Carlyon Sahib: A Drama in Four ActsMurray, Gilbert
General
Carlyon Sahib: A Drama in Four Acts
Murray, Gilbert
English drama -- 19th century
[_Starting away from her._] Like you! No, not like you! I can't be!
[ELIZABETH _rises and comes down to her_.] Oh, how did you blind
yourself? Has he sucked your heart's blood and left you dead, with no
will, no conscience, no power to think? [_With fury._] Oh, beat him back
from you! Fight him! Fight him!
ELIZABETH.
Child, child! how could one fight him? You don't know what you say!
VERA.
With his own weapons. By lies, pitiless treachery! I have seen him
afraid, Elizabeth! I have seen him afraid! [_Starting nervously._] Ah!
there is his step. Don't let him come! Keep him from me, just for one
moment, Elizabeth! If he speaks to me now I can't think. [_Running to
the window._] Oh! here I can breathe!
[_She stays with her head out of the window as before._
_Enter_ CARLYON.
CARLYON.
[_To_ ELIZABETH.] Why is she there? What have you said?
ELIZABETH.
She is frightened! I thought you had told her.
CARLYON.
You told her _that_! [_Pause._] So much the better. If she understands
one thing she will understand all. [_Cross_ L.] Well, Vera----
ELIZABETH.
[_Reaching across after him._] She understands nothing! Don't trust her!
[CARLYON _utterly disregarding_ ELIZABETH, _and walking up to_ VERA.
CARLYON.
You've had time to think. Is it to be the world or me?
VERA.
[_Turning and coming down to meet him._] I see it all clearly now,
father, and I won't be afraid any more.
END OF THE THIRD ACT.
THE FOURTH ACT
_In front of a Bungalow in the Ghautgherry Hills; the Bungalow with its
veranda occupies the left half of the stage; the rest is Compound, with
thick trees at the right. A door in the centre of the veranda leads into
the house; another, at the left, leads to_ ADENE'S _sick-room. In front,
to the right_, ADENE _is reclining in a long Singapore chair with
cushions. Just above him a table, covered with Bhojalee curiosities
which have just been taken from a box. At the table is_ RHEINHARDT
_seated, looking at the objects. Behind is_ SELIM, _an old native with
one arm, dusting the veranda with a feather mop_.
ADENE _has a Bhojalee belt in his hands, with empty sheath_; RHEINHARDT
_has the knife, and is examining it closely_.
ADENE.
The belt is said to have been Koreb's own. There is nothing particular
about the knife--an ordinary Bhojal kukri.
RHEINHARDT.
[_Holding the knife up for the light to strike its edge._] Do they use
poisoned knives in Bhojal?
ADENE.
They have the secret; but I never heard of its being used in war, except
in the last war, against us. [_He sits up and reaches for the knife,
which_ RHEINHARDT _gives_.] Do you see anything that looks like poison?
RHEINHARDT.
Come, come! [_Presses him down in the chair._] If I let you come outside
the veranda, you must be content to lie still.--Selim, two pegs lower.
[_Holds up two fingers._] And the cushions. [_To_ ADENE, _as_ SELIM
_nods his understanding_.] I never know how much that man understands.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account