New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-13
In Local Piaybouses Last Niebf.

versation would have been audible all over the
neighborhood The Duchess is unable to stand II
any longer. Must co. Miserable, pale, heart
broken Doctor ought not to have spoken Too
bad. Consents TO see Doctor agan-"soon." soon"
won't do for Doctor. Duchess is Obliged 10 accept
amendment. and. finally, she makes appointment
for o'clock following afternoon at Doctors pri-
vate house The Duchess gets into position
X L T., in doorway, in full view of any one In
the grounds, and she and the Doctor have been
shouting like two escaped lunatic elocutionists As
the curtain falls DR.. Morey is clinging her, de-
tanning her. and kissing her hands
Act Second.-Abbe Daniel IS about 10 leave his
dwelling TO visit the bed Of a dying baker lady
arrives and insists seeing him 1t is the Duchess
She discloses her Identity mentions her visits TO
his church; thanks him for the help she has de-
rived from him: and tells him she leaving
home. 10 20 to DR.. Morey's house apparently with
the intention OF giving herself that lover),
when a letter arrived for her-a letter written by
Daniel asking, from the Duchess de Chailes
aware that she was his penitent. pecuniary assist
ance Tor his dispensary She declares that the
rival Of that letter an intervention of Provi-
dence, Ito save her" The Able directs her to
main, and pray before his altar. when DIR. Morey
suddenly bursts into the room. The Doctor has
been worried about his loss Of influence over the
Duchess. and therefore has watched and followed
her; and he is furious finding her closeted with
his brother DR.. Morey states his relationship
Daniel says he is intrudng on q sacred occasion
and should retire The Duchess denlurs: he shall
remain and she will settle things with him on the
spot. The Able departs The Doctor reproaches
the Duchess for having deceived him, and, espe-
cla!ly Tor having said she unbeliever,' at
the very moment when she was seeking help in the
church; urges her 10 consider that will be time
enough 10 repent when she is old; states that
it is her duty well as her right TO be
as happy possible now-because existence
ends with death; afirms that the only way
to happiness is love- and that he, the Doctor.
IS the only person who can supply that article:
assumes that she cannot deny his power her
and that she must love him. Then the Duchess
takes the floor admits that the Doctors influence Is
great but says it Is not continuous; asseverates
that she Will always resist it and seek religious
aid. Reference to the Church exasperates the Doc
tor, and he interjects the remark that 1t is not
hglon only, but brother Daniel that interests the
Duchess This makes her furious. The Able
turns. and again suggests the Doctors departure.
The Duchess says that their conversation is ended
and she wthdraws Daniel and the Doctor have a
braying match-the great" scene of the play. Dan
lei demands that brother Henri shall give up the
woman, for the good Of her soul. Brother Henri
advises Daniel not to worry much about the
womans soul, but to give her up for the sake Of
her happiness; and Henri goes remark that
IL is not much the soul that the Able cares for
as II is the body, and that he would not for
this if the beautiful Duchess were old. This is a
blow beneath the belt, and the Abbe is horrihed
Henri adds that Daniel cannot remain priest. and
reproves him, saying that for Henri God does not
exist The Doctor shouts that he will acknowledge
"a for the sake OF conquerng Him. and in
quires IN a stentorian voice for the most solemn
Trims by which ne can swear; then, seeing the
Abbes altar, with cross. is rushing over 10 swear
upon f. when Daniel prevents him. mentioning
blasphemy. and orders Henri of hts room The
Doctor says he will 90, but that he will win. He
goes. Daniel. being left alone distressfulIy
mates over his brothers reference to love and the
Duchess; seems TO think there is something in it.
and festooHs himself across a table. cIutching at
his top hair.
Act Third. Servant Of the Duke comes to see
Bishop Bolene; asks if the Duchess has arrived
says that FIVE minutes after the Duchess left home
saying she would visit the Bishop. the Duke Jumped
out OF a window, just DR.. Morey was coming
mp the path. and that he IS dying. Makes known
request 10 Dr. Mercy that Duchess be kept one
hour at least, and then told Of the catastrophe
Servant shown out one door and Duchess in at an
other. She states her case TO Bishop; says that
when her husband dies. which must be soon she
Will enter convent and remain there for the rest
OF her life Bishop says IS an egotist and is
taking pleasure IN the trouble she is giving herself
about sins she has not committed; says with truth
that her Of mind is the result overweeninE
self-impoFtance. and that the devil is not nearly
80 anxious about her she appears 10 think-be-
ing busy all the time with more important mat
ters Duchess has told Bishop that she is fright
ened by remarks of Or. Henri, in regard TO her
interest IN the Able Daniel but suggests that per
haps, she might not md much help in another
priest. The Able IS announced. The Duchess is
much upset. This lady, indeed. is allowed no
time to right herself but is upset every little
while Bishop escorts her into a chapel, tell
ing her 10 pray. Duchess says she is not in
terested in the living Bishop advises her 10
pray for the dead Duke being dead this is dra-
mattel Able comes on-much upset: says he ought
not TO remain q priest; that he is frightened
by remarks Of DR.. Henri; is too much interested
IN the Duchess; that. although there is nothing
base in his thoughts ne should be miserable if the
Duke died and the Duchess then married anybody
else: proclaims conviction that the Duchesss soul
belongs 10 him, and that he ought to be allowed 10
it. The Bishop tells the Abbs that he is jeaI-
GUS fThat old ecclesiastc is the really bright
spot in the play, for he arrives obvious
illusions with refreshing ceerityl Bishop also
mentions the little accident to the Duke. He says
the Able must remain priest. Able agrees. If
Bishop viii take him 10 the leper settlement
in Asia Bishop consents. condition that Able
VIII Duchess before he goes. Duchess is called
from chapel and she and Daniel ara left together
Daniel is sweetly self-sacrihcing: poses all over
the stands up straight that he nearly falls
over backward: tells Duchess ne has had a change
Of heart; assures Duchess that she should love
Doctor Duchess is much distressed at the prospect
of losing Able among the Asatc lepers, hut is
overjoyed az being told she ought to love physi-
clan She has a rapture, but suddenly 10
and remembers the ricketty Duke Rounds on
Able Wildly excited; says It cannot be right as
Duke still lives. The Bishop and DR.. Morey have
entered unobserved. Bishop interrupts, stating
hat the Duke is dead Duchess touched but re-
signed. Tells Doctor that he must embrace Able
before they part-as he owes him much" C1azes
fondly on the Doctor. then for he deceased
Duke. Brothers clasp hands Bishop beams Grief
and happiness combined Picture.
In the posture OF circumstances primarily dis
ulayed-the morphine Duke being a doomed man
who can live but little while.-the Duchess and
the Doctor had only to walt. There was no need