Part 3

_The scene represents a spacious drawing-room in a house in Cavendish Square. The walls are somber in tone, the ceiling dingy, the hangings, though rich, are faded, and altogether the appearance of the room is solemn, formal, and depressing. On the right are folding-doors admitting to a further drawing-room. Beyond these is a single door. The wall on the left is mainly occupied by three sash-windows. The wall facing the spectators is divided by two pilasters into three panels. On the center panel is a large mirror, reflecting the fireplace; on the right hangs a large oil painting--a portrait of Sir William Gower in his judicial wig and robes. On the left hangs a companion picture--a portrait of Miss Gower. In the corners of the room there are marble columns supporting classical busts, and between the doors stands another marble column, upon which is an oil lamp. Against the lower window there are two chairs and a card-table. Behind a further table supporting a lamp stands a threefold screen. The lamps are lighted, but the curtains are not drawn, and outside the windows it is twilight._

[_Sir William Gower is seated, near a table, asleep, with a newspaper over his head, concealing his face. Miss Trafalgar Gower is sitting at the further end of a couch, also asleep, and with a newspaper over her head. At the lower end of this couch sits Mrs. de Foenix--Clara--a young lady of nineteen, with a "married" air. She is engaged upon some crochet work. On the other side of the room, near a table, Rose is seated, wearing the look of a boredom which has reached the stony stage. On another couch Arthur sits, gazing at his boots, his hands in his pockets. On the right of this couch stands Captain de Foenix, leaning against the wall, his mouth open, his head thrown back, and his eyes closed. De Foenix is a young man of seven-and-twenty--an example of the heavily-whiskered "swell" of the period. Everybody is in dinner-dress. After a moment or two Arthur rises and tiptoes down to Rose. Clara raises a warning finger and says "Hush!" He nods to her, in assent._]

_Arthur._

[_On Rose's left--in a whisper._] Quiet, isn't it?

_Rose._

[_To him, in a whisper._] Quiet! Arthur---! [_Clutching his arm._] Oh, this dreadful half-hour after dinner, every, every evening!

_Arthur._

[_Creeping across to the right of the table and sitting there._] Grandfather and Aunt Trafalgar must wake up soon. They're longer than usual to-night.

_Rose._

[_To him, across the table._] Your sister Clara, over there, and Captain de Foenix--when they were courting, did they have to go through this?

_Arthur._

Yes.

_Rose._

And now that they are married, they still endure it!

_Arthur._

Yes.

_Rose._

And we, when we are married, Arthur, shall _we_---?

_Arthur._

Yes. I suppose so.

_Rose._

[_Passing her hand across her brow._] Phe--ew! [_De Foenix, fast asleep, is now swaying, and in danger of toppling over. Clara grasps the situation and rises._]

_Clara._

[_In a guttural whisper._] Ah, Frederick! no, no, no!

_Rose. and Arthur._

[_Turning in their chairs._] Eh--what-----? ah--h--h--h!

[_As Clara, reaches her husband, he lurches forward into her arms._]

_De Foenix._

[_His eyes bolting._] Oh! who------<

_Clara._

Frederick dear, wake!

_De Foenix._

[_Dazed._] How did this occur?

_Clara._

You were tottering, and I caught you.

_De Foenix._

[_Collecting his senses._] I wemember. I placed myself in an upwight position, dearwest, to prewent myself dozing.

_Clara._

[_Sinking on to the couch._] How you alarmed me! [_Seeing that Rose is laughing, De Foenix comes down to her._]

_De Foenix._

[_In a low voice._] Might have been a very serwious accident, Miss Trelawny.

_Rose._

[_Seating herself on the footstool._] Never mind! [_Pointing to the chair she has vacated._] Sit down and talk. [_He glances at the old people and shakes his head._] Oh, do, do, do! do sit down, and let us all have a jolly whisper. [_He sits._] Thank your Captain Fred. Go on! tell me something--anything; something about the military----

_De Foenix._

[_Again looking at the old people, then wagging his finger at Rose._] I know; you want to get me into a wow. [_Settling himself into his chair._] Howwid girl!

