Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honor Part 77

d.i.c.k.

And if he hasn't, it's death you're sending him to?

ALEC.

Yes. It's death!

END OF THE SECOND ACT

THE THIRD ACT

SCENE: _A smoking-room at_ LADY KELSEY'S, _leading by an archway into a drawing-room at the back. On the right is a gla.s.s door which leads into the garden. On one side is a sofa; on the other a table with cigarettes, matches, whiskey, sodas, etc._

LADY KELSEY _is giving a dance, and the music of the Lancers is heard vaguely from the ball-room as the curtain rises_. MRS.

CROWLEY _and_ SIR ROBERT BOULGER _are sitting down_. LADY KELSEY _comes in with the_ REV. JAMES CARBERY.

LADY KELSEY.

Oh, you wretched people, why aren't you dancing? It's too bad of you to hide yourselves here!

MRS. CROWLEY.

We thought no one would find us in the smoking-room. But why have you abandoned your guests, Lady Kelsey?

LADY KELSEY.

Oh, I've got them all comfortably settled in the Lancers, and I'm free to rest myself for a quarter of an hour. You don't know what agonies I've been suffering the whole evening.

MRS. CROWLEY.

Good gracious me! Why?

LADY KELSEY.

I'm so afraid Alec Mackenzie will come.

BOULGER.

You needn't worry about that, Aunt Alice. He'll never venture to show his face.

LADY KELSEY.

I didn't know what to do. It was impossible to put the dance off. It's too dreadful that these horrible revelations should....

CARBERY.

[_Supplying the word._] Transpire.

LADY KELSEY.

Yes, transpire on the very day I've at last persuaded Lucy to come into the world again. I wish d.i.c.k would come.

BOULGER.

Yes, he'll be able to tell us something.

MRS. CROWLEY.

But will he?

CARBERY.

Wherever I go people are talking about Mr. Mackenzie, and I'm bound to say I've found n.o.body who has a good word for him.

BOULGER.

[_Bitterly._] Humpty-dumpty's had a great fall.

CARBERY.

I wonder if I might have a cigarette?

MRS. CROWLEY.

I'm sure you might. And if you press me dreadfully, I'll have one, too.

BOULGER.

Don't press her. She's already had far too many.

MRS. CROWLEY.

Well, I'll forego the pressing, but not the cigarette.

CARBERY.

[_Handing her the box and giving her a light._] It's against all my principles, you know.

MRS. CROWLEY.

What _is_ the use of principles except to give one an agreeable sensation of wickedness when one doesn't act up to them?