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ACT III

The scene shows part of the garden and a verandah at the Consular Agent's house. Coloured lanterns are fixed here and there. It is night, and in the distance is seen the blue sky bespangled with stars. At the lack of the verandah are the windows of the house gaily lit. Within a band is heard playing dance-music. Violet is giving a dance. Everyone who appears is magnificently gowned. Violet is wearing all her pearls and diamonds. Arthur has across his shirt front the broad riband of an order. It is the end of the evening. Various people are sealed on the verandah, enjoying the coolness. They are Mr. and Mrs. Appleby, Christina and Arthur.

Appleby

Well, my dear, I think it's about time I was taking you back to your hotel.

Arthur

Oh, nonsense! It's when everybody has gone that a dance really begins to get amusing.

Christina

That's a pleasant remark to make to your guests.

Mrs. Appleby

I'm really ashamed to have stayed like this to the bitter end, but I do love to see the young folk enjoying themselves.

Arthur

Ah! you have learnt how to make the most of advancing years. The solace of old age is to take pleasure in the youth of those who come after us.

Christina

I don't think you're very polite, Arthur.

Mrs. Appleby

Bless your heart, I know I'm not so young as I was.

Arthur

Do you mind?

Mrs. Appleby

Me? Why should I? I've had my day and I've enjoyed it. It's only fair to give others a chance now.

Christina

I'm sure you enjoyed your trip up the Nile.

Mrs. Appleby

Oh, we had a wonderful time.

Arthur

And what conclusions did you come to, Mr. Appleby? I remember that you were looking for instruction as well as amusement.

Appleby

I didn't forget what you told me. I just kept my ears open and my mouth shut.

Arthur

A capital practice, not much favoured by democratic communities.

Appleby

But I came to one very definite conclusion for all that.

Arthur

What was it?

Appleby

In fact, I came to two.

Arthur

That's not so satisfactory – unless they contradicted one another; in which case I venture to suggest that you have grasped at all events the elements of the Egyptian problem.

Appleby

The first is that you're the right man in the right place.

Arthur

Christina would never admit that. She has known for many years that she could manage Egypt far better than I do.

Christina

I don't deny that for a minute. I think on the whole women are more level-headed than men. They're not swayed by emotion. They're more practical. They know that principle must often yield to expediency, and they can do the expedient without surrendering the principle.

Arthur

You make my head whirl, Christina.

Appleby

I had the opportunity of seeing a good many different sorts of people. I never heard a reasonable complaint against you. Some of them didn't like you personally, but they looked up to you, and they believed in you. I asked myself how you managed it.

Mrs. Appleby

I told him that it's because you're human.

Arthur

Christina thinks it very bad for me to hear pleasant things said of me.

Christina

Christina doesn't know what her brother would do if he hadn't got an affectionate sister to gibe at.

Appleby

It must be a great satisfaction to you to see the country becoming every year more prosperous and contented.

Arthur

What was the second conclusion you came to?

Appleby

I'm coming to that. Most of us are torn asunder as it were by a conflict of duties. This and that urgently needs to be done, and if you put one thing right you put something else wrong. We all want to do for the best, but we don't exactly know what the best is. Now, you've got your duty clearly marked out before you, if you take my meaning; you're young.

Arthur

Youngish.

Appleby

You've made a success of your job and of your life. It's not all of us who can say that. My second conclusion is that you must be the happiest man alive.

Mrs. Appleby

I'm glad he's got that off his chest. He's been dinning it into my ears for the last ten days. My impression is that he fell in love with Lady Little that day he lunched here six weeks ago.

Arthur

I'm not going to blame him for that. Everybody does… It was a wise old fellow who said that you must count no man happy till he's dead. [Christina gives him a look, and puts her hand affectionately on his arm. He quickly withdraws it.] Here is Violet.

[She comes in on Henry Pritchard's arm and sinks into a chair.]

Violet

I'm absolutely exhausted. I feel that in another minute my legs will drop off.

Arthur

Do take care, darling, that would be so disfiguring.

Violet

Oh, I'd still dance on the stumps.

Arthur

When are you going to send that unfortunate band away?

Violet

Oh, we must have one more dance. After all, it's our last ball of the season. And now that everyone has gone I needn't be dignified any more. There's no one but Henry and Anne and Ronny. We've just had a gorgeous one-step, haven't we, Henry?

Henry

Gorgeous. You're a ripping dancer.

Violet

My one accomplishment. [The band is heard beginning a waltz.] Good heavens, they've started again. That's Anne, I'm positive. She's been playing the British matron too and now she's having her fling.

