Part 1

Produced by Paul Haxo from page images generously made available by the University of California, the HathiTrust Digital Library, and Google.

A DESPERATE GAME.

A Comic Drama.

IN ONE ACT.

BY JOHN MADDISON MORTON, (Member of the Dramatic Authors' Society),

AUTHOR OF

Box and Cox, John Dobbs, The Woman I Adore, A Capital Match, Your Life's in Danger, Who Stole the Pocket Book? Poor Pillicoddy, Friend Waggles, Where there's a Will there's a Way, The Writing on the Wall, Betsy Baker, Going to the Derby, My precious Betsy, Slasher and Crasher, The Two Bonnycastles, &c., &c.

THOMAS HAILES LACY, WELLINGTON STREET, STRAND, LONDON.

_First performed at the Theatre Royal Adelphi, on Saturday, April 9th, 1853._

Characters. CAPTAIN RATCLIFFE MR. LEIGH MURRAY. MR. PERCY POSTLETHWAITE MR. KEELEY. DAVID MR. ROGERS. MRS. SOMERTON MISS WOOLGAR. PEGGY MRS. LAWS.

Costumes.

CAPTAIN RATCLIFFE.--Green coat, gilt buttons, light waistcoat, black trowsers, with over coat, whiskers, and moustache to take off.

POSTLETHWAITE.--Light drab trowsers, fancy waistcoat, blue shooting coat, green wide-awake. _Second dress:_ Same, muddy.

DAVID.--Old fashioned livery.

MRS. SOMERTON.--Green tarletan ball dress, trimmed with ribbon and flowers.

PEGGY.--Old fashioned housekeeper's dress.

SCENE--_Tunbridge Wells._

_Time in Representation--55 minutes._

A DESPERATE GAME.

SCENE I.--_A Drawing Room at Mrs. Somerton's; a fire-place at C. with a bell rope on each side of it; doors R. C. and L. C.; above the door R. C. a small window; window R. 2 E.; a clock on the mantel-piece; a work table L., on which is a writing desk; another table in C. of the stage, with papers, books, &c. strewed on it; chairs, &c., &c.; another door at R. 2 E. Stage dark. A loud ringing at door bell heard._

RAT. (_outside_) Now then, my good friend, a little quicker, if you please. (_enters at door, L. C., in over coat, whiskers, and moustache; he is closely followed by DAVID, who carries a lantern_)

DAVID. But, zur, zur, don't ye be in such a hurry.

RAT. (_throwing a hasty look round the room, then--aside_) Come, I've effected an entrance, at all events! so far, so well, provided I'm not compelled to beat a retreat before I've accomplished my object. (_walks to various parts of room, examining, &c., &c._)

DAVID. (_all this time examining RATCLIFFE from head to foot with his lantern--aside_) Well, this be about the free and easiest chap I ever cut in with; he almost pulls the gate bell down to begin with, and when I opens the door--thinking in course it's missus come home--in he walks, and without so much as rubbing his boots on the door mat, tells me to light him up stairs, at four o'clock in the morning, too. (_aloud_) Who be ye, zur? I know it don't become a servant to be inquisitive--so if you'll only tell me who ye be, what ye be, why you come here, what you want here, where you come from, and a few other _particklers_, I'll be satisfied and ask no questions.

RAT. (_aside_) I must get rid of this fellow.

DAVID. If you want missus, she be gone from home. She be at a grand ball, and if she finds you here when she comes home, she'll blow me up in fine style, as sure as my name's----

RAT. David!

DAVID. (_astonished_) He knows my name!

RAT. (_turning towards DAVID_) Now hark ye, David. There's nothing more offensive to me, David, than familiarity in a servant, David; but in consideration, David, of your having only recently entered Mrs. Somerton's service----

DAVID. He knows that, too.

RAT. And you're being naturally a stupid thick-headed fellow.

DAVID. Dang it, he knows all about me.

RAT. I have no objection to look over it this once, but the next time it occurs, David, I shall discharge you, David!

DAVID. Discharge me! You? (_suddenly_) Lud a mercy--in course, I know who 'ee be now!

RAT. (_alarmed_) The devil you do.

DAVID. Ees, you be he.

RAT. Oh! I'm he, am I?

DAVID. Ees. I should have known 'ee again directly, only I never seed 'ee before.

RAT. (_aside_) That's lucky!

DAVID. Why missus has been expecting of you the last three days. It was only just afore she went out she said to me, "David," said she, "if my cousin should happen to arrive from London before I get home, show him every attention," says she!

