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 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 GIFT OF 
 
 Kenneth Hacgowan
 
 \:
 
 
 THE HYPOCRITES 
 
 ^
 
 [Notice. — This play is here privately printed and not 
 for circulation. All its dramatic rights are fully 
 secured, and proceedings will be immediately taken 
 against anyone who attempts to infringe them. 
 
 THE HYPOCRITES 
 
 A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS 
 
 BY 
 
 HENRY ARTHUR JONES 
 
 " Expediency is man's wisdom : doing right is God's." 
 
 The Pilgrim's Scrip. 
 
 LONDON 
 PRINTED AT THE CHISWICK PRESS 
 
 1906
 
 
 li-: 
 
 PERSONS REPRESENTED. 
 
 Sir John Plugenet, Bart , of Plugenet Court. 
 
 jMr. Wilmore, lord of the Manor of Weybury. 
 
 Lennard Wilmore, his son. 
 
 Mr. Viveash, Lawyer and Estate Agent. 
 
 The Reverend Everakd Daubeny, Vicar of Weybury. 
 
 Ur. Blaney. 
 
 The Reverend Edgar Linnell, Curate of Weybury. 
 
 GOODYER. 
 
 Mrs. Wilmore. 
 
 Helen Plugenet. 
 
 Mrs. Linnell. 
 
 Mrs. Blaney. 
 
 Rachel Neve. 
 
 Patty, servant at the Linnells. 
 
 572583
 
 V. 
 
 • 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 Scene.— Mrs. Wilmore's boudoir at the Manor 
 House, Weybury. 
 
 Time — An afternoon in October. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 Scene.— LiviNo-ROOM at Edgar Linnell's. 
 
 Ttme—TyNO HOURS LATER ON THE SAME EVENING. 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 Scene.— Library at the Manor House. 
 Time — Morning, ten days later. 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 Scene.— The same. 
 
 r/w^— Afternoon, a fortnight later.
 
 ACT I. 
 
 Scene: Mrs. WilmoRE'S boudoir, the Manor House, 
 Weybury, a bright pretty room in an old English 
 country house. A door at back, centre. A large 
 sofa left of the door at back. A large bow window 
 opening out upon garden up left. A cottage piano 
 with revolving music-stool down left, below zvindow. 
 A door up right. A fireplace down right, with 
 a fire burning. A comfortable armchair above the 
 fireplace. A table with chairs right centre. 
 
 Time: About four on an autumn afternoon. 
 
 Discover Mrs. Wilmore seated at table talking to 
 Mrs. Lin NELL, who is standing near. Mrs. Wil- 
 MORE is a charming English lady of forty-five, 
 well-bred, well-dressed, still attractive in face and 
 figure, with easy, pleasant, winning manners. 
 Mrs. Lin NELL is a bright, pretty, ordinary little 
 lady, very tidily, but very cheaply dressed. 
 
 Mrs. Wilmore. 
 
 R. WILMORE is much annoyed by Mr- 
 Linnell's conduct 
 
 Mrs. L. I'm very sorry 
 
 Mrs. W. My dear, your husband has 
 been curate of Weybury for just a year. During that 
 
 B
 
 ACT I.] 2 
 
 time we've had nothing but constant Httle upsets in 
 the parish. 
 
 Mrs. L. There were so many things to be reformed. 
 
 Mrs. W. Of course there were! And we quite ap- 
 preciate Mr. Linnell's zeal and courage in reforming 
 them. But he makes us all thoroughly uncomfortable! 
 
 Mrs. L. How? 
 
 Mrs. W. We never know whose turn to be reformed 
 may come next. And we all know we need it! 
 
 Mrs. L. Edgar has only done what he thought 
 right. 
 
 Mrs. W. I dare say. But you have two little 
 children, and your income is 
 
 Mrs. L. A hundred and twenty a year. 
 
 Mrs. W. A man can't afford extravagant notions 
 of right and wrong on a hundred and twenty a year. 
 Go home and persuade your husband to drop all this 
 unnecessary reforming. It 's altogether too expensive 
 a luxury for a man in his position. 
 
 Mrs. L. I'll tell him what you say. 
 
 Mrs. W. And one little hint. Now that Mr. Dau- 
 beny is appointed Dean of Gilminster, Mr. Wilmore, 
 as lord of the Manor, has the presentation to the 
 living here 
 
 Mrs. L. Oh, Mrs. Wilmore ! 
 
 Enter GOODYER, the butler, at back. 
 Goodyer. [Announcing.] Mr. Viveash. 
 
 Enter Mr. Vive ASH, a shrewd, genial man of fifty, 
 clever, alert, plausible, cynical, but with an air of 
 bonhomie. In matiners, dress and culture, he is 
 much above the ordinary, country lawyer. 
 
 Vive. {Coming cordially to MRS. WiLMORE.] How 
 d'ye do? 
 
 Mrs. W. How d'ye do? [Shaking hands.] The 
 door, Goodyer. 
 
 [GoODYER waits in the passage at back.
 
 3 [ACT I. 
 
 Vive. [ToM-RS. LiNNELL.] How d'ye do? 
 
 \_Shaking hands. 
 Mrs. L. How d' ye do? 
 
 Vive. How's Linnell? What fresh mischief is he 
 up to? 
 
 Mrs. L. Mischief? 
 
 Vive. If he raises the pitch just half a note higher, 
 he'll make the old place simply uninhabitable for a 
 comfortable hardened old sinner like me. 
 
 Mrs. IV. [To Mrs. Linnell.] Do you hear that? 
 Mrs. L. Yes. 
 
 Mrs. IV. Good-bye, dear! [SJiaking hands. 
 
 {Exit Mrs, Linnell, door at back. Good- 
 YER, who has waited^ closes it behind her. 
 ViVEASH goes up very cordially to MRS. 
 WiLMORE. His manner to her tJirough- 
 out is more that of an old friend thaii of 
 a lawyer. 
 Vive. Any news from Sir John? 
 Mrs. IV. Yes, a cable from Suez. He'll be home next 
 week, and as he must return to India before Christmas, 
 Lennard and Helen are to be married almost at once. 
 Vive. Good. I don't like long engagements. What 
 about the name? 
 
 Mrs. W. Sir John insists that Lennard shall take 
 the name of Plugenet on his marriage. 
 
 Vive. Well, considering how handsomely he has 
 behaved over the settlements, that's not much! 
 
 Mrs. W. No, but my boy is my boy, my only one, 
 and to give up his father's name — however, as there 's 
 plenty of money, we may manage to get the old 
 peerage revived. 
 
 Vive. I'm sure you will. I'm sure you can manage 
 anything, after watching the superb way you've 
 managed this marriage! 
 
 Mrs. W. It didn't need any managing. When Sir 
 John had to go to India, he was obliged to leave 
 Helen in somebody's care. I was a very old friend, 
 and ■
 
 ACT I.] 4 
 
 Vive. He couldn't have left her in better hands. 
 
 Mrs. W. Lennard was awa^ in the Highlands 
 making that railway. When he came back, what more 
 natural than that Helen and he should fall in love 
 with each other? 
 
 Vive. Very natural, very right, very satisfactory. 
 All the same, I take off my hat to you! 
 
 Mrs. IV. You think I'm a scheming, match-making 
 mother 
 
 Vive. Every good mother must be scheming and 
 match-making. 
 
 Mrs. W. At any rate I've not acted meanly or self- 
 ishly. I've done it all for Len. 
 
 Vive. I'm sure you have. And I do take off my 
 hat to you. 
 
 Mrs. W. It has turned out fortunately. When I 
 remember that six months ago we were paupers, with 
 all our land heavily mortgaged, and Lennard was a 
 struggling engineer, with a few hundreds a year, and 
 no prospects — and now! 
 
 Vive. Yes, it 's a brilliant change of scene for all of 
 us. I had terrible trouble to renew the mortgages. 
 
 Mrs. W. I'm sure you had. 
 
 Vive. I had to come into it with my bit of pro- 
 perty 
 
 Mrs. W. It was good of you. 
 
 Vive. By the way, Markdale is agent for the Plu- 
 genet estate. He 's very old. When he drops off you 
 might put in a good word for me to Sir John. 
 
 Mrs. W. My dear old friend, I'm sure I can manage 
 that. 
 
 Vive. I'm sure you can. 
 
 [ They shake hands cordially. 
 
 Enter right HELEN Plugenet and LENNARD WlL- 
 MORE. She is a tall, delicate, refined girl of about 
 twenty, dreamy, spirituelle, unusual. LENNARD is 
 an ordinary, handsome young Englishman about 
 twetity-five. They are in outdoor clothes.
 
 5 [act I. 
 
 Vive. How d'ye do? . [Shaking hands. 
 
 Hel. How d'ye do? 
 
 Vive. How are you, Lennard? 
 
 [Nodding to Lennard. 
 
 Len. How are you? 
 
 Vive. Now, when you two can spare me half an 
 hour 
 
 Hel. About the settlements? 
 Vive. Yes 
 
 Hel. Everything is to be just as Lennard wishes. 
 Only please put in a clause that the little garden in 
 the corner of my soul is to be my own — always my 
 very own freehold. 
 
 '*^ Vive. I must leave the corners of your soul to 
 Daubeny. 
 
 Hel Oh, please don't! 
 Vive. Well then, to Linnell. 
 
 Hel. At least, Mr. Linnell is sincere. 
 
 Vive. Yes, confound him ! That 's what makes him 
 such a terrible nuisance. 
 
 Hel. Now I know why Mr. Linnell is so much dis- 
 liked. 
 
 Mrs. W. Helen, I hope you've reconsidered the 
 question of the marriage 
 
 Hel. No, dear. The quietest, simplest wedding at 
 our own little church, and only Mr. Linnell to marry 
 us. 
 
 Mrs. W. Why Mr. Linnell? 
 
 Hel. Because he 's just a plain, ordinary curate, and 
 I like him. 
 
 Mrs. W. You haven't spoken to him? 
 
 Hel. Yes, last night. He has promised to marry 
 us. [Mrs. Wilmore shows great disappointment?^ 
 Dear, you mustn't be angry with me. [Kissing her.'] 
 My marriage is the greatest event in all history, and 
 you must let me have my own wilful way. 
 
 Mrs. IV. Of course, dear, but I hoped 
 
 Hel For a big, fashionable wedding in London. 
 Then all my lilies would have withered !
 
 ACT I.] 6 
 
 Mrs. W. What lilies? 
 
 Hel. The lilies I've been trying to grow in my own 
 little garden. 
 
 Len. I must take a look round that garden, 
 
 Hel. No, Len, not at present. You'd only tread on 
 the flower-beds. \Looking out of window?^ We must 
 make haste if we are to get to the wish-tower for the 
 sunset. \Going off at window.] Are you coming? 
 
 [Exz't at window. 
 
 Len. [Going after her.] I wish I was a better fellow, 
 for her sake ! 
 
 Mrs. W. Len, that 's unworthy of you ! You won't 
 do anything now to break off the marriage? 
 
 Lett. No, of course not. I love her too much, but — 
 she is too good for me. 
 
 Mrs. W. [Kissing him.] There isn't any girl in 
 England who 's good enough for my boy. 
 
 [Kissing him fondly. Exit Lennard at 
 
 window. 
 
 Mrs. IV. [Standing at window, looking after him.] 
 What mother wouldn't be proud of him! 
 
 Vive. Well, we shall have no further trouble with 
 him when he's once married. 
 
 Mrs. IV. Lennard never has given us any real 
 trouble. 
 
 Vive. Hum 
 
 Mrs. IV. Not more than any handsome, high- 
 spirited boy naturally gives to his parents, eh? 
 Vive. No — no, about the average. 
 
 Mrs. W. Well, it 's all over now. 
 Vive. Yes, all over. And we've only to shake hands, 
 and congratulate ourselves that our little comedy will 
 have such a happy ending — wedding bells — interior 
 of the village church — shouts — dancing on the village 
 green — curtain ! 
 
 Mrs. W. Yes, when Lennard and Helen stand at 
 the altar next month, I shall feel I've reaped the 
 harvest of my life. I shall have nothing to do but to 
 rest and be happy.
 
 7 [act I. 
 
 Vive. Not you! You'll be working night and day 
 to get that peerage for Lennard. 
 
 Mrs. W. You shrivel me up with your cynicism! 
 
 Enter GOODYER at back, showing in the REVEREND 
 EVERARD Daubeny, a fat, rosy vicar of sixty, 
 purring, placid, time-serving, self-indulgent. GOOD- 
 YER announces " Mr. Daubeny." Daubeny enters, 
 and GoODYER exit. 
 
 Daub. [Z(? Mrs. WiLMORE.] How d'ye do, my dear 
 friend ? 
 
 Mrs. W. How are you? [Shaking hands. 
 
 Daub. Ah, Viveash! 
 
 Vive. How are you? \SJiaking hands. 
 
 Mrs. W. Mr. Viveash is scoffing, as usual. Scold 
 him well. 
 
 Daub. Fie! Fie! Ah, you may scoff, Viveash, but 
 whether we believe our religion, or whether we don't; 
 whether it 's true or whether it isn't, you can't deny 
 that it's the linch-pin of society; and once take away 
 the linch-pin — by the way, Mrs. VVilmore, your cook 
 never sent me the receipt for those heavenly devilled 
 quails — what did you call them? 
 
 Mrs. W. Quails Estelle! 
 
 Daub. Quails Estelle! My dear wife was so en- 
 chanted with them. We thought they would make 
 such an excellent entree for our first dinner party at 
 the deanery. 
 
 Mrs. W. When do you leave Weybury? 
 
 Datib. In about a fortnight. Talking of my leaving, 
 has Wilmore settled the presentation of the living 
 here? 
 
 Mrs. W. We half promised it to Mr. Linnell. 
 
 Daub. Surely a half promise isn't binding. I tremble 
 to think of my poor parish in the hands of that head- 
 strong, misguided young man! 
 
 Enter MR. WiLMORE at back, in shooting costume. 
 He is a stout, violent, shallow, hot-tempered, 
 illogical, English country gentleman, stuffed with
 
 ACT I.] 8 
 
 all the prejudices of his class. He appears hastily 
 and angrily at door at back, zohere he is seen giving 
 his gun to GOODYER. 
 
 Wil. And, Goodyer, send over to Mr. Linnell, and 
 tell him I wish him to see me here at once. [^Enters 
 and closes door after him.] Ah, how do, Viveash? 
 [Shakes luinds luith ViVEASH.] Daubeny, how are 
 you? Upon my word, things have come to a pretty 
 pass! 
 
 Daub. I fear our friend Linnell has been injudicious 
 again! 
 
 Wil. Injudicious! If you please, "The Blue Lion" 
 is to be pulled down and turned into a model public- 
 house and working-man's social recreation club! And 
 our precious Mr. Linnell is the ringleader of the 
 scheme! 
 
 Mrs. IV. " The Blue Lion " has always been a dread- 
 ful, drunken, disreputable place! Why not turn it into 
 a model public house? 
 
 IVil. Because Pelly wants it for one of his brewery 
 houses. Naturally a big brewer like Pelly doesn't wish 
 to have model public-houses dumped down everywhere 
 in his own district. It would ruin his brewery. He has 
 given me plainly to understand that if I don't put the 
 stopper on Linnell, he'll take care Lennard shan't put 
 up for the Gilminster division. What do you think of 
 that, Viveash? 
 
 Vive. It's hopeless for Lennard to stand for Gil- 
 minster without Felly's support. 
 
 Wil. There you are! Pretty position for a man of 
 my standing! My son can't serve his country in Par- 
 liament because my curate — well, not precisely my 
 curate, but, say, our curate — chooses to run amuck 
 against an influential brewer, and sound churchman, 
 like Pelly! 
 
 Enter GoODYER, at back, showing in MRS. Blaney, 
 a country doctor's wife, about forty-five ; a moral 
 ambiguous woman, soured by childlessness ; formal
 
 9 [ACT I 
 
 V. 
 
 ill-natured, with an air of melancholy resignation; 
 dressed in a marked provincial style; quite provin- 
 cial and middle-class in t07ie, manner and thought. 
 GOODYER announces, " Mrs. Blaney." 
 
 {Exit GoODYER. 
 
 Mrs. W. How d'ye do? 
 
 Mrs.B. Yio^ ?iXQ.yo\\} {Shaking Jlands^^ How d'ye 
 do, Mr. Wilmore? [Shaking hands.] Mr. Viveash! Oh, 
 Mr. Daubeny, I went over to the vicarage, and they 
 told me you were here. 
 
 {Shaking hands with Daubeny. 
 
 Daub. I hope nothing serious has happened? 
 
 Mrs. B. Yes. At least, it happened three weeks 
 ago. 
 
 Daub. What? 
 
 Mrs. B. Sarah Piper, 
 
 Daub. Ah, yes! Ah, yes! Most unhappy girl! 
 Vive. I'm told it 's a remarkably fine child. 
 
 Mrs. B. Yes, unfortunately. And why children 
 should be allotted to a hussy like that, while those 
 whose conduct and respectability might surely entitle 
 them to some consideration from Providence 
 
 Daub. Ah, yes! It 's most inscrutable! 
 
 Vive. But three weeks — Sarah Piper hasn't already 
 made a fresh contribution to 
 
 Mrs. B. Yes. She has confessed who is — a — re- 
 sponsible. 
 
 Wil. Who is the scoundrel? 
 
 Mrs. B. I'm sorry to say he is a tenant of yours. 
 
 Wil. No ! After the example I made of Peter 
 Rawlins last year, surely no tenant of mine would 
 dare to — No! 
 
 Mrs, W. Who is it, Mrs. Blaney? 
 
 Mrs. B. William Sheldrake. 
 
 Mrs. W. I'm very sorry. 
 
 Mrs. B. Yes. Such a quiet, respectable young man. 
 Always took off his hat with such a pleasant, modest 
 smile. Oh, Mr. Daubeny, how is it that so many 
 respectable people ?
 
 ACT I.] 10 
 
 Daub. Very true! There does seem to be a far 
 greater proportion than one would have supposed — it 
 is truly appalling! 
 
 \^His hands on his fat stomach, tapping it with 
 his fat fingers. 
 
 Mrs. B. I often look round and ask myself, " Who is 
 to be trusted?" 
 
 Daub. Who indeed? Who indeed? 
 
 Mrs. B. And I answer, " Nobody." 
 
 Daub. Oh, come! come! Isn't that just a little too 
 severe? 
 
 Mrs. B. One cannot be too severe. As I was saying 
 
 to Mr. Linnell about William Sheldrake 
 
 Wil. Linnell! Does Linnell know? 
 
 Mrs. B. Yes, Sheldrake has confessed to him, and 
 he thinks Sheldrake ought not to be made to marry 
 the girl! 
 
 Wil. What?! 
 
 Mrs. B. That's Mr. Linnell's opinion! 
 
 Wil. Mr. Linnell's opinion! Daubcny, do you hear 
 your curate's opinion of the Ten Commandments? 
 Mr. Linnell's opinion! Upon my word! Mr. Linnell's 
 opinion! Mr. Lin 
 
 Enter GOODYER at back, announcing, " Mr. Linnell." 
 Edgar Linnell enters at back, a pale, earnest, 
 refined ascetic, about thirty, giving the impression 
 of being overworked and underfed. He has bright, 
 deep, sunken eyes, a beautiful smile, a7id a serene 
 expression. Ordinarily Ids voice is soft, and his 
 manner subdued, gentle and self -controlled. GOOD- 
 YER waits at door for him to enter, and then exit. 
 
 Lin. [Goes to Mrs. WiLMORE.] How d'ye do? 
 Mrs. W. \_Shakes hands a little coldly.'] How d' ye 
 do? 
 
 [Linnell advances to Mr. Wilmore, but 
 WiLMORE stands indignajit, repellent.
 
 II [act I. 
 
 Lin. Is anything the matter? 
 
 [Jiist bowing to Daubeny and MRS. Blaney. 
 
 Wil. I understand William Sheldrake has confessed 
 to you that — and you're actually encouraging him to 
 desert his wretched victim? 
 
 Lin. No. The whole case is most difficult. I'd 
 rather not discuss it here. 
 
 Wil. I daresay. But I insist on discussing it here, 
 
 Mrs. B. We mustn't shirk our duty merely because 
 it is shocking and disagreeable. 
 
 Lin. Sheldrake has thoroughly repented. 
 
 Wil. Repented? Rubbish! Blatant rubbish! 
 
 LAn. The girl has a bad character, and I believe it 
 was she who tempted him. 
 
 Daub. Oh! Oh! Come! Come! Come! 
 
 LJn. He never promised to marry her. She is every 
 way below him, in class, in manners, in conduct, in 
 feeling for what is right! 
 
 Wil. Feeling for what is right ! Rubbish, sir ! Blatant 
 claptrap! 
 
 Lin. Sheldrake's sisters are living with him. For 
 their sake, I believe it will be a wrong thing to bring 
 a girl of that stamp into the family. 
 
 Mrs. B. But what can be done with her? We must 
 uphold the sacredness of marriage. 
 
 Lin. That 's exactly what I am doing. 
 
 Wil. What ! Upon my word ! I never heard of any- 
 thing so monstrous — so subversive of all the principles 
 and convictions that have guided my entire life. 
 
 Lin. Have you anything more to say to me? 
 
 Wil. Yes. I hear you're supporting this scheme for 
 turning " The Blue Lion " into a working-man's club. 
 