_Rose._

[_Despairingly._] Oh--h--h!

[_There is a brief pause, and then the sound of a street-organ, playing in the distance, is heard. The air is "Ever of Thee."_]

_Rose._

Hark! [_Excitedly._] Hark!

_Clara._ Arthur, and De Foenix.

Hush!

_Rose._

[_Heedlessly._] The song I sang in The Peddler--The Peddler of Marseilles! the song that used to make you cry, Arthur! [_They attempt vainly to hush her down, but she continues dramatically, in hoarse whispers._] And then Raphael enters--comes on to the bridge. The music continues, softly. "Raphael, why have you kept me waiting? Man, do you wish to break my heart--[_thumping her breast_] a woman's hear--r--rt, Raphael?"

[_Sir William and Miss Gower suddenly whip off their newspapers and sit erect. Sir William is a grim, bullet-headed old gentleman of about seventy; Miss Gower a spare, prim lady, of gentle manners, verging upon sixty. They stare at each other for a moment, silently._]

_Sir William._

What a hideous riot, Trafalgar!

_Miss Gower._

_Rose._ dear, I hope I have been mistaken--but through my sleep I fancied I could hear you shrieking at the top of your voice.

[_Sir William gets on to his feet; all rise, except Rose, who remains seated sullenly._]

_Sir William._

Trafalgar, it is becoming impossible for you and me to obtain repose. [_Turning his head sharply._] Ha! is not that a street-organ? [_To Miss Gower._] An organ?

_Miss Gower._

Undoubtedly. An organ in the Square, at this hour of the evening--singularly out of place!

_Sir William._

[_Looking round._] Well, well, well, does no one stir?

_Rose._

[_Under her breath._] Oh, don't stop it!

[_Clara goes out quickly. With a great show of activity Arthur and De Foenix hurry across the room and, when there, do nothing._]

_Sir William._

[_Coming upon Rose and peering down at her._] What are ye upon the floor for, my dear? Have we no cheers? [_To Miss Gower--producing his snuff-box._] Do we lack cheers here, Trafalgar?

_Miss Gower._

[_Going to Rose._] My dear Rose! [_Raising her._] Come, come, come, this is quite out of place! Young ladies do not crouch and huddle upon the ground--do they, William?

_Sir William._

[_Taking snuff._] A moment ago I should have hazarded the opinion that they do not. [_Chuckling unpleasantly._] He, he, he!

[_Clara returns. The organ music ceases abruptly._]

_Clara._

[_Coming to Sir William._] Charles was just running out to stop the organ when I reached the hall, grandpa.

_Sir William._

Ye'd surely no intention, Clara, of venturing, yourself, into the public street--the open Square----?

_Clara._

[_Faintly._] I meant only to wave at the man from the door----

_Miss Gower._

Oh, Clara, that would hardly have been in place!

_Sir William._

[_Raising his hands._] In mercy's name, Trafalgar, what is befalling my household?

_Miss Gower._

[_Bursting into tears._] Oh, William----!

[_Rose and Clara creep away and join the others. Miss Gower totters to Sir William and drops her head upon his breast._]

_Sir William._

Tut, tut, tut, tut!

_Miss Gower._

[_Between her sobs._] I--I--I--I know what is in your mind.

_Sir William._

[_Drawing a long breath._] Ah--h--h--h!

_Miss Gower._

Oh, my dear brother, be patient!

_Sir William._

Patient!

_Miss Gower._

Forgive me; I should have said hopeful. Be hopeful that I shall yet succeed in ameliorating the disturbing conditions which are affecting us so cruelly.

Sm William.

Ye never will, Trafalgar; _I've_ tried.

_Miss Gower._

Oh, do not despond already! I feel sure there are good ingredients in Rose's character. [_Clinging to him._] In time, William, we shall shape her to be a fitting wife for our rash and unfortunate Arthur----

[_He shakes his head._] In time, William, in time!

_Sir William._

[_Soothing her._] Well, well, well! there, there, there! At least, my dear sister, I am perfectly aweer that I possess in you the woman above all others whose example should compel such a transformation.