Arthur

You girls, you never grow up.

Henry

Are you ready for another turn, Violet?

Arthur

Don't dance any more, darling, you look worn out.

Violet

Supposing you danced with your mother, Henry. I can see her toes itching inside her black satin slippers.

Christina

Nonsense! I haven't danced for fifteen years.

Henry

Come on, mother. Just to show them you know how.

[He seizes her hand and drags her to her feet.]

Christina

I was just as good a dancer as anybody else in my day.

Arthur

When Christina says that she means she was a great deal better.

Henry

Come on, mother, or it'll be over before we begin.

Christina

Don't be rough with me, Henry.

[They go into the house.]

Appleby

We rather fancied ourselves too, Fanny, once upon a time. What d'you say to trying what we can do, my dear?

Mrs. Appleby

You be quiet, George. Fancy me dancing with my figure!

Appleby

I don't deny you're plump, but I never did like a scrag. Perhaps it's the last chance we shall ever have.

Mrs. Appleby

What would they say at home if they ever come to hear you and me had been dancing? Really, George, I'm surprised at you.

Arthur

[Amused.] I won't tell.

Appleby

You know you want to, Fanny. You're only afraid they'll laugh. Come on, or else I shall dance by myself.

Mrs. Appleby

[Getting up.] I see you've quite made up your mind to make a fool of yourself.

[They go out. Arthur watches them, smiling.]

Arthur

What good people! It's really a treat to see them together.

Violet

Mr. Appleby is very enthusiastic about you. He was telling me just now about his trip in Upper Egypt. He's tremendously impressed. He said I ought to be very proud of you.

Arthur

I can't imagine any remark more calculated to make you dislike me.

[She gives him a long look and then glances away. When she speaks it is with embarrassment.]

Violet

Are you satisfied with me, Arthur?

Arthur

My dear, what do you mean?

Violet

Since that afternoon when I told you…

Arthur

Yes, I know.

Violet

We've never talked about it. [Giving him her hand.] I want to thank you for having been so good to me.

Arthur

I'm afraid you haven't got much to thank me for. It would have been easier if I'd been able to help you, but I didn't see anything I could do but just sit still and twiddle my thumbs.

Violet

I've felt your confidence in me and that has been a help. You've never given the slightest sign that anything was changed. You used sometimes to ask me what I'd been doing during the day. Of late you haven't even done that.

Arthur

I didn't want you to suspect for a moment that your actions were not perfectly free.

Violet

I know. No one could have been more considerate than you've been. Oh, I've been so unhappy, Arthur. I wouldn't go through the last six weeks for anything in the world.

Arthur

It's torn my heart to see you so pale and wan. And when, often, I saw you'd been crying I almost lost my head. I didn't know what to do.

Violet

I couldn't help it if I loved him, Arthur. That wasn't in my power. But all that was in my power I've done. Somehow I've managed not to be alone with him.

Arthur

Haven't you had any explanation with him?

Violet

There didn't seem to be anything to explain. D'you think I ought to have told him I didn't love him? I couldn't, Arthur. I couldn't.

Arthur

My dear! My dear!

Violet

Once or twice he wrote to me. I knew he would and I'd made up my mind not to read the letters. But when they came I couldn't help myself. I had to read them. I was so wretched and it meant so much to me that he loved me. [Arthur makes an instinctive movement of pain.] I didn't mean to say that. Please forgive me.

Arthur

I think I understand.

Violet

I didn't answer them.

Arthur

Did he only write once or twice?

Violet

That's all. You see, he can't make it out. He thinks I've treated him badly. Oh, I think that's the hardest thing of all. I've seen the misery in his eyes. And there was nothing I could do. I hadn't the courage to tell him. I'm weak. I'm so horribly weak. And when I'm with him alone I… Oh, it is cruel that I should make him suffer so when he loves me.

Arthur

I don't know what to say to you. It seems cold comfort to say that you must set your hope in the merciful effects of time. Time will ease your pain and his. Perhaps the worst is over already.

Violet

I hope with all my heart it is. I couldn't have borne any more, Arthur. I'm at the end of my strength.

Arthur

Dear heart, you're tired physically now. We'll send these people away and you must go to bed.

Violet

Yes. I'm exhausted. But I want to tell you, Arthur, I think you're right. The worst is over. I'm not suffering quite so much as I did. I find it a little easier not to think of him. When I meet him I can manage to be gay and flippant and indifferent. I'm so glad, Arthur.

Arthur

You've been very brave. I told you we were all strong enough to bear the burdens that are laid upon us.

