Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour — John Shaqi
Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of HonourMaugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset)
General
Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour
Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset)
English drama
Well, I'll let you off this time--because I like your curly hair. [_She
sighs amorously._] Now for the delicate arch of my eyebrows. I don't
know what I should do without this. I've got no eyebrows at all
really.... Have you ever noticed that dark line under the eyes which
gives such intensity to my expression?
MERESTON.
Yes, often.
LADY FREDERICK.
[_Holding out the pencil._] Well, here it is. Ah, my dear boy, in this
pencil you have at will roguishness and languor, tenderness and
indifference, sprightliness, passion, malice, what you will. Now be
very quiet for one moment. If I overdo it my whole day will be spoilt.
You mustn't breathe even. Whenever I do this I think how true those
lines are:
"The little more and how much it is.
The little less and what worlds away."
There! Now just one puff of powder, and the whole world's kind.
[_Looking at herself in the glass and sighing with satisfaction._] Ah! I
feel eighteen. I think it's a success, and I shall have a happy day. Oh,
Betsy, Betsy, I think you'll do. You know, you're not unattractive, my
dear. Not strictly beautiful, perhaps; but then I don't like the
chocolate-box sort of woman. I'll just go and take off this
dressing-gown. [MERESTON _gets up._] No, don't move. I'll go into my
bedroom. I shall only be one moment. [LADY FREDERICK _goes through the
curtains._] Angélique.
[_The_ MAID _enters._
MAID.
Yes, miladi.
LADY FREDERICK.
Just clear away those things on the dressing-table.
MAID.
[_Doing so._] Very well, miladi.
LADY FREDERICK.
You may have a cigarette, Charlie.
MERESTON.
Thanks. My nerves are a bit dicky this morning.
LADY FREDERICK.
Oh, blow the thing! Angélique, come and help me.
MAID.
Yes, miladi.
[_She goes out._
LADY FREDERICK.
At last.
[_She comes in, having changed the kimono for
a very beautiful dressing-gown of silk and
lace._
LADY FREDERICK.
Now, are you pleased?
MERESTON.
Of course I'm pleased.
LADY FREDERICK.
Then you may make love to me.
MERESTON.
You say such disconcerting things.
LADY FREDERICK.
[_Laughing._] Well, Charlie, you've found no difficulty in doing it for
the last fortnight. You're not going to pretend that you're already at a
loss for pretty speeches?
MERESTON.
When I came here, I had a thousand things to say to you, but you've
driven them all out of my head. Won't you give me an answer now?
LADY FREDERICK.
What to?
MERESTON.
You've not forgotten that I asked you to marry me?
LADY FREDERICK.
No, but you asked me under very peculiar circumstances. I wonder if you
can repeat the offer now in cold blood?
MERESTON.
Of course. What a cad you must think me!
LADY FREDERICK.
Are you sure you want to marry me still--after having slept over it?
MERESTON.
Yes.
LADY FREDERICK.
You are a good boy, and I'm a beast to treat you so abominably. It's
awfully nice of you.
MERESTON.
Well, what is the answer?
LADY FREDERICK.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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