Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour. Maugham William Somerset

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Mereston

      Of course.

Lady Mereston

      [Impatiently.] Good heavens, the boy's out of his senses. Paradine, for Heaven's sake say something.

Fouldes

      Well, much as it may displease you, my dear, I'm afraid I agree with Charlie.

Lady Mereston

      You don't mean to say you believe this cock-and-bull story?

Fouldes

      I do.

Lady Mereston

      Why?

Fouldes

      Well, you see, Lady Frederick's a very clever woman. She would never have invented such an utterly improbable tale, which can't possibly be proved. If she'd been guilty, she'd have had ready at least a dozen proofs of her innocence.

Lady Mereston

      But that's absurd.

Fouldes

      Besides, I've known Lady Frederick a long time, and she has at least a thousand faults.

Lady Frederick

      [With flashing eyes.] Thanks.

Fouldes

      But there's something I will say for her. She's not a liar. If she tells me a thing, I don't hesitate for a moment to believe it.

Lady Frederick

      It's not a matter of the smallest importance if any of you believe me or not. Be so good as to ring, Charlie.

Mereston

      Certainly.

[He rings, and a Servant immediately comes in.Lady Frederick

      Tell my servant that he's to come here at once and bring the despatch-box which is in my dressing-room.

Servant

      Yes, miladi.

[Exit.Fouldes

      [Quickly.] I say, what are you going to do?

Lady Frederick

      That is absolutely no business of yours.

Fouldes

      Be a brick, Betsy, and don't give her those letters.

Lady Frederick

      I think I've had enough of this business. I'm proposing to finish with it.

Fouldes

      Temper, temper.

Lady Frederick

      [Stamping her foot.] Don't say temper to me, Paradine.

[She walks up and down angrily. Paradine sits at the piano and with one finger strums "Rule Britannia."Mereston

      Shut up.

[He takes a book, flings it at his head and misses.Fouldes

      Good shot, sir.

Lady Frederick

      I often wonder how you got your reputation for wit, Paradine.

Fouldes

      By making a point of laughing heartily at other people's jokes.

[The Footman enters with the despatch-box, which Lady Frederick opens. She takes a bundle of letters from it.Fouldes

      Betsy, Betsy, for heaven's sake don't! Have mercy.

Lady Frederick

      Was mercy shown to me? Albert!

Footman

      Yes, miladi.

Lady Frederick

      You'll go to the proprietor of the hotel and tell him that I propose to leave Monte Carlo to-morrow.

Mereston

      [Aghast.] Are you going?

Footman

      Very well, my lady.

Lady Frederick

      Have you a good memory for faces?

Footman

      Yes, my lady.

Lady Frederick

      You're not likely to forget Lord Mereston?

Footman

      No, my lady.

Lady Frederick

      Then please take note that if his lordship calls upon me in London I'm not at home.

Mereston

      Lady Frederick!

Lady Frederick

      [To Footman.] Go.

[Exit Footman.Mereston

      What d'you mean? What have I done?

[Without answering Lady Frederick takes the letters. Paradine is watching her anxiously. She goes up to the stove and throws them in one by one.Lady Mereston

      What on earth is she doing?

Lady Frederick

      I have some letters here which would ruin the happiness of a very worthless woman I know. I'm burning them so that I may never have the temptation to use them.

Fouldes

      I never saw anything so melodramatic.

Lady Frederick

      Hold your tongue, Paradine. [Turning to Mereston.] My dear Charlie, I came to Monte Carlo to be amused. Your mother has persecuted me incessantly. Your uncle – is too well-bred to talk to his servants as he has talked to me. I've been pestered in one way and another, and insulted till my blood boiled, because apparently they're afraid you may want to marry me. I'm sick and tired of it. I'm not used to treatment of this sort; my patience is quite exhausted. And since you are the cause of the whole thing I have an obvious remedy. I would much rather not have anything more to do with you. If we meet one another in the street you need not trouble to look my way because I shall cut you dead.

Lady Mereston

      [In an undertone.] Thank God for that.

Mereston

      Mother, mother. [To Lady Frederick.] I'm awfully sorry. I feel that you have a right to be angry. For all that you've suffered I beg your pardon most humbly. My mother has said and done things which I regret to say are quite unjustifiable.

Lady Mereston

      Charlie!

Mereston

      On her behalf and on mine I apologise with all my heart.

Lady Frederick

      [Smiling.] Don't take it too seriously. It really doesn't matter. But I think it's far wiser that we shouldn't see one another again.

Mereston

      But I can't live without you.

Lady Mereston

      [With a gasp.] Ah!

Mereston

      Don't you know that my whole happiness is wrapped up in you? I love you with all my heart and soul. I can never love any one but you.

Fouldes

      [To Lady Mereston.] Now you've done it. You've done it very neatly.

Mereston

      Don't think me a presumptuous fool. I've been wanting to say this ever since I knew you, but I haven't dared. You're brilliant and charming and fascinating, but I have nothing whatever to offer you.

Lady Frederick

      [Gently.] СКАЧАТЬ