 Lin. Yes. An anonymous donor has come forward 
 with the money 
 
 Wil. Some election dodge of the dissenters, eh, 
 Daubeny? 
 
 Daub. Well, without being uncharitable towards 
 
 our dissenting friends 
 
 Wil. Just so. 1 wish to do them every justice, but,
 
 ACT I.] 12 
 
 throughout my life, I have never met with more than 
 six dissenters whom I could trust. I hope I have mis- 
 judged them. 
 
 Lin. It is expressly stipulated that politics and 
 religion are to be excluded. 
 
 Mrs. B. Religion excluded! 
 
 Lin. Since our object is to avoid disputes ; and sup- 
 ply the working men with pure recreation, and pure 
 beer! 
 
 Wil. Pure beer! And pray, sir, do you constitute 
 yourself the sole judge of pure beer? 
 
 Lin. No, I rarely taste it. 
 
 Wil. Then what is your objection to Pelly's entire? 
 
 Lin. I have none. 
 
 Wil. Then why do you set yourself against a man 
 who must surely be a far better judge of pure beer 
 than you? 
 
 Daub. I must say, Linnell, your action strikes me 
 as most injudicious. Mr. Felly is a large subscriber to 
 our schools 
 
 Wil. And thereby provides sound food for the 
 children's minds, while he provides sound beer for the 
 parents' bodies. 
 
 Daub. In your position, your conduct involves the 
 Church herself You are placing her in antagonism to 
 the world around her. 
 
 Lin. She always has been in antagonism to the 
 world around her! She always will be! 
 
 Daub. Yes, yes — in a sense. But these are troublous 
 times for the Church. What the Church needs to-day 
 is "safe men," pre-eminently "safe men"! {Tapping 
 his sentime7its into his stomach with his fat fingers. \ 
 Safe Christian men! 
 
 Lin. Have I done anything a Christian ought not to 
 do.? 
 
 Wil. It's very difficult to say what a Christian ought 
 or ought not to do in these days, but at any rate he 
 oughtn't to upset the parish. 
 
 Mrs. B. It must set a bad example to the whole
 
 
 13 [ACT I. 
 
 neighbourhood when they see their own clergyman 
 wilfully flying in the face of all morality. 
 
 Mrs. W. You surely don't wish to get out of touch 
 with your people? 
 
 Lin. No, I don't wish. 
 
 Daub. Then, my dear Linnell,why do it? Why stir up 
 strife in a peaceable parish likeours? Why? Why? Why? 
 
 Wil. Yes, indeed, why? Why? Why.? [LiNNELL 
 doesn't reply.'] You see you have no answer! Daubeny, 
 perhaps you'll leave this in my hands. 
 
 Daub. Certainly. 
 
 Wil. I'm a very easy-going man as a rule, but there 
 comes a time when my good-nature kicks, and says, 
 " I've had just enough of this." [To LiNNELL.] If you 
 wish to remain in Weybury, you will please write to 
 Mr. Felly that you've advised your friends to with- 
 draw from your " Blue Lion " fad, as it is unworkable. 
 Do you understand? 
 
 Lin. [After a longish pause.] Yes. 
 
 Wil. Pelly is very much upset at your attitude- 
 You might send him some little word of apology. 
 
 Lin. Apology? ! 
 
 Wil. [Angrily.] Yes, sir, apology! Did you catch 
 the word ? 
 
 Li7i. Yes. Apology. 
 
 Wil. You will also please go this evening to William 
 Sheldrake, and say that I insist he makes an honest 
 woman of Sarah Piper. 
 
 Lin. By what process? 
 
 Wil. [Enraged.] By what process? By the good, 
 plain, old-fashioned process of holy matrimony. He 
 will have the banns put up next Sunday. 
 
 Liri. If he refuses? 
 
 Wil. Then I give him notice to leave his farm next 
 Michaelmas. 
 
 Lin. Mr. Viveash is your estate agent. Wouldn't 
 such a message come more fittingly from him? 
 
 Wil. No, sir, I choose you to deliver it, because I 
 wish you to represent the moral aspect of the case.
 
 ACT I.] 14 
 
 Vive. [ Who has been standing, back to Jive, listenijig 
 and watching most attentively all through^ Perhaps 
 I'd better go with Linnell and represent the legal 
 aspect. 
 
 Wil. That 's as you please, so long as Sheldrake 
 understands he has got to marry the girl. 
 
 Enter GOODYER, door right. 
 
 Good. Tea is served in the drawing-room, ma'am. 
 
 \^Exit, leaving door open. 
 Daub. [Rising with alacrity^ Ah ! 
 IVil. Now, Mrs. Blaney, I feel I can go into tea 
 with a clear conscience! 
 
 [Glaring at LiNNELL as he goes off. Exeu?it 
 Mrs. Blaney and Wilmore, door right. 
 Daub. [To Mrs. Wilmore.] I hope your cook has 
 provided some of those delicious hot tea-cakes. 
 Mrs. W. Yes, I think. 
 Daub. There 's a very excellent, dear creature ! 
 
 [Exit, right. 
 Mrs. IV. Aren't you coming to tea, Mr. Linnell? 
 Lin. Would you mind if I stay here? I have to 
 write my letter of "apology" to Mr. Pelly. 
 
 Airs. W. You'll find pens and paper. Come, Mr, 
 Viveash. 
 
 [Exit right. ViVEASH is following her, but 
 stops at door and looks at LiNNELL, who 
 has stood calm and bitter without moving. 
 He comes up to him and puts Ids hand on 
 Lin NELL'S shoulder. 
 Vive. Linnell, you won't mind my speaking plainly? 
 Lin. Speak on. 
 
 Vive. For a man with a wife and two children, aren't 
 you behaving like — well, like a silly jackass ? 
 Lin. How? 
 
 Vive. Here is a good fat living waiting for you. 
 Can't you let this sleepy old place go on its sleepy old 
 way? Can't you shut your eyes, hold your tongue, and
 
 1 5 [act I. 
 
 V. 
 
 just flick a bit of butter into our friend Wilmore's ears 
 every now and then, eh? Isn't it worth doing? 
 
 Lin. Perhaps, but I can't do it. 
 
 Vive. Why not? 
 
 Lin. Before I entered the priesthood I spent many 
 months in questioning my motives. I had a long, dark 
 time, but I could see one thing clearly, and I shaped 
 my whole life to it. I resolved I would always fearlessly 
 say what I thought to be true, always fearlessly do 
 what I thought to be right, and never think of con- 
 sequences. That 's what I'm striving to do now. 
 
 Vive. Where do you expect it will land you? 
 
 Lin. [Looks at him with a grave sinile.'\ Well, if not 
 in Paradise, at least in self-respect. 
 
 Vive. I should say it would land you in the work- 
 house. My dear Linnell, you aren't a baby ; you're an 
 educated man. Open your eyes ! Look at the world 
 around you, the world we've got to live in, the world 
 we've got to make our bread and cheese in ! Look at 
 society. What is it? An organized hypocrisy every- 
 where! We all live by taking in each other's dirty 
 linen, and pretending to wash it; by cashing each 
 other's dirty little lies and shams, and passing them 
 on! Civilization means rottenness, when you get to 
 the core of it! It's rotten everywhere! And I fancy 
 it's rather more rotten in this rotten little hole than 
 anywhere else. [LiNNELL makes a protest.'] Oh yes it 
 is! I've been forty years in a lawyer's office here. I 
 know the history of every family in the place! If I 
 were to take the roof off every house, and show you 
 what's underneath — ! What's the use? It's a lovely, 
 picturesque little township, nestling at the foot of the 
 undulating downs. Let it nestle! Take the guide-book 
 view of the place! Let sleeping dogs lie! Think it 
 over. Do as I say, and you'll be Vicar of Weybury in 
 three months, and, who knows, Dean of Gilminster 
 before you die ! 
 
 Lin. Thank you. I'm afraid I must go on my way 
 to the workhouse.
 
 ACT I.] 1 6 
 
 Vive. [SArugs his shoulders, is going off, right.'] By 
 Jove, you will ! 
 
 Lin. [Quickly.] Forgive me! I'm sure your advice 
 has been most friendly. I wish I could take it. But I 
 can't. I'm not built that way. 
 
 [ViVEASH looks at him, chuckles ironically, 
 and goes off, right. 
 Lin. [Left to himself, walks up and down, speaking 
 to himself in a calm, bitter tone.] Dear Mr. Pelly, you 
 are a rich brewer; I am a poor curate; therefore I 
 apologize to you. You want " The Blue Lion " for 
 your own profit ; I want it for the profit of my working 
 men ; therefore I apologize to you. 
 
 [He laughs a little, bitter laugh, and sits down 
 at table to write. 
 
 Enter GOODYER at back, showing in RACHEL Neve. 
 Slie is a beautiful girl, about twenty, plainly dressed. 
 She has a quiet, shrinking, modest tnanner, and 
 delicate, refined features, with a settled, frightened 
 expression on them. She carries a little hand-bag 
 and an umbrella. 
 
 Good. Mrs. Wilmore is taking tea just now. 
 
 Rach. I sent her a note this morning, telling her I 
 I would take the liberty of calling. 
 
 Good. [Placing a chair for her.] What name? 
 
 Rach. Miss Neve. 
 
 Good. I'll tell Mrs. Wilmore. 
 
 [Exit GoODYER, right. While he has been 
 speaking to RACHEL he has turned up the 
 electric lights. It has been growing gradu- 
 ally dark, and the sunset at window fades 
 away into night. LiNNELL has fust risen, 
 and bowed very slightly to RACHEL. 
 During following scene he writes at 
 table, and tears it up. RACHEL has seated 
 herself. He goes on writing. She takes a 
 folded letter out of her hand-bag, glances 
 through it, and puts it back.
 
 ft 
 
 17 [act I. 
 
 Rack. I beg pardon 
 
 Lin. Can I be of any service to you? 
 
 Rack. Perhaps you could tell me. I'm a teacher of 
 drawing, and I've asked Mrs. Wilmore to see me, be- 
 cause I was told she is the leading lady in the neigh- 
 bourhood. 
 
 Lin. Yes? 
 
 Rack. I hoped she might recommend me. I believe 
 there is no drawing-master in Weybury? 
 
 Lin. No, but there are several in Gilminster. Have 
 you any friends in Weybury? 
 
 Rack. No. I had a friend who lived near here 
 
 Enter GOODYER, right. 
 
 Good. Mrs. Wilmore will see you in a few minutes. 
 
 Rack. Thank you. [Exit GoODYER at back. 
 
 Lin. And this friend .■' 
 
 Rack. That was a long time ago. Do you know of 
 any rooms in Weybury, not expensive? I'm troubling 
 you? 
 
 Lin. Not at all. I'll write out one or two addresses 
 for you. 
 
 Rack. Thank you. 
 
 Lin. [ Writing?^ Where are your own friends — your 
 father and mother? 
 
 Rack. My mother died ten years ago. My father is 
 an artist. Times were rather hard, so last spring he 
 took an offer from a railway company in Canada to 
 make sketches for their advertisements. He 's there 
 now. 
 
 Lin. And he left you alone? Without resources? 
 
 Rack. No, I was to have joined him, but — I stayed 
 in England. 
 
 Lin. And your other friends? 
 
 Rack. I have no other friends. 
 
 Lin. None? 
 
 Rack. No near friends. My father has always gone 
 from place to place painting landscapes, so we had no 
 regular home. 
 
 D
 
 ACT I.] 1 8 
 
 Lin. \Rises and goes to her with a sheet of paper.^ 
 I've written several addresses there. 
 
 [Giving her the paper. 
 Rach. Thank you. 
 
 Lin. {Looking at her syynpathetically^ I'm afraid 
 you've not come on a very hopeful errand. And your 
 
 health has suffered 
 
 Rach. {Quickly?^ It's nothing. I'm quite well. 
 Lin. My name's Linnell. I'm the curate here. If* 
 my wife or I can be of any use to you, we live in the 
 station road, close to the station. 
 Rach. Thank you. 
 
 [He goes back to table and seats himself to 
 
 write. 
 Rach. [Again taking out the letter from hand-bag and 
 looking round as if waiting for some one.] Has Mrs. 
 Wih-nore any daughters whom I could teach? 
 Lin. No. She has an only son. 
 Rach. And I suppose — this son — he 's too old? 
 Lin. For a drawing-mistress? Yes, I'm afraid. He's 
 going to be married next month. 
 
 [He has spoken casually^ with his head over 
 the table. A spasm of horror and fright 
 passes over RacHEL's face. She sits over- 
 whelmed for some seconds^ clutching the 
 handle of her chair. He continues writing. 
 At length she puts back the letter in hand- 
 bag, rises and staggers towards door at 
 back. 
 Lin. [Rising?^ Is anything the matter? 
 Rach. [ Who has recovered herself^ No, I thought 
 perhaps Mrs. Wilmore might be too busy 
 
 The door, right, opens, and Mrs. Wilmore enters. 
 Lin. Here is Mrs. Wilmore. 
 
 VivEASH follows Mrs. Wilmore on. 
 Mrs. W. Miss Rachel Neve? 
 Rach. Yes.
 
 
 19 [act I. 
 
 Mrs. W. You wrote me this morning. You wish to 
 ask my advice about giving drawing lessons in Wey- 
 bury? You seem to be ill 
 
 Rack. No — I 
 
 Mrs. W. You've only just arrived in Weybury. 
 Did you get any lunch? 
 
 Rack. No. I've had nothing. I suppose it 's that. 
 
 Mrs. W. They shall get you something. [Rings bell. 
 
 Rack. Oh, please don't trouble. I shall be better in 
 a moment. 
 
 Mrs. W. My dear child, you're fainting from want of 
 food. [GOODYER appears, door at back.] Goodyer, show 
 this young lady into the library, and give her some 
 cold meat and tea. 
 
 Good. This way, miss. 
 
 Mrs. W. Why did you come to Weybury of all 
 places to look for pupils? 
 
 Rack. I was told that you 
 
 Vive. Have you brought any letters of recom- 
 mendation? 
 
 Mrs. W. Who mentioned my name to you? \_No 
 a?iswer.] There! We won't bother you now. Go and 
 eat something and come back here, and we'll see what 
 can be done. 
 
 Rack. Thank you. 
 
 [She goes off, door back. GoODYER waits and 
 closes it after her. 
 
 Mrs. W. Extraordinary application! 
 
 Vive. Looks a little queer. I should get to know 
 something about Missy before you help her. 
 
 Mrs. W. Oh, I can do nothing for her, poor creature, 
 except give her a sovereign, and pass her on. Are 
 you coming back to tea? 
 
 Vive. No. I've had my single cup. 
 
 [LiNNELL is standing absorbed. MRS. WlL- 
 MORE looks significantly at ViVEASH 
 with regard to LiNNELL. ViVEASH 
 shrugs his shoulders. She smiles and exit. 
 
 Vive. {Goes tO' LiNNELL.] Now, Linnell, we'll go
 
 ACT I.] 20 
 
 and administer our respective doses of law and gospel 
 to William Sheldrake! 
 
 Lin. I can only advise him as I've already done. 
 
 Vive. Then you'd better keep your mouth shut, and 
 let me administer law and gospel too! 
 
 As they are going off, door at back, HELEN and Len- 
 NARD enter at window. 
 
 Hel. How d'ye do, Mr. Linnell? 
 
 Lin. How d' ye do? \Shaking hands. 
 
 Hel. I've heard from my father. I wrote him that 
 I wished you to marry us. 
 
 Lin. I shall be very pleased, if it 's Mr. Wilmore's 
 wish. 
 
 Len. Oh yes, delighted. Very kind of you, Linnell. 
 
 Vive. Now, Linnell. 
 
 [Exetmt Linnell and Viveash at back. 
 
 Len. I'm afraid old Daubeny won't like our shunting 
 him for the marriage. 
 
 Hel. I couldn't be married by Mr. Daubeny! [Going 
 to piano, which is opett, playing disjointed chords during 
 the following scene.'\ To be blessed by those fat hands! 
 [A little shudder.l There would be something almost 
 profane about it. Don't you feel that? 
 
 Len. No. Old Daub is a very good sort of parson, 
 as parsons go. 
 
 Hel. [Playing a chord.'] Len, I've been talking to 
 your mother about marriage. 
 
 Len. Yes? 
 
 Hel. It seems I've had altogether wrong ideas 
 about it. 
 
 Len. How? 
 
 Hel. [Playing occasional bars.] Perhaps my father 
 was wrong to bring me up so strictly. He ought to 
 have made me go more into society. But I never 
 liked it. I always kept back from the world. It seems 
 to me that if you and I could live here always, looking 
 after our own people, and restoring the dear old 
 church
 
 
 21 [act I. 
 
 Len. Well, why shouldn't we? 
 
 Nel. That would be an ideal life for me. Would it 
 content you? 
 
 Len. You want me to go to Parliament, don't you? 
 
 Hel. But that means living in London. And London 
 means society. And society means doing as people in 
 society do. Since I had that talk with your mother, I 
 begin to hate life. 
 
 Len. What did my mother tell you? 
 
 He/. I questioned her about you. 
 
 I^en. I hope she didn't tell you anything very 
 alarming? 
 
 Hel. It wasn't what she told me. It was what she 
 wouldn't tell me. 
 
 Len. Like a good mother, she wanted to make the 
 best of me. 
 
 He/. Yes, I saw that. But that made me think the 
 worst. Lennard, you aren't very different from my 
 ideal of you? 
 
 Len. I hope not. 
 
 He/. Marriage is very sacred to me. It's a sacra- 
 ment. [Ve/iejnenf/_y.] Yes, it's a sacrament! And it 
 mustn't be less to you than it is to me! Tell me it isn't! 
 
 Len. No — no 
 
 He/ Oh, Len, I love you so much. \Throwing her 
 arms round him.'] You know father has told Mr. Vive- 
 ash to settle everything upon you. 
 
 Len. You're too good — too generous! 
 
 Hel. No — that's nothing. I've settled more than 
 that! I've settled all my love for always! I've given 
 you all — everything that doesn't belong to God. And 
 I can't bear 
 
 Len. What? 
 
 He/ To think you haven't settled everything upon 
 me ! [^Burstitig into tears. 
 
 Len. I have. You're a little hysterical. 
 
 He/. No. I'm quite calm and sensible. Len, there 
 is no one \J)assionate/y\ — No woman can ever come 
 between us, and say that you
 
 ACT I.] 22 
 
 Len. Dearest, you're distressing yourself about no- 
 thing. 
 
 \^He tries to kiss her, but s/ie escapes from his 
 
 embrace. 
 
 Hel. You won't tell me. If you hide anything from 
 
 me, I shall be the most miserable girl that ever lived. 
 
 Are you coming in to tea? {Going to door, right. 
 
 Len. In a few minutes. I must give Jenkins orders 
 
 about the beaters to-morrow. 
 
 {Exit Helen, right. He stands distressed 
 and perplexed, makes a gesture as if dis- 
 missing the subject, and is going off at 
 back when he comes face to face with 
 Rachel, who enters. 
 Len. Rachel! My God! 
 
 Rach. Lennard, forgive my coming. I was ob- 
 liged 
 
 Len. Shush! [Closes door.^ You've not gone out to 
 your father? 
 
 Rach. I daren't! 
 
 Len. Daren't?! 
 
 Rach. Can't you guess? 
 
 Len. Rachel! 
 
 Rach. I've just heard you are to be married. It 
 isn't true? 
 
 Len. Yes. [She makes a gesture of despair?^ I told 
 you it was impossible our friendship could con- 
 tinue. 
 
 Rach. Friendship?! 
 
 Len. And we parted and said good-bye. 
 
 Rach. You promised we should meet again, when I 
 came back to England. 
 
 Len. Why didn't you go to your father as we 
 arranged ? 
 
 Rach. There was no boat for a fortnight. Then I 
 began to be afraid. So I stayed on in England till I 
 was sure — Lennard, it 's the worst. 
 
 Len. Good Heaven! But when I left you three 
 months ago, you had no thought
 
 » 
 
 23 [act I. 
 
 Rack. Not then. Oh, this suspense has been terri- 
 ble ! Lennard, you will marry me, you promised?! 
 Len. I was free then. I'm not free now. 
 Rack. And you never told me you were engaged! 
 Len. I wasn't actually engaged when I last saw 
 you. 
 
 Rack. But you were going to be. And it was to 
 get rid of me! Do you remember all you said to me? 
 And you never meant it! 
 
 Len. Yes. I did mean it. I did love you, Rachel. 
 And even now — if there were any way out of it! 
 That's impossible now! But of course I'll see you 
 through as far as I can. \^She shows despair, sits down 
 helplessly.'] Why did you come here? Why didn't you 
 write to me? 
 
 Rach. I thought you might be away on some en- 
 gineering work, and then the letter would be opened. 
 
 I did write this morning 
 
 {Half taking the letter out of the hand-bag. 
 Len. Where are you living? 
 
 Rach. I stayed at my cousin's till yesterday. I 
 came here, thinking perhaps I could give drawing 
 lessons, and then if your mother should only take to 
 me, all might be well. Oh, what shall I do? 
 
 Len. There 's no absolute danger yet, for some 
 months, is there? 
 
 Rach. Not till the spring. 
 Len. That gives you time to turn round. 
 Rach. But it must come! And then! I can't face 
 it! 
 
 Len. Rachel! Don't give way like this! Rachel! 
 
 He is bending over her, consoling her, when Mrs. 
 WiLMORE enters, right. 
 
 Mrs. W. Lennard! You know this lady? 
 
