a duke. 
 Since you are so vehement in his behalf, 
 Madam, I will confide to you the intelligence 
 that a certain French lackey who was con- 
 stantly in attendance upon that young gambler, 
 known as Beaucaire myself discovered wait- 
 ing at Lady Malbourne's ball as the chief at- 
 tendant upon this Chateaurien. 
 
 LADY CLAR!SE. 
 
 [Laughing.'] A monstrous proof ! And do 
 servants never change their masters? Think 
 you, when a foreign duke arrives at Bath, a 
 mere gambler could retain his followers ? 
 
 CAPT. BADGEB. 
 Your excuses are highly ingenious, Madam ! 
 
 LADY CLARISE. 
 
 Will you correct me, M. de Chateaurien, if I 
 have deduced wrongly ?
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE /I 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 "With the permission of Mademoiselle I will 
 answer that question with my swor'. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 Aha ! You see ! 
 
 LADY CLAR!SE. 
 
 [Quickly.] No, no, I beg you, do not fight. 
 Deny his taunts, M. le Due. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 It would be useless, Clarise ; I would not be- 
 lieve him if he did. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Mademoiselle, I give you my word I am of 
 as good birth as he is that enough ? 
 
 LADY CLARISE. 
 
 Yes, yes, Monsieur. [Sows; turning to CAPT. 
 BADGER.] Captain Badger, you had nearly 
 won my heart henceforth, you must seek 
 your lady elsewhere. [Exit, u. R. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 An' she is an English lady ! 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 Sir! Another word of her and I will not 
 stand upon ceremony. Harry Harry Rackell !
 
 72 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 {Enter HARRY tr. L., followed ~by MOLYNEUX 
 U. K.] Harry, this person wishes to fight me. 
 Though convinced of his low birth, I will deign 
 to cross swords with him for the sake of ridding 
 Bath of an impostor. 
 
 HARRY. 
 
 Sir ! Tell me first 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 [Waving off his interruption.'] Will you 
 kindly act as my second ? His lackey will no 
 doubt act for him. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 [D. L.] My servant knows better his place, 
 sir! Mr. Molyneux, may I presume on your 
 kindness ? 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 Certainly, sir. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 One moment, Molyneux. Do not mix your 
 name with that fellow's affairs. Do you sup- 
 pose I am acting without reason ? Harry, you 
 will find me at my lodgings. 
 
 HARRY. 
 
 [c.] But I must decline your invitation to 
 act for you.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 73 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 [D. R.] What ! 
 
 HARRY. 
 
 You may have ray reason if you wish, Cap- 
 tain ; I know you will laugh at it. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 I think nothing you could say or do will 
 afford me the slightest merriment in the future, 
 Mr. Rackell. [Turns angrily on his heel. 
 
 HARRY. 
 
 [Crosses c.] "Wait, Captain, I dislike to re- 
 fuse you. If you really think this gentleman 
 is an impostor, I don't blame you for fighting 
 him. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 Thank you ! 
 
 HARRY. 
 
 But I don't believe he is. And I hate scandal, 
 sir and since the man or woman does not 
 breathe who may be entirely free from it, I 
 prefer to judge from faces not stories. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 "Well said, Harry !
 
 74 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 Ah, your chin is still quite smooth, I see. I 
 had thought you were full-grown, Master 
 Harry. It is evident a pretty face may subdue 
 you as well as the ladies. 
 
 HARRY. 
 
 Say what you like, I will bear you no malice, 
 Captain Badger. And though I know it will 
 cost me another laugh, I will tell you why I 
 refuse to act for you. It is because this gentle- 
 man bears so striking a resemblance to a certain 
 face I have seen in the royal galleries at Paris 
 no less, indeed, than the king's own cousin, 
 Louis Philippe de Yalois. Were I to act 
 against this gentleman, I should feel I were 
 committing an affront against a royal prince of 
 France. [M. BEAUCAIRE beams. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 [Aside."] An' he is an Englishman! [To 
 HARRY.] I thank you for your kin' sentiment, 
 Monsieur. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 Sentiment! Pah! Molyneux, have the 
 
 foodness to request Townbrake to attend me. 
 entimental ninny ! 
 
 [Snapping his fingers at HARRY.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 7$ 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Captain Badger, I will answer your insulta 
 here at five o'clock, to-day. 
 
 [CAPT. BADGER strides off u. R. growl- 
 ing. M. BEAUCAIRE offers his hand 
 to HARRY, looking with interest into 
 the young man's face. 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
 SCENE 2. The same, late in the afternoon* 
 MOLYNEUX is advancing to CAPT. BADGEB 
 who is lying disarmed against TOWN- 
 BRAKE'S knees. M. BEAUCAIRE is replace 
 ing his sword in its scabbard and rearrang- 
 ing his toilet D. L. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Shall I sen' you a doctor, Monsieur ? Fran- 
 cois, despatch Jean for a doctor. I hope I 
 have not prick' you in an ugly place ? 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 Curse you, hound ! The devil fought with 
 you.
 
 /6 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 M. BEAITCAIEE. 
 
 Oh, no only that kin' angel, my honour. 
 An' now, gentlemen, I beg you to excuse me. 
 My men shall ren'er you any service. My 
 thanks to you again, M. Molyneux. Farewell, 
 gentlemen ; in an appointment with a lady one 
 mus' be never one secon' late. Adieu. 
 
 [Exit, u. L. 
 CAPT. BADGEE. 
 
 Zounds ! Will nothing stop his impudence ? 
 A lady yes, and no less a lady than the Beauty 
 of Bath. Oh, 'tis insufferable ! 
 
 TOWISTBEAKE. 
 
 Quiet, I say, Badger, or you'll pay for it, you 
 know. He certainly made a clean hit, you 
 know. 
 
 [CAPT. BADGEE groans with disgust. 
 Enter WIISTTEESET, u. E., in deep con- 
 cern. 
 
 "WnSTTEESET. 
 
 My dear Captain, I am at a loss for words. 
 
 [Crossing quietly to B. 0. 
 
 CAPT. BADGEE. 
 
 And I for blood with thanks to your French 
 duke! 
 
 WlNTEESET. 
 
 Alas ! I have just heard the truth.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE ff 
 
 CAPT. BADGER 
 
 Then you'd better convince Molyneux. He 
 acted on the varlet's behalf. 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 
 \A step toward MOLYNEUX.] No! Can it 
 be possible ? Say no more, gentlemen, for my 
 shame overcomes me that I should have in- 
 troduced him. Ah teach me what I may do 
 to atone for this ! 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 Oh, I don't blame you, Winterset ; you were 
 no duller than the rest of us and 'twas a deuced 
 clever disguise. Make him pay for it that's 
 all I ask. 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 
 How shall it be done, my dear friends ? I 
 am zealous to embrace any plan that may cancel 
 my disastrous mistake. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 Then don't attempt to kill him. Zounds! 
 the devil himself could not fight better. 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 It is a risk that is evident. 
 
 TOWNBRAKE. 
 
 He's no gentleman and don't deserve to be 
 fought with. Fall on him when he's alone.
 
 78 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 WlNTEESET. 
 
 All of us that's it. 
 
 TOWNBEAKE. 
 
 Lash him to a post and let our lackeys lay on 
 $o him ! 
 
 WINTEBSET. 
 
 [E. c.J Ah ah you have hit it, Townbrake. 
 .And if it could be brought about in the presence 
 <of the ladies, I vow I should be satisfied. 
 
 CAPT. BADGEE. 
 -Yes yes ! Good, lads ! 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 That seems scarcely worthy of you, gentle- 
 men. Is it true, Winterset, that you are con- 
 vinced of your mistake ? I have heard no 
 proof. 
 
 WlNTEESET. 
 
 Alas, Mr. Molyneux ! It is with a heavy 
 'heart that I confirm the facts. I have dis- 
 <covered that Beaucaire left Bath on the very 
 night of Chateaurien's arrival. Captain Badger 
 ihaci sent me the startling news concerning one 
 of Beaucaire's servants, and upon inquiry 1 find 
 4hat all of them now belong to Chateaurien. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 I am heartily sorry. In spite of what you 
 isay, he appears a gentleman.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE ?g 
 
 TOWNBRAKE. 
 
 At first, of course ; but it is easy to see now 
 how low-born and ill-mannered the cur is. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 Ah ! well, I am sorry. 
 
 TOWNBRAKE. 
 
