Two dramatic poems by Menella Bute Smedley | ||
Scene III.
Enter a Servant reading from a paper.SERVANT
‘Three steps ascending to a summer-house.’ Yes, there are the three steps. ‘A space of turf in front’— there's no doubt about the space of turf—‘And if you stand on the lowest step you will see the edge of the river and the top of the boat-house,’ (he stands as directed and looks off the scene). Do I see them? There's the river, sure enough—and what is that under the alders?
Enter Damer Grey.
SERVANT
(approaching him)
I beg your pardon, sir, but are you Mr. Grey?
GREY
Yes, that is my name.
SERVANT
Then I have a letter for you, and if you will be so kind as to read it, I can give you a full explanation.
GREY
(taking the letter)
The light's too dim, my friend. I think we must have the full explanation before the reading. Is anything amiss?
Nothing of consequence, sir. Thornley—
GREY
Who is Thornley?
SERVANT
Oh sir! I see you are not sure of me, but I know
all about it. I'm to be trusted.
(Dropping his voice)
I know all about the young lady, sir—and the boat—
and half-past twelve o'clock to-night—and where
Thornley was to wait for you. You needn't be
afraid of me, sir.
GREY
Humph!
(Aside.)
My mind misgives me, and
yet the treachery would be too black, too foul—'tis
not human.
(Aloud.)
How can I make sure of you?
Do you know my name?
SERVANT
Yes, sir; did I not call you by it? You are Mr. Raymond Grey.
(aside)
Even by this light I should scarce have thought I
could be mistaken for my own son—yet I know I
have kept my figure!
(Aloud.)
Good; and you
came from Thornley. Pray, did he tell you the
lady's name? And what made him so communicative?
If you are to be trusted it seems that he is
not.
SERVANT
I beg your pardon, sir, but that's the whole reason of it. Thornley has had a bad accident, sir, and could not keep his appointment with you—and I'm his cousin, and every whit as good an oarsman as he is—you'll find it all set down in this letter. And I'm willing to do his work for him and carry you and the young lady down to Overton, where the horses are waiting. I think I can undertake to do it in twenty minutes under the time, for a consideration. And as for the young lady's name, sir—why, I don't suppose you would be likely to name it to Thornley, but a man may guess it. We all know that you're the gentleman who wants to run away from his wedding-day;
GREY
So, so, so!
(Aside.)
If there be shame on earth
they shall suffer it. I'll not spare—I'll not wait—I'll
not hesitate. Come in, friend, I shall want you.
There!
(gives money.)
Come and wait where I tell
you.
SERVANT
Thank you, sir! I am altogether at your command.
[Exeunt Grey and Servant.
Two dramatic poems by Menella Bute Smedley | ||