 Len. Yes — I 
 
 Mrs. W. And you allow her to come here? 
 
 Len. Mother, I've behaved like a scoundrel to her.
 
 ACT I.] 24 
 
 Mrs. W. We won't talk of that now. [T^? RACHEL.] 
 Will you please leave at once? 
 
 Leu. Mother, she's the best and truest girl! Her 
 only fault is that she trusted to my word, and I broke 
 it! We must help her. 
 
 Mrs. W. Certainly. We'll do whatever is right. 
 [To Rachel.] Please go now. 
 
 [Goz'fig^ towards door at back. 
 
 Len. Mother, it isn't only herself. [MRS. WiLMORE 
 looks inquiringly ?\ There will be another. 
 
 Mrs. IV. Another? 
 
 Leji. My child! 
 
 Mrs. W. [To Rachel.] Is this true? 
 
 Rack. Oh, I think I shall kill myself! 
 
 Mrs. W. Hush! Of course we'll help you, but you 
 mustn't be seen in Weybury. [Takes out watch.'] Let 
 me think. You'll just have time to catch the 6.15 to 
 Gilminster. Go there, to "The Bear Hotel." Stay there 
 to-night. I'll come to you to-morrow morning, and 
 arrange something. You'll go? 
 
 Rack. Yes. But Lennard 
 
 Mrs. W. [Quickly.'] My son's name mustn't be 
 mentioned. Promise me you won't bring him into 
 this. 
 
 Rack. Of course I won't! I promise. 
 
 Mrs. W. Remember that. It is the only condition 
 on which I can help you. You understand? 
 
 Rack. Yes. I love him too much to 
 
 Mrs. IV. Hush! You've no time to spare. 
 
 Rack. [Going- towards Lennard.] Good-bye. 
 I [Nearly breaks down. 
 
 Mrs. W. [Intercepting.] Please — no scenes here. 
 You must go. [She goes towards door. 
 
 Len. Rachel, you forgive me? [She nods. Suddenly.] 
 Mother, I can't let her go like this! 
 
 Mrs. W. [Intercepting, very imperious?^ Lennard, 
 you forget what is due to me, and to — others. Let 
 me save you from the consequences of your folly, if I 
 can. [Rings bell. 'Ly.H'UKRD goes up to window.
 
 25 [ACT I. 
 
 ft 
 ViVEASH and lAHHY.lA. enter at back. 
 
 Vive. Oh, you're still busy. 
 Mrs. W. No. Is it anything important? 
 
 Vive. No. A marriage has been arranged between 
 William Sheldrake and Sarah Piper. 
 
 Mrs. W. Oh, I'm glad. That 's settled then. 
 
 Enter GOODYER at back with a paper on tray. 
 
 Good. Cook asked me to give you this receipt, 
 ma'am. 
 
 Mrs. W. Oh, yes. [ Takes receipt. 
 
 Enter MRS. Blaney, right. 
 
 Mrs. IV. Goodyer, show this young lady out, and 
 put her into the way to the station. 
 
 Good. Yes, ma'am. [ Waits at door. 
 
 Mrs. IV. [7^ Rachel.] You'll find "The Bear" a 
 very comfortable hotel. Till to-morrow, then. Good- 
 night. [Shaking hands. 
 
 Rach. Good-night. {Going off. 
 
 Lin. {As Rachel passes him.'] I hope you'll be 
 successful. {Offers hand.] Good-night. 
 
 Rach. Good-night. 
 
 {Shakes hands with him, and hurries off at 
 back without looking up. GoODYER 
 closes the door, and exit after her. 
 Vive. So you're going to take up Missy? 
 
 Mrs. IV. Oh, no. I'm shopping in Gilminster to- 
 morrow, and I've promised to give her a few intro- 
 ductions — that 's all! 
 
 Mrs. B. Dear Mrs. Wilmore, be very careful. She 
 struck me as 
 
 Mrs. W. How? 
 
 Mrs. B. Well, she seemed to avoid meeting my 
 glance. I think it 's such a good plan to fix your eye 
 steadily upon persons, such as servants and govern- 
 esses — like this — give them one piercing look, and if 
 they flinch, have nothing to do with them! 
 
 E
 
 ACT I.] 26 
 
 Daubeny enters right, followed by VVlLMORE. 
 
 Daub. [To Mrs. Wilmore.] Ah! Ah! I'm sure 
 you've forgotten it again! 
 
 Mrs. W. No, here it is. [Giving him the receipt. 
 
 Daub. Thanks. My best respects to your cook. 
 Quails Estelle! 
 
 [Sits, takes out his spectacles, and affection- 
 ately ponders his receipt. 
 
 Wil. [To LiNNELL f^«rt? ViVEASH.] Did you give 
 William Sheldrake my message? 
 
 Vive. Oh yes. We put the matter to William in a 
 nutshell, didn't we, Linncll? And the result is, up go 
 William and Sarah's banns next Sunday. 
 
 Wil. That is so far satisfactory. 
 
 Daub. Most satisfactory! 
 
 [Folds up Jus receipt carefully, and puts it in 
 Jus pocJcet. 
 
 IVil. On consideration, Linnell, you might take up 
 this subject in your discourse next Sunday. 
 
 Lin. What? 
 
 Wil Eh, Daubeny? 
 
 Daub. An excellent idea! 
 
 Wil. Unless you prefer to deal with it yourself, eh? 
 
 Daub. No, I'll leave it in Mr. Linnell's hands. 
 
 Mrs. B. It 's high time that somebody instilled 
 some sort of morality into our young people. 
 
 Wil. [To Linnell.] Next Sunday evening then. 
 You'll please let William Sheldrake and Sarah Piper 
 and the members of their family know that I wish 
 them all to be present. 
 
 Lin. What?! You wish me to start this wretched 
 pair on their newly married life by crying out their 
 fault from the housetops, and shaming them before 
 all their neighbours! 
 
 Wil. [Very angry.'] Yes, sir, I do! Wretched pair 
 indeed! Don't they deserve to be wretched? Shame 
 them?! Don't they deserve to be shamed? I beg you 
 will hold them up severely as a warning to others.
 
 
 27 [act I. 
 
 And I beg you will represent my attitude in this 
 matter as dictated by the fatherly interest I take in 
 all my tenants! [Tapping the table vigorously with 
 his forefifigers to emphasize his sentiiuents.'] And I beg 
 you will let it be understood that I have only one 
 rule in these cases, that I will tolerate no tampering 
 with the plain dictates of morality on my estate! 
 [Ceases tapping the table, afid rises with a self-satisfied 
 air.] And I don't doubt we shall all be very much 
 edified next Sunday evening! [Goes towards the group 
 of Dauijeny, Viveash and Mrs. Blaney, turns 
 round to LiNNELL.] Did you hear what I said? 
 Liu. Ves, I heard you. 
 
 [WiLMORE goes to the group, and is seen to 
 be justifying his outburst to tliem in a 
 vigorous, self-satisfied way. MRS. WiL- 
 MORE and Lennard have remained 
 near window at back, listening with great 
 apprehension. LiNNELL stands calm, 
 self-controlled. 
 
 curtain. 
 
 Two hours elapse between Acts I and II
 
 r^ 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 Scene: Sitting-room at Mr. Linnell'S. A plainly, 
 sparely furnished room in an old rambling house. 
 On the left is a bow window looking out on the 
 street. On the right is a fireplace with fire burn- 
 ing. In the back wall to the right is a door leading 
 to the staircase, with one step showing below it. 
 In the back wall in the centre is a door leading into 
 a passage, a?td beyond the passage another door 
 leading into EDGAR LiNNELL'S study. When both 
 doors are open, a view is obtained of the study be- 
 yond them. In the back wall to the left is a small 
 window with little red curtains, drawn apart, so 
 that the passage can again be seen, lighted by an 
 oil lamp, and leading up to the front door of the 
 house. A n easy chair above the fireplace with a 
 table above it against the left wall. Another table 
 is down stage left with chairs to the right and 
 above it. Cheap prints on the walls. Cheap, but 
 not ugly, furniture. The place gives an impression 
 of genteel poverty, but contains nothing in bad 
 taste. 
 
 The Time is about eight on the evening of the same 
 day, and the room is lighted with oil-lamps. 
 On the table to the left are a rug, and the umbrella 
 and hand-bag which RACHEL has carried in 
 Act I. 
 
 Discover Patty showing in MRS. Blaney. Patty 
 is the LinneLLS' servant, a neat, sharp, little 
 country girl in a cotton frock. They come fust inside 
 the room, and leave the door open.
 
 
 29 [act II. 
 
 Mrs. Blaney. 
 R. BLANEY is still here? 
 
 Patty. Yes, ma'am. In the study with 
 Mr. and Mrs. Linnell binding up the poor 
 W^^^'^M young lady's foot. 
 
 Mrs. B. \_At door, listefiing across the passage.^ How 
 did the accident happen? 
 
 Patty. The lady slipped down the steps at the 
 station, and sprained her foot so bad as she couldn't 
 walk. 
 
 Mrs. B. What made them bring her here? 
 Patty. Mrs. Linnell was going by train to Gil- 
 minster to do her shopping, and saw the young lady 
 fall. And, as our house was close by, she had her 
 brought here in Mr. Perry's new red van. 
 
 Mrs. B. {^Listenmg^ I can hear Mr. Linnell's voice, 
 and the Doctor's, but I can't distinguish a word. 
 Patty. Oh, isn't it annoying, ma'am, when you 
 
 just can't catch 
 
 [Mrs. Blaney yVcwwj at her, and comes away 
 from door to the table, exammes the rug, 
 umbrella, and hand-bag. 
 Mrs. B. Do these belong to the young person? 
 Patty. Yes, ma'am. 
 
 Mrs. B. A very peculiar rug! Much more like a 
 man's rug than a lady's! 
 
 Patty. It has got a man's look about it! 
 Mrs. B. And quite a common umbrella. 
 
 {^Examining the texture. 
 Patty. \Taking iip the umbrella when MRS. Blaney 
 lays it down.] Yes, ma'am. Not a penny more than 
 seven and sixpence. 
 
 Mrs. B. [ Taking up the hand-bag, looking at the in- 
 itials.'] R. N. I suppose it 's the drawing-mistress per- 
 son who called on Mrs. Wilmore. \^She has managed 
 to open the hand-bag and peep in. Suddenly^ Patty, 
 please tell Dr. Blaney his dinner is getting cold, and 
 that I'm waiting.
 
 ACT II.] 30 
 
 Patty. Yes, ma'am. 
 
 [Patty goes across passage, and is seen to 
 enter the study door opposite. The moment 
 her back is turned, MRS. Blaney takes 
 a folded letter out of the hand-bag, hesi- 
 tates, puts it back, looks longingly at bag, 
 gives way to her curiosity, takes out the 
 letter, reads: "Wednesday morning" — 
 that 's this morning. Glancing round at 
 study door, reads: " I am in Weybury, 
 and must see you at once." — The study 
 door, whicJi has been open a little way, 
 is opened wide by Dr. Blaney, who 
 appears at it, speaking off into study. 
 He is a stout, middle-aged man, with 
 a bland, sleek, formal, deferential, bed- 
 side manner. MRS. Blaney hurriedly 
 slips back the letter into the outside 
 pocket of the hand-bag, and gets away 
 from table. 
 Dr. B. [At the study door.] Rest the foot entirely. 
 Don't leave that sofa. Above all, no excitement. 
 Perfect quiet. Good evening. 
 
 [He speaks that at the study door, and crosses 
 
 passage into room. MRS. LiNNELL and 
 
 L.l'N NELL follow him in from the study. 
 
 Mrs. Lin NELL is in outdoor clothes. 
 
 LiNNELL closes the door as he enters. 
 
 Dr. B. A sprain. Quite a simple sprain. No cause 
 
 for serious alarm. There is also a temperature which 
 
 may, or may not, develop into some more or less 
 
 pronounced form of fever. She says she has been 
 
 living with some cousin in London. I should advise 
 
 getting her back there at once. 
 
 Lin. There's no train for London to-night, and 
 if she has a temperature, mightn't it be dan- 
 gerous? 
 
 Dr. B. Well, from that point of view, it is inad- 
 visable to move her.
 
 » 
 
 31 [ACT II. 
 
 Mrs. B. Who is she, and what is she doing in Wey- 
 bury? 
 
 Mrs. L. She seems to be a lady. 
 
 Mrs. B. There are so many sorts of ladies now- 
 adays. And before you allow her to have an infectious 
 fever here, with your two children so liable to catch 
 anything and everything 
 
 Mrs. L. Her box was labelled for Gilminster. I'm 
 going there. Shall I order a carriage, and take her 
 over? 
 
 Lin. What would you do with her? 
 
 Mrs. B. Send her to the best hotel. She'll be far 
 more comfortable there than staying here and run- 
 ning up a heavy doctor's bill, without any means of 
 paying. 
 
 Dr. B. Under the circumstances, that might be the 
 wiser plan. 
 
 Lin. I don't think we'll turn her out to-night. 
 
 Dr. B. In that case we must do our best for her. 
 I'll send in a soothing draught, and a lotion for the 
 foot. As regards diet — a little arrowroot or gruel ; 
 nothing heavy; no meat; no solids; no stimulants. A 
 little soda and milk to drink. Above all, no excite- 
 ment. Perfect quiet. Of course, if the temperature 
 should rise still higher — but we trust it won't. \To 
 Linnell]. Good evening. \^To Mrs. Linnell.] 
 Good evening, Mrs. Linnell. Now, Matilda! 
 
 \Hegoes off into passage,followed by LiNNELL. 
 They are seen through the window talk- 
 ing at lamp. 
 
 Mrs. B. Where's her other luggage? 
 
 Mrs. L. At the station. 
 
 Mrs.B. What's it like? 
 
 Mrs. L. One large trunk. 
 
 Mrs. B. I should unpack it for her, and look very 
 carefully through everything. 
 
 Mrs. L. I couldn't do that. 
 
 Dr. B. \_Voice from passage.'] Now, Matilda! 
 
 Mrs. B. Coming, dear! I'll run in again after
 
 ACT II.] 32 
 
 dinner, and see if you've found out anything about 
 her. 
 
 [Exit at back. She is seen to pass the window 
 with LiNNELL and Dr. Blaney. Mrs. 
 LiNNELL takes up the hand-bag and looks 
 at the initials. The front door is heard to 
 close. A moment later Ll N N ELL re-enters 
 the room. 
 Lin. Rather unfortunate, eh, Mary? Stopped your 
 shopping? 
 
 Mrs. L. No, they keep open late on market night, 
 and sell off cheap. One must save every penny when 
 one has an extravagant husband like you. 
 Lin. Extravagant? I? In what? 
 Mrs. Z. In your ideas of right and wrong. They're 
 far too expensive for our position. You can't afford 
 them on a hundred and twenty a year. 
 
 Lin. I can't afford to do what's right on a hundred 
 and twenty a year? 
 
 Mrs. L. No, not when it offends everybody, and 
 brings your children to beggary. 
 
 Lin. [ Very gently strokes her hair.] " Thou speakest 
 as one of the foolish women." 
 
 Mrs. L. [Edging away from his caress. '\ No, I speak 
 like a good wife and mother. There's scarcely a 
 labourer's home in Weybury that hasn't more com- 
 forts and luxuries than ours. Edgar, won't you do 
 as Mr. Wilmore wishes? 
 Lin. How? 
 
 Mrs. L. Study him. Make friends with him. Then 
 he'd give you the living. {Glancing out of window.] 
 There 's the signal down. I shall only just catch the 
 train. [Kissing him?[ You're to do as I tell you. For 
 our children's sake! 
 
 Lin. I can't bow the knee to Baal. 
 Mrs. L. Yes you can. It 's the only way to be vicar 
 of Weybury. 
 
 [Exit at back, passes window in passage, and 
 off at front door, which is heard to shut
 
 s 
 
 33 [ACT II. 
 
 behind her. LiNNELL stands perplexed, 
 sighs deeply, goes to staircase door, opens it, 
 takes off the coat he is wearing, takes from 
 peg a very old, threadbare coat, which is 
 hanging there, hangs up the coat lie has 
 taken off. 
 
 Enter V ATTY from study. 
 
 Patty. The young lady has asked for her rug and 
 things. 
 
 Lin. \Putting on the old coat.] You took my letter 
 to Mr. Wilmore? 
 
 Patty. Yes, sir. He was in the hall, and he took it 
 and read it. 
 Lin. Well? 
 
 Patty. He got as red as a turkey cock. " Oh, in- 
 deed," he says. "Tell Mr. Linnell I'll come and talk 
 to him myself after dinner," he says, and then he 
 marched off as if all the world belonged to him. 
 Lin. That will do, Patty. 
 
 \Turns from her towards the fire. PATTY 
 
 takes up the rug, umbrella and bag, 
 
 and goes off with tliem. She carries the 
 
 hafid-bag upside down, and the letter slips 
 
 out of the pocket ojt to the floor near the 
 
 door. LiNNELL stands iti perplexity, 
 
 walks a step or two, turns, sees the letter, 
 
 goes up to it, picks it up. 
 
 Lin. \Reading?[ " Wednesday morning. I am in 
 
 Weybury and must see you." Who's this? " You must 
 
 keep your promise, or the shame will drive me mad. I 
 
 am coming to call on your mother in the hope of seeing 
 
 you, and giving you this. You will marry me " 
 
 \He shows surprise, and his hand drops with the letter 
 at his side.] Shame!! 
 
 l^The door at back opens, aitd Rachel stands 
 there, pale and distracted, leaning on a 
 walking-stick, and against the doorway. 
 Lin. You shouldn't have moved. Your foot? 
 
 ¥
 
 ACT II.] 34 
 
 Rack. ^Indicating stick?^ I found this in there. I've 
 lost a letter 
 
 Lin. [Offering the letter.'] Is it this? 
 
 Rack. [ Takes it eagerly, Just glances at it.] You've 
 read it? 
 
 Lin. Only the opening sentences. At first, I thought 
 it was addressed to me. 
 
 Rack. [Dartitig at hint a look of eager inquiry.'] You 
 
 know ? 
 
 [He does tiot reply. She limps hurriedly to the 
 fire, puts the letter on it, pokes it into the 
 fiatne with the stick, and then drops ex- 
 hausted into the easy chair. He comes up 
 to her with a sympat/ietic gesture. 
 
 Rack. You wish me to leave here? 
 
 Lin. Not till you have found another home. 
 
 Rach. Home? I shall never have a home, unless — 
 Oh, what shall I do? 
 
 Lin. That letter was written to somebody in Wey- 
 bury, and never delivered. [She does not reply.] To 
 Mr. Lennard Wilmore? 
 
 Rach. [Quickly.] No. 
 
 Lin. No? 
 
 Rach. No. I mustn't say whom it was written to. 
 That doesn't matter. [Suddenly attempting to rise.] I 
 must go to Gilminster. 
 
 [She rises, but her foot gives way, and she 
 sinks into chair. 
 
 Lin. There 's no train till eleven. You can't go to- 
 night. 
 
 Rach. I'm sorry to be so much trouble. 
 
 Lin. Don't think of that. Think only how we can 
 help you to meet this. 
 
 Rach. Thank you. [A pause. She suddenly looks at 
 him.] I want to ask you one question. 
 
 Lin. Ask me. 
 
 Rach. Because I've done wrong, my child won't do 
 wrong — won't grow up to be wicked? 
 
 Lin. Your child's future is in your hands to shape.
 
 * 35 [ACT II. 
 
 Begin to change from this moment. There lies the 
 best hope for your child. 
 
 Rack. You think I'm a bad girl? 
 
 Lin. No ; but if you are, then you're my especial 
 charge. 
 
 Rack, I'm not a bad girl. I've made one mistake, 
 and now I can't get back. 
 
 Lin. Are you sure of that? 
 
 Rack. \Eagerly?[ Can I? Show me the way! 
 
 Lin. There 's only the one old way. You've done 
 wrong. You repent. 
 
 Rack. Oh yes, I repent. But repentance doesn't get 
 you back. I want to get back to where I was. 
 
 Lin. That's impossible. Things can never be as they 
 were. But put the past behind you. Look to the 
 future. Resolve to bear the burden of your wrong- 
 doing bravely. 
 
 Rack. I can't! I can't face it! All my life long! All 
 my life long! 
 
 Lin. Life's a running stream. However foul and 
 muddy it may be, it clears and purifies itself as it goes 
 along. So it will be with yours. 
 
 Rack. No! No! How can I meet people? Everybody 
 will avoid me! 
 
 Lin. I won't. I'll help you. I'll be your friend. 
 
 Rach. \Looks up gratefiilly.'] How kind you are! 
 
 Lin. Tell me what I can do. Shall I write to your 
 father? 
 
 Rach. No, not yet. He 's so happy out there with 
 his work. And when he comes home — to me! 
 
 Lin. But he'll forgive you? 
 
 Rach. Oh yes, he 's kindness itself. That 's why I 
 don't wish to break his heart. 
 
 Lin. Let me speak to the man who brought you to 
 this. 
 
 Rach. The man who ? 
 
 Lin. Lennard VVilmore. 
 
 Rach. But it wasn't — you're quite wrong in thinking 
 that letter was for him. [He looks sternly at her, her
 
 ACT II.] 36 
 
 eyes drop, she shows confusion.'] I mean — it would be 
 useless — you're mistaken. 
 