_Miss Gower._

[_Throwing her arms about his neck._] Oh, brother, what a compliment----!

_Sir William._

Tut, tut, tut! And now, before Charles sets the card-table, don't you think we had better--eh, Trafalgar?

_Miss Gower._

Yes, yes--our disagreeable duty; let us discharge it. [_Sir William takes snuff._] Rose, dear, be seated. [_To everybody._] The Vice Chancellor has something to say to us. Let us all be seated.

[_There is consternation among the young people. All sit._]

_Sir William._

[_Peering about him._] Are ye seated?

_Everybody._

Yes.

_Sir William._

What I desire to say is this. When Miss Trelawny took up her residence here, it was thought proper, in the peculiar circumstances of the case, that you, Arthur--[_pointing a finger at Arthur_] you----

_Arthur._

Yes, sir.

_Sir William._

That you should remove yourself to the establishment of your sister Clara and her husband in Holies Street, round the corner--

_Arthur._

Yes, sir.

_Clara._

Yes, grandpa.

_De Foenix._

Certainly, Sir William.

_Sir William._

Taking your food in this house, and spending other certain hours here, under the surveillance of your great-aunt Trafalgar.

Miss Gower.

Yes, William.

_Sir William._

This was considered to be a decorous, and, toward Miss Trelawny, a highly respectful, course to pursue.

_Arthur._

Yes, sir.

_Miss Gower._

Any other course would have been out of place.

_Sir William._

And yet--[_again extending a finger at Arthur_] what is this that is reported to me?

_Arthur._

I don't know, sir.

_Sir William._

I hear that ye have on several occasions, at night, after having quitted this house with Captain and Mrs. De Foenix, been seen on the other side of the way, your back against the railings, gazing up at Miss Trelawny's window; and that you have remained in that position for a considerable space of time. Is this true, sir?

_Rose._

[_Boldly._] Yes, Sir William.

_Sir William._

I venture to put a question to my grandson, Miss Trelawny.

_Arthur._

Yes, sir, it is quite true.

_Sir William._

Then, sir, let me acqueent you that these are not the manners, nor the practices, of a gentleman.

_Arthur._

No, sir?

_Sir William._

No, sir, they are the manners, and the practices, of a Troubadour.

_Miss Gower._

A troubadour in Cavendish Square! quite out of place!

_Arthur._

I--I'm very sorry, sir; I--I never looked at it in that light.

_Sir William._

[_Snuffing._] Ah--h--h--h! ho! pi--i--i--sh!

_Arthur._

But at the same time, sir, I dare say--of course I don't speak from precise knowledge--but I dare say there were a good many--a good many-----

_Sir William._

Good many--what sir?

_Arthur._

A good many very respectable troubadours, sir----

_Rose._

[_Starting to her feet, heroically and defiantly. _] And what I wish to say, Sir William, is this. I wish to avow, to declare before the world, that Arthur and I have had many lengthy interviews while he has been stationed against those railings over there; I murmuring to him softly from my bedroom window, he responding in tremulous whispers----

_Sir William._

[_Struggling to his feet_]. You--you tell me such things---! [_All rise._]

_Miss Gower._

The Square, in which we have resided for years----! Our neighbors----!

_Sir William._

[_Shaking a trembling hand at Arthur. _] The--the character of my house---!

_Arthur._

Again I am extremely sorry, sir--but these are the only confidential conversations Rose and I now enjoy.

_Sir William._

[_Turning upon Clara and De Foenix._] And you, Captain de Foenix--an officer and a gentleman! and you, Clara! this could scarcely have been without your cognizance, without, perhaps, your approval----!

[_Charles, in plush and powder and wearing luxuriant whiskers, enters, carrying two branch candlesticks with lighted candles._]

_Charles._

The cawd-table, Sir William?