Violet

You mustn't think too well of me. I couldn't have done what I have except for the consciousness of his great love for me. Is that awfully disloyal of me, Arthur?

Arthur

[Gravely.] No, darling.

Violet

You can understand, can't you? It means so much to me. It's helped me more than anything else in the world. It's the only thing that made these past weeks not intolerable. I'm satisfied to know he loves me. I want nothing more.

[Mr. and Mrs. Appleby come in. Arthur immediately assumes a chaffing manner.]

Arthur

Why, what's this? You haven't given in already?

Appleby

The spirit is willing enough, but the flesh is weak.

Mrs. Appleby

We wouldn't like it talked about at home, but the fact is we got a bit out of breath.

Violet

Well, sit down a moment and rest yourself.

Mrs. Appleby

Just a moment if you don't mind, and then we'll be going.

[Christina appears with Henry.]

Arthur

Here is poor Christina in a state of complete mental and physical collapse.

Christina

Don't be ridiculous, Arthur.

Arthur

How did you get on?

Henry

First rate. Only mother won't let herself go. I kept on telling her there's only one thing to do in modern dancing – let all your bones go loose and leave the man to do the rest.

Christina

[With a chuckle.] I think modern dancing is an abandoned pastime. Nothing will induce me to let all my bones go loose.

Henry

Mother's idea of dancing is to keep herself to herself.

Christina

[Looking at him affectionately.] You're an impudent boy.

Mrs. Appleby

[To Violet.] I do wish I'd seen you dancing with Mr. Parry. He's a wonderful dancer.

Violet

He does dance well, doesn't he?

Henry

Haven't you danced with him to-night, Violet?

Violet

No. He came rather late and my card was filled up. I promised him an extra, but some stuffy old diplomatist came and asked me for a dance, so I gave him Ronny's.

Mrs. Appleby

It's too bad. It must be a rare sight to see you and Mr. Parry waltzing together.

Violet

How do you know he dances so well?

Mrs. Appleby

There were two or three dances at our hotel last week and we saw him then.

Violet

Oh, I see.

Appleby

[With a chuckle.] I like that young man. When he gets hold of a good thing he freezes on to it.

Violet

Oh?

Appleby

There's a young American girl staying at the hotel. She's a Miss Pender. I wonder if you know her?

Violet

No, I don't think so. We get to know very few of the winter visitors.

Mrs. Appleby

She's a perfect picture to look at. And a beautiful dancer.

Appleby

Everyone was looking at them last night. They made a wonderful pair.

Violet

Do you know this lady, Henry?

Henry

Yes, I've met her two or three times. She's very pretty.

Appleby

I don't think anyone else had much of a look in with her.

Henry

Well, you needn't be disagreeable about it.

Appleby

As far as I could see she danced with Mr. Parry pretty well all the time.

Mrs. Appleby

It was a treat to see them together.

Violet

[A little uncertainly.] If one gets hold of a partner who suits one I always think it's better to stick to him.

Mrs. Appleby

Oh, I don't think it was only that. She's so much in love with him that she can't help showing it.

Henry

I never saw such a fellow as Ronny. When there is a bit of luck going he always gets it.

Violet

And is he in love with her too?

Appleby

Oh, one can't tell that.

Mrs. Appleby

If he isn't he very soon will be. She's too pretty for any man to resist long.

Arthur

[Lightly.] You know them, the brutes, don't you?

Mrs. Appleby

Bless their hearts, I don't blame them. What are pretty girls for except to make nice men happy? I was a pretty girl myself once.

Arthur

And was Mr. Appleby a nice man?

Appleby

I think I must have been, for you've certainly made me happy, my dear.

Mrs. Appleby

I wish you'd put that in writing, George. I'd like to have a little something like that by me when you've got a bit of a chill on your liver.

Appleby

H'm, I think bed's the place for you, Fanny. Say good-night to her ladyship and let's be going.

Mrs. Appleby

Good-night, Lady Little, and thank you so much for asking us. We have enjoyed ourselves.

Violet

Good-night.

Appleby

Good-night.

Arthur

I hope you'll have a pleasant journey home. Lucky people, you'll see the spring in England. When you get back the hedgerows will be just bursting into leaf.

[The Applebys go out.]

Violet

How old is this American girl, Henry?

Henry

Oh, I don't know, about nineteen or twenty.

Violet

Is she as pretty as they say?

Henry

Rather.

Violet

Is she fair?

Henry

Very. She's got wonderful hair.

Violet

You've never mentioned her. Do you think Ronny is in love with her?