 Lift. [ Very cold and stern.'] I can do nothing for you 
 unless you're quite truthful with me. Your foot is 
 paining you. Let me help you back to the sofa. 
 
 [Helping Iter to rise, giving her his arm to 
 the door. 
 Rach. \_Suddejily.] Oh, don't you turn against 
 me! 
 
 Lin. I won't. Let me try to set things straight for 
 you, will you? 
 
 Rach. Yes — at least — Oh, I don't know what to 
 do! [Suddenly, with great agitation.] I mustn't stay 
 
 here [A knock at the front door. 
 
 Lin. Hush! Some visitor! Calm yourself. Makeup 
 your mind to stay to-night, and in the morning we'll 
 decide what to do. 
 
 RacJi. Thank you! That's not Mrs. Wilmore? 
 Lin. Rest there a moment. I'll see who it is. 
 
 \He is putti7ig her into the chair near the door, 
 when Patty, who has opened the front 
 door, enters from passage, showing in 
 Helen. 
 Patty. Here 's Miss Plugenet, sir. 
 Hel. [Entering.] Oh, I'm so sorry. You're en- 
 gaged? 
 
 Liti. No. Come in. A lady who has met with an 
 accident. We're taking care of her for the night. 
 
 [Helen and Rachel bow slightly to each 
 
 other. 
 
 Hel. You're suffering 
 
 Rach. My foot is sprained. 
 Hel. Can I do anything for you? 
 RacJi. No, thank you. 
 
 Lin. Patty, help the lady back to the sofa. 
 Patty. Lean on me. Miss. Shove me about as much 
 as you like. I'm as strong as a cart-horse. 
 
 Rach. [Looking rotmd a little wildly.] You mustn't 
 think — what you thought is not true
 
 37 [ACT II. 
 
 Lin. [^Soot kingly.'] Let Patty take care of you. I'll 
 come to you in a few minutes. 
 
 \Helping Patty and RACHEL off at door at 
 back. He closes door after them. 
 
 Hel. I didn't know you had a visitor. You're 
 busy? 
 
 Lin. No. Sit down. What is it? 
 
 Hel. Mr. Linnell, we're almost strangers, but I feel 
 I may trust you absolutely. Isn't that so? 
 
 Lifi. Yes. 
 
 Hel. I'm in great perplexity. 
 
 Lin. Tell me. 
 
 Hel. [Suddenly.] Ought I to marry Lennard? 
 
 Lin. What makes you ask me that? 
 
 Hel. Because — Mrs. Wilmore puts me off. And I've 
 come to you, because you won't put me off. You won't 
 tell me these things don't matter; that all young men 
 sow their wild oats; and that I'm foolish to ask from 
 Lennard what I bring to him — my whole heart, my 
 whole nature, my whole life. I've explained myself 
 badly. But you understand? 
 
 Lin. I think I do. 
 
 Hel. Then ought I to marry him? 
 
 Lin. You love him? 
 
 Hel [ IVarmly.] With all my heart. Should I have 
 accepted him else? I came fresh from school. That 
 was four months ago, and for the first month all was 
 like a happy dream. Then I got this terrible doubt, 
 and I can't rest. I'm not foolish! I'm not hysterical! 
 I can't marry him if I feel he is still bound to — to 
 someone who came before me. What can I do? 
 
 Lin. Shouldn't you go to your father? 
 
 Hel. No. He wouldn't understand. That's why I 
 came to you. 
 
 Lin. [After a long pause.] I cannot advise you. 
 
 Hel. You can't? Isn't it your duty to advi.se me? 
 Isn't that why you are a clergyman? 
 
 [Linnell takes a step or two in great per- 
 plexity.
 
 ACT II.] 38 
 
 Lin. Have you heard anything — or seen — or 
 guessed? 
 
 Hel. I've questioned Mrs. Wilmore. Just now, after 
 dinner, I begged her to be quite frank with me, but I 
 feel she 's hiding something. That drove me to you. 
 Do you know anything? 
 
 Lin. That is a question I did not hear. 
 
 LJel. Then you do know. \^He turns away from her 
 very coldly?^ I beg your pardon. I'm wrong to speak 
 like that. But I trust you. I throw myself upon 
 you. Advise me as you would your own sister! 
 
 Lin. Let me think this over. Come to me to-morrow 
 morning, will you? 
 
 Hel. Yes. You don't blame me for this? I'm not a 
 traitor to Lennard? 
 
 Lin. Not if you are true to your best instinct. 
 
 Hel. It is my best instinct, and I must obey it. \A 
 knock at the front door. Pattv goes to it from study.] 
 I'll come to you to-morrow morning, then? [He nods.] 
 Thank you so much. 
 
 Lin. For what? 
 
 Hel. You quiet me, and comfort me. I feel you're 
 quite honest. 
 
 Lin. [Smiling.] Are honest men so scarce? 
 
 Enter Patty at back, showing in Lennard, in 
 evening dress. Exit Patty. 
 
 Len. Ah ! I guessed I should find you here. [Look- 
 ing anxiously from one to the other.] More spiritual 
 advice and ghostly comfort, eh, Linnell? I begin to 
 be jealous. 
 
 Hel. You shouldn't speak like that. You make 
 sacred things so cheap. 
 
 Len. [Betraying a little nervousness and alarm.] 
 I beg your pardon. I interrupted you. [Looking from 
 one to the other.] Has anything happened? 
 
 Hel No. Oh, yes — that young lady — can we do 
 anything for her?
 
 
 39 [ACT II. 
 
 Len. Ah, Linnell, my mother heard of the accident 
 at the station. She 's coming here presently. 
 
 Lin. Indeed! 
 
 Len. She has taken a great interest in this young 
 girl. Now, Helen. Good night, Linnell. 
 
 Lin. \_Puts his hand on Lennard'S shoulder?^ Will 
 you come back by-and-by? 
 
 Len. Why? 
 
 Lin. I want to speak to you. 
 
 Len. Certainly, but 
 
 Hel. Why not stay now? 
 
 Len, I must see you home. 
 
 Hel. No. It's only across two fields, and it's moon- 
 light. I'll leave him with you, Mr. Linnell. 
 
 Len. Well, if you wish 
 
 Hel. I do. \Going off at back.l Oh, don't trouble. 
 
 \_To Linnell, who accompanies her to the 
 front door and opens it for her. Meantime 
 Lennard shows great apprehension, 
 goes up to door, looks after them, tries to 
 compose himself, awaits LiN NELL'S re- 
 turn with great anxiety. LiNNELL re- 
 enters, closes the door after him. 
 
 Lin. Will you sit down? [Lennard sits apprehen- 
 sively.'] Mrs. Wilmore takes a great interest in Miss 
 Neve? 
 
 Len. Neve — is that her name? 
 
 Lin. Didn't you know? 
 
 Len. I think my mother mentioned it. 
 
 Lin. Does Mrs. Wilmore know Miss Neve's his- 
 tory? 
 
 Len. I suppose she has told my mother something 
 about herself. 
 
 Lin. How much does Mrs. Wilmore know? 
 
 Len. You're very mysterious. What do you mean } 
 
 Lin. I mean, does Mrs. Wilmore know the history of 
 Miss Neve's relations with you? 
 
 Len. [Starts up, betrays himself, then quickly recovers, 
 stands face to face with LiNNELL for a moment.l
 
 ACT II.] 40 
 
 Relations with me ! What bee have you got in your 
 bonnet now? I'll send my mother down to you. You'd 
 better ask her. [Goino;- off, opens door. 
 
 Lin. Stop. I'm trying to save those dear to you 
 from terrible sorrow and shame. To-morrow it may 
 be too late. 
 
 [Lennard closes door and comes down to him. 
 
 Lin. {Very tenderly.'] Come, my dear lad ! You .see 
 1 know! So spare yourself all further equivocation, 
 and let me help you if I can. 
 
 Leu. It's a pretty bad business, isn't it? 
 
 Lin. Trust me. Did you promise to marry her.-* 
 
 Len. I suppose I did. When a man 's in love he 
 promises everything. 
 
 Lin. And you became engaged to Miss Plugenet, 
 knowing that this other 
 
 Len. No, I'm not quite so bad as that. I hadn't seen 
 Helen since we were children. I was in Scotland last 
 spring in charge of the railway, and when Mr. Neve left 
 his daughter to go to Canada, she and I were thrown 
 together a good deal. Then the railway was finished, 
 and I came home and met Helen. Before I became 
 engaged I saw Miss Neve again for a few days. We 
 said, " Good-bye," and parted, thinking it was all at an 
 end. It was only to-day that I knew the cursed truth. 
 
 Lin. What do you intend to do? 
 
 Len. My mother has promised to take care of her. 
 
 Lin. And Miss Plugenet? 
 
 Len. There's no need she should know, is there? 
 
 Liji. You'd marry Miss Plugenet, knowing this other 
 one has your promise, knowing what she is going to 
 suffer for you ! 
 
 Len. It is rough on her, poor girl! And she 's really 
 good. It was her very innocence — and she did love 
 me! When I remember how her face used to light up 
 with the loveliest smile when she caught sight of me — 
 by Jove, Linnell, a man may get to be a big scoundrel 
 without meaning it, and without knowing it. 
 
 Lin. But when he does know it, then he resolutely 
 
 1
 
 ft 
 
 41 [act II. 
 
 sets to work to undo the wrong he has done — as you 
 mean to do? 
 
 Len. Well, of course we shall provide for her. 
 
 Lin. Yes — but Miss Plugenet? 
 
 \A knock at tJie front door. 
 
 Len. I expect that 's my mother. [PATTY goes to 
 front door and admits MRS. WiLMORE.] You'll help 
 us to keep this quiet, eh? You won't go against us, 
 and let it all come out? 
 
 Mrs. W. {Opens the door, and speaks to PATTY.] In 
 here? Oh yes. {She enters?^ Ah, Len, why didn't you 
 go back with Helen? Run back home, I want to have 
 a little chat with Mr. Linnell about this young drawing- 
 mistress. {Looking at LiNNELL. 
 
 Lin. {Stern and digttified.'] If you please. 
 
 [Mrs. Wilmore, arrested by his manner, looks 
 inquiringly at him and Lennard. 
 
 Len. Mother, he knows. 
 
 Mrs. W. Knows what? What has this girl been 
 telling you.'* 
 
 Lin. Nothing. By accident I saw a letter she wrote 
 to your son. 
 
 Mrs. W. Why should she write to Lennard ? 
 « Lin. Isn't it very natural ? 
 
 [Lennard is about to speak, but Mrs. Wil- 
 more secretly hushes him with a warning 
 gesture. 
 
 Mrs. W. Was this letter addressed to Lennard ? 
 
 Lin. No. 
 
 Mrs. IV. Then to whom ? 
 
 Lin. To no one. 
 
 Mrs. W. And you jump to the conclusion where 
 
 is this girl ? {Going to door. LiNNELL intercepts her. 
 
 Lin. One moment. She's very feverish and excited. 
 Let me prepare her first. 
 
 Mrs. W. You won't prompt her to repeat this story? 
 
 Lin. Story? You know it, then? 
 
 Mrs. W. It 's easy to guess. I must see her, and get 
 at the truth. 
 
 G
 
 ACT II.] 42 
 
 Lin. The truth is as you know it. 
 
 {Exit to passage. MRS. WiLMORE watches 
 him off, then turns quickly to Lennard. 
 Her action throughout is rapid, keen, reso- 
 lute, energetic, resourceful, remorseless, 
 unflinching. 
 Mrs. W. Quick, Len! What has taken place? 
 Len. He accused me, and of course I denied it. 
 Mrs. W. You denied it? 
 
 Len. At first. But, when I saw the game was up, I 
 gave in. 
 
 Mrs. W. Gave in? 
 Len. I said I was sorry. 
 Mrs. W. What else? Tell me all. 
 Len. I'm afraid I let out I'd promised to marry the girl. 
 Mrs. W. [ With a gesture of despair?^ You've com- 
 mitted social suicide! You've ruined yourself! 
 Len. Can't we get him to hold his tongue? 
 Mrs. W. I'm afraid not. I'll try. I'll try every- 
 thing! {With a sudden thought^ You say you did 
 deny it at first? 
 
 Len. Yes. I rounded on him, and asked him what 
 bee he had got in his bonnet! 
 
 Mrs. W. Yes! Yes! And then you said you were 
 sorry, and pitied her, and he totally misunderstood 
 you. It 's only his word against yours. If we can only 
 get the girl out of the way! What evidence is there 
 to connect her with you in Scotland ? 
 
 Len. Nothing that anybody can lay hold of. 
 Mrs. W. Think ! There were other young fellows 
 there — your chums on the railway? 
 Len. Bruce Kerrick. 
 
 Mrs. W. {Looking at him.'] It might have been him? 
 Len. It might, but it wasn't. 
 Mrs. W. Where is he now? 
 Len. In South Africa. 
 
 Mrs. W. South Africa? Good ! Your father will be 
 here directly. You'd better not wait. Leave this to 
 me. Oh, Len, if I can save you yet!
 
 43 [ACT II. 
 
 Len. You are a brick, mother! And I've brought you 
 nothing but trouble. 
 
 Mrs. IV. Never mind that now. [Opening the door 
 for him. '] Go! [l^Y.'ii'ii ART) goes noiselessly into passage. 
 
 Mrs. W. [ Watches him off.] Hush ! 
 
 [As he goes off^ at front door. He closes 
 the front door noiselessly behind him, 
 and she comes into the room, thoughtful, 
 scheming, deeply considering. After a 
 moment LiNNELL re-enters from study, 
 and comes into room. MRS. WiLMORE 
 composes her features. 
 
 Lin. [Entering.] Your son has gone? 
 
 Mrs. IV. There was no reason for him to stay, was 
 there? 
 
 Lin. We must come to some understanding about 
 Miss Neve. 
 
 Mrs. W. Yes. What is to be done with her? You 
 can't expect Mrs. Linnell to nurse a stranger through 
 a long illness. 
 
 Lin. The sprain will only last a few days. But there's 
 a fever 
 
 Mrs. W. Yes,, poor creature ! I know of some ex- 
 cellent rooms in Gilminster. I'll take entire charge 
 of her myself, and see that she's thoroughly nursed. 
 
 Lin. Pardon me, when I just norw told her you were 
 here, she seemed very much distressed. 
 
 Mrs. W. Why should she be distressed ? 
 
 Lin. [Sternly.] Mrs. Wilmore, if we are to find some 
 way out of this wretched business, I must beg you to 
 be quite candid with me. 
 
 Mrs. W. [Rather hotly.] I don't understand you! 
 Why shouldn't I be allowed to take care of Miss 
 Neve? 
 
 Lin. You forget, there is another question behind. 
 
 Mrs. W. What question? 
 
 Lin. Miss Plugenet. [A lotid knock at the frontdoor. 
 
 Mrs. W. I believe that 's Mr. Wilmore. He doesn't 
 know about this. [Another loud, impatient knock.]
 
 ACT II.] 44 
 
 Perhaps it would be better not to tell him for the 
 present, at least not until you and I have decided 
 what to do. 
 
 After the seco7id knock WiLMORE has entered at front 
 door into passage. PATTY, who has come out of the 
 study to open the door for him y meets him in passage. 
 
 Wil. [ Voice in passage.'] Mr. Linnell at home? Please 
 show me in to him. 
 
 [Patty opens the door and shows him in. He 
 blusters in, and closes the door after him. 
 
 Wil. Excuse this unceremonious entrance, Linnell, 
 but your letter about Sheldrake has thoroughly upset 
 me. Coming just before dinner too — I could scarcely 
 touch a morsel. Haunch of venison too! You saw me 
 refuse everything, Charlotte? 
 
 Mrs. W. Yes, but something else has arisen 
 
 Wil. 1 don't care what has arisen. We'll attend to 
 this first. Now, sir, I've been talking with your Vicar^ 
 
 and we're thoroughly agreed [Mrs. Wilmore is 
 
 making covert signs^ Please don't interrupt me, Char- 
 lotte. It comes to this — you will either uphold my 
 ideas as regards morality, or you will leave Weybury 
 forthwith. Which do you mean to do? 
 
 Lin. What are your ideas as regards morality? 
 
 Wil.\Upset^ Upon my word! My ideas of morality, 
 sir {tapping the table with his forefingcrs\ are the good, 
 plain, old-fashioned ideas which all right-minded per- 
 sons hold! And always have held! And always will 
 hold! Do you, or do you not, intend to carry out my 
 instructions respecting William Sheldrake? 
 
 Lin. Meantime, what are your instructions respect- 
 ing your own son? 
 
 Wil. My son? 
 
 Lin. Look at home, Mr. Wilmore! Deal with your 
 own household first.
 
 
 45 [act II. 
 
 Wi7. I don't know what you mean. Explain your- 
 self, sir! 
 
 Lin. You will have no tampering with the plain 
 dictates of morality? You have only one rule in these 
 cases? Do you wish it to be carried out in the case of 
 your own son, and the girl in the next room? 
 
 IVt'l [To Mrs. Wilmore.] Do you know anything 
 about this? 
 
 Patty enters at back. 
 
 Patty. If you please, sir, will you come to the young 
 lady? She 's light-headed, and says she must see 
 you 
 
 Lin. I'll come to her. 
 
 [Exit Patty into study. Linn ell follows 
 
 her off. 
 
 WiL Charlotte [To Mrs. Wilmore, who is 
 
 following LiNNELL. Exit LiNNELL, closing door after 
 hivi.] Is this true? [Mrs. VVilmore nods.] Does the 
 girl mean to kick up a fuss? 
 
 Mrs. IV. No. If I can get hold of her, I think she'll 
 be persuaded to go away and keep quiet. It 's Linnell 
 » we have to reckon with. 
 
 Wil. I wish now that I hadn't been so very strict 
 about Sheldrake. 
 
 Mrs. W. Sheldrake?! It's Lennard I'm thinking 
 of! We must buy or silence Linnell somehow — at 
 any price. 
 
 Wil. I don't feel very much like eating humble pie 
 to a curate. [Bursts out.'] It 's abominable of Lennard 
 to place me in a position where I — and after all I've 
 done for morality too! 
 
 Mrs. W. Oh, please don't. Can't you see, if this 
 comes out, the marriage with Helen will be broken 
 off, and Lennard will be ruined? 
 
 Wil. Lennard ruined! We shall all be ruined! 
 Viveash is in it too! They'll foreclose the mortgages, 
 and then what becomes of us?
 
 ACT II.] 46 
 
 Mrs. W. What does it matter what becomes of us? 
 We've had our day. But Len ! My darling! Just as 
 everything had opened so brightly for him! 
 
 Wil. I suppose I'd better offer Linnell the living? 
 
 Mrs. W. Yes, perhaps. Wait and see if I can bring 
 him round. 
 
 Wil. And if you can't? 
 
 Mrs. W. [Resolutely.'] We must face it out that 
 Linnell has made a terrible mistake, and get him out 
 of the place as soon as we can. 
 
 Wil. [Dubiously?^ Ye— es. I do trust we shall be 
 able to avoid making many false statements. And 
 especially any that can be tested ! 
 
 Mrs. W. If only the girl herself will say that Lin- 
 nell is mistaken! [Listening.'] Hush!, 
 
 She withdraws from door, as LiNNELL re-enters from 
 
 back. 
 
 Mrs. W. How is the patient now? 
 
 Lin. She 's a little delirious. 
 
 Mrs. W. Does she support your accusation? 
 
 Lin. I've not questioned her further. 
 
 Mrs. W. Then I must. [Attenipting to gooff at back. 
 
 Lin. She'll be passing through here on her way up- 
 stairs. You can judge then whether you ought to put 
 any painful questions to her to-night. 
 
 Mrs. W. Of course, I won't distress her, poor thing! 
 It 's easy to see how your mistake arose. 
 
 Lin. My mistake? 
 
 Mrs. W. You told the girl's story to Lennard. He 
 naturally expressed pity, and you misunderstood 
 him 
 
 Lin. [ Very sternly?^ Mrs. Wilmore, I have made no 
 mistake, no misunderstanding. Please don't think I 
 shall allow that suggestion to pass for one moment. 
 
 Mrs. W. You seem determined to take up an atti- 
 tude of antagonism
 
 
 47 [ACT II. 
 
 Wil. Yes, Linnell, you might at least listen to what 
 we propose. 
 
 Lin. Forgive me. What do you propose? 
 
 Wil. That depends upon whether you wish to 
 remain in Weybury, and work cordially with me for 
 the welfare of the parish. 
 
 Lin. Certainly I do. What has that to do with 
 this? 
 
 Wil. It 's all part of the same general question. 
 Come now! Why not sink your own opinions on 
 minor matters? 
 
 Lin. What are minor matters? This poor girl in the 
 next room — your son's marriage with Miss Plugenet — 
 are they minor matters? 
 
 Wil. Well, frankly, I own I have been too severe at 
 times. For instance, William Sheldrake and Sarah 
 Piper. If I were to leave them entirely in your 
 hands 
 
 Lin. And do you? 
 
 Wil. Yes, provided you take care my well-known 
 principles don't suffer too much. You won't give me 
 away, eh? 
 
 Lin. I've only one rule in these cases — the utmost 
 ^ condemnation for the sin — the utmost mercy for the 
 sinner. 
 
 WiL Well, that 's my own rule, to a great extent. 
 Now, can't we act on that rule all round? 
 
 Lin. Tell me exactly what you mean. 
 
 Wil. Mr. Daubeny is leaving Weybury 
 
 Lin. Yes? 
 
