THE PAINTED SWAN _By the same Author._ THE FIR AND THE PALM THE WHOLE STORY BALLOONS THE PAINTED SWAN _A Play in Three Acts_ BY ELIZABETH BIBESCO “People don’t escape from one thing to another thing, but from one thing to the same thing.” LONDON HUTCHINSON & CO. _Paternoster Row, E.C.4_ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Applications regarding performing rights should be addressed to Mr. J. L. Campbell, Regency House, Warwick Street. TO ANTOINE The Painted Swan A Play in Three Acts by ELIZABETH BIBESCO (as produced at the Everyman Theatre, March 16th, 1925). _Characters in order of their appearance_: _Thompson_ (_the Butler_) HAROLD B. MEADE _Lord William Cathcart_ FELIX AYLMER _Selina_ (_his daughter_) ELISSA LANDI _Mrs. Martineau_ MURIEL POPE _Mr. Molyneux_ CLIFFORD MOLLISON (By permission of Reandean) _Timothy Carstairs_ ROBERT HARRIS (By permission of Reandean) _Philip Jordan_ ALLAN JEAYES _Lady Emily Cathcart_ MARGARET CARTER _Ann_ (_Lady Candover_) EDITH EVANS _Ninian_ (_Lord Candover_) FRANK CELLIER THE PLAY PRODUCED BY NORMAN MACDERMOTT ACT I. Candover Hall. ACT II. The Candovers’ house in London. A month later. (The curtain will be lowered during this act to indicate the passing of an hour). ACT III. Candover Hall. Two days later. ACT I ACT I SCENE: _ANN’S boudoir at Candover. The butler is directing two footmen, who are piling up blankets, garments, etc._ [_Enter LORD WILLIAM and SELINA in travelling clothes. LORD WILLIAM over to fire L._ SELINA: How are you, Thompson? [_Moves over to chair D. S. L._ THOMPSON: Very well, thank you, Miss Selina. SELINA: Has no one else arrived yet? THOMPSON: No, miss. Lady Emily and Mr. Carstairs have been here since yesterday. Mrs. Martineau and Mr. Molyneux and Mr. Jordan are coming by the three o’clock train and should be here in a few minutes. SELINA: We would have been down an hour ago if the car hadn’t been suffering from asthma. LORD WILLIAM: Who is the Mr. Jordan who is coming, Thompson? THOMPSON: I believe him to be in the Cabinet, m’lord. SELINA: Aren’t you sure? THOMPSON: Well, in a manner of speaking, yes, Miss Selina. SELINA: Why do you always say you believe when you know, Thompson?