William Maugham - Plays - Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour

And won't he?

He hasn't got them any more.

[ Startled. ] What!

They've been negotiated, and he swears he doesn't know who has them.

But who could have been such a fool?

I don't know, that's just the awful part of it. It was bad enough before. I knew the worst Cohen could do, but now… It couldn't be Paradine.

And then there's Montgomerie.

I shall see him to-day.

What are you going to say to him?

I haven't an idea. I'm rather frightened of him.

You know, dear, if the worst comes to the worst…

Whatever happens you shall marry Rose. I promise you that.

[Paradine Fouldes appears .

May I come in?

[ Gaily. ] It's a public room. I don't see how we can possibly prevent you.

I'm just going to take a stroll.

Do.

[He goes out.

Well? How are things going?

Quite well, thank you.

I've left Charlie with his mother. I hope you can spare him for a couple of hours.

I told him he must spend the afternoon with her. I don't approve of his neglecting his filial duty.

Ah!.. I saw Dick Cohen this morning.

[ Quickly. ] Did you?

It seems to interest you?

Not at all. Why should it?

[ Smiling. ] Nice little man, isn't he?

[ Good humouredly. ] I wish I had something to throw at you.

[ With a laugh. ] Well, I haven't got the confounded bills. I was too late.

Did you try?

Oh – yes, I thought it would interest Charlie to know how extremely needful it was for you to marry him.

Then who on earth has got them?

I haven't an idea, but they must make you very uncomfortable. Three thousand five hundred, eh?

Don't say it all at once. It sounds so much.

You wouldn't like to exchange those letters of Mereston's for seven thousand pounds, would you?

[ Laughing. ] No.

Ah… By the way, d'you mind if I tell Charlie the full story of your – relations with me?

Why should I? It's not I who'll look ridiculous.

Thanks. I may avail myself of your permission.

I daresay you've noticed that Charlie has a very keen sense of humour.

If you're going to be disagreeable to me I shall go. [ He stops. ] I say, are you quite sure there's nothing else that can be brought up against you?

[ Laughing. ] Quite sure, thanks.

My sister's very jubilant to-day. What about the Bellingham affair?

Merely scandal, my friend.

Well, look out. She's a woman, and she'll stick at nothing.

I wonder why you warn me.

For the sake of old times, my dear.

You're growing sentimental, Paradine. It's the punishment which the gods inflict on a cynic when he grows old.

It may be, but for the life of me I can't forget that once —

[ Interrupting. ] My dear friend, don't rake up my lamentable past.

I don't think I've met any one so entirely devoid of sentiment as you are.

Let us agree that I have every vice under the sun and have done with it.

[ A Servant comes in .]

Madame Claude wishes to see your ladyship.

Oh, my dressmaker.

Another bill?

That's the worst of Monte. One meets as many creditors as in Bond Street. Say I'm engaged.

Madame Claude says she will wait till miladi is free.

You make a mistake. One should always be polite to people whose bills one can't pay.

Show her in.

Yes, miladi.

[ Exit Servant.

Is it a big one?

Oh, no; only seven hundred pounds.

By Jove.

My dear friend, one must dress. I can't go about in fig-leaves.

One can dress simply.

I do. That's why it costs so much.

You know, you're devilish extravagant.

I'm not. I'm content with the barest necessities of existence.

You've got a maid.

Of course I've got a maid. I was never taught to dress myself.

And you've got a footman.

I've always had a footman. And my mother always had a footman. I couldn't live a day without him.

What does he do for you?

He inspires confidence in tradesmen.

And you have the most expensive suite of rooms in the hotel.

I'm in such a dreadful mess. If I hadn't got nice rooms I should brood over it.

Then, as if that weren't enough, you fling your money away at the tables.

When you're as poor as I am, a few louis more or less can make absolutely no difference.

[ With a laugh. ] You're quite incorrigible.

It's really not my fault. I do try to be economical, but money slips through my fingers like water. I can't help it.

You want a sensible sort of a man to look after you.

I want a very rich sort of a man to look after me.

If you were my wife, I should advertise in the papers that I wasn't responsible for your debts.

If you were my husband, I'd advertise immediately underneath that I wasn't responsible for your manners.

I wonder why you're so reckless.

When my husband was alive I was so utterly wretched. And afterwards, when I looked forward to a little happiness, my boy died. Then I didn't care any more. I did everything I could to stupefy myself. I squandered money as other women take morphia – that's all.

Читать дальше