 Mrs. W. We should like to give you the living- 
 
 Wil. Four hundred and fifty a year, and the vicar- 
 age, if 
 
 Lin. If? 
 
 Mrs. W. If we could be assured of your co-opera- 
 tion in all things. 
 
 Wil. On that distinct understanding, the living is 
 yours. You accept it, of course? 
 
 Lin. No. 
 
 k
 
 ACT II.] 48 
 
 IVt/. No? 
 
 Lz'n. Not on the distinct understanding that you 
 hire my hands and tongue to your service in the affair 
 of this girl. 
 
 IVzl. What do you mean, sir? How dare you impute 
 motives to me? 
 
 Ltn. I beg your pardon. Then you offer me the 
 living quite independently of Miss Neve and your son? 
 Wz7. Of course we do. 
 
 Lm. I accept it. Thank you with all my heart. 
 
 Wzl. At the same time, we must know — eh, Char- 
 lotte? 
 
 Mrs. IV. We must know whether you mean to 
 repeat this accusation against Lennard, or whether 
 you'll help us avoid a scandal. 
 
 Lzn. Certainly I'll help you avoid a scandal. Not 
 one unnecessary word shall ever pass my lips. But 
 Miss Plugenet? What about her? 
 
 Mrs. IV. I know it 's dreadful, but what can we do? 
 
 Lin. Be absolutely frank and truthful with her. 
 Let her decide whether she loves your son well enough 
 to forgive him. In that case I won't say a word; ex- 
 cept that I cannot marry them. 
 
 Mrs. W. You cannot marry them? 
 
 Lhi. I cannot. 
 
 Mrs. IV. But if you refuse — she is suspicious already 
 — she'll guess — she'll break off" 
 
 Wz/. You see, Charlotte, the man's impossible. [To 
 LiNNELL.] I withdraw my offer of the living. 
 
 Lzn. I have already refused it — at your price. 
 
 IVz/. Price? Price? Really! I'm accused of bribery 
 now! Upon my word! 
 
 Mrs. W. Hush! We must know exactly what Mr. 
 Linnell suspects about Lennard. 
 
 Lin. I suspect nothing. I know. 
 
 Mrs. IV. What do you propose should be done? 
 
 Lin. I can see only one thing clearly. You must 
 tell Miss Plugenet. 
 
 Mrs. W. I can't. It would be fatal.
 
 49 [ACT II. 
 
 Wzl. The worst of cruelty — to shatter a poor girl's 
 happiness, just before her marriage. 
 
 Lin. And this other poor girl — in there? 
 Mrs. W. We'll do all we can for her. You surely 
 don't wish to destroy my son's career? 
 
 Wil. A fine young fellow like that! Anxious to 
 serve his country in Parliament, or any other way! 
 Come, Linnell, act up to your own principles! The 
 utmost mercy to the sinner, eh? Look over it! Youth- 
 ful folly and impulse, eh? 
 
 Mrs. W. Mr. Linnell, my son has made one great 
 error. Don't ruin him for life. I'm ready to do any 
 thing for you and yours! We are absolutely in your 
 hands! I beg you, I implore you — you have children 
 of your own — if it were your own child ! Save my 
 Lennard! Please, save my boy! 
 
 Lin. Save him yourself! Save him by telling the 
 truth! There's no other way! If I were to hush this 
 up, mightn't I be doing him the greatest mischief, the 
 greatest wrong? In a month he is to marry Miss 
 Plugenet. Some months after that, this other girl will 
 
 bear him a child! If it should all come out ! 
 
 Mrs. W. It needn't! It won't! It shan't! 
 
 Lin. Sooner or later it must. Then Miss Plugenet 
 
 V is settling a great estate upon him. She gives him 
 
 all — for what? For all his love and faithfulness! 
 
 If you let him marry her, won't you really cheat 
 
 her? 
 
 Wil. Cheat? 
 
 Lin. Cheat! Did you catch the word? 
 Mrs. W. But if Miss Plugenet knows, it means 
 Lennard's ruin. 
 
 Lin. And what does this other mean? Think! They 
 enter into their new home of marriage — your son and 
 his bride — all bright, and sweet, and clean to live in, 
 as she thinks. She goes a bride to her new home, and 
 then one day she finds this carcass, this dead rat 
 festering under the boards, putrefying there and 
 poisoning all the home! You won't do it! You daren't! 
 
 H
 
 ACT II.] 50 
 
 You daren't let your son do it! Save him from it! 
 Save him by telling the truth! 
 
 [Mrs. Wilmore turns frotn him with a 
 gesture of angry and contemptuous im- 
 patience, then subdues herself. 
 Mrs. W. [Co/d, resolute.] Is that all you have to 
 say? 
 
 Lin. [The same cold, resolute tone.] Miss Plugenet 
 must be told. 
 
 Mrs. W. I must see this girl. You say yourself she 
 doesn't confirm this story? 
 Lin. No, but your son does. 
 Mrs. W. Indeed, he does not. 
 Lin. He won't dare deny it. 
 Mrs. IV. He will, most emphatically. 
 
 [Going off at back, opens the door. 
 Lin. One moment. Miss Plugenet is coming to me 
 to-morrow morning. 
 
 Mrs. IV. [Coming back.] What for. ^ 
 Lin. To ask me this question — whether I can con- 
 scientiously advise her to marry your son. 
 
 [Mrs. Wilmore is overwhelmed for the mo- 
 ment. Mrs. LinnelL(2«^Mrs.Blaney 
 enter at the front door, and are seen 
 to pass the window in passage. 
 Mrs. W. [Recovering herself] And you'll tell her 
 this absurd story? 
 
 Lin. No, you'll tell her yourself. 
 Mrs. W. [Struck by the idea.] Yes, indeed, I shall. 
 I shall certainly tell her; and warn her of this 
 trumped-up accusation you're bringing against Len- 
 nard. 
 
 Lin. Trumped-up accusation?! 
 
 Mrs. Lin NELL appears at door. 
 
 Mrs. L. [Entering.] Is anything the matter? I've 
 just met Mrs. Blaney.
 
 
 5 1 Lact II. 
 
 Mrs. Blaney appears at back. 
 
 Mrs. B. {Coming in.] I came across to see how this 
 young person is, but if you're discussing anything 
 private [Looking round suspiciously . 
 
 Mrs. W. Oh, no. Mr. Linnell has got another — 
 what shall we say — another bee in his bonnet! 
 
 Lin. What?! 
 
 Mrs. L. Edgar! 
 
 Mrs. W. [To Mrs. Linnell.] Try to make him 
 see how wrong and foolish he is, how cruel to you 
 and your children. 
 
 [Ske crosses passage, and enters study, closing 
 door behind her. 
 
 Mrs. L. Edgar! Mr. Wilmore, what has my husband 
 done? 
 
 Wil. I consented to look over our little differences, 
 and I offered him the living. 
 
 Lin. Ah, you offered it to me! What for? 
 
 WiL To extend your sphere of usefulness. 
 
 Lin. You mean, to shut my lips! 
 
 Wil. [To Mrs. Linnell ««^ Mrs. Blaney.] You 
 see! Instead of thanking me, he accuses me of cheat- 
 ing, and bribery, and he brings some utterly ridiculous 
 charge against my son. 
 
 Mrs. L. Edgar! [To WiLMORE.] He doesn't mean 
 it! I'm sure he doesn't! Edgar, if you have any love 
 for me and your children 
 
 Lin. [Very gentle, his hatid upon her head.] If I have 
 any love for you and my children 
 
 Mrs. L. [ Withdrawing from his caress I] Then ask 
 Mr. Wilmore's pardon. 
 
 Lin. Ask his pardon? for speaking the truth? 
 
 [Mrs. Linnell turns away from him. 
 
 Mrs. B. But what is this charge he brings against 
 Mr. Lennard Wilmore?
 
 ACT II.] 52 
 
 Re-enter Mrs. V\l I'LUORE from study, and across the 
 
 passage. 
 
 Mrs. W. Miss Neve is a little feverish, but I think 
 she may be safely moved. The girl is putting on her 
 things, and I'll take her to Gilminster myself. 
 
 Lin. Miss Neve will not leave my house to-night. 
 
 Mrs. W. Mr. Linnell, this young lady utterly denies 
 the charge you have brought against her and Lcnnard. 
 She has placed herself in my care, and I will be 
 responsible for her from this time. 
 
 Lin. [ Very firmly.^ Miss Neve will not leave my 
 house to-night. 
 
 Rachel, in outdoor clothes, supported by Patty, has 
 entered across passage from study. She is excited, 
 feverish, and a little delirious. 
 
 Rach. [To Mrs. Wilmore.] I'm ready. [To LlN- 
 NELL.] Thank you for all your kindness, but I must 
 go to Gilminster! You were quite mistaken! That 
 letter wasn't to Mr. Wilmore. [To Mrs. WiLMORE.] 
 I told him it was all his mistake. 
 
 Mrs. IV. Of course it was all his mistake. Are you 
 ready? 
 
 Rach. I never said a word about Mr. Wilmore — not 
 a word. You believe me, don't you? 
 
 [She drops exhausted into the chair near door. 
 
 Mrs. IV. Yes. [To Patty.] Give her your arm, and 
 help me take her to the station. 
 
 Lin. Mrs. Wilmore, whatever happens, this lady 
 will not leave my house to-night. Look! How dare 
 you ask it?! [To RACHEL.] Take my arm. Mary, 
 help me! Mary, are you on my side, or will you go 
 against me too? 
 
 Mrs. L. [Distracted^ Oh, I don't know what to do! 
 
 Lin. Yes, you do know! You've known me all these 
 years. Have I ever asked you to do what wasn't
 
 II 
 
 53 [ACT II. 
 
 right? Trust me! I'm in the right now. I'm on God's 
 side, be sure. My wife, stand by me! stand by me! 
 Mrs. L. Oh, I must! I will! 
 
 Lin. Help me here. She must stay with us for the 
 present. 
 
 [Mrs. Linnell and Linnell support 
 Rachel, a7id help her to the stairs^ open 
 the door and take her up. 
 Wil. Linnell, I can't allow this matter to rest. 
 Li7i. {^Helping RACHEL upstairs^^ Stir it up then! 
 Stir it up! 
 
 Wil. Will you withdraw this monstrous charge 
 against my son, and own your mistake? 
 
 Lifi. [On the stairs.] No, not for a bishopric! 
 
 [Linnell and Mrs. Lii^ l^ ell are seen help- 
 ing Rachel upstairs as the Curtain 
 goes down. 
 
 Ten days pass between Acts 11 atid III.
 
 ACT III. 
 
 Scene: The library at the Manor House, Weyhury. 
 A room in the same house, and in the same style 
 of architecture as Act I. 
 
 A door at back leading into passage. A door up 
 left. A fireplace with fire burning down left. A 
 window right, looking into garden. A sofa facing 
 audience above the fireplace. A table below sofa and 
 a little to the right of it. A table totvards the right. 
 A table up near the right corner of room. The 
 walls are mainly covered with bookshelves reaching 
 up high, the books being mostly in good old leather 
 binding, such as would remain in an English gen- 
 tleman's library of the last century ; there are a 
 few fuodern books. On the table in the right 
 corner are stacks of books. On the table below the 
 sofa are pens, ink and paper. There are the usual 
 library implements and belongings : a globe; a 
 large map over the fireplace; an old Chippendale 
 clock on the shelf of fireplace; rulers, and a bust 
 or two; one or two old family portraits round the 
 room., above the doors. 
 
 Mrs. Wilmore enters, left, very quickly and appre- 
 hensively, looking back and beckoning to Mr. 
 Viveash, who enters, cautiously closing the door 
 behind him. MRS. WiLMORE'S manner through- 
 out the Act is restless, and betrays great strain 
 and anxiety, except when she is in the presence of 
 others, and is nerving herself to efforts of self- 
 control.
 
 %. 
 
 55 [act III. 
 
 Airs. Wilmore. [Anxious/y.] 
 ELL? Has she come? 
 
 Vzve. [Nods.] Just arrived at my office. 
 I've boxed her up in my private room. 
 Mrs. W. She accepts our offer? 
 Vive. I haven't spoken to her yet. 
 Mrs. W. We must get it all settled before she 
 meets Sir John Plugenet. He's pressing to see her, 
 and he wishes Linnell, and Lennard, and the Blaneys 
 to be present. 
 
 Vive. That's what I've come about. We're on very 
 ticklish ground. We must pick our steps very, very 
 carefully. 
 
 Mrs. W. Yes, but Lennard must be cleared, and 
 this girl got out of the way. 
 
 Vive. When did you see her last? 
 Mrs. W. Yesterday. 
 Vive. At her lodgings in Gilminster? 
 Mrs. W. Yes. I've been over nearly every day. 
 Vive. Linnell hasn't seen her? 
 
 Mrs. W. Not since Dr. Blaney and I took her 
 away from his house, the morning after the upset 
 there. 
 
 Vive. You're sure? 
 
 Mrs. W. Quite. He went over, but Dr. Blaney and 
 I left strict orders he was not to be admitted. 
 
 Vive. Where is this meeting with Sir John to take 
 place? 
 
 Mrs. IV. At your office — or better have it here. It 
 will look as if we were not afraid. 
 Vive. Yes, but Miss Plugenet.'' 
 
 Mrs. W. Helen isn't with us now. When her father 
 returned, she went home with him to the Court. 
 
 Vive. Oh, yes, I'd forgotten. How's Miss Plugenet 
 taking it? 
 
 Mrs. W. She feels it very keenly. She'd arranged 
 to consult Linnell the next morning. I've had the 
 greatest difficulty in keeping her away from him.
 
 ACT III.] 56 
 
 Now she has left it entirely in her father's hands. Do 
 let us get it over as soon as possible. 
 
 Vive. [Dudwus/j'.] Ye — es. I must see my way clear. 
 
 Mrs. IV. You frighten me! Isn't it clear? 
 
 Vwe. Quite, so far. [ IVti/i a cunning- look of under- 
 standing?^ You assure me that Lcnnard is innocent, 
 and that Linnell has made a silly mistake. I take your 
 word, of course. The girl herself also declares that 
 Lennard is innocent. You're sure she'll stick to that? 
 
 Mrs. IV. Yes, I think I've warned her it's the 
 only chance of our providing for her and her child- 
 You'd better warn her too. 
 
 Vive. [S/iairs his head.] No, I mustn't go behind 
 her statement. 
 
 Mrs. W. What do you mean? 
 
 Vive. If the girl will stick to her story, I'm ready 
 to go on. But before I come on the scene you'd 
 better see her again, and put the final screw on her. 
 
 Mrs. IV. Very well. If you think it necessary. 
 
 Vive. I do. She seems strange and bewildered. 
 You're going to subject her to a tremendous ordeal. 
 Suppose she were to break down before Sir John! 
 
 Mrs. W. She mustn't! She shan't! 
 
 Vive. \^S hakes his head dubiously.] We're hanging 
 on her single word. If she fails us, she lets us into a 
 horrible hole. 
 
 Mrs. W. [Sits down wearily.] I don't think I can 
 stand this strain much longer. 
 
 Vive. Courage! Courage! 
 
 Mrs. W. You won't desert us? 
 
 Vive. I'll go as far as I dare, professionally. Per- 
 haps a little further. I'm in the same boat with you. 
 If your mortgagees close, I shall find myself in a very 
 tight place. 
 
 Enter at back WiLMORE, a little excited. 
 
 Wil. Sir John has just driven over with Helen. 
 Are you quite ready to see him? 
 
 Mrs. W. {^Rising, bracing herself .] Yes.
 
 
 57 [act III. 
 
 Enter GOODYER at back, announcing SiR JOHN 
 Plugenet. Enter SiR JOHN Plugenet, a 
 handsome, well-built, English gentleman of fifty, 
 healthy, frank, genial, pleasant, strong, resolute. 
 Exit Goodyer. 
 
 Sir f. How d'ye do, Mrs. Wilmore? 
 
 \_Shaking hands. 
 Mrs. W. My dear Sir John! 
 Sir f. How are you, Viveash? 
 Vive. Capital, thanks. 
 
 Mrs. IV. I hope Helen isn't still fretting about this 
 stupid mistake of Mr. Linnell's? 
 Sir f . She is worrying a little. 
 Mrs. IV. Oh, we shall easily put it right. 
 Sir f. [Firmly.] We must put it right. How 's the 
 girl? 
 
 Mrs. IV. Recovering slowly. 
 Sir J. Still at Gilminster, I suppose? 
 Mrs. W. No; she came over to Weybury this 
 morning. 
 
 Sir f. She 's in Weybury now? 
 Mrs. W. Yes. As Lennard's name has been dragged 
 » in, I thought Mr. Viveash ought to see her, so she's 
 now at his office. 
 
 Sir f. What do you make of this business, Vive- 
 ash? 
 
 Vive. Our friend Linnell has been moonraking in 
 dirty waters, and has fished up this bag of moon- 
 shine. 
 
 Sir f. Rather dirty, foggy moonshine, eh? Well, 
 we must dispel it. Til come to your office, and see the 
 girl myself. 
 
 [Mr. and Mrs. Wilmore show alarm, which 
 Sir John, who lias turned to ViVEASH, 
 does not see. 
 Vive. Yes — hadn't I better get all the threads to- 
 gether for }ou? 
 
 Sir f. Threads? What do you mean? 
 
 I
 
 ACT III.] 58 
 
 Vive. We may as well thrash this out thorough- 
 ly 
 
 Sir J. [Firmly.] That 's what I mean to do. 
 
 Vive. I'll see Linnell, and the Blaneys, and the girl 
 herself, and arrange a meeting, and let you know. 
 
 Sir J. Why not this morning, now I'm in Wey- 
 bury? 
 
 Vive. By all means, if you wish it. 
 
 Sir J. I do. The sooner we bring this parson to 
 book, the better, eh, Mrs. Wilmore? 
 
 Mrs. W. Oh, pray let us get this tiresome business 
 over, and go on with the wedding. 
 
 Wil. Certainly. Not that anyone who knows me 
 would believe that a son of mine — still, I owe it to 
 my position to silence this slander at the earliest 
 moment. 
 
 Vive. We'll silence it this morning. What time will 
 suit you. Sir John? 
 
 Sir J. \_Looking at his watch.\ I'm driving Helen 
 across to the Oakleys. I can drop her, and be back 
 here at twelve. 
 
 Vive. Twelve. I'll have everything and everybody 
 here ready for you. 
 
 Sir J. Do. There 's a good fellow! Extraordinary 
 affair! You say Lennard did know this girl in 
 Scotland? 
 
 Mrs. W. Oh yes. 
 
 Sir J. What sort of terms were they on? 
 
 Mrs. W. Sir John, if I tell you something in ab- 
 solute confidence 
 
 Sir J. You know you can trust me. 
 
 Mrs. IV. There were two or three young fellows 
 down there making this railway. One of them went 
 to South Africa. When it became necessary for Miss 
 Neve to know his present address, she naturally came 
 to his old chum to find out. 
 
 Sir J. I see. 
 
 Mrs. IV. I had to drag this out of Lennard. He 's 
 a dear, loyal fellow. He'd rather lie under an unjust
 
 V 59 [act III. 
 
 suspicion himself than betray his chum. You under- 
 stand? 
 
 Sir J. Ah, yes. 
 
 Mrs. W. I may rely you'll never make use of this? 
 
 Sir J. Of course not. Well, that partly explains — 
 but why should this parson stick to his stupid 
 blunder? 
 
 Mrs. IV. The man's a fanatic! 
 
 IVil. A harebrained, cantankerous fanatic! Wants 
 to dump down model public-houses all over the 
 country, and ruin the brewers. 
 
 Vive. Poor Linnell is a moral maniac, who will 
 some day discover that the world is square, because 
 he professes rectilinear principles. 
 
 Mrs. IV. Hush! 
 
 As Helen and Lennard enter at back. 
 
 Hel. [Goes affectionately to MRS. WiLMORE.] Good 
 morning, dear. [Kissing her. 
 
 Mrs. IV. How are you, dear? 
 
 He/. How d'ye do, Mr. Viveash? 
 
 Vive. Good morning. 
 
 Hei. You're talking about Mr. Linnell. I want you 
 to give me back my promise, and let me see him. 
 
 Afrs. IV. My dear, you've left this entirely in your 
 father's hands. If you see Mr. Linnell now, it will be 
 going over to the enemy. 
 
 Hel. I can't think of Mr. Linnell as an enemy. 
 
 Sir J. Lennard, you see Nell is fretting. I needn't 
 ask you 
 
 Hel. [Goes very quickly to LENNARD.] No, you 
 needn't ask him! Len, I love you, and I will trust 
 you. I do trust you entirely! 
 
 [Lennard takes her hand, kisses it warmly. 
 
 Wil. There's a noble girl for you! My dear Helen, 
 I'm proud of you! I feel my dear boy's happiness 
 • will be safe in your keeping. 
 
 Hel. Don't let us speak another word of this hateful 
 thing. But when my father has cleared it up, I want
 
 ACT III.] 60 
 
 you all to be very kind to Mr. Linnell. He 's not to 
 be punished. 
 
 IVi/. I must say I hope his conscience won't spare 
 him! 
 
 He/. Whatever mistake he has made, I'm sure he is 
 acting honestly. 
 
 Vive. That 's a bad excuse for setting houses on 
 fire! 
 
 Sir J. Now, Nell, I'll just drop you at the Oakleys, 
 We must hurry on. \_Looking at his watch. 
 
