New-York tribune., 1912-01-28
The Divine Sarah Has Written Play

out Of the Darnidoff duel without even
scratch Sabine welcomes him with open
arms, although she suddenly develops an
Ihsenian streak and explains at length
that while she formerly loved him as a
saint she will henceforth love him as a
man. which is not by any means an un-
pleasant way Of being loved
Incredibly enough, although such con-
duct Is necessary 10 bring about the final
tragedy. Jeanne de Valreal comes back to
live with Paul and Sabine. She has cast
from her memory the passionate night
which preceded the duel, and she Is busily
engaged I'm fashloning Sabine after her
ideal of what Pauls ideal wife should he.
All, but female Iago Is prowling
around the trio and incidents interpreted
by her "venomous tongue" reveal to Sabine
the identity of the mysterious woman who
was not Ninon and who spent with PAU
the hours preceding the Darnidoff duel
Thereupon Sabine loses her manners and
spits in Jeannes face. This proves too
much for a forty-year- female poet by
the romantic name of Valreal. There is a
window conveniently open. out of it the
wretched female poet jumps.
Sarah does not tell us. but we assume
tNdl llt NlIubN was llkH 'h'Nc'' ~ l'N
clude a repetition Of the triangular modus
vivendi la Ethan Frome
And the effect Of the whole thing upon
the hardened theatregoing public is up
! roarous and side splitting. Its farcical
possibilities are unlimited.
The play in one act, called "A Confession"
which follows "A Mans Heart" is even
more Of a heartrending tragedy. II out
Sardous Sardou by four or five thrills. The
first play at least contained genuine
comedy. scenes meant by the author TO
be frankly comical; there were three
young Americans who licked three young
Cubans to demonstrate the superiority OF
Anglo-Saxons; there was a boor of re-
porter: there was that Darnidon person
and the little girl who simply won't hold
her tongue and constantly unlocks the
closet where they keep the family skeleton.
All those pleasant diversions relieved the
gloom cmanating from the action proper.
Confession" on the other hand, Is coated
all over with thick brown satin.
General Count OF Roca (42). whose name
is I'm. itself sufficient guarantee OF heroic
defamation and tragic gesticulation, was
sent with perfect timelfness by heartless
government to accomplish great things IN
Morocco. While he was pacifying the
Nloors. the Countess C29) was taken ad-
vantage OF" by the Counts nephew, DIR.
Robert (27). who is also the family phys-
clan.
In due time the Countess becomes a
mother. When the curtain rises the child
is gravely III: his life is almost despaired
Of The grieving Countess. in very EFF
la 20 an1i
ence the identity of the child's real father.
So intent Is she upon rendering the piece
with all the possible oratorical effects that
does not hear the footsteps of the General
Count.
What speakest thou abandoned
woman"
Forgive me. forgive me, pleads the
abandoned one on both knees
His name, his name" This is the first
thrill
Second thrill The child conceived in
sin. must die" When DR.. Roberts knocks
at the door, the lock is drawn and the
General Count. fully decided To leave the
infant to his fate. stands between him and
medical help. AZ the precise instant when
this attitude would compromise his pop
ularity with the feminine part of the audi
ence he relents and opens the door. Or.
Robert does his best. according to his
medical light and then 0hird thrilD the
two men face each other
The problem is horribly complex. The
General Count does not care to shoot Rob
ert; he has principles Neither can uncle
and nephew cross swords with propriety.
There is only one solution left; Robert must
kin himself; he is unbuttoning his frock
coat to facilitate the bullets entrance into
his heart Fourth thrilD, when the Coun-
tess, In the adjoining room. utters cry
of horror. The child Is dead. And more
or less logically, the General Count de-
clares that it no longer behooyes men to
administer justice, and that the appropri-
ate atonement for Roberts crime VIII be
provided by Gods wisdom. He takes away
Roberts pistol, Robert buttons up his
frock coat, and the curtain drops
THE OBSCIIRE