 Join us, then, Molyneux ; we will take masks 
 and cloaks, and surprise him this very evening. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Before the ladies, do not forget that point. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 Humph! That will not be difficult! Is 
 there not a full moon to-night, and he's dining 
 at Lady Rellerton's, is he not, Winterset ? 
 
 [Stage grows darker. 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 
 Too true, indeed, Captain. The young 
 French rascal is at this moment chattering 
 glibly at the side of Lady Mary ; and, gentle- 
 men be it said to our dishonour they will 
 certainly stroll out to the park on a night like 
 this. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 Our scheme is concluded, then ?
 
 80 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Get Harry Rackell; we want six men, at 
 least. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 He will not come. 
 
 CAPT. BADGEE. 
 
 To lay hands on a royal peer of France? 
 Not he ! [They all laugh. 
 
 WlNTEESET. 
 
 Then send, one of you, for Sir Hugh. 
 
 TOWKBEAKE. 
 
 I'll join you in an hour at your house, Win- 
 terset. Come, Captain, I'll see you disposed. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 I, too, in apology, friend Badger. 
 
 CAPT. BADGEE. 
 
 Oh, I forgive you, Molyneux ; only lash the 
 villain soundly ! 
 
 WlNTEESET. 
 
 Trust us, Captain. In an hour, gentlemen. 
 
 TOWNBEAKE. 
 
 My man shall bring masks for all. In an 
 hour, then.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 8l 
 
 [Exeunt all but WINTERSET, u. L. He 
 watches them off, then rubs his hands, 
 smiling grimly. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Ha! Those red roses begin to fade my 
 young Frenchman ! 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
 SCENE 3. The same. Night. Just before 
 the curtavn rises, catches of a French song 
 come from off stage, ending " Ohmon pays, 
 Sois Tries amours toujours." The stage is 
 obscure. Off R. there is a soft light, barely 
 suggestive of a moon. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE and LADY MARY enter u. L. 
 and walk slowly to R. c., near the bench. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Mademoiselle, I, too, have been a wanderer, 
 but my dreams were not of France ; no, I do 
 not dream of that home, of that dear country. 
 It is of a dearer country, a dream country a 
 country of gol' and snow ah ! gol' and snow, 
 and the blue sky of a lady's eyes !
 
 82 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 LADY MAEY. 
 
 I had thought the ladies of France were 
 dark, sir. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIEE. 
 
 Cruel ! It is that she will not understand ! 
 Have I speak of the ladies of France? No, 
 no, no ! It is of the faires' country ; yes, 'tis a 
 province of heaven, Mademoiselle. Do I not 
 renounce my allegiance to France ? Oh, yes ! 
 I am subjec' no, content to be slave in the 
 Ian' of the blue sky, the gol', and the snow. 
 
 [She moves to bench and sits upon it still 
 turning away from him. 
 
 LADY MAEY. 
 
 A very pretty figure; but does it not hint 
 a notable experience in the making of such 
 speeches ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIEE. 
 
 Tormentress ! No. It prov' only the inspi- 
 ration it is to know you. 
 
 LADY MAEY. 
 
 We English ladies hear plenty of the like, 
 sir ; and we even grow brilliant enough to de- 
 tect the assurance that lies underneath the 
 courtesies of our own gallants. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIEE. 
 Merci ! I should believe so !
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 83 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 We come, in time, to believe that true feel- 
 ing comes faltering forth, not glibly ; that 
 smoothness betokens the adept in the art, sir, 
 rather than your true your true 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 [Coming closer to her.] Your true lover. 
 [She rises.] I know what make you to doubt 
 me ; they have to? you the French do nothing 
 al-ways but make love, is it not so ? Yes, you 
 think* I am like that. You think I am like 
 that now ! I suppose I am unriz'nable, but I 
 would have the snow not so col' for jus' me. 
 [Faintly a hunting horn sounds in the distance.] 
 
 Turn to me [He takes her hand L.] Turn 
 
 to me ! 
 
 [The horn sounds nearer; she looks up at 
 him. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 All the cold was gone from the snow long 
 ago. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 My beautiful ! My beautiful ! 
 
 [They both stand and instinctively take 
 one step together, D. stage. Suddenly 
 a clatter is heard and wild halloo.
 
 84 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 VOICES. 
 
 [Of stage.'] 'Ware the road! 'Ware the 
 road! 
 
 [LADY MARY seizes his arm and draws 
 him further D. R. Six men with 
 drawn swords rush on from u. L. 
 
 MEN. 
 
 Barber! Kill the barber! Barber! Kill 
 the barber ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 [Drawing.] A moi ! a moi ! Francois, Louis, 
 Berquin ! A moi, Franpois ! [The men attack 
 M. BEAUCAIRE who defends himself with re- 
 markable agility. ~\ Sacred swine ! To en- 
 danger a lady, to make this brawl in a lady's 
 presence ! [To LADY MARY.] Pray go ! 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 No! 
 
 MEN. 
 Barber ! Barber ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 See how he use' his steel ! Ha, ha ! [He 
 cleaves the space about him. As he hits TOWN- 
 BRAKE and engages with Gentleman No. 1, 
 Gentleman No. 2 comes from behind and 
 touches him ; quick time.'] Canaille !
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 85 
 
 [lie whirls about and fences on all sides 
 at once. He brings to the ground 
 Gentleman No. 2. WINTERSET 
 stands, half hidden, u. L. 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 
 Is it not a compliment to bring six large men 
 to subdue Monsieur ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Ob, you are there, my f rien' ! In the rear 
 a little in the rear, I think. Ha, ha ! 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 Sir Hugh Guilford ! If you will not help 
 him, give me your sword ! 
 
 SIR HUGH. 
 
 Do not be alarmed, Madame, Lady Rellerton 
 is at hand, and your coach you will please 
 join her. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 Never ! Ah, what cowards ! Will you mur- 
 der the Duke ? [Quick time. 
 
 SIR HUGH. 
 The Duke ! We will not kill him, unless 
 
 be easy, dear Madame, 'twill be explained 
 
 \Enter LADY KELLERTON, D. R. 
 
 LADY KELLERTON. 
 Do not stay here, Mary ; the coach is waiting.
 
 86 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 I will not come ! 
 
 SIR HUGH. 
 
 Gad's life ! 'Twere time the varlet had his 
 lashing ! D'ye hear her ? 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 Barber or no barber, he fights as few gentle- 
 men could. Ah ah ! Look at that ! 'Tis a 
 shame ! 
 
 [M. BEAUCAIKE is at last "brought down 
 by a lunge from behind by Gentle- 
 man No. 1. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIKE. 
 A moi ! a moi ! Francois ! 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 Shame ! 'Twas dastardly to take him so. 
 He's no barber, no, and never was ! 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Truss him up, lads. Now, Whiffen, you have 
 a fair audience, lay on and baste him. 
 
 [Gentleman No. 1 and BANTISON come 
 toward M. BEAUCAIRE and begin to 
 drag him back toward u. c. WINTER- 
 SET takes a long whip from under his 
 cloak. Gentleman No. 1 binds ropes 
 about M. BEAUCAIRE'S arms behind.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 87 
 
 M. BEAUCAIEE. 
 A moi, Francois ! 
 
 [In the distance M. BEAUCAIEE'S men 
 shout off stage, " Monseigneur ! Mon- 
 seigneur ! " Clatter off stage as shouts 
 come nearer. M. BEAUCAIEE'S men 
 rush on, swords drawn. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIEE'S MEN. 
 Chateaurien ! Chateaurien ! 
 
 [FEANC.OIS and Louis leap to the side 
 of M. BEAUCAIEE. Louis pierces 
 Gentleman No. 1, who falls; he then 
 releases M. BEAUCAIEE, and he and 
 FEANC.OIS support him, while JEAN 
 routs TOWNBEAKE and BANTISON. 
 YICTOE speeds towards SIE HUGH, 
 bringing him down at a blow: BEE- 
 QUIIST engages TOWNBEAKE ; the other 
 two attack WlNTEESET, who tries to 
 evade fighting. M. BEAUCAIEE stag- 
 gers D. stage in the arms of FEAN^OIS 
 and Louis. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 [As SIE HuGH/aZZs.] Our just deserts ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIEE. 
 
 Tiens ! Tiens ! mes enfants ! [His men cease 
 fighting. LADY MAEY goes to him and gives
 
 88 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 him her hands. He springs up and bowsJ\ I 
 make ten thousan' apology to be the cause of 
 such a melee in your presence. [His men now 
 group L. c., wh^le the gentlemen retire to cor- 
 ners] Ah belitre ! un peu, et il aurait ete 
 trop tard. 
 