 Hel. Good-bye, Mrs. Wilmore. \Kissi71g her. 
 
 Mrs. W. Good-bye, dear. 
 Hel. Good-bye, Mr. Wilmore. 
 Wil. Good-bye, my daughter that is to be! 
 
 [Shaking /lands, is about to kiss /ler, but s/ie 
 makes as if s/ie did not see it. 
 He/. Come and put me in the dogcart, Len. 
 
 [Exit at back,fol/owedby Lennard. 
 IVi/. What a noble girl, Plugenet! What a noble 
 girl! 
 
 Sir J. At twelve o'clock here, Viveash. 
 Vive. At twelve o'clock. 
 Sir J. Au revoir. 
 
 [Exit Sir John at back. Wilmore c/oses 
 t/ie door after /mn. WiLMORE, MRS. 
 Wilmore, and Viveash stand /ookitig 
 at eac/i ot/ier. At /engt/i ViVEASH takes 
 out /lis watch. 
 Vive. There's no time to waste. I'll call and tell 
 the Blaneys to be here. They're safe? 
 Mrs. IV. Oh yes, they're on our side. 
 Wi/. They ought to be. I got Blaney appointed 
 public vaccinator. 
 
 Vive. [To Mrs. Wilmore.] You'd better have one 
 more dig at Linnell, and persuade him he's mis- 
 taken, eh! 
 
 Wi/ He's an obstinate beast! In fact, as you very 
 justly observed, Linnell's really a maniac. 
 
 Vive. He 's certainly guilty of the criminal lunacy
 
 k 
 
 ^ 6 1 [act III. 
 
 of not knowing on which side his bread is but- 
 tered. 
 
 Wzl. If he won't listen to reason, what then? 
 
 Mrs. W. Crush him! Either my Lennard has to 
 pfo down, or this man. If he won't retract, crush him! 
 Crush him! Crush him! 
 
 Vive. I'll send him on to you. [Going up to back. 
 
 Wil. [Very anxiously.'] Viveash, we shall pull 
 through this? 
 
 Vive. [Looks dubious, shrugs his shoulders.] It all 
 depends on the girl. If you can't get her as tight as 
 wax 
 
 VViL Well? 
 
 Vive. Then, for heaven's sake, draw back, and pull 
 yourselves out of it as best you can! 
 
 Mrs. W. We can't draw back now! 
 
 Wil. It would be worse than telling the truth at 
 first. 
 
 Vive. I'll bring her along to you. Get her as tight 
 
 as wax, or 
 
 [Makes a significant gesture, and exit at back. 
 
 Wil This is a nice position for a man with my 
 honourable record! Throughout my whole life, I've 
 never had to do so much violence to my conscience. 
 
 Mrs. W. Oh, strangle that conscience! 
 
 Wil. Strangle my conscience?! Upon my word! 
 I don't believe women have any moral principles 
 at all! 
 
 Mrs. W. We haven't — when it comes to saving 
 those we love. There's where we tower above you 
 little creatures! Now will you help me save Len- 
 nard? 
 
 Wil I'm doing all I can. You must own all through 
 these painful circumstances I've preserved a high 
 moral tone to everybody 
 
 Mrs. W. You overdo it. If you don't take care your 
 moral principles will ruin us. 
 
 Wil. Really, Charlotte! Upon my word! [He is 
 going off at back, and turns.] That case of Sheldrake
 
 ACT III.] 62 
 
 and Sarah Piper has come up again. I'd better let 
 him off, eh? 
 
 Mrs. W. No, you'd better preserve your high moral 
 tone with him — at least till this is over! 
 
 Wil. Very well. It will prove that I do act up to 
 my principles as a general rule. 
 
 Mrs. IV. Yes! We all act up to our principles when 
 it costs us nothing! 
 
 Wz/. Upon my word, Charlotte! I will not endure 
 
 these constant insinuations that I am 
 
 jWrs. W. What? 
 
 Wil. That I am — a — no better than I should be! 
 
 [Lennard enters, sulky, dejected, self-con- 
 temptuous, throws himself into a chair. 
 WiLMORE watches hint with growing 
 anger, and when Lennard is seated, 
 bursts out furiously. 
 Wil. This is all your doing, sir! I bring you up in 
 the strictest path! I set before you an example 
 that any son might be proud to copy, and instead 
 of walking in my footsteps, you bring this hussy 
 
 here 
 
 Mrs. W. Will you cease? Will you cease? And 
 remember that I know you! [WiLMORE _/?r^j- up and 
 is about to speak.'] I tell you, I know you ! 
 
 [Wilmore goes out at back, silenced and 
 
 abashed. 
 
 Mrs. W. [Goes to Lennard and throws her arms 
 
 round him.] Oh Len! Len! [She bursts into tears. 
 
 Len. My poor darling! Don't cry! Mother, it's a 
 
 thundering shame you've got to do this for me! What 
 
 a dirty cad I've been ! 
 
 Mrs. W. Hush! Oh, Len, if I can only save you! 
 And I will! 
 
 Len. I'm not worth saving! I'm only worth kick- 
 ing! What a howling skunk I felt just now when 
 Helen stuck by me! 
 
 Mrs. W. Don't talk like that! You've done no 
 worse than others, only it has come to light! Sir John
 
 ». 63 [act III 
 
 is coming! You'll be questioned. — You'll say just 
 what I've told you? 
 
 Len. Yes, I've got it all ready. 
 
 Mrs. W. Remember, it 's all your future! You won't 
 fail? » 
 
 Len. No, I won't fail, dear. I can see what a plucky 
 fight you're making, and it's all for me! Well, I'm 
 going to back you up. You make dead sure of that, 
 you best mother that ever lived! Whatever comes of 
 it, I'm going to back you up through thick and thin. 
 
 [ Giving her his hand. 
 
 Mrs. W. You're my own son! \^Kissing him pas- 
 sionately^ Now I'm brave again! We shall win, Len! 
 We shall win! 
 
 Enter GOODYER, announcing Mr. LiNNELL. Enter 
 Lin NELL, looking ill and more haggard than be- 
 fore, biit with a look of desperate determination on 
 his face. 
 
 Mrs. W. Good morning. 
 Lin. Good morning. 
 Len. Good morning, Linnell. 
 
 Lin. Good morning. \To Mrs. Wilmore.] Mr. 
 Viveash says you wish to see me? 
 ' Mrs. W. Yes. Lennard, you needn't wait. 
 
 Lin. {Stopping him^ Yes, please — one moment. 
 You know I've no wish to discover your fault. I'd 
 willingly bury it. But I can't bury the consequences. 
 You can't bury the consequences. Come then, face 
 them like a man. 
 
 [Linnell has put his hand on Lennard's 
 sJioulder. Lennard tries to shuffle un- 
 easily away from him. 
 Len. Upon my soul, Linnell, I don't understand a 
 word of what you're talking about! 
 
 \About to go off left, but Linnell, who has 
 one hand on one shoulder, claps the other 
 hand on the other shoulder, and turns 
 Lennard round face to face with him.
 
 ACT III.] 64 
 
 Lin. [Very sternly.'] You don't understand? You 
 shall! You've behaved like a scoundrel to one poor 
 girl! You've wrecked her life, and you're leaving 
 her to bear her shame and despair alone! You mean 
 to behave like a scoundrel to another, who has given 
 you all her love and faith, and all her estate! And 
 your mother is helping you! 
 
 Mrs. W. [Indignant.] Mr. Linnell! 
 Lin. [Repeats, looking fixedly at Mrs. Wilmore.] 
 Your mother is helping you! The mother loves her 
 son, and she helps him build his house on this filthy 
 bog of deceit! You can't do it! Your house will 
 tumble on your heads! When I meet Sir John Pluge- 
 net, I must tell him the truth! I must show you a 
 seducer! Don't force me to show you a coward and 
 a liar into the bargain! Do you understand me now? 
 Have I spoken plainly? 
 
 [Lennard has shown some uneasiness, but 
 he nerves himself, gets away from LlN- 
 N ell's grasp, and laughs at him, con- 
 temptuously. 
 Len. [Laughing contemptuously at LiNNELL.] My 
 good Linnell, have you still got that bee in your 
 bonnet? 
 
 [Exit left, with a little contemptuous laugh at 
 LiNNELL. 
 
 Lin. Then you take your stand upon your lie? 
 So be it! I'll be here at twelve to meet Sir John 
 Plugenet. 
 
 [Going off at back. MRS. WiLMORE has 
 shown impatience and rage at LiNNELL's 
 words to Len NARD, but with a great effort 
 she controls herself, and speaks with out- 
 ward calm, which, however, betrays sup- 
 pressed anger and determination. 
 Mrs. IV. Mr. Linnell — one moment. [LiNNELL 
 comes dow7t.] As you seem^ determined to rake out 
 
 this mare's nest 
 
 Lin. Mare's nest?!
 
 «. 
 * 
 
 65 [act III. 
 
 Mrs. W. Perhaps we'd better leave metaphors, and 
 look at the plain facts. 
 
 Lin. Will you? Dare you? 
 
 Mrs. W. There 's no evidence to connect Lennard 
 with this girl. You haven't one single particle of proof. 
 
 Lin. Well? 
 
 Mrs. W. Sir John and Miss Plugenet fully accept 
 our explanation. You'll merely waste your time in 
 trying to convince them. You'll only prove yourself 
 a more obstinate and misguided fanatic than people 
 already think you. 
 
 Lilt. People think me an obstinate and misguided 
 fanatic? 
 
 Mrs. W. Didn't you know it? 
 
 Lin. No! How strange! And I thought myself just 
 a plain, ordinary, honest man! 
 
 Mrs. IV. After this inquiry is ended, you will leave 
 Weybury with the reputation of having started a 
 malicious slander against one of your parishioners. 
 Mr. Daubeny cannot possibly recommend you to 
 another curacy. Your career will be ended. You will 
 go down 
 
 Lin. Let me go down! If the truth is to go down, 
 let me go down with it! I couldn't wish a better end! 
 
 Mrs. W. Ah! You're seeking martyrdom! I'm afraid 
 you'll find it! What will become of your children? 
 
 Lin. They will be catered for — like the sparrows. 
 
 Mrs. W. Very much like the sparrows, I should 
 say; with crumbs of charity, and what they can pick 
 up on the roadside. Why won't you be sensible? I 
 offer you one last chance. If you refuse, think what 
 your children's future must be! 
 
 Lin. Beggary! Beggary! I know it! But faith and 
 truthfulness with it! That's a good legacy after all! 
 You can't match it ! Just think what your child's 
 future must be! Lies! Lies! And nothing but lies! 
 You won't do it! You'll draw back. I offer you one 
 last chance. Come out of this refuge of lies 
 
 Mrs. IV. [Rises, impatient and indignant^ My good 
 
 K
 
 ACT III.] 66 
 
 man, it's simply useless to talk further. [S/ie goes away 
 a step or two and then comes back to hiin.'\ You're deter- 
 mined to ruin Lennard? 
 
 Lin. I think you're determined to ruin me. Isn't that 
 
 so? 
 
 Mrs. W. Yes! If you drive me to it. And I shall 
 be merciless. Do you understand? 
 Lin. I understand. 
 Mrs. W. There is no more to be said. 
 
 Vive ASH cautiously puts his head in door left. 
 
 Vive. You've finished with Mr. Linnell? 
 
 Mrs. W. Quite. He persists in this story, and 
 
 \Shrugs her shoulders. 
 Vive. Nonsense. Come, Linnell, you're not so mad 
 
 as to stick to 
 
 Lin. I'm so mad as to stick to the truth. Take me 
 on that level, please. 
 
 [ViVEASH stands no7iplussed for a moment, and 
 exchanges a look with MRS. WiLMORE. 
 Vive. Very well. Sir John Plugenet has instructed 
 me to collect all the particulars of this affair. Would 
 you mind making your statement to me? 
 Lin. Certainly. In writing? 
 
 Vive. Oh, no. This little inquiry is quite informal. 
 Suppose we have five minutes together in the garden, 
 and see if we can throw some light on this plaguey 
 business? 
 
 Lin. {Looking from one to the other.] You're acting 
 for Mrs. Wilmore in this? 
 Vive. Yes. 
 
 Lin. Is it light she wants? [To Mrs. WiLMORE.] Is 
 it light you want? Or dust and darkness? Ask her! 
 [Exit at back. MRS. WiLMORE ^w^ ViVEASH 
 look at each other with some alarm. 
 Vive. Confounded righteous, stiff-necked beggar! 
 [Pointing off left.'] The girl's in there. You must nail 
 her! [^;rzV ^/if^r Linnell. 
 
 Mrs. W. [Goes to door left, opens it, and speaks off.] 
 Will you come here, please?
 
 
 6^ [ACT III. 
 
 Enter RACHEL in out-of-doors clothes. She is still 
 looking pale and ill, her manner is frightened and 
 subdued, and she limps a little. 
 
 Mrs. IV. [Shakes hands.] Good morning, dear. 
 Rach. Good morning. 
 
 Mrs. IV. Now, my dear, Sir John Plugenet will be 
 here soon. He'll question you severely. You won't 
 break down? 
 
 Rach. [Cal?nly.] No, I shan't break down. 
 Mrs. W. [Looking at her searchingly.] You're quite 
 sure you won't betray yourself? 
 Rach. [Firmly.'] Quite sure. 
 
 Ah's. IV. Thank you, dear! [Kissing her.] I can't 
 tell how deeply I feel for you in all this. But it will 
 soon be over now. 
 
 Rach. [Seated at table, left.] If I do this, I may see 
 Lennard sometimes? 
 
 Mrs. IV. I'm afraid that 's impossible. Mr. Viveash 
 and I think it advisable you should not live in Eng- 
 land. 
 
 Rach. Then I shall never see Lennard again! Won't 
 he wish ever to see me? 
 
 Mrs. W. It wouldn't be right. It wouldn't be wise. 
 He will have his duty to society. 
 
 Rach. But won't he want to know what has become 
 of me? And I love him so! I love him now more than 
 ever! Didn't he send me any message? 
 
 Mrs. IV. He begs you to do this for his sake. 
 Rach. He begs me? 
 Mrs. W. Yes. You will? 
 
 Rach. Yes, of course. But won't he wish to know 
 what has become of — of his child? If I should die! 
 Then it would grow up without a mother, and per- 
 haps be cruelly treated, and have no one to teach 
 it to do what is right. [ With sudden passion.] That 
 would be dreadful ! I know I've done wrong myself, 
 but I want my child to do what is right! And — 
 if I should die — wouldn't Lennard wish to see his
 
 ACT III.] 68 
 
 child — never see his child — never know how it is 
 brought up 
 
 Mrs. W. If anything should happen to you, I 
 promise you I'll look after the child myself 
 
 Rack. Yes — but Lennard — won't he care? Oh! 
 
 [Mrs. Wilmore snakes a gesture of despair. 
 
 Mrs. W. My dear, you must give up Lennard abso- 
 lutely from this time or you must expose and ruin 
 him. 
 
 Rack. [Quickly ?[ You know I wouldn't do that! I'll 
 do whatever you wish. 
 
 ViVEASH re-enters, looking harassed and disconcerted. 
 
 Mrs. W. [Goes to him.] Well? 
 
 [ViVEASH shakes his head, and shrugs his 
 shoulders, looks at Rachel, and then 
 inquiringly at MRS. WiLMORE. 
 Mrs. W. Miss Neve is quite ready to meet Sir John 
 Plugenet. She says there isn't the least truth in Mr. 
 Linnell's slander. She had only the slightest acquaint- 
 ance with Lennard in Scotland. Isn't that so, dear? 
 Rach. Yes. 
 
 Vive. In that case, we can very soon settle the 
 whole matter. You'd better write a little note to 
 Mrs. Wilmore putting that in so many words. Pens, 
 ink and paper? Here we are! 
 
 [Seating himself at table left, near RACHEL, 
 putting paper and ink in front of her, 
 offering her a pen. 
 Rach. What must I say? 
 
 Vive. When you were in Scotland last spring, you 
 became deeply attached to a gentleman — who promised 
 you marriage? 
 Rach. Yes. 
 
 Vive. We needn't mention his name — call him 
 Mr. X. That gentleman was not Mr. Lennard 
 Wilmore? [Rachel looks at him, but does not speak- 
 Mrs. IV. It was not my son?
 
 * 69 [act III. 
 
 Rack. No. 
 
 Vive. Begin your letter by saying that. 
 Rack. But won't that be perjury? 
 Vive. My dear young lady, you've just stated to 
 Mrs. Wilmore and me that Mr. Lennard Wilmore was 
 not — Mr. X. You also made that statement in the 
 presence of Mrs. Blaney and Mrs. Linnell in Mr. 
 Linnell's house. It will be perjury if you draw back 
 now. 
 
 Rack. I won't draw back. But you won't send me 
 out of England — away from him? I can't go! 
 
 {^Breaking down, sobbing a little. 
 Vive. Come! Come! We mustn't get tearful ! Every- 
 thing will be arranged for your comfort. 
 
 Rack. {Looking from one to the otJier?^ That means 
 you will send me out of England. You'll let me see 
 Lennard before I go? 
 
 Vive. But you say Mr. Lennard Wilmore is the 
 merest acquaintance. 
 
 Rack. [ Wildly.] Youknow,youknowwhatheis to me! 
 
 [Mrs. Wilmore makes a gesture of despair 
 
 to ViVEASH. 
 
 Mrs. W. Sir John will be here. Tell her nothing 
 
 can be done for her unless Lennard is cleared from 
 
 this. 
 
 Rach. You needn't fear ! I shall clear him ! But 
 afterwards, I may see him once, just for a few 
 minutes? Oh, do let me! I won't make a scene. Just 
 once! 
 
 [ViVEASH and Mrs. Wilmore look at each 
 other. Mrs. Wilmore nods. 
 Vive. I see no harm in your having one short inter- 
 view with Mr. Lennard Wilmore. 
 Rach. Oh, thank you ! 
 
 Vive. At my office — with certain precautions, 
 Rach. Thank you very much. {To Mrs. Wilmore.] 
 Thank you. 
 
 Vive. Come! Time presses! The letter! 
 
 {Again pushing paper towards her.
 
 ACT III.] 70 
 
 Rack. Tell me exactly what to say, and I'll say it. 
 Mrs. W. Mr. Viveash, can't you draft out some- 
 thing? 
 
 Vive. I'd rather leave her quite free to make her 
 own statement, in her own words. 
 
 Mrs. IV. I'll put it into her own words, and see that 
 she copies it. 
 
 Vtve. Oh, very well. [ Writes hurriedly.'] I believe 
 it has been arranged that a suitable provision shall be 
 made for Miss Neve's future. Has an)' amount been 
 named ? 
 
 Mrs. W. No. 
 
 Vive. [Always writing.] To prevent any future mis- 
 understanding it would be better to fix the exact 
 amount. 
 
 Mrs. IV. My dear, what do you think ? 
 
 Rac/z. [Hopeless.] I don't mind. It doesn't matter. 
 
 3frs. IV. But please say. We wish to behave quite 
 handsomely to you. What sum yearly would make you 
 quite happy and comfortable? 
 
 Rack Whatever you please. But I am to see Len- 
 nard — ^just once — before I go? 
 
 Enter Goodyer at back, announcing Mr. Daubeny. 
 Enter Daubeny. Exit Goodyer. 
 
 Daub. Good morning, my very dear friend ! 
 
 [Shaking hands with MRS. WiLMORE. 
 Mrs. W. Good morning. 
 
 Daub. [Bows very slightly to RACHEL, who slightly 
 returns it.] Good morning, Viveash. 
 
 Vive. [Always writing.] Good morning. 
 
 [During the following scene Mrs. Wilmore 
 and Daubeny are at table, right; Ny\iy.- 
 ASH and Rachel are at table, left. 
 Daub. I met Sir John, and he asked me to — a — 
 but — [glancing at Rachel] I'm intruding? 
 
 Mrs. W. Mr. Viveash, would you rather finish that 
 in the next room?
 
 «. 
 « 
 
 71 [act III. 
 
 Vive. [Writing.'] I've just finished. 
 
 Daub. You're sure? Because — [Glancing again at 
 Rachel, who sits pale and self-absorbed?^ Oh, by the 
 way, Mrs. Wilmore, my dear wife has just posted you 
 an invitation for our dinner party. We've fixed it for 
 the second. Are you free on that date? 
 
 Mrs. W. Yes, I think. 
 
 Daub. Oh, you really must be free, there 's a sweet 
 lady! We're so anxious to get just exactly the right 
 people, and to have everything go off well. 
 
 Vive. [Passing paper over to Rachel.] I think that 
 is precisely the statement you wish to make? Read it 
 over. [Rachel reads over what ViVEASH has written 
 
 Daub [In a low aside to Mrs. WiLMORE.] I sup- 
 pose that is the young person? 
 
 Mrs. W. Yes. 
 
 Daub. Poor soul ! Sir John insisted on my being 
 present, but really in these tiresome, unpleasant 
 affairs — Oh, yes — now whom would you like to take 
 yOu in to dinner? The Bishop? 
 
 Mrs. W. I don't care. 
 
 Daub. Very well, I shall bestow you on the Bishop. 
 [Looking at her.] Rather dry, our good Bishop, eh ? 
 He's a great Orientalist. I'll send you his brochure 
 on the new gospel. 
 
 Mrs. W. [Always watching ViVEASH and Rachel.] 
 New gospel? What new gospel? 
 