_Miss Gower._

[_Agitatedly._] Yes, yes, by all means, Charles; the card-table, as usual. [_To Sir William._] A rubber will comfort you, soothe you----

[_Charles carries the candlesticks to the card-table, Sir William and Miss Gower seat themselves upon a couch, she with her arm through his affectionately. Clara and De Foenix get behind the screen; their scared faces are seen occasionally over the top of it. Charles brings the card-table, opens it and arranges it, placing four chairs, which he collects from different parts of the room, round the table. Rose and Arthur talk in rapid undertones._]

_Rose._

Infamous! infamous!

_Arthur._

Be calm, Rose, dear, be calm!

_Rose._

Tyrannical! diabolical! I cannot endure it.

[_She throws herself into a chair. He stands behind her, apprehensively, endeavoring to calm her._]

_Arthur._

[_Over her shoulder._] They mean well, dearest----

_Rose._

[_Hysterically._] Well! ha, ha, ha!

_Arthur._

But they are rather old-fashioned people---

_Rose._

Old-fashioned! they belong to the time when men and women were put to the torture. I am being tortured--mentally tortured----

_Arthur._

They have not many more years in this world-----

_Rose._

Nor I, at this rate, many more months. They are killing me--like Agnes in _The Specter of St. Ives._ She expires, in the fourth act, as I shall die in Cavendish Square, painfully, of no recognized disorder--

_Arthur._

And anything we can do to make them happy----

_Rose._

To make the Vice Chancellor happy! I won't try! I will not! he's a fiend, a vampire-!

_Arthur._

Oh, hush!

_Rose._

[_Snatching up Sir William's snuff-box, which he has left upon the table._] His snuff-box! I wish I could poison his snuff, as Lucrezia Borgia would have done. She would have removed him within two hours of my arrival--I mean, her arrival. [_Opening the snuff-box and mimicing Sir William._] And here he sits and lectures me, and dictates to me! to Miss Trelawny! "I venture to put a question to my grandson, Miss Trelawny!" Ha, ha! [_Talcing a pinch of snuffy thoughtlessly but vigorously._] "Yah--h--h--h! pish! Have we no cheers? do we lack cheers here, Trafalgar?" [_Suddenly._] Oh!

_Arthur._

What have you done?

_Rose._

[_In suspense, replacing the snuff-box._] The snuff---!

_Arthur._

_Rose._ dear!

_Rose._

[_Putting her handkerchief to her nose, and rising._] Ah-----!

[_Charles, having prepared the card-table, and arranged the candlesticks upon it, has withdrawn. Miss Gower and Sir William now rise._]

_Miss Gower._

The table is prepared, William. Arthur, I assume you would prefer to sit and contemplate Rose----?

_Arthur._

Thank you, aunt.

[_Rose sneezes violently, and is led away, helplessly, by Arthur._]

_Miss Gower._

[_To Rose._] Oh, my dear child! [_Looking round._] Where are Frederick and Clara?

[_Appearing from behind the screen, shamefacedly._] Here.

[_The intending players cut the pack and seat themselves. Sir William sits facing Captain de Foenix, Miss Gower on the right of the table, and Clara on the left._]

_Arthur._

[_While this is going on, to Rose._] Are you in pain, dearest? Rose!

_Rose._

Agony!

_Arthur._

Pinch your upper lip---

[_She sneezes twice, loudly, and sinks back upon the couch._]

_Sir William._

[_Testily._] Sssh! sssh! sssh! this is to be whist, I hope.

_Miss Gower._

Rose! Rose! young ladies do not sneeze quite so continuously. [_De Foenix is dealing._]

_Sir William._

[_With gusto._] I will thank you, Captain de Foenix, to exercise your intelligence this evening to its furthest limit.

_De Foenix._

I'll twy, sir.

_Sir William._

[_Laughing unpleasantly._] He, he, he! last night, sir----

_Clara._

Poor Frederick had toothache last night, grandpa.

_Sir William._

[_Tartly._] Whist is whist, Clara, and toothache is toothache. We will endeavor to keep the two things distinct, if you please. He, he!

_Miss Gower._

Your interruption was hardly in place, Clara, dear,--ah!

_De Foenix._

Hey! what?

_Miss Gower._

A misdeal.

_Clara._

[_Faintly._] Oh, Frederick!

_Sir William._

[_Partly rising._] Captain de Foenix!

