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Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour

Год написания книги
2017
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Jenny

[Dazed and cowed.] What are you going to do?

Basil

I'm going away.

Jenny

Where?

Basil

God knows.

    [There is a knock at the door.

Basil

Come in.

    [The Butler enters with a note, which he givesto Basil.

Butler

Mrs. Murray told me to give you this note, Sir.

Basil

[Taking it.] Thank you.

    [He opens and reads it as the Servant goes outof the room, then looks up at Jenny, whois anxiously watching him.

[Reading.] "You may tell your wife that I've made up my mind to marry Mr. Brackley. I will never see you again."

Jenny

What does she mean?

Basil

[Bitterly.] Isn't it clear? Some one has asked her to marry him, and she means to accept.

Jenny

But you said she loved you.

    [He shrugs his shoulders without answering. Jenny goes up to him imploringly.

Jenny

Oh, Basil, if it's true, give me another chance. She doesn't love you as I love you. I've been selfish and quarrelsome and exacting, but I've always loved you. Oh, don't leave me, Basil. Let me try once more if I can't make you care for me.

Basil

[Looking down, hoarsely.] I'm very sorry. It's too late.

Jenny

[Despairingly.] Oh, God, what shall I do? And even though she's going to marry somebody else, you care for her better than any one else in the world?

Basil

[In a whisper.] Yes.

Jenny

And even if she does marry that other man she'll love you still. There's no room for me between you. I can go away like a discharged servant… Oh, God! oh, God! what have I done to deserve it?

Basil

[Touched by her utter misery.] I'm very sorry to make you so unhappy.

Jenny

Oh, don't pity me. D'you think I want your pity now?

Basil

You had better come away, Jenny.

Jenny

No. You've told me you don't want me any more. I shall go my own way.

Basil

[Looks at her for a moment, hesitating; then shrugs his shoulders.] Then good-bye.

    [He goes out, and Jenny, looking after him, passes her hand wearily over her forehead.

Jenny

[With a sigh.] He's so glad to go… [She gives a little sob.] They've got no room for me.

    [She takes up from the floor the photograph on which she stamped, and looks at it; then sinks down, burying her face in her hands, and bursts into a passion of tears.

END OF THE THIRD ACT

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