Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour. W. Somerset Maugham
as the president of the Broad Church Union he couldn't countenance your mode of life.
Fouldes.
[With great unction.] Thank God in my day I've been a miserable sinner!
Lady Mereston.
[Laughing.] You're quite incurable, Paradine. But you will help me now. Since his father's death, the boy and I have lived a very retired life, and now we're quite helpless. It would break my heart if Charlie married that woman.
Fouldes.
I'll do my best. I think I can promise you that nothing will come of it.
[The door is flung open, and Lady Frederick enters, followed by Mereston, a young boyish man of twenty-two; by her brother, Sir Gerald O'Mara, a handsome fellow of six-and-twenty; by Captain Montgomerie, Admiral Carlisle, and Rose, his daughter. Lady Frederick is a handsome Irish woman of thirty to thirty-five, beautifully dressed. She is very vivacious, and light-hearted. She has all the Irish recklessness and unconcern for the morrow. Whenever she wants to get round anybody she falls into an Irish brogue, and then, as she knows very well, she is quite irresistible. Captain Montgomerie is a polished, well-groomed man of thirty-five, with suave manners. The Admiral is bluff and downright. Rose is a pretty ingénue of nineteen.
Lady Mereston.
Here they are.
Lady Frederick.
[Enthusiastically going to him with open arms.] Paradine! Paradine! Paradine!
Mererston.
Oh, my prophetic soul, mine uncle!
Fouldes.
[Shaking hands with Lady Frederick.] I heard you were at the Casino.
Lady Frederick.
Charlie lost all his money, so I brought him away.
Lady Mereston.
I wish you wouldn't gamble, Charlie dear.
Mererston.
My dear mother, I've only lost ten thousand francs.
Lady Frederick.
[To Paradine Fouldes.] I see you're in your usual robust health.
Fouldes.
You needn't throw it in my face. I shall probably be very unwell to-morrow.
Lady Frederick.
D'you know Admiral Carlisle? This is my brother Gerald.
Fouldes.
[Shaking hands.] How d'you do?
Lady Frederick.
[Introducing.] Captain Montgomerie.
Captain Montgomerie.
I think we've met before.
Fouldes.
I'm very pleased to hear it. How d'you do. [To Mererston.] Are you having a good time in Monte Carlo, Charles?
Mererston.
A 1, thanks.
Fouldes.
And what do you do with yourself?
Mererston.
Oh, hang about generally, you know—and there's always the tables.
Fouldes.
That's right, my boy; I'm glad to see that you prepare yourself properly for your duties as a hereditary legislator.
Mererston.
[Laughing.] Oh, shut it, Uncle Paradine.
Fouldes.
I rejoice also to find that you have already a certain command of the vernacular.
Mererston.
Well, if you can browbeat a London cabby and hold your own in repartee with a barmaid, it oughtn't to be difficult to get on all right in the House of Lords.
Fouldes.
But let me give you a solemn warning. You have a magnificent chance, dear boy, with all the advantages of wealth and station. I beseech you not to throw it away by any exhibition of talent. The field is clear and the British people are waiting for a leader. But remember that the British people like their leaders dull. Capacity they mistrust, versatility they cannot bear, and wit they utterly abhor. Look at the fate of poor Lord Parnaby. His urbanity gained him the premiership, but his brilliancy overthrew him. How could the fortunes of the nation be safe with a man whose speeches were pointed and sparkling, whose mind was so quick, so agile, that it reminded you of a fencer's play? Every one is agreed that Lord Parnaby is flippant and unsubstantial; we doubt his principles and we have grave fears about his morality. Take warning, my dear boy, take warning. Let the sprightly epigram never lighten the long periods of your speech nor the Attic salt flavour the roast beef of your conversation. Be careful that your metaphors show no imagination and conceal your brains as you would a discreditable secret. Above all, if you have a sense of humour, crush it. Crush it.
Mereston.
My dear uncle, you move me very much. I will be as stupid as an owl.
Fouldes.
There's a good, brave boy.
Mereston.
I will be heavy and tedious.
Fouldes.
I see already the riband of the Garter adorning your shirt-front. Remember, there's no damned merit about that.
Mereston.
None shall listen to my speeches without falling into a profound sleep.
Fouldes.
[Seizing his hand.] The premiership itself is within your grasp.
Lady Mereston.
Dear Paradine, let us take a stroll on the terrace before we go to bed.
Fouldes.
And you shall softly whisper all the latest scandal in my ear.
[He puts on her cloak and they go out.
Lady Frederick.
May I speak to you, Admiral?
Admiral.
Certainly, certainly. What can I do for you?
[While Lady Frederick and the Admiral talk, the others go slowly out. Through the conversation she uses her Irish brogue.
Lady Frederick.
Are you in a good temper?
Admiral.
Fairly, fairly.
Lady Frederick.
I'm glad of that because I want to make you a proposal of marriage.
Admiral.
My dear Lady Frederick, you take me entirely by surprise.
Lady Frederick.
[Laughing.] Not on my own behalf, you know.
Admiral.
Oh, I see.
Lady Frederick.
The fact is, my brother Gerald has asked your daughter to marry him, and she has accepted.
Admiral.
Rose is a minx, Lady Frederick, and she's much too young to marry.
Lady Frederick.
Now don't fly into a passion. We're going to talk it over quite calmly.