RAT. (_aside_) Her cousin, egad! he takes me for that simpleton Percy Postlethwaite; not very complimentary, perhaps, but decidedly lucky! (_aloud_) Yes, David, here I am, at last; and how is Mrs. Somerton?

DAVID. Mrs. Somerton! is that the way you speak of your cousin? go along, do. (_poking RATCLIFFE in the side_) Ah! Mr. Percy Postlethwaite, you be a lucky young chap to get such a wife, I can tell 'ee.

RAT. (_aside_) Wife! so, so, Mr. Percy Postlethwaite, matters are in a more forward state than you led me to believe.

DAVID. You'll find supper all ready for 'ee in the library, (_pointing_) so I'll just light the candles.

RAT. By all means, David. (_aside_) He does'nt know me.

DAVID. (_while lighting the candles_) Missus 'll be mortal glad to see 'ee, and as for Peggy, she won't know whether she be standing on her head or her heels.

RAT. I'm sure I'm very much obliged to Peggy. (_aside_) Who's Peggy?

DAVID. And no wonder; she tells me many's the time she's dangled 'ee on her knee, afore ye were breeched; (_imitating_) but ye know all about that.

RAT. Of course. I've the most distinct recollection of everything that happened to me before I was breeched.

DAVID. (_having lighted candles_) There, and now I'll go down stairs and wait for missus; and as soon as she comes in, I'll say to her----

RAT. Not one word, either to her or to Peggy! I wish to give them both an agreeable surprise, David; you understand, eh?

DAVID. (_hesitating_) I think I do!

RAT. (_giving him money_) There's a crown for you--think again.

DAVID. (_pocketing money_) I'm sure I do! I'll be as dumb as an oyster. (_going--stops_) As I said before, supper be all ready in t'other room, (_going--stops_) and if 'ee want anything you needn't ring for me, 'cause I be going to take a bit of a snooze before the kitchen fire. (_yawning_) How sleepy I be to be sure.

_Exit at door, L. C._

RAT. (_watching DAVID out, then goes quickly up and closes the door_) Alone at last--now then to work. (_takes a pair of pistols from his coat pocket, which he places on table_) But first, as ladies invariably fly to the bell ropes to raise an alarm, I must take the liberty of cutting these. (_taking knife out of his pocket, and cutting the bell ropes_) Now to examine the means of escape, in case of interruption--(_opening window and looking out_)--the garden--a small conservatory underneath--that's awkward; but, luckily, there's an apple tree so conveniently close as to make a very tolerable ladder on an emergency, so far perfectly satisfactory--and if my information is only tolerably correct, and it ought to be considering the trouble I've had in obtaining it, (_taking small pocket book from his waistcoat and opening it_) this door should lead to Mrs. Somerton's chamber--(_opening door at L., and looking in_)--exactly, and very elegantly appointed indeed. (_closes door, and again looking at his pocket book_)--"near the door a table"--precisely--(_laying his hand on the table_)--"on the table a small writing desk"--here it is--(_laying his hand on the writing desk_)--locked, and the key taken out, that of course I expected; but as I have ascertained that between the hours of 12 and 1 yesterday it became the temporary receptacle of a pocket book containing bank notes to the amount of fifteen thousand pounds, it is not likely I should come unprovided with the means of securing such a treasure. (_takes out a bunch of small keys, some of which he tries--produces a chisel from his coat pocket, and is about to insert it under the lid of the box, a loud ring at gate bell heard_) Mrs. Somerton returned. (_runs to door, L. U. E.--ring repeated_) Again! Stay--(_listening_) The window--quick! (_runs to window_) A man in the garden, and cautiously making towards this window. Who can he be? and what can be his object? Not the same as mine surely--egad, that would be comical enough. If I could only observe---- Ah--that door. (_blows out the candle, and gropes his way to door, R.; at the moment that he enters the room, R., POSTLETHWAITE'S head is seen at the window, R. U. E._)