 Daub. Haven't you heard? Somebody has just 
 discovered a valuable new gospel, with quite new 
 readings, in a Syrian monastery. Our good Bishop 
 dabbles a great deal in apocryphal gospels. Now I 
 take a more practical view of Christianity. 
 
 [ViVEASH has been conferring with Rachel 
 upon the paper he has written. Mrs. 
 Wilmore has been keenly watching. 
 Vive [Rising.] Is that right? 
 
 Rach. Yes. 
 
 Vive. Mrs. Wilmore, if you please. 
 
 [Mrs. Wilmore goes down to them, and
 
 ACT III.] 72 
 
 ViVEASH just shows her the paper, and 
 whispers vistmctions, pointing to the other 
 room. Rachel sits pale and distracted. 
 
 Enter GOODYER at back^ announcing, " Doctor and 
 Mrs. Blaney." Enter Dr. and Mrs. Blaney. 
 Exit GOODYER. 
 
 Mrs. B. Good morning, Mrs. Wilmore. 
 
 Mrs. W. How d'ye do? \^Shaking hands. 
 
 Mrs. B. How d'ye do, Mr. Daubeny? 
 
 Daub. How d'ye do, my dear friend? 
 
 [Blaney has meantime shaken hands with 
 Mrs. Wilmore, and nodded to Vive- 
 ash, who has nodded in return. Blaney 
 sJiakes hands with DaubeNY. 
 Dr. B. [To Rachel, very coldly ?\ I trust you find 
 yourself so far recovered? 
 Rach. Yes, thank you. 
 
 Mrs. B. [Looking at RACHEL.] Mr. Viveash asked 
 us to meet Sir John. Perhaps we're too early? We 
 might wait in another room. 
 
 Mrs. W. Oh, no. Please sit down. [Going to door., 
 left.'] Miss Neve, will you please come this way? 
 
 [Rachel limps quickly across the room, 
 
 ashamed, with eyes cast down, and goes 
 
 off, left, Mrs. Blaney watching her 
 
 fiercely all the time. 
 
 Mrs. W. ril be back in a few minutes. [Exit, left. 
 
 Mrs. B. I was quite right about that girl. Have 
 
 you ever noticed, Mr. Daubeny, how that class of person 
 
 always avoids meeting the glance of a truly good 
 
 woman ? 
 
 Daub. Do they now? I've not observed 
 
 Mrs. B. Yes. The doctor's profession bringing him 
 constantly into contact with undesirable persons, I 
 
 have felt it my duty to share his labours 
 
 Daub. Very charming of you! Quite charming! I'm 
 sure our dear friend appreciates
 
 
 7Z [ACT III. 
 
 Dr. B. [Stiffly.] Mrs. Blaney is an admirable help- 
 meet in many respects. 
 
 Mrs. B. And having no home ties of my own 
 
 Dr. B. {Annoyed?^ Yes, yes, my dear 
 
 Mrs. B. I have been able to devote myself entirely 
 to the interests of public morality, whereas if Provid- 
 ence had smiled on our union 
 
 Dr. B. We needn't pursue the subject. 
 
 Mrs. B. No, but if Providence had seen fit 
 
 Dr. B. My dear Matilda, nothing is to be gained 
 by repining. 
 
 Mrs. B. I'm not repining, but while persons like 
 this drawing-mistress are allowed to flaunt their de- 
 linquencies 
 
 Daub. Very true ! By the way, my dear friend, \to 
 Viveash] now we're all alone, and all good neigh- 
 bours, I hope our young friend Lennard hasn't got 
 himself into a very bad mess 
 
 Vive. Oh no! 
 
 Daub. Because we don't want any washing of dirty 
 linen, do we? It's so bad for society, gives such a 
 handle to the lower classes, and in these democratic 
 days — now, do tell me, there isn't going to be a 
 scandal? [Anxiously. 
 
 Vive. Oh no ! 
 
 Daub. Because I've just sent out the invitations for 
 my first dinner-party in Gilminster, and I've asked the 
 Wilmores and Sir John Plugenet And if there is to 
 be an exposure — really I don't know what I should do. 
 
 Vive. You needn't be alarmed. We shall bring 
 Lennard off with flying colours. 
 
 Daub. I'm delighted! Sir John seems bent on fishing 
 things out. You'll be able to satisfy him, eh? 
 
 Vive. Well, the girl herself declares that Linnell is 
 absolutely mistaken. 
 
 Daub. She does? 
 
 Vive. Of course, if it comes to a question of hard 
 swearing, and Linnell says one thing and we say 
 another, then I hope Mrs. Wilmore may rely that her 
 
 L
 
 ACT III.] 74 
 
 old friends will rally round her, and see that her version 
 is believed. 
 
 Daub. Of course we shall! Linnell came to me with 
 a long rigmarole about a letter that the girl had written 
 to Lennard 
 
 Mrs. B. Yes, quite between ourselves, while I was 
 waiting for the Doctor that night, this young person's 
 things were on the table, and a letter had fallen out 
 of her bag 
 
 Dr. B. \^Warningly.'\ My dear! 
 
 Vive. [Qziickly.] Did you see the contents? 
 
 Mrs. B. Of course not ! But, as it was lying open, 
 I couldn't help catching sight of the word " shame," 
 and 
 
 Dr. B. My dear, I think you must be mistaken. 
 
 Vive. Do you intend to say anything about this 
 letter? 
 
 [Dr. Blaney makes her an authoritative 
 gesture to say "No." 
 
 Mrs. B. Oh no! I shouldn't dream of mentioning it! 
 
 Re-enter Mrs. Wilmore with a letter in her hand. 
 
 Mrs. W. [To ViVEASH.] Will you please see what 
 Miss Neve has written? [Giving him letter."] It's past 
 twelve. Sir John ought to be here. 
 
 Vive. [Nodding.] Couldn't be better! I'll take care 
 of it, shall I? 
 
 Enter WiLMORE at back. 
 
 Wil. How d'ye do, Daubeny? [Shaking hands. 
 
 Daub. Good morning, my dear friend. 
 
 Wil. Mrs. Blaney, how are you ? 
 
 Mrs. B. How d'ye do? [Shaking hands. 
 
 Wil. Ah, Blaney ! We meet under very strange cir- 
 cumstances! That a son of mine should be accused 
 of — ! And this upstart curate! I hope, Daubeny, that
 
 75 [act III 
 
 when he leaves Weybury you'll take care he doesn't 
 annoy us any further? 
 
 Daub. Yes, It's a little difificult to know what to 
 do with him. What do you propose? 
 
 Wil. I hope he will have the grace to disappear 
 entirely! That is my invariable attitude towards any 
 scoundrel who crosses my path — "Disappear! Clear 
 out of my way! Don't force me to take any further 
 notice of you!" 
 
 Daub. An admirable rule! 
 
 Enter GOODYER at back, showing in SiR JOHN 
 PLUGENET. Exit GOODYER. 
 
 Sir J. I'm a little late. How do, Blaney? 
 
 \Shaking hands. 
 
 Dr. B. How are you, Sir John? 
 
 Sir J. How are you? YTo Mrs. Blaney. 
 
 Mrs. B. Good morning, Sir John. 
 
 Sir J. {Looking I'outid.'] Mr. Linnell is not here? 
 
 Wil. Yes, I had him shown into another room 
 until such time as we require him. [Rings bell. 
 
 Sir J. We must have Lennard too. 
 
 Wil. Lennard is only too anxious to face his 
 traducer. 
 
 GoODYER appears at door at back. 
 
 Wil. Ask Mr. Lennard and Mr. Linnell to come 
 here. {Exit Goodyer. 
 
 Sir J. And Miss Neve herself? 
 
 Vive. In the next room. 
 
 Mrs. W. She 's ready to come in at any moment, 
 but I'm sure you'd wish to spare her as far as possible. 
 
 Sir J. Certainly. 
 
 Vive. Meantime, there is Miss Neve's own state- 
 ment in her own words. Just cast your eye over that. 
 {Giving him the letter Mrs. Wilmore has 
 brought in.
 
 ACT III.] 76 
 
 Enter Lennard at back. Throughout the scene he 
 assumes a careless, confident manner, but at mo- 
 ments he betrays intense anxiety and exchanges 
 furtive looks with his mother. 
 
 Len. How are you? \To Daubeny. 
 
 Daub. Good morning, my dear young friend. 
 
 {^Shaking hands. 
 Len. How d'ye do, Mrs. Blaney? 
 Mrs. B. How d'ye do? 
 
 Len. Good morning, Blaney. [Shaking hands. 
 
 Sir J. [Having read the letter."] But this is positively 
 conclusive. 
 
 Vive. I thought you'd say so. 
 
 Sir J. What can Mr. Linnell say to this? 
 
 Enter GOODYER at back, announcing " Mr. Linnell." 
 .fi'w/'^r Linnell. ^;trzV Goodyer. Linnell ^(7Z£;j- 
 as he comes itt. SiR ] own, poisoned against him by 
 the Wilmores and ViVEASH, regards him with 
 evident distrust and coldness. 
 
 Mrs. W. [Introducing^] Mr. Linnell — Sir John 
 Plugenet. 
 
 Lin. Good morning. Sir John. 
 
 Sir J. [Very coldly^ Good morning, sir, 
 
 Vive. We may as well come to business at once. 
 Will you be seated? 
 
 [Daubeny, Mrs. Wilmore, Mrs. Blaney, 
 Dr. Blaney sit. Viveash seats him- 
 self, and makes notes all the while. 
 
 Vive. Mr. Linnell, I must ask you formally to with- 
 draw certain damaging statements you have made re- 
 garding Mr. Lennard Wilmore and Miss Neve. 
 
 Wil. And apologize! [A pause. 
 
 Sir f. [Sternly to LiNNELL.] What have you to 
 say, sir?
 
 ^ TJ [ACT III. 
 
 Lin. {Glancing round him.'] Nothing. 
 
 Sir J. What? ! You make this dreadful accusation, 
 and then you run away from it? 
 
 Lin. I'm not running away. I'm here. 
 
 Sir J. But you've repeated this slander? 
 
 Lin. Not to a single person since that night. 
 
 Wil. But it 's all over the town ! 
 
 Lin. Not through any word of mine. I've no wish 
 to repeat this story even now — unless you force me. 
 
 Sir J. Perhaps, sir, but before you leave this room 
 you must either repeat it, or withdraw it absolutely. 
 
 Lin. If you please. Through an accident I became 
 aware of Mr. Lennard Wilmore's fault. I urged him 
 to own the truth to you. I urge him still, I entreat 
 him, with all 
 
 Vive. [Dry, hard.] Mr. Linnell, please reserve your 
 sentimental appeals for the pulpit. Sir John wants to 
 get at the facts. 
 
 Lin. [Sharp, dry, hard.] I'll give them to him. 
 
 Sir J. [Cold, distrusted.] I shall be obliged. 
 
 Lin. While Miss Neve was in my house, a letter 
 she had written tumbled on the floor. Thinking it 
 was addressed to myself, I began to read it. It spoke 
 of the writer's shame and distress 
 
 Vive. But what reason had you for connecting the 
 writer's shame and distress with Mr. Lennard Wil- 
 more? 
 
 Lin. It said " I shall call on your mother this after- 
 noon, and " 
 
 Vive. But, you may have observed, other people 
 besides Mr. Lennard Wilmore have mothers. 
 
 Lin. Yes, it is customary. [Advancing a little to- 
 wards Mrs. Wilmore.] Mothers who bring their 
 sons up to love the truth and hate lies 
 
 Sir J. What? Mr. Linnell! You accuse a lady in 
 Mrs. Wilmore's position! — Viveash, I shall lose my 
 patience. 
 
 Vive. Keep calm, Sir John! We shall soon explode 
 this bag of moonshine. [To LiNNELL.] You're sure
 
 ACT III.] 78 
 
 this letter didn't read, " I'll call on your grand- 
 mother? " 
 
 Lin. No — the girl didn't mock at her agony. Do 
 you? 
 
 Vive. What became of this letter? 
 
 Lin. Miss Neve burnt it. 
 
 Vive. That's a pity. Mrs. Wilmore, will you please 
 ask Miss Neve whether the letter Mr. Linncll picked 
 up was written to your son, and whether it contained 
 any reference whatever to you, or to him? 
 
 [Mrs. Wilmore goes towards door, left. 
 
 Lin. Why ask her? You know she'll say " No." 
 
 Mrs. IV. Surely Miss Neve must know to whom 
 she wrote that letter. [Exit Mrs. Wilmore, /e/t. 
 
 Vive. Have you any other evidence against Mr. 
 Lennard Wilmore? 
 
 Lin. Yes, his own word. 
 
 Len. My word? 
 
 Lin. You owned to me j-ou had betrayed this girl 
 under a promise of marriage ; and you begged me to 
 hide it! 
 
 Len. What? I asked you what bee you'd got in 
 your bonnet! 
 
 Wil. A bee in his bonnet! Now that to me exactly 
 describes the situation. 
 
 Daub. A very happy phrase! A bee in his bonnet! 
 
 [ Tapping his stomach. 
 
 Vive. I suppose what really happened, Lennard, 
 was this — Mr. Linnell told you this poor girl's story; 
 you pitied her, and then he muddled up 
 
 Lin. [Sternly.'] Please don't put his lie into his 
 mouth! He has it pat enough! 
 
 Wil. Lie! We're using very pretty language now! 
 
 ATrs. B. And in the presence of ladies! 
 
 Dr. B. Violent language is generally associated 
 with a bad case. 
 
 Lin. Yes, and sometimes with a good case, too!
 
 ». 
 * 
 
 79 [act III. 
 
 Mrs, Wilmore re-enters door, left. 
 
 Sir J. Lennard, my boy, you are to take my name, 
 and be my son. Tell me — Is there any truth in what 
 Mr. Linnell says? 
 
 Len. \Catches sight of his mother's anxious face, and, 
 after tJie faintest faltering,says firmly i\ No, not the least. 
 Sirf. You did not confess you had betrayed thisgirl? 
 Len. \_Qtnte firmly.'] No, Sir John. 
 
 [Mrs. Wilmore shows immense relief. 
 Sir f. \Relieved. Shakes his hand cordially^ I be- 
 lieve you. And now, tell this man to his face that he 
 
 is mistaken. He '11 know what that means. 
 
 [Mrs. Wilmore sJiows anxiety. 
 Len. [Steps firmly to LiNNELL and says fiercely^ 
 Mr. Linnell, you are mistaken! 
 
 [Mrs. Wilmore shows great relief Linnell 
 
 flames with resentment, is about to reply, 
 
 hit stops and stares round, growing 
 
 bewildered, and beginning to realize the 
 
 hopelessness of his position ; at length drops 
 
 into chair, and buries his face in hands on 
 
 table. 
 
 Mrs. W. [Comes forward^ Miss Neve says most 
 
 positively that the letter Mr. Linnell picked up was 
 
 not written to Lennard, and had no reference to him 
 
 or to me. 
 
 Sir f. [To Linnell.] You hear that Miss Neve 
 
 denies 
 
 Lin. Oh yes, she denies. They all deny! And Mr. 
 and Mrs. Wilmore! Let them deny too! If you please, 
 both of you, deny, deny, deny! 
 
 IVil. So we're to be dragged into it! So we 
 
 knew 
 
 Lin. [To Wilmore.] Aye, you knew! For you 
 offered me the living to hold my tongue! [To MRS. 
 WlL?kiORE.] And you — you begged me with tears to 
 save your boy. Well, I've done my best to save him! 
 You must go your way and ruin him! Go on and ruin 
 him!
 
 ACT III.] 80 
 
 Sir J. [Struck by the sincerity of LiN NELL'S utter- 
 ance.'] Wilmore — Mrs. Wilmore, surely you didn't 
 beg Mr. Linnell to 
 
 Mrs. IV. My dear Sir John, when we got there, we 
 found Mr. Linnell in an excited state — with this bee 
 in his bonnet — his own wife implored him to withdraw 
 his silly statement. Mrs. Blaney, you remember? 
 
 Mrs. B. Oh yes. Poor Mrs. Linnell said she was 
 sure he didn't mean it, and told him to beg Mr. Wil- 
 more's pardon. 
 
 [Linnell is overwhelmed. Sir John looks 
 at ViVEASH, who shrugs his shoulders 
 contemptuously. 
 
 Vive. Have you any further evidence to offer us? 
 [Linnell, growi^ig more and more bewildered, 
 shakes his head. 
 
 Vive. Sir John, will you please show him Miss 
 Neve's letter to Mrs. Wilmore. 
 
 Sir J. Ah, yes! [Bringing out the letter which 
 ViVEASH has given him.] Please read that. 
 
 Lin. To what end? 
 
 Sir J. Please read it. [LiNNELL takes the letter, 
 and looks at it niccJianically, not trying to miderstand it.] 
 You see, the girl herself declares Mr. Lennard Wil- 
 more is nothing to her. 
 
 Lin. She knows! She knows! 
 
 Vive. I'm glad you admit she knows. 
 
 Sir J. Well, what have you to say? 
 
 Lin. Nothing. [Giving back the letter. 
 
 Sir J. Nothing, sir? Nothing? 
 
 Lin. [Suddenly^ Yes! Please bring Miss Neve 
 here 
 
 Mrs. W. [Alarmed^ Sir John, you shall see Miss 
 Neve and question her yourself, but Dr. Blaney will 
 say if she is in a fit state 
 
 Dr. B. I must certainly forbid any violent or dis- 
 tressing scenes. It would be highly dangerous to my 
 patient. 
 
 Lin. Then why is she here, if not to get at the
 
 * 8 1 [act III. 
 
 truth ? Sir John, for the sake of your daughter's 
 happiness, I demand to ask Miss Neve one question 
 in the presence of your future son-in-law. 
 
 Vive. Surely Miss Neve's statement is sufficiently 
 explicit. 
 
 Lin. I demand to put them face to face. 
 
 Sir J. Mrs. Wilmore, I think we might ask Miss 
 Neve to please step here for a moment. 
 
 Mrs. W. If you wish. 
 
 [She Just glances at ViVEASH, who Just signs 
 
 assent. 
 
 Sir J. I do. 
 
 Mrs. W. I'll fetch her. 
 
 [Mrs. Wilmore goes off left, leaving the 
 door open. 
 
 Vive. [To Sir John.] Sir John, you'll take care 
 Miss Neve is not frightened or brow-beaten? 
 
 Sir J. We will treat her with every consideration. 
 
 Mrs. IV. [Appears at door, left, looking off.] If you 
 please 
 
 Rachel enters very slowly, limping a little, with calm 
 set, determined face, and downcast eyes. She Just 
 raises them to meet Lennard's glance for an 
 instant. 
 
 Mrs. W. This is Sir John Plugenet — Miss Neve. 
 
 [Sir John a7id Rachel bow slightly. 
 Lin. Good morning, Miss Neve. 
 
 [He holds out his hand. 
 Rach. Good morning. 
 
 [She Just looks at him, does not give her ha>id 
 
 at first, but as he holds his out, at length 
 
 she gives hers. He takes it, holds it, and 
 
 leads her towards Lennard. 
 
 Lin. [To Lennard.] Will you please look at this 
 
 lady? 
 
 Vive. What now? 
 
 M
 
 ACT III.] 82 
 
 Lin. [To Rachel.] Will you please look at Mr. 
 Wilmore? I charge you both, as you will answer at 
 that dreadful day when the secrets of all hearts shall 
 
 be disclosed 
 
 [Lennard draws back a little. RACHEL 
 also shows a very slight sign of faltering-, 
 which she instantly controls. 
 
 Vive. [ Very firmly^ Sir John, I must protest against 
 this paltry theatrical appeal! Miss Neve has scarcely 
 recovered from her illness 
 
 Lin. If you please, Mr. Viveash! Let me put them 
 to their oath. 
 
 Vive. Doctor Blaney! Sir John! 
 
 Sir f. Mr. Linnell, will you please stand aside? I'll 
 question Miss Neve myself. \To Rachel, very kindly.'] 
 I'm deeply grieved to trouble you. You know my 
 daughter is to be married to this gentleman? 
 
 Rach. Yes. 
 
 Sir f. Please forgive my asking. Has he ever been 
 more to you than an acquaintance? 
 
 Rach. No, 
 
 Sir f. Has he ever spoken to you any word of 
 love? 
 
 Rach. No. 
 
 Sir f. Have you the least claim upon him as a 
 lover? 
 
 Rach. No. 
 
 Sir f. That is your solemn word — your solemn 
 oath, in the presence of Heaven? You have no claim 
 whatever upon Mr. Lennard Wilmore? 
 
 Rach. {Quite firmly, looking at LENNARD, and tJien 
 looking at SiR JOHN.] No, none whatever ! 
 
 Sir f. Thank you for having spoken out so plainly. 
 That sets the question at rest for ever. 
 
 [Rachel has answered quite firmly and 
 steadfastly throughout, but at the end she 
 drops back on the sofa a little exhausted. 
 
 Sir J. It has been too much for you? 
 
 Rach. No — no — please don't trouble.
 
 
 83 [act III. 
 
 Sir J. {Turns to TJNNELL.] Mr. Linnell, I daren't 
 trust myself to speak to you ! You, a clergyman, whose 
 first care it should be to hush all slander and evil 
 
 speaking 
 
 VVil. Leave this house, sir! 
 
 [Linnell, bewildered, dazed, looks round, 
 goes up to door at back, dazed. 
 Mrs. IV. [As he passes heri\ I told you how this 
 would end. 
 
