The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-09
ACT III.

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girl he thought innocent of so much
as Irritation had received love let
ters-written love letters-with an
other man--had gone through all
the business-before he appeared
upon the scene at ALL Nothing TO be
afraid of? Everything-everything.
If lose his respect what will remain
of his love? Low dies without re-
spect. To lose his love-to become
that miserable thing, n wife unloved
lit is hard price tc pay for a girls
mistake. And i might have de-
stroyed the packet! No no
never!--it was cowardly thought
base and unworthy thought. Obi
Here he is
(Enter Lord Avenel)
Lord A. Good morning, my dear, /,
Kisses her kindly. Throws his let
ters, including the packet, carelessly
on the table.) Where is Vernon?
Lady A. He was here five minutes ago.
Gone to the stables. belle~e or
something else. Let us have up
breakfast. (Rings bell) We needn't
wait for Charlie.
enter Martin with tray, places it on
table. They sit down. Martin takes
off covers.)
Lady A. You need not stay, Martin
/ will wait on his lordship. exit
Martin.)
Lord A. You mean, my dear, that
am to wait upon you. But why send
away the faithful Martin?
Lady A. He can come back presently,
perhaps. I have something to say to
you, first, Guy--in his absence.
Lord A. Is it something very terrible? 4?
You look, my dear, as grave as Rhad'
amanth,E.
Lady A. 1t is confession. Every con-
fession isfterrible.
Lord A. Then. my dear, don't make IL.
(Gets up and leans over her) What is
the matter, Isabel? You look quite
pale and anxious.
Lady A. 1t is the confession
Lord A. Then / say, don't make it--I
don't want your confessions, my
dear.
Lady A. You must hear me. Sit down
and listen
Lord A. Well--you have your own way
always. Is Vernon to have the con-
fession as well?
Lady A. You shall answer that ques-
ton for yourself. Obi Guy--how
shall begin?
Lord A. Better begin somewhere near
the end-so as TO get 1t over. That's
A.cx 1x.rox - xfrx.x-
sions. Come, Isabel, my dear, one
would think you had committed
some kind of crime.
Lady A. I believe it is crime. But
you shall hear. It's the confession
of situation.
Lord A. Asituation? Well-let us have
tho situation. In n play, they tell
] me. the situation is everything.
Lady A. There was once a boy ana
Lord A. Not uncommon. The world
is very much made that way.
Lady A. Oh! Guy, believe met is
very, very serious.
Lord A. Go on, dear-with the boy and
girl.
Lady A. They were very much to-
! gether when they were children.
When the boy went to school they
wrote to each other
Lord A. Dear mel This Is very rarc
and wonderful.
Lady A. They continued to write to
each other
Lord A. Did they, really?
Lady A. Please do not mock, Guy. It
is very, very serious. How can 1
go on? Well, they wrote to each
other after the girl had come out,
when they ought not, you know
1t was secret ngagement-because
they thought they were in love with
I each other.
lord A. Lots OF young people write
to each other because they fancy they
are in love. 1t is common hallucina-
tion. II is not generally known, but
half the private houses in this coun-
try are private lunatic asylums in
consequence.
Lady A. Guy-I am SO miserable and
you will not be serious.
Lord A. Let me take kidney, nv
dearest wife, and a cup of tea and
then / will listen. Sorry Charlie is
not here while the kidneys are hot
Will you take one? or an egg? Moth.
ing? A little buttered toast-there
now-silence for a brief space. (Eats
breakfast.)
Lady A. Qays her head in her hand
and sighs.)
Lord A. Qooks up.) Dear child
(Finds and takes her hand and kisses
IT. you don't look well enough 20 90
on with the story. Suppose / finish
1t for you-(Pushes chair round,
takes up newspaper and makes a
kind of fan with il to hide his wife's
face-plays with IL as he speaks)
fes, think can finish that story.
They wrote 70 each other, this pair of
semi-attached lovers, for some time.
Their letters became ardent, as be-
comes young lovers. As for the
young gentleman, Romeo himself
was not more extrnvagant lover. or
course have never seen his letters,
but / can quite understand them