 FEANgOIS. 
 
 [Coming forward and kneeling. ,] Pardon! 
 Monseigneur nous a commande de suivre a 
 lointain, et de rester oscure. II y avait trop 
 de vent contre le voix de Monseigneur. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIEE. 
 Yoyez la prix qui peut etre, mes enfants ! 
 
 [Pointing to the rope. 
 
 Oh, Monseigneur ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIEE. 
 Mais ce n'est pas fait ! 
 
 FEANCOIS. 
 C'erait impossible ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIEE. 
 
 Oui. Et vous avez fait tres bien, tres bien, 
 mes enfants. And now one must ask our gal- 
 lants yonder what make them to turn highway-
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 89 
 
 men. One should come to a polite understand- 
 ing with them, not so ? 
 
 \His men withdraw u. C., but near him 
 he confronts the gentlemen. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 Monseigneur ! [M. BEAUCAIRE turns sud- 
 denly^ but the movement causes him to feel 
 faint ; he claps his hand over his wound on 
 right shoulder.} You are hurt ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 It is nothing. I am a little but jus' a tri- 
 fling bruise' ; 'tis all. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 You shall ride in the coach. "Will you be 
 pleased, M. de Chateaurien ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Ah, my beautiful ! I wish that ride might 
 las' for al-ways ! Can you say that, Madem- 
 oiselle ? 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 Monseigneur, I would what you would have 
 be should be. What do you not deserve ? You 
 are the bravest man in the world ! 
 
 [TOWNBRAKE and BANTISON start with 
 SIR HUGH to go u. L. c.
 
 90 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Ha, ha ! I am jus' a poor Frenchman. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 Would that a few Englishmen had shown 
 themselves as "poor" to-night [Gentle- 
 man No. 1, BANTISON and MOLYNEUX are 
 helping SIR HUGH off u. R., behind M. BEAU- 
 CAIRE and LADY MARY.] The vile cowards 
 to attack you ! My little poltroons, what are 
 you doing with your fellow -craven, Sir Hugh 
 Guilford ? 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 Madame, Sir Hugh's leg is broken. Lady 
 Rellerton graciously permits him to be taken 
 to the coach. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 I do not permit it, M. de Chateaurien rides 
 with us. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 But 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 Sir ! Leave the wretch to groan by the 
 roadside, which plight I would were that of 
 all of you ! But there will be a pretty story 
 for the gossips to-morrow ! Fine gentlemen, 
 you ; hardy bravos, by heaven ! To try a gen-
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 91 
 
 tleman's skill at fencing by surprising him and 
 falling upon him as if you were highwaymen. 
 You presume too far on the Duke's good na- 
 ture to resort to such a trick. But all Bath 
 shall know of it, I promise you and then 
 ah, the wits ! Heaven save you from the wits 1 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 Madam 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 Address me no more ! M. de Chateaurien, 
 Lady Rellerton and I will greatly esteem the 
 honour of your company ; will you come ? 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 [Coming L. c. and unmasking.] Lady 
 Mary Carlysle will no doubt listen to a word of 
 counsel on this point. 
 
 LADY KELLERTON. 
 Gracious heavens, 'tis Winterset ! 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 Turned highwayman and cut-throat ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 No, no [laughs], he only oversee' ; he is jus' 
 a little bashful, sometime'. He is a great man, 
 but he don' want all the glory !
 
 92 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Barber ! a lackey who has himself followed 
 by six other lackeys 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Have prove a match for your Bath noble' 
 not so ? I think mine mus' be the bes' six. 
 Ha, ha! 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 M. de Chateaurien, we are waiting for you. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Pardon. He has something to say ; maybe 
 it is bes' if you hear it now. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 I wish to hear nothing from him ever ! 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 
 My faith, Madam, this saucy fellow has paid 
 you the last insult. He is so sure of you he 
 does not fear you will believe 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 I'll hear no more. 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 
 You will bitterly repent it, Madam ; for your 
 own sake, I beg
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 93 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 And I also. Permit me, Mademoiselle; let 
 him speak. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 Then let him be brief. His explanation of an 
 attack upon my friend and in my presence 
 should be made to my brother. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Madam, I have endeavored only to expunge 
 a debt I owed to Bath, and to avenge an insult 
 offered to yourself through 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 Sir, sir, my patience will bear little more ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 A thousan' apology. You will listen, I only 
 beg, Lady Mary ? 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 Well? 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 You recollect that several months ago a 
 French gambler came to Bath, calling himself 
 Beaucaire ; that he was proved to be no less 
 than a lackey of the French king's Ambassador, 
 Victor by name, de Mirepoix's barber. One 
 evening, three weeks gone, I observed a very
 
 94 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 elegant equipage draw up to my door, and the 
 Duke of Chateaurien was announced. He de- 
 clared himself a noble, travelling for pleasure. 
 He had taken lodgings in Bath for a season, he 
 said, and called, at once, to pay his respects to 
 me. His tone was so candid in truth, I am 
 the simplest of men, very easily gulled 
 
 LADY MAEY. 
 Is your farrago nigh done, sir ? 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 A few moments, Madam. His stroke was so 
 bold that I did not for a moment suspect him ; 
 and, to my poignant regret, that very evening 
 I had the shame of presenting him to yourself. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 The shame, sir ? 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Ay, the shame ! All ran merrily with him 
 until to-day, when Captain Badger denounced 
 him as an impostor, vowing that Chateaurien 
 was nothing. [LADY MARY starts; she is 
 studying M. BEAUCAIRE'S face.~\ Poor Captain 
 Badger was stabbed this very afternoon, and 
 sending for these gentlemen and myself he 
 imparted to us a very horrifying intelligence. 
 He had discovered that a lackey whom he had 
 seen at Beaucaire's lodgings was in constant at-
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 95 
 
 tendance upon Chateaurien. Beaucaire had 
 disappeared. The Captain looked closely at 
 this Chateaurien at their next meeting, and 
 identified the gambler beyond the faintest 
 doubt. Look at him, Madam, if he will dare 
 the inspection ; you saw this Beaucaire well 
 the day Mr. Nash expelled him from the rooms. 
 Is not this he ? 
 
 [M. BEAUCAIKE steps dose to her and 
 looks straight into her face. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIKE. 
 Look! 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 Oh, oh ! 
 
 [Putting out her hand to LADY REL- 
 
 LERTON 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Is it not so ? 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 I do not know I cannot tell. 
 
 "WlNTERSET. 
 
 This is why, with the aid of these gentlemen, 
 I arranged to give the rascal a lashing under 
 your own eyes, a satisfaction due the lady into 
 whose presence he had dared to force himself.
 
 96 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 " Noblesse oblige " ? 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 It is false ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIEE. 
 
 Monsieur should not have been born so high. 
 He could have made little book ! 
 
 LADY MAKY. 
 You mean it is false ? 
 
 BANTISON. 
 
 'Od's blood, is she not convinced ? Fellow, 
 were you not the Ambassador's barber ? 
 
 LADY MAKY. 
 It is all false ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIKE. 
 
 The mos't fine art, Mademoiselle. How long 
 you think it take M. de "Winterset to learn that 
 speech after he write it out ? It is a mix of 
 what is true an' the mos' chaste art. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 Will you answer a question ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Oh, with pleasure, Monsieur.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 97 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 Were you ever a barber ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIKE. 
 No, Monsieur. [Laughs merrily. 
 
 BANTISON. 
 
 Pah! Let me question him. Now, fellow, 
 a confession may save you from jail. Do you 
 deny you are Beaucaire ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 {Begins to sway from fainfaess.~\ Deny to 
 such a judge ? 
 
 BANTISON. 
 
 Ha ! What more do you want, Molyneux ? 
 Fellow, do you deny that you came to London 
 in the Ambassador's suite ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 No, I do not deny. 
 
 BANTISON. 
 
 He admits it ! Didn't you come as his 
 barber ? 
 
 [M. BEAUCAIRE is swaying; 
 comes up close behind him. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Yes, my frien', as his barber. 
 
 [LADY MARY exclaims.
 
 98 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 I'm sorry. You fight like a gentleman. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 I thank you, Monsieur. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 You called yourself Beaucaire ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIKE. 
 Yes, Monsieur. 
 
 [He sways again / all his servants come 
 towards him; FRANCOIS and Louis 
 support him. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 I wish devil take me ! but I'm sorry you 
 are hurt. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 Assist Sir Hugh to my carriage. 
 