_De Foenix._

I--I'm fwightfully gwieved, sir----

[_The cards are re-dealt by Miss Gower. Rose now gives way to a violent paroxysm of sneezing. Sir William rises._]

_Miss Gower._

William-----! [_The players rise._]

_Sir William._

[_To the players._] Is this whist, may I ask?

[_They sit._]

_Sir William._

[_Standing._] Miss Trelawny--

_Rose._

[_Weakly._] I--I think I had better--what d'ye call it?--withdraw for a few moments.

_Sir William._

[_Sitting again._] Do so.

[_Rose disappears. Arthur is leaving the room with her._]

_Miss Gower._

[_Sharply._] Arthur! where are you going?

_Arthur._

[_Returning promptly._] I beg your pardon, aunt.

_Miss Gower._

Really, Arthur---!

_Sir William._

[_Rapping upon the table._] Tsch, tsch, tsch!

_Miss Gower._

Forgive me, William. [_They play._]

_Sir William._

[_Intent upon his cards._] My snuff-box, Arthur; be so obleeging as to search for it.

_Arthur._

[_Brightly._] I'll bring it to you, sir. It is on the----

_Sir William._

Keep your voice down, sir. We are playing--[_emphatically throwing down a card, as fourth player_] whist. Mine.

_Miss Gower._

[_Picking up the trick._] No, William.

_Sir William._

[_Glaring._] No!

_Miss Gower._

_Clara._played a trump.

De Foenix.

Yes, sir, Clara played a trump--the seven----

_Sir William._

I will not trouble you, Captain de Foenix, to echo Miss Gower's information.

_De Foenix._

Vevy sowwy, sir.

_Miss Gower._

[_Gently._] It was a little out of place, Frederick.

_Sir William._

Sssh! whist. [_Arthur is now on Sir William's right, with the snuff-box._] Eh? what? [_Taking the snuff-box from Arthur._] Oh, thank ye. Much obleeged, much obleeged.

[_Arthur walks away and picks up a book. Sir William turns in his chair, watching Arthur._]

_Miss Gower._

You to play, William. [_A pause._] William, dear----?

[_She also turns, following the direction of his gaze. Laying down his cards, Sir William leaves the card-table and goes over to Arthur slowly. Those at the card-table look on apprehensively._]

_Sir William._

[_In a queer voice._] Arthur.

_Arthur._

[_Shutting his book._] Excuse me, grandfather.

_Sir William._

Ye--ye're a troublesome young man, Arthur.

_Arthur._

I--I don't mean to be one, sir.

_Sir William._

As your poor father was, before ye. And if you are fool enough to marry, and to beget children, doubtless your son will follow the same course. [_Taking snuff._] Y--y--yes, but I shall be dead 'n' gone by that time, it's likely. Ah--h--h--h! pi--i--i--sh! I shall be sitting in the Court Above by that time--- [_From the adjoining room comes the sound of Rose's voice singing "Ever of Thee" to the piano. There is great consternation at the card-table. Arthur is moving towards the folding-doors, Sir William detains him._] No, no, let her go on, I beg. Let her continue. [_Returning to the card-table, with deadly calmness._] We will suspend our game while this young lady performs her operas.

_Miss Gower._

[_Rising and taking his arm._] William----!

_Sir William._

[_In the same tone._] I fear this is no' longer a comfortable home for ye, Trafalgar; no longer the home for a gentlewoman. I apprehend that in these days my house approaches somewhat closely to a Pandemonium. [_Suddenly taking up the cards, in a fury, and flinging them across the room._] And this is whist--whist----!

[_Clara and De Foenix rise and stand together. Arthur pushes open the upper part of the folding-doors._]

_Arthur._

_Rose._ stop! Rose!

[_The song ceases and Rose appears._]

_Rose._

[_At the folding-doors._] Did anyone call?

_Arthur._

You have upset my grandfather!

_Miss Gower._

Miss Trelawny, how--how dare you do anything so--so out of place?

_Rose._

There's a piano in there, Miss Gower.

_Miss Gower._

You are acquainted with the rule of this household--no music when the Vice Chancellor is within doors.