POS. I've done it! I've been ringing at the bell long enough, so I've been obliged to effect an entrance by the window; (_putting one leg over the window sill_) and let me observe to the inexperienced in these matters, that the fact of threading one's way up a densely wooded apple tree on a pitch dark night is a gymnastic feat more easily imagined than accomplished. (_gets in at window--he has a carpet bag_) However, as I said before, I've done it, and what's more I live to tell it, though I may be allowed to remark that, considering my cousin, Mrs. Somerton, has been expecting me--_me, her affianced husband--_for the last three nights, I think she might have allowed one of her domestics to sit up for me: however, I'm not going to quarrel with her, no--no--I cannot forget that she's my cousin, and the only child of my honoured and lamented uncle--I mean aunt--no, uncle--and now that the law suit has been decided in her favour, and that she steps into possession of fifteen thousand pounds, her late husband's fortune, I feel that to upbraid her at such a moment would be unmanly. There's a spark of fire left in the grate I declare--that's lucky! I'll light a candle if I can find one. (_feeling about_) Here's one--no, it's a scent bottle--now I've got it--(_takes candle, and goes towards fireplace_)--and now for a piece of paper. (_takes a paper out of his pocket, and about to tear it_) Stop--it won't do to tear this, this is yesterday's Times, in which I find that my friend Captain Ratcliffe has been appointed to the situation of Chief Superintendent of the Rural Police, of the Western Division of the County of Kent, and as I know he's been here at Tunbridge Wells for the last week, I've determined to find him out, and be the first to congratulate him--this'll do! (_taking another piece of paper, and lighting the candle with it_) There--and now---- (_seeing a letter on the table, and taking it up_) What's this? "Colonel Boldwig requests the honour--Mrs. Somerton's company--Thursday evening--quadrilles, &c. &c." Then she's not at home; then, egad, I'll wait for her here--but not in this costume--no, I'll just change my coat, et cetera: and, probably, my et cetera requires changing more than my coat, because naturally in ascending a tree one occasionally requires to sit down, consequently, it naturally follows that one's et cetera, upon which one does sit down--of course, it stands to reason--so here goes. (_taking up the candle, carpet bag, and umbrella, and going towards door, R. C., and enters. Scene again dark. At this moment RATCLIFFE opens door at R., enters, moves across on tiptoe, and locks the door at R. C._)

RAT. Come, I've got you safe under lock and key, my worthy friend, whoever you are, and now not another moment must be lost. (_advances towards the writing desk quickly, L. table_)

MRS. S. (_without_) Don't be alarmed, David, I forgot to say I had taken the latch key with me.

RAT. Mrs. Somerton's voice, and no means of escape! Then impudence befriend me! (_hurries into room, R._)

_Enter MRS. SOMERTON and PEGGY at door, L. U. E._

PEGGY. (_who carries a small lantern in her hand, which she places on table_) Dear, dear, how my poor old bones do ache.

MRS. S. (_throws off her cloak and hood, and appears in a handsome ball costume_) Now go to bed at once, my good Peggy, I don't require you any more.

PEGGY. Yes you do, so sit down there--(_making MRS. SOMERTON sit down on a chair_)--and now, while I'm taking all these gimcracks and finery out of your hair, you shall tell me all about the grand doings at the ball. I warrant me, what the colonel's footmen said of you was quite true.

MRS. S. And pray what did the colonel's footmen say?

PEGGY. They said---- Drat the pin! They said you were the most beautiful lady in the room--that you had handsomer partners than any lady in the room.

MRS. S. Yes--to do them, justice, they fairly danced me off my feet, and yet I am neither grown better tempered, nor better looking, than I was three months ago, when at a previous party not one of them condescended to select me for a partner; but then, on the other hand, I am fifteen thousand pounds richer.

PEGGY. (_suddenly, and giving MRS. SOMERTON'S hair another jerk_) That's it! Ah, ma'am, these lords of the creation, as they call themselves, are but a poor mean selfish set after all.

MRS. S. Selfish! No, not all--(_sighing_)--there is one at least.

PEGGY. No! Is there?--he must be quite a curiosity! Oh, ma'am, who is he?

MRS. S. It's a long story, Peggy, and it's getting late.

PEGGY. It's never too late to hear good news.

MRS. S. Then listen, Peggy. You remember that about ten months ago I was earnestly advised by my physicians to pay a short visit to the continent.

PEGGY. Yes; and I remember too that you came home quite an altered woman--_I_ never saw hair dressed in such an extraordinary style--never!

MRS. S. Don't interrupt me. I had been in Paris about three weeks, when one evening on my return from the opera, I found a note on my dressing table, containing these words--"I have seen you, and to see you is to love you. I am young, tolerably handsome, and sufficiently rich, yet as I cannot presume to present myself to you until you permit me to do so, I shall venture to remind you from time to time that I am near you."

PEGGY. Well I'm sure, Mr. Impudence; and what was the fellow's name?

MRS. S. There was no name, but merely the initials C. R.

PEGGY. C. R. Samuel something or other I dare say--but he gave his address?

MRS. S. No; simply the words "Post Office, to be left till called for." Of course, I took no notice of it whatever, and had forgotten the circumstance altogether, when a month afterwards to the very day--the very hour--I was then at Florence, I received a second communication, couched in precisely the same words, and again subsequently at Venice, Naples, and Milan.