 [Gentlemen Nos. 1 and 2 take SIR Huo-H 
 of u. R., BANTISON and TOWN- 
 BRAKE following with LADY REL- 
 LERTON. MOLYNEUX waits u. o. 
 for LADY MARY, who stands one half 
 D. R. c. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Fellow ! [He strides D. L. c. to M. BEAU- 
 CAIRE. As he comes near, VICTOR springs out
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 99 
 
 threateningly. .] Curse your insolence ! Beau- 
 caire, if you have not left Bath by to-morrow 
 noon you will be clapped into jail, and the 
 lashing you escaped to-night shall be given you 
 thrice tenfold ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 [c.] I shall be in the Assembly Room' at 
 nine o'clock, one week from to-night. You 
 mus' keep in the background, Monsieur. Ha, 
 ha ! Mademoiselle, farewell ! My faires' flower 
 my golden song ! 
 
 [LADY MARY deigns no answer, but 
 sweeps out on the arm of MOLYNEUX, 
 U. R., to/M&j WINTERSET follows, grin- 
 ning. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Only ros-es ! 
 
 [He falls into the arms of his servants : 
 FRANCOIS reverently kisses his sword. 
 
 CURTAIN
 
 ACT III 
 
 43CENE. The Assembly Rooms, one week later. 
 Music and laughter. 
 
 ^As the curtain rises, LADY CLARISE is stand- 
 ing D. R. c., talking to BANTISON and SIR 
 HUGH, who has a crutch ; his leg is bound 
 up. Both gentlemen are laughing loudly. 
 
 BANTISON. 
 Gad ! Madam, you're vastly amusing. 
 
 SIR HUGH. 
 
 What said the old chap when you turned the 
 laugh against him ? 
 
 LADY CLAR^SE. 
 
 Do you know, he had the rare wisdom to say 
 'nothing which was fortunate for me for I 
 was just then culling bits of conversation from 
 'the couple on my right most valuable bits 
 ;and most ah, dear me you are too young to 
 liear them, gentlemen. 
 
 [They burst into laughter. 
 
 BANTISON. 
 
 Oh, I say ! Do tell us, Lady Clarise. 
 100
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE IO* 
 
 LADY CLARISE. 
 
 But poor, dear Sir Hugh must not stand, or 
 I shall need a staff myself out of sympathy. 
 
 BANTISON. 
 
 I'll fetch a chair 
 
 \Starts towards one R. As he leave* 
 LADY CLARISE, CAPT. BADGER con- 
 fronts her ; she turns away. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 Clarise ! 
 
 LADY CLARISE. 
 
 Sir Hugh, how horribly it must pain you to 
 stand. I am deeply sorry. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 Yet you have no pity for me, and my hurt ia 
 a thousand times worse. 
 
 SIR HUGH. 
 
 Be generous, Madam. Did not the Captain, 
 render us all a service to to 
 
 LADY CLAR!SE. 
 
 Sirs ! I did not attend the Assembly in order- 
 to renew my acquaintance with Captain Badger. 
 Ah, there is Harry ; he can offer a mood 
 friendly to mine. 
 
 [She joins HARRY ; BANTISON holds th& 
 chair awkwardly.
 
 102 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 BANTISON. 
 
 But I say, Lady Clarise, you must tell us, 
 you know those bits of conversation 
 
 LADY CLAUSE. 
 
 [Sweetly.'] After the cards, Mr. Bantison, 
 after the cards. 
 
 [She and HAEEY retire D. L. A group, 
 U. c., comes down, surrounding BEAU 
 NASH; BANTISON, CAPT. BADGER 
 and SIR HUGH move D. E. 0. 
 
 LADY BAEING-GOULD. 
 
 Do assure us, Mr. Nash, have they indeed 
 arrived? 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 A most felicitous fact, dear ladies. 
 
 LADY MALBOUENE. 
 
 And is the young prince so charming and 
 gracious ? 'Tis said his face is as pretty as a 
 girl's. 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 It is, indeed, Madam, utterly engaging. 
 
 LADIES. 
 Ah!
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE IO3 
 
 LADY CLARISE. 
 
 [R. of HARRY.] Now, Harry ! You can go. 
 Estelle looks most unhappy. \He bows and 
 drops quickly to the side of ESTELLE, u. L. c. ; 
 they move behind others to D. R.] Mr. Nash, 
 you are a very brave man, I perceive. 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 
 Lady Clarise, you are preparing a thrust be 
 ready to assist me, gentlemen. 
 
 LADY CLARISE. 
 
 [D. L. c.] Why, sir, you have the great 
 calmness to admit still more unknown French- 
 men to Bath. 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 
 [c., bowing. ] Madam, I think this time I 
 make no mistake. 
 
 [He goes nearer LADY CLAR!SE and 
 talks with her, D. L. c.] 
 
 TOWNBRAKE. 
 
 [Coming D. o.] Is it possible she is not yet 
 convinced of that fellow Beaucaire's 
 
 MEN. 
 Hush! 
 
 TOWNBRAKE. 
 
 Eh?
 
 104 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 BANTISON. 
 Keep still, Townbrake. 
 
 TOWNEKAKE. 
 
 \In wonder ^\ Madam Clarise! And I'd 
 have sworn she was the cleverest lady of them 
 all. 
 
 BANTISON. 
 
 Hush ! I say ! She will not stay, if we utter 
 one word against that French barber 
 
 LADY CLAK!SE. 
 
 [Turning upon him.'] Sir, of whom were 
 you speaking, pray ? 
 
 BANTISON. 
 
 I beg your pardon, Lady Clarise Ah, 
 
 here is the Duke. 
 
 [As he speaks, WINTERSET, with LADY 
 MARY on his arm, appears u. c. He 
 beams upon them all. BEAU NASH 
 hastens up to greet them, coming down 
 between tlietn. 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 
 Welcome, Lady Mary and you, Duke. [As 
 they come D., the group separates and the gentle- 
 men and ladies drop to either side. LADY 
 CLAR!SE greets LADY MARY with marked cool~
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE IO5 
 
 ness. BEAU NASH, aside to WINTERSET.] I 
 had news of the rascal to-night. He lay at a 
 farm till yesterday, when he disappeared; his 
 ruffians, too. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 You have arranged ? 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 
 Fourteen bailiffs are watching without. He 
 could not come within gunshot. If they clap 
 eyes on him, they will hustle him to jail, and 
 his cut-throats shall not avail him a hair's 
 weight. The impertinent swore he'd be here 
 by nine, did he ? 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 He said so ; and 'tis a rash dog we know. 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 It is just nine now. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Send out to see if they have taken him. 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 Gladly. 
 
 [Motions to WINTON, who goes out u. 0. 
 
 LADY CLAR^SE. 
 Take care, lest your French ambassador, the
 
 106 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 Marquis de Mirepoix, should prove to be a 
 shoemaker ! 
 
 {Enter WINTON, announcing, u. 0. 
 
 "WiNTON. 
 
 His highness the French prince, his ambassa- 
 dor and suite. 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 Ah! 
 
 [Advances rapidly. All bow low. Two 
 gentlemen appear u. c. and stand in 
 salutation. 
 
 FIRST GENTLEMAN. 
 
 M. le Comte de Beaujolais, M. le Marquis de 
 Mirepoix. 
 
 [.Enter HENRI, followed by MIREPOIX. 
 BEAU NASH greets them and presents 
 them to ladies. A general flutter ; 
 music sounds. LADY MARY, feeling 
 faint, leans against wall L., followed 
 by WINTERSET. The others, led by 
 young HENRI and ladies, go gradu- 
 ally 0^" D. R., while he smiles and says : 
 
 HENRI. 
 
 Ah, it is charming charming this garden of 
 flowers ; we are in enchantment, eh, Mirepoix ? 
 [.Exeunt all except LADY MARY and 
 WINTERSET.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 WlNTEBSET. 
 
 Alas, Madain, you are pale. 
 
 LADY MABY. 
 It is nothing. 
 
 WlNTEBSET. 
 
 Wait here ; I will fetch you a glass of ne- 
 gus 
 
 \Exit, D. B. SJie unconsciously rests one 
 hand on the portiere, and as she sways 
 it swings to one side, disclosing MOLY- 
 NEUX and M. BEAUCAIBE at table, 
 playing. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIBE. 
 
 [Bringing lier a chair in an instant^ Mad- 
 emoiselle ! 
 
 LADY MABY. 
 
 Do not touch me. [He sets down chair.'] 
 Mr. Molyneux, you seek strange company. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 [Bowing deeply.'] Madam, I am honored by 
 the presence of both of you. 
 