Henry

Oh, I don't know about that. She's great fun. And you know, it's always flattering when a pretty girl makes a dead set at you.

[There is a momentary silence. Violet is extremely disturbed by the news that has just reached her. Arthur realises that a crisis has come.]

Christina

[In a matter-of-fact way.] Let us hope that something will come of it. There's no reason why Ronny shouldn't marry. I think men marry much too late nowadays.

[Anne and Ronny appear.]

Anne

I'm absolutely ashamed of myself. I half expected to find you'd all gone to bed.

Violet

[Smiling.] Have you been having a jolly dance?

Anne

Think of having a good band and the whole floor to oneself. By the way, Violet, the band want to know if they can go away.

Violet

I'm sorry I had to cut your dance, Ronny.

Ronny

It was rotten luck. But I suppose on these occasions small fry like me have to put up with that sort of thing.

Violet

If you like we'll have a turn now before we send the band away.

Ronny

I'd love it.

[Arthur gives a little start and looks at Violet curiously. Anne is surprised too.]

Christina

If you're going to start dancing again we'll go. Henry has to be at his office early in the morning.

Violet

Good-night, then.

Christina

[Kissing her.] Your dance has been a great success.

Violet

It's nice of you to say so.

Christina

[To Arthur.] Good-night, dear old thing. God bless and guard you always.

Arthur

My dear Christina, why this embarrassing emotion?

Christina

I don't know what we should do if anything happened to you.

Arthur

Don't be an idiot, my dear; nothing is going to happen to me.

Christina

[With a smile.] I can't get you out of thinking me a perfect fool.

Arthur

Be off with you, Christina. If you go on finding out things that are not your business I shall have you deported.

Violet

What has she found out now?

Arthur

A trifle that we thought it wouldn't hurt the public to know nothing about.

Christina

[Shaking hands with Ronny.] I don't grudge you your job any more. We're all under a debt of gratitude to you.

Ronny

I had a bit of luck, that's all. It's nothing to make a fuss about.

Arthur

Go and have your dance, darling. It's really getting very late.

Violet

[To Ronny.] Are you ready?

Ronny

What shall we make them play?

[They go out.]

Christina

Good-night, Anne.

Anne

[Kissing her.] Good-night, my dear. [Henry shakes hands with Anne and Arthur. He and his mother go out.] I suppose I mayn't ask what Christina was referring to?

Arthur

I can't prevent you from asking.

Anne

But you have no intention of answering. What is the matter, Arthur? You look so deadly white.

Arthur

Nothing. I'm tired. I had a busy day and now the dance. [The sound of a waltz is heard.] Oh, damn that music!

Anne

Sit down and rest yourself. Why don't you have a smoke! [Putting her hand on his arm.] My dear friend.

Arthur

For God's sake don't pity me.

Anne

Won't you talk to me frankly? I may be able to help you. In the old days you used to bring your troubles to me, Arthur.

Arthur

I tell you I'm only tired. What is the use of talking about what can't be helped?

Anne

You must know that I notice most things that concern your happiness. [Looking away.] Why did you imagine I took so much trouble to get Ronny moved to Paris?

Arthur

I suspected. Ought I to thank you? I'm too miserable and too humiliated.

Anne

Have you heard about a Miss Pender? She's an American girl.

Arthur

Of course I have. It's my business to know everything that goes on in Cairo.

Anne

Don't you think that may be the solution?

[Henry comes in.]

Arthur

[Sharply.] What d'you want?

Henry

I beg your pardon. Mother left her fan here.

[He takes it up from a chair.]

Arthur

I thought you'd gone five minutes ago.

Henry

Oh, we just stood for a moment to look at Ronny and Violet dancing. Upon my soul it's a fair treat.

Arthur

They make a wonderful couple, don't they?

Henry

I'm afraid Violet's awfully tired. She's not saying a word and she's as white as a sheet.

Arthur

I'll send her to bed as soon as they've finished.

Henry

Good-night.

Arthur

[Smiling.] Good-night, my boy.

[Exit Henry.]

Anne

Is anything the matter?

Arthur

Tell me about this American girl. She's in love with Ronny, isn't she?

Anne

Yes, that's obvious.

Arthur

And he?

Anne

He's been very unhappy, you know.

Arthur

[Almost savagely.] That is a calamity which I find myself able to bear with patience.

Anne

And now he's surprised and pleased. I've met her. Poor dear, she did everything to make me like her, because Ronny was my brother. She's awfully pretty. He's not in love with her yet. But I think he may be. He's on the brink and if there were nothing else he'd fall over.