 Lin. It's not ended! [Suddenly items at door. 1 Sir 
 John, tell your daughter to look! There's a rat 
 under the floor of her new home! [Sweeping his 
 hand round to WiLMORE, Mrs. WiLMORE, a7id 
 Lennard.] You know it, all of you! You liars! 
 You hypocrites! You time-servers! Damned time- 
 servers! You know it! You know the rat's festering 
 under the floor! [Coming down to RACHEL.] You 
 
 know it too 
 
 '[Rachel starts up frightened, and staggers. 
 
 VivEASH and Sir John pull Linnell 
 
 away. RACHEL looks round, meets Len- 
 
 NARD'S look, utters a cry, rushes past 
 
 him, but staggers, falls as she is passing 
 
 by him. He instinctively catches her in 
 
 his arms. 
 
 Rach. [Struggling to get free. 1 No! No! Not you! 
 
 Don't — don't touch me! They'll think — Oh, let 
 
 me go! 
 
 Len. Rachel! Oh, what a hound! What a cur I've 
 been! Rachel! Rachel, forgive me! [She revives, 
 struggles free from him, and goes off left.'] Sir John, 
 I'm a scoundrel! I daren't face Miss Plugenet, but 
 
 ask her 
 
 Sirf. [ Turns away from him with an angry gesture.] 
 Mrs. Wilmore, you knew this! And you lied to me 
 and fooled me! 
 
 Mrs. IV. What have you done, Len? 
 Len. Linnell, I beg your pardon. I've behaved 
 like a
 
 ACT III.] 84 
 
 Lin. That's past! Look up! Look up, my friend! 
 You've cleared yourself! You've owned your fault! 
 You're a free man from this hour! 
 
 [^Shaking hands warmly. 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
 A fortnight passes between Acts III and IV .
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 Scene: The same as Act III. An afternoon about a 
 fortnight later. Discover MRS. WiLMORE looking 
 eagerly off at window. She goes to bell and rings 
 it, then returns to window, and again looks off. 
 
 Enter GOODYER at back. 
 
 Mrs. Wilmore. 
 lOODYER, wasn't that Mr. Lennard who 
 went into the lodge just now? 
 Good. Yes, ma'am. 
 
 Mrs. IV. With the young lady who 
 
 Good. Yes, ma'am. 
 
 Mrs. W. Please go across to the lodge and tell him 
 I cannot see him — or the young lady. 
 
 Good. Yes, ma'am. ^Looking off.'] Here is Mr. Len- 
 nard, ma'am. 
 
 Lennard enters at back. Exit GoODYER. 
 
 Len. Mother! 
 
 Mrs. W. No, Lennard! No! I can never feel you're 
 really my son again till you've given up this girl 
 
 Len. That will be " never." But you don't mean it! 
 
 Mrs. W. I do. To be talked about all over the 
 county, and "cut" by our old friends! To be turned 
 out of our old home, and thrown back into poverty! 
 That 's enough for me to bear, without taking to my 
 heart the cause of it all. 
 
 Len. I am the cause of it all. 
 
 Mrs. W. No, she is the cause of it all I
 
 ACT IV.] 86 
 
 Len. No, I. I alone. It was my folly and cowardice. 
 Now I'm trying to repair the mischief I've done. 
 
 Mrs. IV. By this impossible marriage! 
 
 Len. I love her! I've never really loved anybody 
 else. It all came back when she stood there so bravely. 
 Mother, you wouldn't have me behave like a cad and 
 a villain to her a second time? 
 
 Mrs. IV. It 's useless to talk. I can never receive 
 Miss Neve into our family. You must choose between 
 her and me 
 
 Len. Then I choose her. 
 
 Mrs. IV. So be it. I've to thank your friend Mr. 
 Linnell for this. 
 
 Len. Yes, Linnell is our friend. He has seen Sir 
 John Plugenet, and brought him round 
 
 Mrs. JV. I don't wish Sir John Plugenet to be 
 brought round. He has behaved infamously in spread- 
 ing this scandal through the county. We are utterly 
 disgraced and ruined! 
 
 Enter ViVEASH and WiLMORE at back. WiLMORE is 
 pompously self-pitying. Lennard bows to him, 
 but he barely nods to Lennard in return. 
 
 Vive. Well, how are you? 
 
 [S/iaking hands with Mrs. WiLMORE 
 
 Mrs. W. As you see. 
 
 Vive. Glad to see you back home, Lennard. 
 
 Wil. Lennard is not at home; except in the sense 
 of being present here for the moment. He is still en- 
 joying the hospitality of his bosom friend Linnell. 
 
 Vive. Surely, Wilmore, you won't turn your only 
 son of doors? 
 
 Wil. I shall certainly not welcome him here until 
 he has given up his idea of marrying this — a — young 
 person. 
 
 Len. I'm sorry, father. Mr. Linnell is to marry 
 Miss Neve and me to-morrow morning in London,
 
 
 Sy [act IV. 
 
 Wt/. What? 
 
 Mrs. W. {^Heartbroken.'] Lennard! Lennard! 
 
 Wil. And pray what happens after that? 
 
 Len. Sir John Plugenet has been kind enough to 
 get me a railway appointment in India. 
 
 Wil. Indeed! 
 
 Len. Through Linnell's influence. Rachel and I 
 leave for India next week. And I'm going to pull 
 myself together, and make a thundering hard try 
 to be a better sort of chap for the future. Mother, 
 you'll help us? 
 
 Mrs. W. No, Lennard, no! 
 
 Len. I've brought her over from Gilminster. If you 
 won't come to our wedding at least you'll see her, 
 and wish us happiness? 
 
 Mrs. W. I can't! I can't! 
 
 IVzl. Where is this young person? 
 
 Len. Across at the lodge. 
 
 Wzl. In my lodge! On my premises! 
 
 Len. Yes, father. I think my future wife is quite 
 good enough company for your gardener! Mother, 
 you'll see her? 
 
 Mrs. W. No— no 
 
 Vive. I think you'd better. 
 
 Enter GOODYER at back, announcing Mr. Daubeny. 
 
 Exit GoODYER. 
 
 Daub. Ah, my dear friends! How are you, Mrs. 
 Wilmore? {Shaking hands with her.] Enjoying this 
 marvellous autumn weather, I trust? 
 Mrs. W. Yes. 
 
 Daub. That 's right! You're looking more charming 
 than ever! [Nodding to ViVEASH.] Ah, Viveash! 
 Lennard ! 
 
 Vive. How are you? 
 Len. How d'ye do? 
 
 [Viveash has whispered to Lennard. Len- 
 nard goes off, left.
 
 ACT IV.] 88 
 
 Daub. Wilmore, my dear old friend, I do trust you 
 aren't allowing this tiresome little affair of Lennard's 
 to depress your spirits? 
 
 Wil. No. I am bearing up wonderfully well on the 
 whole. 
 
 Daub. That's right. 
 
 Wil. I can safely say that throughout this unde- 
 served affliction I have borne myself like a Christian, 
 and a gentleman 
 
 Daub. I'm sure you have! And that must be a great 
 consolation to you! 
 
 Wil. We all have to suffer for the wrongdoings of 
 others 
 
 Daub. We do! We do! Very true! Well, we shall 
 be safely ensconced in the Deanery to-night. I ran 
 over to say " Good-bye." My dear wife would have 
 come, but she has one of her hacking coughs. How- 
 ever, she sent her love — and — sympathy. By the way, 
 Mrs. Wilmore, you didn't answer her note? 
 
 Mrs. W. About your dinner party? 
 
 Daub. Yes. As Sir John Plugenet is to be there we 
 thought it only kind to you to give you a chance of — 
 avoiding him. 
 
 Mrs. W. Have you given Sir John Plugenet the 
 same chance of avoiding us? 
 
 Daub. I don't quite follow. 
 
 Mrs. W. Mrs. Daubeny suggests we should decline 
 to come to your dinner party. 
 
 Daub. No, indeed! Don't put it like that! Such old 
 friends! But being our first dinner party, we're anxious 
 to avoid — any little discord. 
 
 Mrs. W. I see! Please tell Mrs. Daubeny we with- 
 draw our acceptance of your kind invitation. 
 
 Daub. We must have a little cosy family dinner — 
 just our four selves. Now name your own day. 
 
 Mrs. W. Thank you. I cannot fix one at present. 
 
 Daub. Well, don't be long about it, there's a dear, 
 amiable lady! Viveash, my dear friend, when you're 
 over at Gilminster, you'll drop in and lunch with us.
 
 
 89 [ACT IV. 
 
 Vive. Delighted. 
 
 Daub. Do, now. \Going off, suddenly bethinking 
 himself?^ Wilmore, I hear you're leaving Weybury, 
 which I do hope is not true. But if you are, and if 
 you should be selling your cellar, you might put an 
 old friend in the way of buying what remains of 
 that port — you know that delicious, soft, silky, sixty- 
 eight? Now there's a hint for you, my dear friend! 
 Do take it! Good-bye! 
 
 Wil. Good-bye. [MRS. WiLMORE rings bell. 
 
 Daub. [To Mrs. Wilmore.] Don't worry about 
 this affair of Lennard's. It will soon blow over — 
 soon blow over. Good-bye, Viveash, my dear 
 friend. 
 
 Vive. Good-bye. 
 
 GOODYER appears at door at back. 
 
 Daub. Good-bye, dear friends. Good-bye. 
 
 [^Exit at back, followed by GoODYER. 
 
 Mrs. W. You see! We are to be tabooed! We are 
 to be cut by everybody! 
 
 Wil Yes, I met the new Wesleyan minister yester- 
 day, and instead of bowing respectfully to me, as he 
 ought, he stared up at the front of his new chapel. I'm 
 sure he was chuckling up his sleeve! 
 
 Vive. Let's hope he was meditating a lapse into 
 Gothic for his next meeting house. 
 
 Wil. You can chaff, Viveash ! you're not losing the 
 honourable record of a lifetime, laboriously spent in 
 advancing the highest morality and soundest Church- 
 manship amongst your neighbours 
 
 Vive. No, but I'm losing the few shekels I'd 
 laboriously scraped together in fostering litigation 
 amongst such of my neighbours as were fools enough 
 to go to law. What's the use of harking back? We're 
 in a very awkward position, and only one man can 
 pull us out — Linnell. 
 
 N
 
 ACT IV.] 90 
 
 Mrs. W. Linnell! 
 
 Vive. Linnell. Of course this business has put 
 Linnell in high favour with Sir John. Now, I'm per- 
 suading Linnell that Sir John was very unchristianlike 
 in making a fuss and blackguarding you all over the 
 county. Linnell is persuading Sir John that he was 
 very unchristianlike, and Sir John is beginning to feel 
 that he was very unchristianlike; so I fancy he'll help 
 us out of our hole with the mortgages ; especially as 
 your property would be a very good investment for 
 him, and round off the Plugenet estate. But we must 
 get Linnell to pull the strings with Sir John for us. 
 
 Mrs. W. I will owe nothing to Mr. Linnell, except 
 my own, and my son's disgrace and ruin. 
 
 Enter GOODYER at back. 
 
 Good. Miss Plugenet and Mr. Linnell are in the 
 drawing-room, ma'am. They wish to see you alone for 
 a few minutes. 
 
 Mrs. IV. I will see Miss Plugenet. I cannot receive 
 Mr. Linnell. 
 
 Vive. Oh, I think you will. [To GoODYER.] All 
 right, Goodyer. We'll come into the drawing-room. 
 
 [Exit Goodyer. 
 
 Vive. [To Mrs. Wilmore.] Come, old friend! 
 You've lost a great deal, but don't lose your nerves, 
 don't lose your temper, don't lose your hold of the 
 situation. I shall send Linnell to you. 
 
 [Exit at back. 
 
 Wil. Charlotte, I think you might come and help 
 us pull the strings 
 
 Mrs. IV. I've pulled all my strings! They've all 
 broken! Please tell Mr. Linnell I will not receive him 
 — and leave me alone. 
 
 [ Throwing herself in a chair in despair. 
 Wil. [Looking at her.l Yes, it's a pretty state of 
 affairs. However, I can honestly say I've acted 
 throughout according to the dictates of my con- 
 science 

 
 * 91 [ACT IV. 
 
 Mrs. W. [Enraged.] Conscience! Conscience! Con- 
 science! Oh, stamp on it! Stamp on it! What's the 
 use of a conscience like yours, that always works 
 
 wrong- 
 
 IVz/. Upon my word! Really, Charlotte! My own 
 wife too! 
 
 [Helen appears at the door at back, which 
 has been left open. 
 
 Hel. [Coldly bows.] I beg pardon 
 
 Wil. Please come in. Miss Plugenet 
 
 Helen enters. 
 
 Hel. [Entering.] May I have a few words with Mrs. 
 Wilmore? 
 
 IVil. Certainly. I — a — I — a 
 
 [Helen takes no notice of him. He pompously 
 pulls himself together and exit at back. 
 
 Hel [Pale, subduedi] I couldn't leave Weybury with- 
 out saying " Good-bye " to you. 
 
 Mrs. IV. Thank you. It's kind of you. 
 
 Hel. Your son is not at home to-day 
 
 Mrs. W. Yes, Lennard is at the lodge. 
 
 Hel Then I mustn't stay. Good-bye. 
 
 Mrs. IV. Good-bye, dear. Oh, Helen, I'm so sorry! 
 [The two women cry together?^ And your heart is 
 broken too! 
 
 Hel. No, not quite. Mr. Linnell has been so kind. 
 
 Mrs. W. Mr. Linnell! 
 
 Hel. He has taught me to bear it, and to grow 
 strong and better by it. I shall have a higher life, if 
 not a happier life. A high life can't be a happy 
 life, can it.^ I'm going to work with Mr. Linnell in 
 London. 
 
 Mrs. W. In London? 
 
 Hel. I've managed to get him appointed to the 
 vicarage of St. James's, Shadwell. It 's a poor living, 
 but it 's just what he wished, and what I wish. We 
 are leaving to-night. He wants to see you. He 's 
 waiting in the next room.
 
 ACT IV.] 92 
 
 Mrs. W. I can't see him. The man who has brought 
 me to the dust! I can't! 
 
 Hel. Good-bye then. 
 
 Mrs. W. Good-bye. Oh, Helen, it's all over! All 
 my wishes! All my life! I'm dead! No, worse than 
 that! I'm living, with nothing to live for! {Wiping 
 away her ^ears.] This won't do. Good-bye! 
 
 He/. Good-bye. 
 
 They are embracing when the door at back opens, and 
 Rachel ettters, shown in and followed by Len- 
 NARD. Rachel comes down a few steps. Mrs. 
 WiLMORE and Wy.lY.'H then disengage themselves, 
 and Rachel a?id Helen recognize each other. 
 Helen utters a little cry^ and goes to the door at 
 back. 
 
 Len. [Showing great shame.l I beg pardon. I didn't 
 know [He is going off. 
 
 Hel. No, please stay. I'm going. [He stands deeply 
 ashamed. HELEN goes towards door, then stops, looks 
 at Rachel a 7noment, goes to her."] I hope you will be 
 very happy! [Kisses RACHEL. Exit at back. 
 
 Len. Mother, we're leaving England in a few days. 
 Haven't you a word to say to her? 
 
 Mrs. W. [To Rachel, who has stood apart, 
 ashamed.] Yes. Please come to me. [Rachel goes to 
 her.] I don't wish to speak unkindly, but, through 
 you, Lennard's career has been destroyed for the 
 time 
 
 Rach. Oh, don't say that! 
 
 Mrs. W. I must. My son was in a great position. 
 He might have hoped for any honours — the highest 
 — he had a splendid future. To-day he 's a disgraced 
 pauper — through you! 
 
 Lett. Mother! Mother! Rachel, come away with 
 me. 
 
 Mrs. W. No, Lennard, please let her hear me! [To
 
 * 93 [act IV. 
 
 Rachel.] I'm not reproaching you. It's done. But 
 now you're going to do him a further injury 
 
 Rack. No! No! 
 
 Mrs. W. Yes! If you leave him, and go out of his 
 life, this disgrace will pass away and be forgotten. 
 We have some influential friends in London. In 
 a few years he will redeem his mistake, and make 
 a good marriage. Won't you give him a chance? 
 Haven't you done him harm enough? 
 
 Rack. Oh, what am I to do? 
 
 Len. Come away with me! Mother, I'll never give 
 her up now. 
 
 Mrs. W. Then I hope she'll have the good sense 
 and the good feeling to give you up. 
 
 Len. Rachel! 
 
 Mrs. \V. Keep silence, Lennard, if you please, and 
 let me save you from this last dishonour. What do 
 you say? 
 
 Rack. I love him so much! I can't give him up 
 now! You won't ask me! I've promised Mr. Linnell! 
 [LiNNELL appears at door.'] Ah, tell me! Must I give 
 Lennard up? Is it for his good? Tell mc I ought, 
 and I'll try to do it, even now! 
 
 Mrs. W. Mr, Linnell, please keep away from us 
 now! I won't have you interfere in this. [T'c 
 Rachel.] You've heard what I said! Don't listen 
 to him. 
 
 Lift. She will listen to me. And you will listen 
 to me. 
 
 Mrs. W. I won't! Go, please! [Poviting.'] The 
 door! The door! 
 
 Lin. [To Lennard.] Miss Neve, Lennard, please 
 leave me a few minutes with Mrs. Wilmore. 
 
 [Motioning them to door, left. 
 
 Mrs. W. No! No! 
 
 Lin. If you please, Lennard! 
 
 Z^«. Rachel {Taking her off, left. 
 
 Mrs. W. Is it always to be so? Will you always 
 come in my way?
 
 ACT IV,] 94 
 
 Li7i. Always ! till you're in the right way. 
 
 Mrs. W. I won't hear you! 
 
 Lin. Ah, but you will! 
 
 Mrs. W. No! No! You've broken up my home, 
 you've defeated all my hopes, you've ruined my son, 
 you're parting me from him now when I love and 
 need him most, you're sending him away to India to 
 die, perhaps, out there — I may never see him again. 
 You've done all this! Well, you've done it! So be 
 satisfied with your work, and let me be! 
 
 Lin. My work isn't finished 
 
 JSIrs. IV. Not finished?! Pray, what more have you 
 to do? 
 
 Lin. To open your eyes! To make you see what 
 you would have done! Think of it! And you asked 
 me, God's minister, to wink at your foul trick and help 
 you — help you prepare a long life of treachery and 
 distrust for your son and his bride! Look at it! 
 Where is your conscience? Where is your eyesight? 
 Ah, but you wouldn't have done it ! Very shame would 
 have stopped you 
 
 Ah's. ]V. You have stopped me! So be content. 
 
 Lin. No, not till you own your son is doing 
 right. 
 
 Mrs. W. To marry that girl? 
 
 Lin. Yes! They love each other. Their future will 
 be all the more secure from their bitter remembrance 
 of the past. They'll work out their repentance in 
 a great love. He'll build his house on the true love 
 of man and wife. It will stand. His hopes, his honour, 
 his safety, his duty, his happiness, — all lie with her. 
 Can't you see that? 
 
 Mrs. W. I can see nothing, except that I'm to 
 lose Lennard. 
 
 Lin. No. [ Takes out a letter?^ Please read that. 
 
 \Gives it to her. 
 
 Mrs. VV. From Sir John Plugenet? 
 
 [She opens and reads the letter. 
 
 Lin. He feels sorry he made this story public. I've 
 
 I
 
 95 [act IV. 
 
 been with him and his lawyer all this morning. He 
 proposes to take over all your mortgages, and leave 
 you in possession here on easy terms. 
 
 Mrs. W. But we shall owe everything to Sir John 
 Plugenet! {^Reading oni\ No! Worse than that! He says, 
 " In conclusion, I may tell you that I am making this 
 arrangement purely on the persuasion of Mr. Linnell. 
 If it should secure your future well-being and happi- 
 ness, you will owe it to him " I can't! I can't! 
 
 To owe everything to you! 
 
 Lin. Don't think of me as your creditor. Think of 
 me as your servant, God's servant, and therefore your 
 servant, sent to hold a light to your path, and smooth 
 it where it 's rough and thorny. Won't you let me do 
 that ? Won't you understand that I'm your servant and 
 your friend? Won't you? \_Holding out his hand. 
 
 Mrs. W. [Giving her hand.'] I'll try. But Lennard 
 — Lennard is going from me. 
 
 Lin. Go with him. A friend has given me money 
 for a passage to India, and a year's stay there 
 
 Mrs. W. A friend! Helen Plugenet! 
 
 Lin. She has forgiven. You will forgive, too? 
 Come to their marriage to-morrow, and go out to 
 India with them. If you refuse, he will still make her 
 his wife. You can't hinder that. Then you will re- 
 member all your life that you parted from him in 
 anger. If, as you said, he should die out there 
 
 Mrs. W. Bring them in! Bring them in! 
 
 Linnell goes to door, left, beckons to RACHEL and 
 Lennard, who enter. 
 
 Mrs. W. [To Linnell.] You've broken my heart! 
 [To Rachel.] Come to me, my dear. 
 
 [The two women embrace in tears. 
 
 Lin. [To Lennard.] Your mother is going to your 
 marriage to-morrow, and to India with you
 
 ACT IV.] 
 
 96 
 
 Len. Mother, is that so? 
 
 [Mrs. Wilmore nods and smiles. 
 Lin. Now my work in Weybury is finished! To- 
 morrow all your lives begin anew! 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
 
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