 LADY MABY. 
 Oh, are you mad ? 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 This gentleman has exalted me with his con- 
 fidence, Madam.
 
 108 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 "Will you add your ruin to the scandal of this 
 fellow's presence here ? How he obtained en- 
 trance 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Pardon, Mademoiselle, did I not say I should 
 come ? Mr. Molyneux was so obliging as to 
 answer for me to the fourteen Men's of M. de 
 "Winterset and Meestaire JSTash. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 Mr. Molyneux, I give you a chance to save 
 yourself from disgrace and your companion 
 from jail. Come, sir 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Mademoiselle ! 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 I desire to hear nothing from your com- 
 panion. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 I could not tell you on that night 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 You may inform your high-born friend, Mr. 
 Molyneux, that I heard everything he had to 
 say ; that my pride once had the pleasure of 
 listening to his high-born confession !
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 1 09 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Ah ! is it gentle to taunt one with his birth, 
 Mademoiselle ? Ah, no ! There is a man in 
 my country who say strange things of that 
 that a man is not his father, but himself. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 You may inform your friend, Mr. Molyneux, 
 that he had a chance to defend himself against 
 accusation ; that he said all 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 That I did say all I could have strength 
 for. Ah, Mademoiselle, you did not see as it 
 was right that I had been stung by a big 
 wasp. It was nothing a scratch ; but, Madem- 
 oiselle, the sky went roun' and the moon dance' 
 on the earth. I could not wish that big wasp 
 to see he had stung me; so I mus' say only 
 what I can have strength for, and stan' straight 
 till he is gone. Besides! There are other 
 rizzons. Ah, you mus' belief ! My Molyneux 
 I sen' for, and I tell him all. because he show 
 courtesy to the yo'ng Frenchman, and I can 
 trus' him. I trus' you, Mademoiselle long 
 ago and would have tol' you everything, ex- 
 cep' jus' because well, for for the romance 
 the fun ! You belief ? Ah, it is so clearly 
 so ; you do belief, Mademoiselle ? [A paweJ] 
 Can there be no faith in in If you had
 
 110 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 not belief me to be an impostor ; if I had never 
 .said I was Chateaurien, if I had been jus' that 
 Monsieur Beaucaire of the story they tol' you, 
 Jbut never with the heart of a lackey, an hones' 
 man, a man, the man you knew, himself, could 
 you would you would you have let me 
 walk by your side in the autumn moonlight ? 
 [She looks at him unsteadily an instant, then 
 turns away.] Mademoiselle, I have the honor 
 to ask you : if you had known this Beaucaire 
 was hones', though of peasant birth, would 
 you 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 Mr. Molyneux, will you please give me your 
 arm ? 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 [Bowing, but resolute.'] Pardon me, Madam. 
 
 [Crossing to L. 0. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 An' live men are jus' names ! 
 
 [LADY MARY looks in angry surprise at 
 MOLYNEUX. At this moment WIN- 
 TERSET returns, followed by TOWN- 
 BRAKE, BEAU NASH, CAPT. BADGER, 
 WINTON and BANTISON. 
 
 BANTISON. 
 You may well say he is in
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE III 
 
 "WlNTEBSET. 
 
 Molyneux hath gone mad ! 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 What's to be done ? 
 
 "WlNTEESET. 
 
 Send the bailiffs Ah, Madam ! 
 
 [Perceiving LADY MABY, he quickly 
 joins her, B. 0., and leads her a little 
 u. o. 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 
 [Quickly.] Fie, fie ! A file of bailiffs ? The 
 scandal ! 
 
 BANTISON. 
 
 Ha 1 There he is surround him, fellows, 
 and quietly force him out ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIBE. 
 Ah ! Six more large men. 
 
 WINTEBSET. 
 
 [Over his shoulder.] Lay hands on him! 
 Tear those orders from him ! 
 
 BANTISON. 
 
 'Od's blood, the dog hath murdered some 
 royal prince.
 
 112 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 {Stepping in front 0/*M. BEAUCAIKE.] One 
 word ! before you offer an outrage you will re- 
 pent all your life ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Or let M. de Winterset come alone. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Do you expect me to fight a cut-throat 
 barber, and with bare hands ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIKE. 
 
 I think one does not expec' Monsieur to 
 fight any body nor would I soil my han's 
 with a 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Stuff his lying mouth with his orders. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 
 One moment ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 But do not fear I was not goin' reveal that 
 secret. I do not break my promise even to 
 you. 
 
 WlNTERSET. 
 
 Tell all the wild lies you like much good 
 may it do you.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 113 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 You absolv' me then ? Ah, ha ! Then, but 
 Mademoiselle, I have the honor to reques' you 
 leave the room. You shall miss no details if 
 these frien's of yours kill me, on the honour of a 
 French gentleman. 
 
 BANTISON. 
 {Laughing.'] A French what ? 
 
 TOWNBRAKE. 
 
 Do you dare keep up the pretence ? Know, 
 you villain barber, that your master, the 
 Marquis de Mirepoix is in the next room. 
 
 MOLYNEUX. 
 [Eagerly.'} Monseigneur, shall I not 
 
 M. BEAUCAIKE. 
 
 Tell him come here at once. [Exit MOLT- 
 NEUX hurriedly, D. R.] Ah, my frien's, now 
 you will see Beaucaire's kin' master. I will no 
 more puzzle you, my good, hones' English, by 
 being " Victor " or " Beaucaire " or " Chateau- 
 rien " : the fair romance is over it is quite 
 finish' an' I mus' be only myself. 
 
 TOWNBRAKE. 
 
 From this fellow's chatter one would believe 
 that in France it were the thing to move in a 
 constant masquerade.
 
 114 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 M. BEAUCAIKE. 
 
 Masquerade ? yes do we not all of us move 
 so ? W ho can see beneath the real mask and 
 
 so, Mademoiselle and gentlemen, so I 
 
 [He is interrupted by the sudden opening 
 of the door D. R., whereupon young 
 HENRI bursts in, and running to M. 
 BEAUCAIRE throws his arms about 
 him. 
 
 HENRI. 
 
 Philippe ! my brother, I have come to take 
 you back with me. [All stare. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 [Continuing.'] So I will raise my mask and 
 throw it at your feet. 
 
 [Bows. LADY MARY turns pale and trem- 
 bles. WINTERSET growls disagree- 
 ably. ToWNBRAKE is open-mouthed. 
 The ladies, led by LADY CLARiSE,/^ 
 low in D. R. with MOLYNEUX and 
 HARRY. All group across D. R. to 
 u. R. c. LADY MARY and WINTERSET 
 move D. L. c., M. BEAUCAIRE and 
 HENRI stand c. BEAU NASH staggers 
 against CAPT. BADGER. WINTON 
 has retired to u. R.
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 11$ 
 
 MlREPOIX. 
 
 My warmest felicitations ; there is no longer 
 need for your incognito. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Thou best of masters ! So I am forgiven 
 alas ! My frien's, one mus' need to be forgiven 
 when one's cousin is angry, an' when that 
 cousin is the King of France. [All stare; 
 BEAU NASH wilts again against TOWNBRAKE.] 
 Henri, I wish you had share' my masque I 
 have been so gay ! I am a great actor, Henri ! 
 These gentlemen are yet scarce convince' that 
 I am not a lackey. All but one, an' he mark 
 that young gentleman, Mirepoix he reco'nize 
 me in spite of my naughty prank. M. Harry, I 
 have the honour commission you pain' my nex' 
 portrait for the Galerie Royale. 
 
 [A general murmur / HARRY, speechless, 
 bows profoundly. 
 
 LADY 
 
 [To LADY MALBOURNE.] Name and fortune 
 in one for Harry ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 But I forget. [Turning to LADY MARY.] 
 Faires' of all the English fair, I beg the honor 
 to presen' to Lady Mary Carlysle M. le Comte 
 de Beaujolais. liady Mary has been very kin'
 
 Il6 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 to me, my frien's ; you mus' help me make my 
 ackno wledgment. 
 
 HENRI. 
 
 [Taking LADY MARY'S hand, kissing it and 
 bowing.] Permit me, Mademoiselle ! 
 
 BEAU NASH. 
 
 {Coming forward.] Your Highness, accept 
 the humblest apologies of one who was not 
 honoured by your confidence. Had we but 
 kno\vn your rank 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Ah, had you but known ! I forgive you and 
 all but one from my heart, gentlemen. 'Tis 
 true, there is not a peasant in all France who 
 could watch a gentleman fight six men at once 
 an' still call him a lackey. But, Henri, they 
 are won'-erful, this English people, holding on 
 an idea once it is in their head' ! 
 
