Plays of William E. Henley and R.L. Stevenson Part 36

_To these_, DOROTHY, _L. U. E._ DOROTHY, _unseen by_ AUSTIN, _shrieks_.

_Sensation_. _Music stops_. _Tableau_

AUSTIN (_recovering his composure_). Your Royal Highness, suffer me to excuse the disrespect of this young gentleman. He has so much apology, and I have, I hope, so good a credit, as incline me to accept this blow.

But I must beg of your Highness, and, gentlemen, all of you here present, to bear with me while I will explain what is too capable of misconstruction. I am the rejected suitor of this young gentleman's sister; of Miss Dorothy Musgrave: a lady whom I singularly honour and esteem; a word from whom (if I could hope that word) would fill my life with happiness. I was not worthy of that lady; when I was defeated in fair field, I presumed to make advances through her maid. See in how laughable a manner fate repaid me! The waiting-girl derided, the mistress denied, and now comes in this very ardent champion who publicly insults me. My vanity is cured; you will judge it right, I am persuaded, all of you, that I should accept my proper punishment in silence; you, my Lord Duke, to pardon this young gentleman; and you, Mr. Musgrave, to spare me further provocation, which I am determined to ignore.

DOROTHY (_rus.h.i.+ng forward_, _falling at_ AUSTIN'S _knees_, _and seizing his hand_). George, George, it was for me. My hero! take me! What you will!

AUSTIN (_in an agony_). My dear creature, remember that we are in public. (_Raising her_.) Your Royal Highness, may I present you Mrs.

George Frederick Austin? (_The Curtain falls on a few bars of the_ '_La.s.s of Richmond Hill_.')

THE END

ADMIRAL GUINEA

DEDICATED WITH AFFECTION AND ESTEEM TO ANDREW LANG BY THE SURVIVORS OF THE _WALRUS_

SAVANNAH, this 27_th_ day of _September_ 1884

PERSONS REPRESENTED

JOHN GAUNT, called 'ADMIRAL GUINEA,' once Captain of the Slaver _Arethusa_.

ARETHUSA GAUNT, his Daughter.

DAVID PEW, a Blind Beggar, once Boatswain of the _Arethusa_

KIT FRENCH, a Privateersman.

MRS. DRAKE, Landlady of the _Admiral Benbow_ Inn.

The Scene is laid in the neighbourhood of Barnstaple. The Time is about the year 1760. The action occupies part of a day and night.

NOTE.-_Pa.s.sages suggested for omission in representation are enclosed in square brackets_, _thus_ [ ].

ACT I.

_The Stage represents a room in the Admiral Guinea's house_: _fireplace_, _arm-chair_, _and table with Bible_, _L._, _towards the front_; _door C._, _with window on each side_, _the window on the R._, _practicable_; _doors_, _R. and L._, _back_; _corner cupboard_, _a bra.s.s-strapped sea-chest fixed to the wall and floor_, _R._; _cutla.s.ses_, _telescopes_, _s.e.xtant_, _quadrant_, _a calendar_, _and several maps upon the wall_; _a s.h.i.+p clock_; _three wooden chairs_; _a dresser against wall_, _R. C._; _on the chimney-piece the model of a brig and several sh.e.l.ls_. _The centre bare of furniture_. _Through the widows and the door_, _which is open_, _green trees and a small field of sea_.

SCENE I

ARETHUSA _is discovered_, _dusting_

ARETHUSA. Ten months and a week to-day! Now for a new mark. Since the last, the sun has set and risen over the fields and the pleasant trees at home, and on Kit's lone s.h.i.+p and the empty sea. Perhaps it blew; perhaps rained; (_at the chart_) perhaps he was far up here to the nor'ard, where the icebergs sail; perhaps at anchor among these wild islands of the snakes and buccaneers. O, you big chart, if I could see him sailing on you! North and South Atlantic; such a weary sight of water and no land; never an island for the poor lad to land upon. But still, G.o.d's there.

(_She takes down the telescope to dust it_.) Father's spy-gla.s.s again; and my poor Kit perhaps with such another, sweeping the great deep!

SCENE II

ARETHUSA; _to her_, KIT, _C._ [_He enters on tiptoe_, _and she does not see or hear him_]

ARETHUSA (_dusting telescope_). At sea they have less dust at least: that's so much comfort.

KIT. Sweetheart, ahoy!

ARETHUSA. Kit!

KIT. Arethusa.

ARETHUSA. My Kit! Home again-O my love!-home again to me!

KIT. As straight as wind and tide could carry me!

ARETHUSA. O Kit, my dearest. O Kit-O! O!

KIT. Hey? Steady, la.s.s: steady, I say. For goodness' sake, ease it off.

ARETHUSA. I will, Kit-I will. But you came so sudden.

KIT. I thought ten months of it about preparation enough.

ARETHUSA. Ten months and a week: you haven't counted the days as I have.

Another day gone, and one day nearer to Kit: that has been my almanac.

How brown you are! how handsome!

KIT. A pity you can't see yourself! Well, no, I'll never be handsome: brown I may be, never handsome. But I'm better than that, if the proverb's true; for I'm ten hundred thousand fathoms deep in love. I bring you a faithful sailor. What! you don't think much of that for a curiosity? Well, that's so: you're right; the rarity is in the girl that's worth it ten times over. Faithful? I couldn't help it if I tried! No, sweetheart, and I fear nothing: I don't know what fear is, but just of losing you. (_Starting_.) Lord, that's not the Admiral?

ARETHUSA. Aha, Mr. Dreadnought! you see you fear my father.

KIT. That I do. But, thank goodness, it's n.o.body. Kiss me: no, I won't kiss you: kiss _me_. I'll give you a present for that. See!