Arthur

That is what I suspected. You know, Anne, the longer I live the more inexplicable I find human beings. I always thought I was by way of being a fairly decent fellow. I never knew what mean beastliness there was inside me. It would be quite impossible for me to tell you how I hate your brother. I've had to be jolly and affable with him and, by George, I wanted to kill him.

Anne

Why didn't you let him go? Are you sure it was necessary to give him that job?

Arthur

Already he's been invaluable.

Anne

Then one can only hope for the best.

[There is a moment's pause. When Arthur speaks it is at first rather to himself than to Anne.]

Arthur

No one knows what I've gone through during the last few months. I've been devoured with jealousy and I knew it would be fatal if I showed Violet the least trace of ill-temper. I kept on saying to myself that it wasn't her fault if she was in love with Ronny. [Humorously.] You can't think how devilish hard it is not to resent the fact that somebody doesn't care for you.

Anne

[With a chuckle.] Oh yes, I can.

Arthur

I knew that almost everything depended on how I acted during these weeks, and the maddening thing was that I could do nothing but sit still and control myself. I saw her miserable and knew that she didn't want my comfort. I've yearned to take her in my arms and I've known she'd let me because it was her duty. Those dear good donkeys, the Applebys, told me just now they thought I must be the happiest man alive! Week after week, with an aching heart I've forced myself to be gay and amusing. D'you think I'm amusing, Anne?

Anne

Sometimes.

Arthur

The battle has been so unfair. All the dice are loaded against me. He has every advantage over me. But at last I thought I'd won. I thought Violet was getting more resigned. She told me herself just now that the worst was over. And those confounded people must go and upset the applecart. Damn their eyes!

Anne

Why?

Arthur

The Applebys told her about Miss Pender. It was very natural. They knew no reason for not repeating the hotel gossip.

Anne

Was that why she asked Ronny to dance with her?

Arthur

Yes. It's the crisis. She had the strength to keep him at arm's length when she knew he loved her. What will she do now?

Anne

You heard what Henry said. They don't seem to be talking to one another.

Arthur

No.

Anne

Why did you let them dance together? You might easily have said it was too late and the band must go.

Arthur

What good would that do? No. I've done nothing to prevent their meeting. I've left them absolute liberty.

Anne

Do you think it's fair to Violet? You know, women act so much on impulse. The surroundings and the circumstances have so much influence on them. Think of the excitement of dancing, the magic of this wonderful night, and the solitude under these stars. You complain the dice are loaded against you, but now you're double-loading them against yourself.

Arthur

It tortures me, but I must give them the opportunity to fight the matter out for themselves.

Anne

Poor child, she's so young.

Arthur

Too young.

Anne

Don't say that; it sounds as though you regretted having married her.

Arthur

Don't you imagine that regret has been tormenting her ever since she found out what love really was? Even though I love her with all my heart I know now that I made a mistake. Do you think you can make anyone love you by constant tenderness, devotion, and kindness?

Anne

Not a man perhaps. But a woman yes, yes, yes!

Arthur

Whoever loved that loved not at first sight? I want so tremendously to make her happy, and I've only made her utterly miserable. And there's no way out. It's a pity that a convenient attack of brain fever can't carry me off, but I'm as strong as a horse.

Anne

You know, Arthur, there's one compensation about the pains of love. While one's suffering from them one feels one will never get over them, but one does, and when they're gone they don't even leave a scar. One looks back and remembers one's torment and marvels that it was possible to suffer like that.

Arthur

You talk as though you'd had experience.

Anne

I have.

Arthur

I always look upon you as so calm and self-controlled.

Anne

I was desperately in love for years with a man. I should have made him an excellent wife, although it's I as says it. But it never occurred to him for an instant that my feelings were more than friendly. And eventually he married somebody else.

Arthur

My dear friend, I hate to think of your being unhappy.

Anne

I'm not. That's why I told you the tragic story. I've got over it so completely that now I have an equal affection both for him and his wife.

Arthur

D'you know, Anne, at one time I very nearly asked you to marry me?

Anne

[Gaily.] Oh, what nonsense!

Arthur

I daresay it's as well I didn't. I should have lost the best friend I've ever had.

Anne

On the other hand, I've lost the satisfaction of refusing the most distinguished man of our day. Why didn't you ask me?

Arthur

You were such an awfully good friend. I thought we were very well as we were.

Anne

That isn't the reason, Arthur. You didn't ask me because you didn't love me. If you had you'd have let friendship go hang. [Seeing that he is not paying any attention to her.] What's the matter?