A Fool's Paradise Part 20

SIR P. (_rises_) Then marry her, and don't bother me about it.

NOR. But I'm as poor as a rat, and I can't afford----

SIR P. Then, _don't_ marry her. (_crosses R.C._)

NOR. (_rises and follows SIR PETER_) But it has reached my ears, that Selwyn's going to leave her everything. (_SIR PETER p.r.i.c.ks up his ears_) If that is really so, it would suit my book to a T; and I thought you might know something about it.

SIR P. Well, sir?

NOR. And tell me.

SIR P. In what capacity? As a physician?

NOR. No--as a friend.

SIR P. As Mr. Selwyn's friend--betray his confidence?

NOR. No--as _my_ friend.

SIR P. But I am _not_ your friend.

NOR. Well, as between two men of the world. Miss Derwent's an awfully nice girl, but you know, one must look after the dibs.

SIR P. Sir, I may be a man of the world, or I may not, but I do not hold consultations in that capacity. Good evening. (_going R._)

NOR. Sir Peter! One moment! (_following. Exit SIR PETER, followed by NORMANTOWER, R.I.D. KATE staggers from conservatory, L.C., and drops into sofa, the picture of desolation._)

_Re-enter LORD NORMANTOWER, R.I.D. Stops short on seeing KATE._

NOR. (R.C.) There she is. (_stands looking at KATE_)

KATE. (_giving her eyes a final wipe and rising, aside_) I don't care.

(_pockets handkerchief_)

NOR. (_goes to her_) Miss Derwent, you've been crying. Something's the matter.

KATE. Don't trouble about _me._ _I'm_ "all right."

NOR. "All right?" (_aside_) Do sit down!

KATE. Thanks, I prefer to stand.

NOR. But I don't like you to stand.

KATE. I'm sorry if my att.i.tude is not sufficiently elegant to satisfy your lordship's fastidious taste.

NOR. Miss Derwent!

KATE. But I was not born graceful. I don't think I was properly finished off. Nature has left "a screw loose" somewhere. (_crosses R._)

NOR. (C.) "A screw loose?" (_nonplussed_)

KATE. What perplexes your lordship? (_sits R. by piano_)

NOR. (_goes to her_) Miss Derwent, tell me--why did you ever want to leave Ravenhurst? Don't think me impertinent. I have a reason for asking.

KATE. And I had a reason for leaving.

NOR. Were you uncomfortable?

KATE. Oh dear, no! Mr. Selwyn has always insisted on my being treated with every consideration.

NOR. Ah! Philip thinks a lot of _you,_ doesn't he?

KATE. I think, he likes me. I don't know about "a lot."

NOR. Perhaps you felt yourself in rather a false position?

KATE. (_rises_) What do you mean?

NOR. Nothing--I only meant--I don't know what I meant.

KATE. Perhaps I thought, that I might _better_ my position.

NOR. But if you were so comfortable----

KATE. Comfort isn't everything. Ravenhurst's an awfully nice place: but--(_facing him_) "You know, one must look after the dibs."

NOR. (_stands dumbfounded--pause_) Then, you heard my conversation with Sir Peter?

KATE. Every word of it.

NOR. Well, it serves me right. (_goes down to C._)

KATE. (_advances towards him_) And me as well--for listening--but I'm glad I did. Now, I know what you are, and what you want. You are for sale! Heart, soul, mind, body and estate--without reserve, and open to all bidders. I am only a governess--I have no money to buy you, and I don't _want_ to buy you! Knock yourself down to anyone you please!

What do _I_ care? (_a step or two away_)

NOR. Hear me, one moment. I have been misled. (_follows_)

KATE. (_turns sharply on him_) And so have I. I thought, at last, that I had met a _man!_--A man whom I could love----

NOR. Miss Derwent! (_enraptured_)

KATE. Whom I could honour--whom I could even obey!

NOR. Kate! (_holds out his hands_)

KATE. (_smacks his hands down and draws back up stage, R.C., a step; during speech, she backs towards R.U.D._) Don't call me "Kate." It wasn't _you._ It was another man altogether--a creature of my fancy--whom I had met in dreams--but whom I loved--with such a love as never entered into your sordid soul--for whom I would have died--for whom I would have worked, toiled, slaved, from morning until night--who possessed the whole heart of a woman who has never loved before, but who has cast it from him and has broken it! (_at door; exit, R.U.D._)