If there is one form of theft utterly unforgivable it is the theft by a writer of another writer's undeveloped ideas. Borrow the plot of Sir J. M. Barrie's last play, and you do him no harm; you only write yourself down a plagiarist. But listen to the scenario of his next play (if he is kind enough to read it to you) and write it up before he has time to develop it himself, and you do him a grievous wrong; for you fix the charge of plagiarism on _him_. Surely, you say, no author could sink so low as this. And yet, when I got home, the plot of "Disappointment" (with one "s") so took hold of me that I did the unforgivable thing; I went to my desk and wrote the opera. I make no excuses for myself. I only point out that Bobby's opera, as performed at Covent Garden in Italian, with Short's music conducted by Richter, is not likely to be belittled by anything that I may write here. I have only written in order that I may get the scenario--which had begun to haunt me--off my chest. Bobby, I know, will understand and forgive; Short I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting, but I believe he is smaller than Bobby. ACT I. SCENE--_A grand restaurant. Enter Tommy, a very handsome man, just back from Oxford._ _Tommy sings:_ Felicia, I love you, By all the stars above you I swear you shall be mine!-- And now I'm going to dine. [_He sits down and orders a bottle of ginger-beer and some meringues._ _Waiter._ Your dinner, Sir. _Tommy._ Thank you. And would you ask Mr. Reynolds to come in, if you see him? (_To the audience_) A week ago I was crossing the Channel--(_enter Reynolds_)--Oh, here you are, Reynolds! I was just saying that a week ago I was crossing the Channel when I saw the most beautiful girl I have ever seen who had lost her umbrella. I said, "Excuse me, but is this your umbrella?" She said, "Yes." Reynolds, I sat down and fell in love with her. Her name was Felicia. And now I must go and see about something. [_Exit._ _Reynolds._ Poor Tommy! An awfully decent chap if ever there was one. But he will never marry Felicia, because I happen to know her real name is Phyllis, and she is engaged to Samuel. (_Recitative._) She is engaged to Samuel. Poor Tommy, He does not know she's fond of Samuel. He _will_ be disappointed when he knows. CURTAIN. ACT II. SCENE--_A beautiful country wedding._ _Tommy_ (_in pew nearest door, to_ Reynolds). Who's the bride? _Reynolds._ Phyllis. She's marrying Samuel. _Enter Bride_. _Tommy._ Heavens, it's Felicia! _Reynolds_ (_to audience_). Poor Tommy! How disappointed he must be! (_Aloud_) Yes, Felicia and Phyllis are really the same girl. She's engaged to Samuel. _Tommy._ Then I cannot marry her! _Reynolds._ No. _Tommy sings:_