_Rose._

But there are so many rules. One of them is that you may not sneeze.

_Miss Gower._

Ha! you must never answer---

_Rose._

No, that's another rule.

_Miss Gower._

Oh, for shame!

_Arthur._

You see, aunt, Rose is young, and--and--you make no allowance for her, give her no chance----

_Miss Gower._

Great Heaven! what is this you are charging me with?

_Arthur._

I don't think the "rules" of this house are fair to Rose I oh, I must say it--they are horribly unfair!

_Miss Gower._

[_Clinging to Sir William._] Brother!

_Sir William._

Trafalgar! [_Putting her aside and advancing to Arthur._] Oh, indeed, sir! and so you deliberately accuse your great-aunt of acting toward ye and Miss Trelawny _mala fide_----

_Arthur._

Grandfather, what I intended to----

_Sir William._

I will afford ye the opportunity of explaining what ye intended to convey, downstairs, at once, in the library. [_A general shudder._] Obleege me by following me, sir. [_To Clara and De Foenix._] Captain de Foenix, I see no prospect of any further social relaxation this evening. You and Clara will do me the favor of attending in the hall, in readiness to take this young man back to Holies Street. [_Giving his arm to Miss Gower._] My dear sister---- [_To Arthur._] Now, sir.

[_Sir William and Miss Gower go out Arthur comes to Rose and kisses her._]

_Arthur._

Good-night, dearest: Oh, good-night! Oh, Rose!

_Sir William._

[_Outside the door._] Mr. Arthur Gower!

_Arthur._

I am coming, sir--- [_He goes out quickly._]

_De Foenix._

[_Approaching Rose and taking her hand sympathetically._] Haw-----! I--weally--haw!----

_Rose._

Yes, I know what you would say. Thank you, Captain Fred.

_Clara._

[_Embracing Rose._] Never mind! we will continue to let Arthur out at night as usual. I am a married woman! [_joining De Foenix_], and a married woman will turn, if you tread upon her often enough-----!

[_De Foenix and Clara depart._]

_Rose._

[_Pacing the room, shaking her hands in the air desperately._] Oh--h--h! ah--h--h!

[_The upper part of the folding-doors opens, and Charles appears._]

_Charles._

[_Mysteriously._] Miss Rose---

_Rose._

What--

_Charles._

[_Advancing._] I see Sir William h'and the rest descend the stairs. I 'ave been awaitin' the chawnce of 'andin' you this, Miss Rose.

[_He produces a dirty scrap of paper, wet and limp, with writing upon it, and gives it to her._]

_Rose._

[_Handling it daintly._] Oh, it's damp!--

_Charles._

Yes, miss; a little gentle shower 'ave been takin' place h'outside--'eat spots, cook says.

_Rose._

[_Reading._] Ah! from some of my friends. Charles.

[_Behind his hand._] Perfesshunnal, Miss Rose?

_Rose._

[_Intent upon the note._] Yes--yes---

_Charles._

I was reprimandin' the organ, miss, when I observed them lollin' against the square railin's examinin' h'our premises, and they wentured for to beckon me. An egstremely h'affable party, miss. [_Hiding his face._] Ho! one of them caused me to laff!

_Rose._

[_Excitedly._] They want to speak to me--[_referring to the note_] to impart something to me of an important nature. Oh, Charles, I know not what to do!

_Charles._

[_Languishingly._] Whatever friends may loll against them railin's h'opposite, Miss Rose, you 'ave one true friend in this 'ouse--Chawles Gibbons----

_Rose._

Thank you, Charles. Mr. Briggs, the butler, is sleeping out to-night, isn't he?

_Charles._

Yes, miss, he 'ave leave to sleep at his sister's. I 'appen to know he 'ave gone to Cremorne.

_Rose._

Then, when Sir William and Miss Gower have retired, do you think you could let me go forth; and wait at the front door while I run across and grant my friends a hurried interview?

_Charles._

Suttingly, miss.

_Rose._

If it reached the ears of Sir William, or Miss Gower, you would lose your place, Charles!

_Charles._