Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honor Part 18

[_He appears and comes into the room._

LADY FREDERICK.

Did you know that Captain Montgomerie was going to propose to me?

GERALD.

Yes.

LADY FREDERICK.

Is there any reason why I should marry him?

GERALD.

Only that I owe him nine hundred pounds.

LADY FREDERICK.

[_Aghast._] Oh, why didn't you tell me?

GERALD.

You were so worried, I couldn't. Oh, I've been such a fool. I tried to make a _coup_ for Rose's sake.

LADY FREDERICK.

Is it a gambling debt?

GERALD.

Yes.

LADY FREDERICK.

[_Ironically._] What they call a debt of honour?

GERALD.

I must pay it the day after to-morrow without fail.

LADY FREDERICK.

But that's the day my two bills fall due. And if you don't?

GERALD.

I shall have to send in my papers, and I shall lose Rosie. And then I shall blow out my silly brains.

LADY FREDERICK.

But who is the man?

GERALD.

He's the son of Aaron Levitzki, the money-lender.

LADY FREDERICK.

[_Half-comic, half-aghast._] Oh lord!

END OF THE FIRST ACT

THE SECOND ACT

_The scene is the same as in_ ACT I. ADMIRAL CARLISLE _is sleeping in an armchair with a handkerchief over his face_. ROSE _is sitting on a grandfather's chair, and_ GERALD _is leaning over the back_.

ROSE.

Isn't papa a perfectly adorable chaperon?

[_The_ ADMIRAL _snores_.

GERALD.

Perfectly.

[_A pause._

ROSE.

I've started fifteen topics of conversation in the last quarter of an hour, Gerald.

GERALD.

[_Smiling._] Have you?

ROSE.

You always agree with me, and there's an end of it. So I have to rack my brains again.

GERALD.