PEGGY. Dear, dear, it's as good as a play! Then you never took any notice of the fellow at all?

MRS. S. Yes; a circumstance, the bare recollection of which makes me shudder even at this lapse of time, compelled me to break through the silence I had hitherto imposed upon myself: in travelling through Switzerland, on my return to England, the carriage which I occupied was one night placed in imminent peril by the restiveness of one of the horses; fortunately, I was asleep, and was not aware of my danger till I was assured of my safety--within a few feet of a fearful precipice, the traces had been cut, by a man who had evidently followed me, judge then of my astonishment when a voice uttered these words in my ear, "You see, madam, I have kept my promise, I am _still near you._"

PEGGY. Well, he was a fine brave gentleman, whoever he was; and what was he like--eh?

MRS. S. He had disappeared before I could even thank him for his timely and generous assistance.

PEGGY. Well?

MRS. S. Well? (_hesitatingly_) his next letter, which reached me shortly after my return to England, did _not_ remain unanswered.

PEGGY. I should think not, indeed! and what did you say to Mr. C. R.?

MRS. S. The truth! that my hand was promised to my cousin, Percy Postlethwaite; that his father had once saved _mine_ from ruin, who made me promise, as the only means of testifying _his_ gratitude to the father, to marry the son.

PEGGY. Ah! and that, of course, was a settler for Mr. C. R.

MRS. S. On the contrary, his answer to my letter ran thus:--"Love like mine never despairs. I will still be near you, for I still hope"--and yet for the last _two months_ he has ceased to write.

PEGGY. Of course he has! and high time, too, considering you told him you were Mrs. Postlethwaite, as was to be.

MRS. S. Very true; and yet (_after a slight hesitation_) no matter, go to bed, Peggy. Good night.

PEGGY. Good night, ma'am. (_taking the lantern--aside_) Luckily when Master Percy arrives he'll put all this romantic lackadaisical nonsense out of missus's head.

_Exit at door, L. C._

MRS. S. Yes, while the news of my recent accession to fortune has brought so many admirers to my feet, he, on the contrary, has ceased to think of me.

(_MRS. S. seats herself in chair near the work table, L.; RATCLIFFE at the same moment enters and cautiously goes to door, L. C., which he closes. The stage is only dimly lighted_)

MRS. S. (_hearing the noise of the door closing, and without turning round, as she unclasps her bracelets_) Is that you again, Peggy? (_not receiving an answer, she turns and sees RATCLIFFE; starts violently, and checking a scream_) A man!

RAT. (L.) Do not be alarmed, madam, I beg. (_advancing slowly_)

MRS. S. (_retreating, and in a tone of alarm which she endeavours to repress_) Who are you, sir? and why this unseasonable intrusion? I insist on knowing.

RAT. A little patience, my dear madam, and you shall. (_observing MRS. SOMERTON, who endeavours to reach the door, L. C._) One moment, madam. Before you summon your servants, allow me to observe that I shall be under the painful necessity of punishing any one who presumes to interrupt so delightful a _tete à tete._ (_slowly taking his pistols from his pocket, and depositing them on the table_)

MRS. S. (_terrified and aside_) He's armed. (_suddenly_) Ah! that writing desk--that large sum of money--(_placing herself before the table on which the writing desk is, and supporting herself with difficulty_)

RAT. Now, madam, (_crosses to R. with chair_) the sooner I explain the object of this somewhat unceremonious visit, the better. Will you allow me to lead you to a chair? (_politely offering his hand to MRS. SOMERTON, who draws back in alarm_) Pray, my dear madam let me once more entreat you not to be alarmed. (_MRS. SOMERTON after a slight hesitation, gives him her hand, and he leads her to the chair near table, at C._) Be seated, I beg. (_MRS. SOMERTON seats herself. RATCLIFFE about to remove up for another chair, MRS. SOMERTON advancing her hand towards the pistol--stops_) Pray be cautious with those pistols, madam; they are hair triggers, and I perceive the muzzles are directly pointed towards you. (_goes up to the back for a chair_)

MRS. S. (_aside and suddenly_) If I could but distinguish his features, so as to be able to recognise him. (_hastily runs and brings candle from the small table at L., and places it on table before her_)

RAT. (_coming down with the chair, R.--stops_) You'll pardon me, madam, but having suffered lately from a severe cold in my eyes, this excess of light would be positively distressing to me. (_removes the candle to the mantel-piece, L.; then about to seat himself opposite to MRS. SOMERTON_) Have I your permission, madam? I thank you! (_seats himself_)

MRS. S. (_aside_) Was there ever such unblushing effrontery?