 TOWNBRAKE. 
 
 [Coming forward.] But, your Highness, 
 what a danger to yourself, what a risk, this 
 little game ! 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 
 [Coming forward.] Need I say you have 
 my apology, sir ?
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 1 1/ 
 
 M. BEAUCAIKE. 
 
 One moment, sir. I would speak with a 
 noble lady, the Lady Clarise. [She comes for- 
 ward as the others draw slightly off.~\ Madem- 
 oiselle, I han' over his apology to you. I beg 
 you forgive him as generously as you have 
 espouse' my side. Will you, Lady Clarise ? 
 
 LADY CLAUSE. 
 If it is Monseigneur's wish. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Forgive an' forget ? 
 
 LADY CLAR^SE. 
 Yes. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Captain, we forgive you together. Take her 
 an' guard her as valiantly as you fought agains' 
 me. 
 
 HENRI. 
 Quoi Philippe ? 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 Tiens ! We are f rien' now. 
 
 CAPT. BADGER. 
 I thank you, your Highness.
 
 Il8 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 TOWNBRAKE. 
 
 But why, Monsieur pardon if I ask why 
 you came all the way to England to pretend 
 you were a barber ? It's rather a stiff one, you 
 know. \_0thers try to restain TOWNBRAKE. 
 
 MIEEPOIX. 
 
 Ah, he would not be content with me he 
 would wander over a strange country. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIEE. 
 Tell them, Henri. 
 
 [ While HENRI speaks, M. BEAUCAIRE 
 watches LADY MARY'S face wistfully. 
 
 HENRI. 
 
 They do not yet know ? Faires' desmoiselles, 
 gentlemen, it is that my brother have a what 
 you say strong head ; he will not in every- 
 thing obey the king. The king arrange for 
 him a marriage with a noble lady yes, good 
 an' accomplish', an' mos' aimiable. But my 
 brother, he love romance, he will choose for 
 himself. He run away. But now the king 
 grow lonesome for him, he very fon' of my 
 brother, my Men's, an' he forgive him. He 
 can marry whom he will. 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 So with me there is no mask, an' since M. de 
 Winterset himself have absolve' me from a very
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 119 
 
 strange secret, I choose fling down another 
 mask al-so, an' declare the man who introduce 
 me at the price of his honour, and then, betray 
 me, to redeem it, is that coward, that card-cJieat 
 there ! 
 
 [All drop away from WLNTERSET, 
 instinctively. 
 
 WINTERS ET. 
 
 [Savagely.] I don't know who you are. 
 Hide behind as many toys and ribbons as you 
 like ; I'll know the name of the man who dares 
 bring such a charge ! 
 
 MIREPOIX. 
 
 [Sharply.'] Sir! [Then checking himself he 
 bows, first to M. BEAUCAIRE, then to LADY 
 MARY and the others.] Permit me, Lady 
 Mary and gentlemen, to assume the honor of 
 presenting to you : His Highness, Prince Louis- 
 Philippe de Valois, Duke of Orleans, Duke of 
 Chartres, Duke of Nemours, Duke of Mont- 
 pensier, First Prince of the Blood Royal, First 
 Peer of France, Lieutenant-General of French 
 Infantry, Governor of Dauphine, Knight of the 
 Golden Fleece, Grand Master of the Order of 
 Notre Dame, of Mount Carmel, and of St. Laz- 
 arus in Jerusalem ; and cousin to His most 
 Christian Majesty, Louis the Fifteenth, King of 
 France. [Bows.
 
 120 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 
 
 HENRI. 
 
 [To LADY MARY.] Those are a few of my 
 brother's names. Old Mirepoix has the long 
 breath, but it take' a strong man two day' to 
 say all of them. 
 
 WINTERSET. 
 
 [Going to door u. c.] The Duke of Orleans 
 will receive a message from me within the 
 hour! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 [Going a little u. o.] I tol' you that I would 
 not soil my han' with you. Whoever bring 
 your message will receive a little beating from 
 Franjois. 
 
 [A general buzz chiefly between HENRI 
 and the ladies, the gentlemen giving 
 their polite attention. M. BEAUCAIRE 
 steps to LADY MARY. 
 
 LADY MARY. 
 
 Monseigneur, can you forgive me ? It is a 
 bitter mistake I have made. Forgive ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Forgive ? It is nothing less than nothing. 
 There is only jus' one in the whole worl' who 
 would not have treat' me the way that you 
 treat' me. It is to her that I am goin' to make 
 reparation. You know something, Henri ? I
 
 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE 121 
 
 gom' espouse 
 My frien's, I ask your felicitations. 
 
 HENRI. 
 And the king does not compel him ! 
 
 M. BEAUCAIRE. 
 
 Henri, you want to fight me? Don' you 
 think the king of France is a wiser man than 
 me ? \Offers his hand to LADY MARY. Music 
 outside plays a strain from " Un Voyageur"~\ 
 Mademoiselle is fatigue'. Will she honour 
 me? 
 
 [He leads her slowly u. c. All turn 
 half way from D. stage ; front lights 
 going slowly down. At u. C. they 
 pause y he bows low y she courtesies, 
 facing front, then goes out} he remains 
 in bow^ng posture. 
 
 CURTAIN
 
 THE TIME OF HIS LIFE 
 
 A Comedy in Three Acts by C. Leona Dalrymple. Six males, three 
 females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors, or can be played in 
 one. Plays two hours and a half. A side-splitting piece, full of action 
 and a sure success if competently acted. Tom Carter's little joke of im- 
 personating the colored butler has unexpected consequences that give him 
 " the time of his life." Very highly recommended lor high school per- 
 formance. Price, 25 cents 
 
 THE COLLEGE CHAP 
 
 A Comedy Drama in Three Acts by Harry L. Newton and John 
 Pierre Roche. Eleven males, seven females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, 
 two interiors. Plays two and a half hours. An admirable play for ama- 
 teurs. Absolutely American in spirit and up to date ; full of sympathetic 
 interest but plenty of comedy ; lots of healthy sentiment, but nothing 
 " mushy." Just the thing for high schools ; sane, effective, and not dif- 
 ficult. Price, 2_s cents 
 
 THE DEACON'S SECOND WIFE 
 
 A Comedy in Three Acts by Allan Abbott. Six males, six females. 
 Costumes, modern ; scenery, one interior, one exterior. Plays two hours 
 and a half. A play of rural life specially written for school performance. 
 All the parts are good and of nearly equal opportunity, and the piece is full 
 of laughs. Easy to produce ; no awkward sentimental scenes ; can be 
 strongly recommended for high schools. Price, 23 cents 
 
 THE TEASER 
 
 A Rural Comedy in Three Acts by Charles S. Allen. Four male, three 
 female characters. Scene, an easy interior, the same for all three acts ; 
 costumes, modern. Plays an hour and a half. An admirable play for 
 amateurs, very easy to get up, and very effective. Uraliah Higgins, a 
 country postman, and Brasilia Todd are capital comedy parts, introducing 
 songs or specialties, if desired. Plenty of incidental fun. 
 Price, 25 cents 
 
 COUNTRY FOLKS 
 
 A Comedy Drama in Three Acts by Anthony E. Wills. Six males, five 
 females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, one interior. Plays two and a 
 quarter hours. An effective and up-to-date play well suited for amateur 
 performance. All the parts good and fairly even in point of opportunity ; 
 the ladies' parts especially so. Easy to stage, and well suited for schools. 
 Well recommended. Price, 25 cents 
 
 THE MISHAPS OF MINERVA 
 
 A Farce in Two Acts by Bertha Currier Porter. Five males, eight fe- 
 males. Costumes, modern ; scene, an interior. Plays one and a half 
 hours. An exceptionally bright and amusing little play of high class and 
 recommended to all classes of amateur players. Full of action and 
 laughs, but refined. Irish low comedy part. Strongly endorsed. 
 Price, 23 cents
 
 Two New Prompt Books 
 
 Edited by 
 GRANVILLE BARKER 
 
 THE WINTER'S TALE 
 
 By William Shakespeare 
 
 An acting edition with a producer's preface by Granvlllt Barker 
 
 With Costume Designs by Albert Rothenstein 
 At produced by Lillah McCarthy at the Savoy Theatre, London 
 
 An admirable stage version of this play suitable for school performance, 
 if desired, under simplified conditions as to scenery. Mr. Rothenstein's 
 illustrations contain many helpful suggestions as to costuming. 
 Price, 23 cents 
 
 TWELFTH NIGHT 
 
 By William Shakespeare 
 
 An acting edition with a producer 's preface by Granville Barter 
 With Illustrations and Costume Designs by Norman Wilkinson 
 At produced at the Savoy Theatre, London, by Lillah McCarthy 
 
 Uniform in appearance and style with the above and similarly helpful 
 for performance by amateurs as well as by professional talent. 
 Price, 25 cents 
 
 Mr. Barker's " producer's prefaces " are a trial step in the direction of 
 providing less experienced actors and managers of the great plays with 
 the results of an expert consideration of them from an acting standpoint. 
 Like Miss Fogerty's admirable work in connection with the five plays 
 listed elsewhere, they are designed not merely to answer the questions 
 that must arise but to put the inexperienced producer into such a relation 
 with the text that his own intelligence will be able to cope with his prob- 
 lem without help or suggestion. One learns how a man like Mr. Barker 
 approaches a play with the idea of staging it, and so how another may do 
 the same thing. In this they will be seen to be truly and genuinely 
 educational as well as merely helpful. 
 
