In Honour Bound Part 5

(_reflectively_)

_PHILIP comes, L., and stands before LADY CARLYON._

PHILIP. Good night. (_puts out his hand_)

LADY C. (_giving him her hand slowly, which he takes and drops_) Good night. (_exit PHILIP, quickly, L._) How glad he is to go! (_drops down on seat again, L., leaning her head back, pressed between her hands--slight pause--ROSE comes down_)

ROSE. Is anything the matter?

LADY C. I beg your pardon, dear. (_rises and puts her arm round ROSE and leads her to the lounge_) I don't feel very well to-night.

ROSE. Sit down and let me talk to you. A chat will cheer you perhaps.

_LADY CARLYON sits upon the lounge before the fire--ROSE kneels beside her, on the further side from audience, so that both their faces are visible._

LADY C. I am so glad to have you with me, Rose. I wish I had you always. I am very lonely.

ROSE. You have Uncle George!

LADY C. Sir George is always busy, and I do not care to interrupt him.

ROSE. But he has _some_ leisure.

LADY C. I never knew him to have any, since I was his wife. It's not his fault. A man in his position has so much to do. When he is not in court, he is in Parliament.

ROSE. He is at home to-night.

LADY C. And when he is at home, he is at work.

ROSE. Poor lonely aunt! (_clasps her arms round her_) I told you at the theatre how like you were to Madame de Saint Geran in the play.

LADY C. Don't let us talk about that cruel play.

ROSE. Why was it cruel?

LADY C. What did it make you think of Madame de Saint Geran?

ROSE. Well--I thought she was a very wicked woman. Wasn't she?

LADY C. Perhaps. But if we had been told her history--if we had ever been in her position--we might have sympathised with her. Were you ever in love?

ROSE. Yes! I mean no! I can't exactly say.

LADY C. If you had been, you wouldn't hesitate. There is no doubt about it. It is a weird thing. Sometimes it leads to heights, sometimes to depths. I do not say it is an excuse. All I say is, those who have never loved are not ent.i.tled to judge those who have. Wait till you are in love yourself, before you judge poor Madame de Saint Geran. And if you ever should be----

ROSE. Oh, I shall be!

LADY C. Marry for love, my dear, or not at all.

ROSE. What did _you_ marry for?

LADY C. (_stroking ROSE'S hair_) I didn't marry; I was married. Don't ask me any more.

ROSE. Poor Aunt Bell! lie down, and let me play to you. (_rises_)

LADY C. Do, dear. I am too tired to talk. (_she lies back on the lounge, ROSE goes to the piano_)

ROSE. (_sitting at piano_) What shall I play you?

LADY C. Anything you please.

_ROSE plays on the piano--LADY CARLYON, with the firelight flickering about her, gradually falls asleep._

_Music._

ROSE. Aunt! (_turning_) Aunt! (_rises and goes on tip-toe to the back of the lounge_) She's fast asleep. (_covers LADY CARLYON with the cloaks, until the upper part of her figure is quite hidden, and then stands surveying her_) How pretty she looks! but how pale! I like you, aunt! I never saw you till to-day, but I like you. (_comes down_) If I stop I shall wake her. (_crosses to C._) I'll lower the lamp and go.

(_lowers the lamp and crosses behind desk to R. at back_) Good night, Aunt Bell! (_bending over the further end of the lounge_) Good night--(_kisses her softly_)--and pleasant dreams! (_Exit, R._)

_The room is now in darkness, except for the firelight, which throws a strong glow over LADY CARLYON, so that her slightest movement is quite visible to the audience, but not from the L. side of the desk. At present she is fast asleep and motionless._

_Re-enter SIR GEORGE, L., followed by PHILIP._

SIR G. Yes, they have gone to bed. The lamp has been turned down. Now we can smoke. (_about to turn lamp up_)

PHILIP. Don't turn it up, please. This half light is charming.

SIR G. Just as you like, but I can scarcely see you. (_takes up cigar box_)

PHILIP. (_aside_) So much the better.

SIR G. A cigar? (_offers box_)

PHILIP. Thanks. (_takes one_)

SIR G. Now we can talk more comfortably. (_takes a cigar himself while PHILIP lights his with a match which he then hands to SIR GEORGE_) Thanks. (_PHILIP sits, L., SIR GEORGE, C._) As I was saying, Rose being my ward, I am concerned in this affair, and what I just now recommended as a friend, in my position as her guardian I can insist upon.

PHILIP. I have already said, Sir George, that I intend to act on your advice.

SIR G. How does the matter stand?

PHILIP. Exactly as it stood when I left England. It was a friendship, nothing but a friendship.

SIR G. Friendship?

PHILIP. Dangerous, no doubt; that's why I went abroad.

SIR G. Have you communicated with the lady since?

PHILIP. Never.