RAT. Now, madam, I will come to the point at once. I am in the immediate want of _fifteen thousand pounds._ (_with marked intention_)

MRS. S. (_aside_) He knows all.

RAT. Which sum, madam, I intend to invest in a speculation, which promises the most advantageous results.

MRS. S. (_with affected unconcern_) I cannot understand, sir, how the subject you allude to can possibly interest me.

RAT. More than you imagine, my dear madam, for I propose that you shall become my partner in this speculation; in other words, I will find the industry and energy requisite in carrying it into effect, while you _simply have to provide the money._ (_with marked emphasis_)

MRS. S. (_indignantly_) Sir!

RAT. That's all! I'll therefore make out a receipt for the amount at once. (_taking a piece of paper, and beginning to write_)

MRS. S. (_aside, and looking towards the back of the stage_) That bell communicates with David's room; it is my only hope. (_cautiously rises from her chair, and goes on tiptoe towards the chimney-piece_)

POS. (_appearing at little window above door at R. C._) I should very much like to know who has taken the liberty of locking me in! I repeat, who has taken the liberty of locking me in? I pause for a reply.

MRS. S. (_looking at RATCLIFFE, who pretends to be writing, but is watching her movements--then making a sudden grasp at the bell rope_) Ah! the bell rope cut!

RAT. (_quietly looking up_) Yes, true! I quite forgot to mention that I had taken that _little precaution_ against interruption. (_resumes his writing_)

POS. (_listening_) Holloa! Either cousin Somerton has got a very bad cold, or she's not alone!

RAT. Here, madam, is the receipt. (_rising_)

POS. That's a man's voice!

RAT. And now, madam, the necessary forms being completed on my part, all that remains is for you to find the funds; amounting, as I believe I mentioned before, to the sum of fifteen thousand pounds.

MRS. S. (_forcing a laugh_) And do you imagine I could be imprudent enough to keep so large a sum of money----?

RAT. On your person? Oh, dear no; that would be an indiscretion for which, as your partner, I should certainly take the liberty of scolding you.

POS. What's that? he says he's my wife's partner! I never even knew she was in business.

RAT. Until you could deposit it with your banker's, you have, doubtless, placed it somewhere under lock and key; but as you seem to have forgotten the exact locality, I shall be most happy to assist you in your search. Suppose we begin with the writing desk. (_placing his hand on the desk_) Will you oblige me with the key?

POS. The fellow's a housebreaker!

MRS. S. I--I have mislaid or lost it, sir: at least, I think I have.

RAT. Pray _think_ again, my dear madam, as it would be really a pity to damage so elegant a piece of furniture.

POS. No--he's a smasher! It's lucky for him I can't get at him.

MRS. S. (_suddenly, and with resolution_) Sir, although alone, and in the power of a desperate man like you, I will not be plundered except by violence.

POS. That's right, cousin--stick to that! She's a trump!

RAT. (_approaching her as she leans against table in C., and in a tone of reproach_) Violence to a woman, and _such a woman!_ (_bowing_)

POS. Humbug!

RAT. I see you mistake me, madam, I came here to serve you--to propose to you a safe and profitable investment for your money, but the moment you object to that proposal---- (_taking one of the pistols off the table and playing with it_)

POS. What's that he's got in his hand? (_RATCLIFFE cocks the pistol, the noise of which is distinctly heard_) It's a blunderbuss! (_disappears like lightning, then cautiously appears again_)

MRS. S. (_shuddering and sinking into a chair_) You will find the key--in that vase--on the mantel-piece.

RAT. That vase, madam? (_pointing with his pistol towards mantel-piece in the direction of POSTLETHWAITE, who again disappears like a shot; RATCLIFFE goes to the mantel-piece, upon which he deposits his pistols--then takes key out of the vase, and goes to the writing desk: during this POSTLETHWAITE re-appears cautiously, sees the pistols, and by leaning very much out of little window, tries to reach them--almost falling out--disappears; re-appears with the tongs, and again tries to reach the pistols_) Ah! here is a drawer that requires some force to open, doubtless it contains the---- (_opening drawer_) No, your diamonds. Ah, madam, I can trace the amiability of your disposition even in your treatment of these poor jewels--you cease to wear them because their beauty would be eclipsed by yours. (_replacing diamonds in desk_)

MRS. S. (_aside, and smiling_) To do the wretch justice he has a certain mode of expressing himself----