 Sent postpaid by mail on receipt of price 
 
 Walter H. Baker & Co., 5 Hamilton Place 
 BOSTON, MASS.
 
 THE ELOPEMENT OF ELLEN 
 
 A Farce Comedy in Three Acts by Marie J. Warren. Four males, 
 three females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, one interior and one exte- 
 rior. PJays an hour and a half. A bright and ingenious little play, ad- 
 mirably suited for amateur acting. Written for and originally produced 
 by Wellesley College girls. Strongly recommended. 
 Price, 23 cents 
 
 A VIRGINIA HEROINE 
 
 A Comedy in Three Acts by Susie G. McGlone. Eleven female char- 
 acters. Scenery, easy ; costumes, modern. Plays one hour and forty-five 
 minutes. Irish and Negro comedy parts, and two character parts; most 
 of the characters young. A very easy and interesting play for girls, well 
 suited for school performance. Romantic interest with lots of comedy. 
 Price, 23 cents 
 
 OUR CHURCH FAIR 
 
 A Farcical Entertainment in Two Acts by Jessie A. Kelley. Twelve 
 females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, unimportant. Plays an hour and 
 a quarter. A humorous picture of the planning of the annual church fair 
 by the ladies of the sewing circle. Full of local hits and general human 
 nature, and a sure laugh-producer in any community. Can be recom- 
 mended. Price, 25 cents 
 
 ALL CHARLEY'S FAULT 
 
 A Farce in Two Acts by Anthony E. Wills. Six males, three females. 
 Scenery, an easy interior ; costumes, modern. Plays two hours. A very 
 lively and laughable piece, full of action and admirably adapted for ama- 
 teur performance. Dutch and Negro comedy characters. Plays very 
 rapidly with lots of incident and not a dull moment. Strongly recom- 
 mended. Price, 75 cents 
 
 HOW THE STORY GREW 
 
 An Entertainment for Women's Clubs in One Act by O. W. Gleason. 
 Eight female characters. Costumes, modern ; scenery, unimportant ; may 
 be given on a platform without any. Plays forty-five minutes. A very 
 easy and amusing little piece, full of human nature and hitting off a well- 
 known peculiarity of almost any community. Written for middle-aged 
 women, and a sure hit with the audience. Price, 75 cents 
 
 THE COUNTRY DOCTOR 
 
 A Comedy Drama in Four Acts by Arthur Lewis Tubbs. Six males, five 
 females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors. Plays two hours. 
 Easy to stage and full of interest. The female parts are the stronger, being 
 exceptionally good. Negro and " hayseed " comedy parts. A very strong 
 dramatic piece. Can be recommended. Price, 25 cents
 
 New Plays for Girls' Schools 
 
 By Elsie Fogerty and others 
 
 The following adaptations from standard plays, classical and modern, 
 have been specially arranged for amateur performance in girls' schools. 
 The text is accompanied in all cases by all necessary plates and diagrams, 
 and by full and minute marginal notes and instructions for production. A 
 copious introduction gives a full description of the stage, the lighting, the 
 costumes, properties, both stage and hand, and answers in advance all 
 possible questions that may come up in the process of rehearsal. In all 
 respects they are the most complete and helpful versions of plays ever 
 offered for acting. 
 
 The Alkestis of Euripides The Antigone of Sophocles 
 
 Adapted by Elsie Fogerty Adapted by Elsie Fogerty 
 
 Nine characters and chorus. Eleven characters and chorus. 
 
 Plays an hour and a half. Plays two hours. 
 
 Price, 23 cents Price, 25 cents 
 
 Scenes Prom the Greal Novelists 
 
 Adapted by Elsie Fogerty 
 
 Scenes from THE ABBOTT, by Scott. "The Changing of the Keys." 
 
 Seven characters plays forty minutes. 
 Scene from THE MILL ON THE FLOSS, by George Eliot. " Mrs. 
 
 Pullet's New Bonnet." Five characters plays twenty minutes. 
 Scene from ADAM BEDE, by George Eliot. " Mrs. Poyser has her 
 
 Say." Five characters plays twenty-five minutes. 
 
 Scene from A CHRISTMAS CAROL, by Dickens. " The Cratchits' 
 
 Christmas Dinner." Eight characters plays forty minutes. 
 
 Price, 25 cents 
 
 The Masque of Comus The Enterprise of the Mayflower 
 
 By Milton. Adapted by Lucy Chafer In Four Acts, by Amice Macdonell 
 
 Nine characters and chorus. Plays For Children. Fourteen characters, 
 forty minutes ; with music. Plays an hour an a half. 
 
 Price, 25 cents Price, 25 cents 
 
 Sf post-paid by mail on receipt of price 
 
 BAKER, 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Mass.
 
 RED ACRE FARM 
 
 A Rural Comedy Drama in Three Acts by Gordan V. May. Seven 
 males, five females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, one interior, one exte- 
 rior. Plays two hours. An easy and entertaining play with a well-bal- 
 anced cast of characters. The story is strong and sympathetic and the 
 comedy element varied and amusing. Barnaby Strutt is a great part for 
 a good comedian ; " Junior " a close second. Strongly recommended. 
 Price, 25 cents 
 
 THE COUNTRY MINISTER 
 
 A Comedy Drama in Five Acts by Arthur Lewis Tubbs. Eight males, 
 five females. Costumes, modern ; scenery not difficult. Plays a full even- 
 ing. A very sympathetic piece, of powerful dramatic interest ; strong and 
 varied comedy relieves the serious plot. Ralph Underwood, the minister, 
 is a great part, and Roxy a strong soubrette ; all parts are good and full 
 of opportunity. Clean, bright and strongly recommended. 
 Price, 2$ cents 
 
 THE COLONEL'S MAID 
 
 A Comedy in Three Acts by C. Leona Dalrymple. Six males, three 
 females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors. Plays a full even- 
 ing. An exceptionally bright and amusing comedy, full of action ; all the 
 parts good. Capital Chinese low comedy part ; two first-class old men. 
 This is a very exceptional piece and can be strongly recommended. 
 Price, 25 cents 
 
 MOSE 
 
 A Comedy in Three Acts by C. W. Miles. Eleven males, ten females. 
 Scenery, two interiors ; costumes, modern. Plays an hour and a half. A 
 lively college farce, full of the true college spirit. Its cast is large, but 
 many of the parts are small and incidental. Introduces a good deal of 
 singing, which will serve to lengthen the performance. Recommended 
 highly for co-educational colleges. Price, 15 cents 
 
 OUR WIVES 
 
 A Farce in Three Acts by Anthony E. Wills. Seven males, four fe- 
 males. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors. Plays two hours and 
 a half. A bustling, up-to-date farce, full of movement and action ; all 
 the parts good and effective ; easy to produce ; just the thing for an ex- 
 perienced amateur club and hard to spoil, even in the hands of less 
 practical players. Free for amateur performance. Price, 25 cents 
 
 THE SISTERHOOD OF BRIDGET 
 
 A Farce in Three Acts by Robert Elwin Ford. Seven males, six fe- 
 males. Costumes, modern; scenery, easy interiors. Plays two hours. 
 An easy, effective and very humorous piece turning upon the always in- 
 teresting servant girl question. A very unusual number of comedy parts; 
 all the parts good. Easy to get up and well recommended. Price, 35 cents
 
