Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honor Part 79

LADY KELSEY.

My dear d.i.c.k, there are two columns of fiery denunciation in this morning's _Times_.

[d.i.c.k _is a little startled, but at once collects himself_.

d.i.c.k.

Oh, that's only the reaction. That's nothing. Since he arrived in Momba.s.sa, after three years in the heart of Africa, he's made almost a triumphal progress. Of course, it couldn't last. The reaction was bound to come.

BOULGER.

[_Looking at him steadily._] The article is signed by a man named Macinnery.

d.i.c.k.

[_Calmly._] Alec found Macinnery half starving at Momba.s.sa, and took him solely out of charity. But he was a worthless rascal, and he had to send him back.

BOULGER.

He gives ample proof for every word he says.

d.i.c.k.

Whenever an explorer comes home, there's some one to tell nasty stories about him. People forget that kid gloves are not much use in a tropical forest, and grow very indignant when they hear that a man has used a little brute force to make himself respected.

LADY KELSEY.

Oh, my dear d.i.c.k, it's much worse than that. First poor Lucy's father died....

d.i.c.k.

You're not going to count that as an overwhelming misfortune? We were unanimous in describing that gentleman's demise as an uncommonly happy release.

LADY KELSEY.

But Lucy was heart-broken all the same. And when her life seemed to grow a little more cheerful, came her brother's tragic death.

d.i.c.k.

[_Abruptly, to_ MRS. CROWLEY.] What is it exactly?

MRS. CROWLEY.

The long and short of it is that Mr. Mackenzie was the cause of George Allerton's death.

d.i.c.k.

Lucy's brother was killed by the slave-traders.

BOULGER.

Mackenzie sent him into a confounded trap to save his own dirty skin.

LADY KELSEY.

And the worst of it is that I think Lucy is in love with Mr. Mackenzie.

[BOULGER _makes a slight movement, and for a moment there is an uncomfortable pause_.

CARBERY.

I saw him this evening in Piccadilly, and I almost ran into his arms. It was quite awkward.

d.i.c.k.

[_Frigidly._] Why?

CARBERY.

I don't think I want to shake the man's hand. He's nothing short of a murderer.

BOULGER.

[_Savagely._] He's worse than that. He's ten times worse.

LADY KELSEY.

Well, for heaven's sake be polite to him if he comes to-night.

CARBERY.

I really couldn't bring myself to shake hands with him.

d.i.c.k.

[_Dryly._] Don't you think you'd better wait for evidence before you condemn him?

BOULGER.

My dear fellow, the letter in the _Times_ is absolutely d.a.m.ning.

Interviewers went to him from the evening papers, and he refused to see them.

d.i.c.k.

What does Lucy say of it? After all, she's the person most concerned.

LADY KELSEY.

She doesn't know. I took care that she shouldn't see the paper. I wanted to give her this evening's enjoyment unalloyed.