 TAKING THE CENSUS IN BINGVILLE 
 
 An Entertainment in One Act by Jessie A. Kelley. Fourteen males, 
 eight females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, unimportant. Plays an hour 
 and a half. One of the always popular go-as-you-please entertainments; 
 just a lot of laughs strung on a very slender wire of story. Full of eccen- 
 tric character bits and chances for local hits. A sure success for the 
 laughter-loving. Recommended for church societies or intimate com- 
 munities. Price, 23 cents 
 
 MISS PRIM'S KINDERGARTEN 
 
 An Entertainment in One Scene by Jessie A. Kelley. Ten males, 
 eleven females. No scenery or curtain needed ; costumes introduce 
 grown people dressed as children. Plays an hour and a half. Full of 
 laughs and a sure hit with the audience. All the parts very easy except 
 the Teacher's, and as it is possible for her to use a book, the entertain- 
 ment can be got up with exceptional ease and quickness. Can be recom- 
 mended. Price, 23 cents 
 
 THE PACKING OF THE HOME MIS- 
 SIONARY BARREL 
 
 An Entertainment in One Scene by Mrs. Henry A. Hallock. Ten fe- 
 males. Costumes, modern ; scenery, unimportant. Plays thirty minutes. 
 One of those little satires of feminine ways that are so popular even with 
 the ladies; very shrewd and effective, but perfectly good-natured. An as- 
 sured success and very easy to get up. Strongly recommended. 
 Price, ij cents 
 
 A MODERN SEWING SOCIETY 
 
 An Entertainment in One Scene by O. W. Gleason. Fourteen females. 
 Costumes, modern ; no scenery required. May be easily presented on a 
 bare platform. Plays forty-five minutes. A humorous picture of this 
 much-abused institution, briskly and vivaciously written and full of 
 " points." Its characters offer a wide variety of opportunity for local hits, 
 and satire of local characters and institutions. Price, 15 cents 
 
 HOW THE CLUB WAS FORMED 
 
 An Entertainment in Three Scenes by Mrs. O. W. Gleason. Eighteen 
 females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, unimportant. Plays one and a 
 half hours. A humorous skit on the Woman's Club suited for perform- 
 ance by either young or middle-aged women. Full of points and chances 
 for local hits and thus a sure laugh-maker. Parts well distributed ; can 
 oe recommended. Price, fj cents 
 
 SCENES IN THE UNION DEPOT 
 
 A Humorous Entertainment in One Scene by Laura M. Parsons. 
 Twenty-four males, eighteen females and eight children, but can be played 
 by less if desired. Scenery, unimportant ; costumes, modern. Full of 
 humorous points and chances to introduce local hits. Plays from an hour 
 up, according to specialties introduced. Price, 25 cents
 
 THE CRIMSON COCOANUT 
 
 And Other Plays 
 By Ian Hay 
 
 This collection contains the following titles, all of which can be con- 
 fidently recommended for amateur performance in schools or elsewhere as 
 high in tone and exceptionally amusing. Mr. Hay is well known as a 
 novelist and literary man. 
 
 THE CRIMSON COCOANUT 
 
 An Absurdity in One Act. Four males, two females. Costumes, modern ; 
 scenery, an interior. Plays thirty-five minutes. Mr. Pincher, of Scot- 
 land Yard, in pursuit of some dangerous anarchists, entangles the lady 
 of his choice and her father in some humorous perils, but ends by cap- 
 turing both the criminals and the lady. Author's royalty of $5.00 for 
 amateur performance. 
 
 A LATE DELIVERY 
 
 A Play in Three Episodes. Three males, two females. Scene, an in- 
 terior ; costumes, modern. Plays forty minutes. Bill, a middle-aged 
 admirer of Marjorie, learns just as he has finished a letter to her propos- 
 ing marriage that Tim, a young man, is also in love with her. He as- 
 sumes her to love his rival and does not mail the letter. She finds it on 
 his desk and opens it, and learning the truth makes choice of the older 
 and better man. Royalty for amateurs, $5.00 for each performance. 
 
 THE MISSING CARD 
 
 A Comedietta in One Act. Two males, two females. Scene, an in- 
 terior ; costumes, modern. Plays thirty minutes. Two elderly admirers 
 of Mrs. Millington decide to deal the pack to see which shall first propose 
 to her, the one who gets the Queen of Hearts to win. She privately takes 
 this card out of the pack and when they have gone through it in vain, 
 announces her engagement to another man. Royalty for amateurs, $5.00 
 a performance. 
 
 Price, all three in one volume, jo cents 
 
 THE MARRIAGE OF JACK AND JILL 
 
 A Mother Goose Entertainment in Two Scenes 
 By Lilian Clisby Bridgham 
 
 Forty children. Costumes, wedding ; no scenery required. Plays 
 forty minutes. A Mother Goose wedding and reception carried out by the 
 smallest children. Very pretty and easy to get up ; strongly recommended. 
 Not a pantomime merely, but calls for some speaking parts. 
 Price, 25 cents
 
 f&ice, 50 
 
 THP MAfiWTBAT F* 1 " 00 ln Three Acts. Twelve males, four 
 1UC ITlAUIJIKAiL, , emaleR> costumes, modern; scenery, all 
 Interior. Flays two boors and a half. 
 
 THi NOTOMODS BBS. EflBSMTH ^^JSSJSi 
 
 Costiur.es, modern ; scenery, all Interiors. Plays a full evening. 
 
 THP PDflFI Hi ATF pl *y to Four Acta - S* 7611 n^es. BTe females. 
 
 " ' ' ' U Scenery, three interio-s, rather elaborate; 
 costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. 
 
 THP CTHHAT MICTS?^ Farce In Three Acts. Nine males, seven 
 mfc X/nUULfflDiK03 feffia i eg costumes, modern; scenery, 
 
 three interiors. Plays a full evening. 
 
 TBE SECOND MRS. TAMQOERAY 
 
 tumes, modern ; scenery, three Interiors. Plays a full evening. 
 
 ^WFFT I A VFNUFD Comedy in Three Acts. Seven males, four 
 9WKE1 fcATHWKB females> Scene, a single interior; costumes, 
 modern. Plays a full evening. 
 
 THP TIMFS Comedy in Four Acts. Six males, seven females. 
 lib 1 ilLJ scene, a single Interior; costumes, modern. Plays a 
 full evening. 
 
 THF WFAFR WY Comedy in Three Acts. Eight males, eight 
 UU TTLAHLft OL.A females Costumes, modern ; scenery, two 
 interiors. Plays a full evening. 
 
 A WIFF WITHOUT A SMH F Vomodj in Three Acts. Five 
 
 t H irc nuavui A DIOILC malegj four femalei 
 
 modem ; scene, a single Interior. Plays a full evening. 
 
 Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 
 
 Waiter fy I3afeer & Company 
 
 No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts
 
 C|)e 3#tlltatn barren Ctritton 
 of Paps 
 
 $rice, 15 Centg <arf) 
 
 AQ VAFI I II?F IT Coiredy in Five Acts. Thirteen males, foui 
 AJ IvU LJrVCIl females. Costumes, picturesque ; scenery, va- 
 ried. Plays a full evening. 
 
 r 4 Mil IF Drama in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. Cos- 
 VAlflllL(C tuines, modern ; scenery, varied. Plays a full evening. 
 
 in Five Acts. Thirteen males, three females. 
 scenery varied ; oostuaies, Greek. Plays a full evening. 
 
 ^TIIADT Tragedy in Five Acts. Thirteen males, four fe- 
 OIUAMI males, and supernumeraries. Costun.er., of Uie 
 period ; scenery, varied and elaborate. Plays a full evening. 
 
 THP MFPfHAKT OF VFMfP -omedy in Five Acts. Seventeen 
 lUC MCKWnAni Ur VCniWC males, three females. Costumes, 
 picturesque ; scenery varied. Plays a full evening. 
 
 P^y ln Five Acts. Fifteen males, two females. Scen- 
 ery elaoorate ; costumes ot the period. Plays a full 
 evening. 
 
 TIIF DIVAIC Comedy in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. 
 1 llu ni f AI<J Scenery varied ; costumes of the period. Plays a 
 full evening. 
 
 SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER 2S2&S 
 
 ried ; costumes of the period. Plays a full evening. 
 
 TWELFTH NIGHT; OR, WHAT YOU WILL 
 
 three females. Costumes, picturesque : scenery, varied. Plays a 
 full evening. 
 
 Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 
 
 Walter ^. I3a&et a Company 
 
 No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts