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Alec

Does it much matter what I think? We shall be so many thousand miles apart.

Lucy

I suppose that you utterly despise me.

Alec

No. I loved you far too much ever to do that. Believe me, I only wish you well. Now that the bitterness is past, I see that you did the only possible thing. I hope that you'll be very happy.

Lucy

Oh, Alec, don't be utterly pitiless. Don't leave me without a single word of kindness.

Alec

Nothing is changed, Lucy. You sent me away on account of your brother's death.

[There is a long silence, and when she speaks it is hesitatingly, as if the words were painful to utter.

Lucy

I hated you then, and yet I couldn't crush the love that was in my heart. I used to try and drive you away from my thoughts, but every word you had ever said came back to me. Don't you remember? You told me that everything you did was for my sake. Those words hammered at my heart as though it were an anvil. I struggled not to believe them. I said to myself that you had sacrificed George coldly, callously, prudently, but in my heart I knew it wasn't true. [He looks at her, hardly able to believe what she is going to say, but does not speak.] Your whole life stood on one side and only this hateful story on the other. You couldn't have grown into a different man in one single instant. I came here to-day to tell you that I don't understand the reason of what you did. I don't want to understand. I believe in you now with all my strength. I know that whatever you did was right and just – because you did it.

[He gives a long, deep sigh.

Alec

Thank God! Oh, I'm so grateful to you for that.

Lucy

Haven't you anything more to say to me than that?

Alec

You see, it comes too late. Nothing much matters now, for to-morrow I go away.

Lucy

But you'll come back.

Alec

I'm going to a part of Africa from which Europeans seldom return.

Lucy

[With a sudden outburst of passion.] Oh, that's too horrible. Don't go, dearest! I can't bear it!

Alec

I must now. Everything is settled, and there can be no drawing back.

Lucy

Don't you care for me any more?

Alec

Care for you? I love you with all my heart and soul.

Lucy

[Eagerly.] Then take me with you.

Alec

You!

Lucy

You don't know what I can do. With you to help me I can be brave. Let me come, Alec?

Alec

No, it's impossible. You don't know what you ask.

Lucy

Then let me wait for you? Let me wait till you come back?

Alec

And if I never come back?

Lucy

I will wait for you still.

Alec

Then have no fear. I will come back. My journey was only dangerous because I wanted to die. I want to live now, and I shall live.

Lucy

Oh, Alec, Alec, I'm so glad you love me.

THE END

A MAN OF HONOUR

GENERAL PREFACE

…For Clisthenes, son of Aristonymus, son of Myron, son of Andreas, had a daughter whose name was Agarista: her he resolved to give in marriage to the man whom he should find the most accomplished of all the Greeks. When therefore the Olympian games were being celebrated, Clisthenes, being victorious in them in the chariot race, made a proclamation; "that whoever of the Greeks deemed himself worthy to become the son-in-law of Clisthenes, should come to Sicyon on the sixtieth day, or even before; since Clisthenes had determined on the marriage in a year, reckoning from the sixtieth day." Thereupon such of the Greeks as were puffed up with themselves and their country, came as suitors; and Clisthenes, having made a race-course and palæstra for them, kept it for this very purpose. From Italy, accordingly, came Smindyrides, son of Hippocrates, a Sybarite, who more than any other man reached the highest pitch of luxury, (and Sybaris was at that time in a most flourishing condition;) and Damasus of Siris, son of Amyris called the Wise: these came from Italy. From the Ionian gulf, Amphimnestus, son of Epistrophus, an Epidamnian; he came from the Ionian gulf. An Ætolian came, Males, brother of that Titormus who surpassed the Greeks in strength, and fled from the society of men to the extremity of the Ætolian territory. And from Peloponnesus, Leocedes, son of Pheidon, tyrant of the Argives, a decendant of that Pheidon, who introduced measures among the Peloponnesians, and was the most insolent of all the Greeks, who having removed the Elean umpires, himself regulated the games at Olympia; his son accordingly came. And Amiantus, son of Lycurgus, an Arcadian from Trapezus; and an Azenian from the city of Pæos, Laphanes, son of Euphorion, who, as the story is told in Arcadia, received the Dioscuri in his house, and after that entertained all men; and an Elean, Onomastus, son of Agæus: these accordingly came from the Peloponnesus itself. From Athens there came Megacles, son of Alcmæon, the same who had visited Crœsus, and another, Hippoclides, son of Tisander, who surpassed the Athenians in wealth and beauty. From Eretria, which was flourishing at that time, came Lysanias; he was the only one from Eubœa. And from Thessaly there came, of the Scopades, Diactorides a Cranonian; and from the Molossi, Alcon. So many were the suitors. When they had arrived on the appointed day, Clisthenes made inquiries of their country, and the family of each; then detaining them for a year, he made trial of their manly qualities, their dispositions, learning, and morals; holding familiar intercourse with each separately, and with all together, and leading out to the gymnasia such of them as were younger; but most of all he made trial of them at the banquet; for as long as he detained them, he did this throughout, and at the same time entertained them magnificently. And somehow of all the suitors those that had come from Athens pleased him most, and of these Hippoclides, son of Tisander, was preferred both on account of his manly qualities, and because he was distantly related to the Cypselidæ in Corinth. When the day appointed for the consummation of the marriage arrived, and for the declaration of Clisthenes himself, whom he would choose of them all, Clisthenes, having sacrificed a hundred oxen, entertained both the suitors themselves and all the Sicyonians; and when they had concluded the feast, the suitors had a contest about music, and any subject proposed for conversation. As the drinking went on, Hippoclides, who much attracted the attention of the rest, ordered the flute-player to play a dance; and when the flute-player obeyed, he began to dance: and he danced, probably so as to please himself; but Clisthenes, seeing it, beheld the whole matter with suspicion. Afterwards, Hippoclides, having rested awhile, ordered some one to bring in a table; and when the table came in, he first danced Laconian figures on it, and then Attic ones; and in the third place, having leant his head on the table he gesticulated with his legs. But Clisthenes, when he danced the first and second time, revolted from the thought of having Hippoclides for his son-in-law, on account of his dancing and want of decorum, yet restrained himself, not wishing to burst out against him; but when he saw him gesticulating with his legs, he was no longer able to restrain himself, and said: "Son of Tisander, you have danced away your marriage." But Hippoclides answered: "Hippoclides cares not." Hence this answer became a proverb. (Herodotus VI. 126, Cary's Translation.)

CHARACTERS

Basil Kent
Jenny Bush
James Bush
John Halliwell
Mabel
Hilda Murray
Robert Brackley
Mrs. Griggs
Fanny
Butler

Time: The Present Day

Act I —Basil's lodgings in Bloomsbury.
Acts II and IV —The drawing-room of Basil's house at Putney.
Act III —Mrs. Murray's house in Charles Street.

The Performing Rights of this Play are fully protected, and permission to perform it, whether by Amateurs or Professionals, must be obtained in advance from the author's Sole Agent, R. Golding Bright, 20 Green Street, Leicester Square, London, W.C., from whom all particulars can be obtained

THE FIRST ACT

Sitting-room of Basil's Lodgings in Bloomsbury.

In the wall facing the auditorium, two windows with little iron balconies, giving a view of London roofs. Between the windows, against the wall, is a writing-desk littered with papers and books. On the right is a door, leading into the passage; on the left a fire-place with arm-chairs on either side; on the chimney-piece various smoking utensils. There are numerous bookshelves filled with books; while on the walls are one or two Delft plates, etchings after Rossetti, autotypes of paintings by Fra Angelico and Botticelli. The furniture is simple and inexpensive, but there is nothing ugly in the room. It is the dwelling-place of a person who reads a great deal and takes pleasure in beautiful things.

Basil Kent is leaning back in his chair, with his feet on the writing-table, smoking a pipe and cutting the pages of a book. He is a very good-looking man of six-and-twenty, clean-shaven, with a delicate face and clear-cut features. He is dressed in a lounge-suit.

[There is a knock at the door.

Basil

Come in.

Mrs. Griggs

Did you ring, sir?

Basil

Yes. I expect a lady to tea. And there's a cake that I bought on my way in.

Mrs. Griggs

Very well, sir.

[She goes out, and immediately comes in with a tray on which are two cups, sugar, milk, &c.

Basil

Oh, Mrs. Griggs, I want to give up these rooms this day week. I'm going to be married. I'm sorry to leave you. You've made me very comfortable.

Mrs. Griggs

[With a sigh of resignation.] Ah, well, sir, that's lodgers all over. If they're gents they get married; and if they're ladies they ain't respectable.

[A ring is heard.

Basil

There's the bell, Mrs. Griggs. I dare say it's the lady I expect. If any one else comes, I'm not at home.

Mrs. Griggs

Very well, sir.

[She goes out, and Basil occupies himself for a moment in putting things in order. Mrs. Griggs, opening the door, ushers in the new-comers.

Mrs. Griggs

If you please, sir.

[She goes out again, and during the next few speeches brings two more cups and the tea.
[Mabel and Hilda enter, followed by John Halliwell. Basil going towards them very cordially, half stops when he notices who they are; and a slight expression of embarrassment passes over his face. But he immediately recovers himself and isextremely gracious. Hilda Murray is a tall, handsome woman, self-possessed and admirably gowned. Mabel Halliwell is smaller, pretty rather than beautiful, younger than her sister, vivacious, very talkative, and somewhat irresponsible. John is of the same age as Basil, good-humoured, neither handsome nor plain blunt of speech and open.

Basil

[Shaking hands.] How d'you do?

Mabel

Look pleased to see us, Mr. Kent.

Basil

I'm perfectly enchanted.

Hilda

You did ask us to come and have tea with you, didn't you?

Basil

I've asked you fifty times. Hulloa, John! I didn't see you.

John

I'm the discreet husband, I keep in the background.

Mabel

Why don't you praise me instead of praising yourself? People would think it so much nicer.

John

On the contrary, they'd be convinced that when we were alone I beat you. Besides, I couldn't honestly say that you kept in the background.

Hilda

[To Basil.] I feel rather ashamed at taking you unawares.

Basil

I was only slacking. I was cutting a book.

Mabel

That's ever so much more fun than reading it, isn't it? [She catches sight of the tea things.] Oh, what a beautiful cake – and two cups! [She looks at him, questioning.]

Basil

[A little awkwardly.] Oh – I always have an extra cup in case some one turns up, you know.

Mabel

How unselfish! And do you always have such expensive cake?

Hilda

[With a smile, remonstrating.] Mabel!

Mabel

Oh, but I know them well, and I love them dearly. They cost two shillings at the Army and Navy Stores, but I can't afford them myself.

John

I wish you'd explain why we've come, or Basil will think I'm responsible.

Mabel

[Lightly.] I've been trying to remember ever since we arrived. You say it, Hilda; you invented it.

Hilda

[With a laugh.] Mabel, I'll never take you out again. They're perfectly incorrigible, Mr. Kent.

Basil

[To John and Mabel, smiling.] I don't know why you've come. Mrs. Murry has promised to come and have tea with me for ages.

Mabel

[Pretending to feel injured.] Well, you needn't turn me out the moment we arrive. Besides, I refuse to go till I've had a piece of that cake.

Basil

Well, here's the tea! [Mrs. Griggs brings it in as he speaks. He turns to Hilda.] I wish you'd pour it out. I'm so clumsy.

Hilda

[Smiling at him affectionately.] I shall be delighted.

[She proceeds to do so, and the conversation goes on while Basil hands Mabel tea and cake.

John

I told them it was improper for more than one woman at a time to call at a bachelor's rooms, Basil.

Basil

If you'd warned me I'd have made the show a bit tidier.

Mabel

Oh, that's just what we didn't want. We wanted to see the Celebrity at Home, without lime-light.

Basil

[Ironically.] You're too flattering.

Mabel

By the way, how is the book?

Basil

Quite well, thanks.

Mabel

I always forget to ask how it's getting on.

Basil

On the contrary, you never let slip an opportunity of making kind inquiries.

Mabel

I don't believe you've written a word of it.

Hilda

Nonsense, Mabel. I've read it.

Mabel

Oh, but you're such a monster of discretion… Now I want to see your medals, Mr. Kent.

Basil

[Smiling.] What medals?

Mabel

Don't be coy! You know I mean the medals they gave you for going to the Cape.

Basil

[Gets them from a drawer, and with a smile hands them to Mabel.] If you really care to see them, here they are.

Mabel

[Taking one.] What's this?

Basil

Oh, that's just the common or garden South African medal.

Mabel

And the other one?

Basil

That's the D.S.M.

Mabel

Why didn't they give you the D.S.O.?

Basil

Oh, I was only a trooper, you know. They only give the D.S.O. to officers.

Mabel

And what did you do to deserve it?

Basil

[Smiling.] I really forget.

Hilda

It's given for distinguished service in the field, Mabel.

Mabel

I knew. Only I wanted to see if Mr. Kent was modest or vain.

Basil

[With a smile, taking the medals from her and putting them away.] How spiteful of you!

Mabel

John, why didn't you go to the Cape, and do heroic things?

John

I confined my heroism to the British Isles. I married you, my angel.

Mabel

Is that funny or vulgar?

Basil

[Laughing.] Are there no more questions you want to ask me, Mrs. Halliwell?

Mabel

Yes, I want to know why you live up six flights of stairs.

Basil

[Amused.] For the view, simply and solely.

Mabel

But, good heavens, there is no view. There are only chimney-pots.

Basil

But they're most æsthetic chimney-pots. Do come and look, Mrs. Murray. [Basil and Hilda approach one of the windows, and he opens it.] And at night they're so mysterious. They look just like strange goblins playing on the house-tops. And you can't think how gorgeous the sunsets are: sometimes, after the rain, the slate roofs glitter like burnished gold. [To Hilda.] Often I think I couldn't have lived without my view, it says such wonderful things to me. [Turning to Mabel gaily.] Scoff, Mrs. Halliwell, I'm on the verge of being sentimental.

Mabel

I was wondering if you'd made that up on the spur of the moment, or if you'd fished it out of an old note-book.

Hilda

[With a look at Basil.] May I go out?

Basil

Yes, do come.

[Hilda and Basil step out on the balcony, whereupon John goes to Mabel and tries to steal a kiss from her.

Mabel

[Springing up.] Go away, you horror!

John

Don't be silly. I shall kiss you if I want to.

[She laughing, walks round the sofa while he pursues her.

Mabel

I wish you'd treat life more seriously.

John

I wish you wouldn't wear such prominent hats.

Mabel

[As he puts his arm round her waist.] John, some body'll see us.

John

Mabel, I command you to let yourself be kissed.

Mabel

How much will you give me?

John

Sixpence.

Mabel

[Slipping away from him.] I can't do it for less than half-a-crown.

John

[Laughing.] I'll give you two shillings.

Mabel

[Coaxing.] Make it two-and-three.

[He kisses her.

John

Now come and sit down quietly.

Mabel

[Sitting down by his side.] John, you mustn't make love to me. It would look so odd if they came in.

John

After all, I am your husband.

Mabel

That's just it. If you wanted to make love to me you ought to have married somebody else. [He puts his arm round her waist.] John, don't, I'm sure they'll come in.

John

I don't care if they do.

Mabel

[Sighing.] John, you do love me?

John

Yes.

Mabel

And you won't ever care for anybody else?

John

No.

Mabel

[In the same tone.] And you will give me that two-and-threepence, won't you?

John

Mabel, it was only two shillings.

Mabel

Oh, you cheat!

John

[Getting up.] I'm going out on the balcony. I'm passionately devoted to chimney-pots.

Mabel

No, John, I want you.

John

Why?

Mabel

Isn't it enough for me to say I want you for you to hurl yourself at my feet immediately?

John

Oh, you poor thing, can't you do without me for two minutes?

Mabel

Now you're taking a mean advantage. It's only this particular two minutes that I want you. Come and sit by me like a nice, dear boy.

John

Now what have you been doing that you shouldn't?

Mabel

[Laughing.] Nothing. But I want you to do something for me.

John

Ha, ha! I thought so.

Mabel

It's merely to tie up my shoe. [She puts out her foot.]

John

Is that all – honour bright?

Mabel

[Laughing.] Yes. [John kneels down.]

John

But, my good girl, it's not undone.

Mabel

Then, my good boy, undo it and do it up again.

John

[Starting up.] Mabel, are we playing gooseberry – at our time of life?

Mabel

[Ironically.] Oh, you are clever! Do you think Hilda would have climbed six flights of stairs unless Love had lent her wings?

John

I wish Love would provide wings for the chaperons as well.

Mabel

Don't be flippant. It's a serious matter.

John

My dear girl, you really can't expect me to play the heavy father when we've only been married six months. It would be almost improper.

Mabel

Don't be horrid, John.

John

It isn't horrid, it's natural history.

Mabel

[Primly.] I was never taught it. It's not thought nice for young girls to know.

John

Why didn't you tell me that Hilda was fond of Basil! Does he like her?

Mabel

I don't know. I expect that's precisely what she's asking him.

John

Mabel, do you mean to say you brought me here, an inoffensive, harmless creature, for your sister to propose to a pal of mine? It's an outrage.

Mabel

She's doing nothing of the sort.

John

You needn't look indignant. You can't deny that you proposed to me.

Mabel

I can, indeed. If I had I should never have taken such an unconscionably long time about it.

John

I wonder why Hilda wants to marry poor Basil!

Mabel

Well, Captain Murray left her five thousand a year, and she thinks Basil Kent a genius.

John

There's not a drawing-room in Regent's Park or in Bayswater that hasn't got its tame genius. I don't know if Basil Kent is much more than very clever.

Mabel

Anyhow, I'm sure it's a mistake to marry geniuses. They're horribly bad-tempered, and they invariably make love to other people's wives.

John

Hilda always has gone in for literary people. That's the worst of marrying a cavalryman, it leads you to attach so much importance to brains.

Mabel

Yes, but she needn't marry them. If she wants to encourage Basil let her do it from a discreet distance. Genius always thrives best on bread and water and platonic attachments. If Hilda marries him he'll only become fat and ugly and bald-headed and stupid.

John

Why, then he'll make an ideal Member of Parliament.

[Basil and Hilda come into the room again.

Mabel

[Maliciously.] Well, what have you been talking about?

Hilda

[Acidly.] The weather and the crops, Shakespeare and the Musical Glasses.

Mabel

[Raising her eyebrows.] Oh!

Hilda

It's getting very late, Mabel. We really must be going.

Mabel

[Getting up.] And I've got to pay at least twelve calls. I hope every one will be out.

Hilda

People are so stupid, they're always in when you call.

Mabel

[Holding out her hand to Basil.] Good-bye.

Hilda

[Coldly.] Thanks so much, Mr. Kent. I'm afraid we disturbed you awfully.

Basil

[Shaking hands with her.] I've been enchanted to see you. Good-bye.

Mabel

[Lightly.] We shall see you again before you go to Italy, shan't we?

Basil

Oh, I'm not going to Italy now, I've changed all my plans.

Mabel

[Giving John a look.] Oh! Well, good-bye. Aren't you coming, John.

John

No: I think I'll stay and have a little chat with Basil, while you tread the path of duty.

Mabel

Well, mind you're in early. We've got a lot of disgusting people coming to dinner.

Hilda

[With a smile.] Poor things! Who are they?

Mabel

I forget who they are. But I know they're loathsome. That's why I asked them.

[Basil opens the door, and the two women go out.

John

[Sitting down and stretching himself.] Now that we've got rid of our womankind let's make ourselves comfortable. [Taking a pipe out of his pocket.] I think I'll sample your baccy if you'll pass it along.

Basil

[Handing him the jar.] I'm rather glad you stayed, John. I wanted to talk to you.

John

Ha! ha!

[Basil pauses a moment, while John looks at him with amusement. He fills his pipe.

John

[Lighting his pipe.] Nice gal, Hilda – ain't she?

Basil

[Enthusiastically.] Oh, I think she's perfectly charming… But what makes you say that?

John

[Innocently.] Oh, I don't know. Passed through my head.

Basil

I say, I've got something to tell you, John.

John

Well, don't be so beastly solemn about it.

Basil

[Smiling.] It's a solemn thing.

John

No, it ain't. I've done it myself. It's like a high dive. When you look down at the water it fairly takes your breath away, but after you've done it – it's not so bad as you think. You're going to be married, my boy.

Basil

[With a smile.] How the deuce d'you know?

John

[Gaily.] Saw it with mine own eyes. I congratulate you, and I give you my blessing. I'll get a new frock-coat to give the lady away in.

Basil

You?.. [Suddenly understanding.] You're on the wrong tack, old man. It's not your sister-in-law I'm going to marry.

John

Then why the dickens did you say it was?

Basil

I never mentioned her name.

John

H'm! I've made rather more than an average ass of myself, haven't I?

Basil

What on earth made you think…?

John

[Interrupting.] Oh, it was only some stupid idea of my wife's. Women are such fools, you know. And they think they're so confoundedly sharp.

Basil

[Disconcerted—looking at him.] Has Mrs. Murray…?

John

No, of course not! Well, who the deuce are you going to marry?

Basil

[Flushing.] I'm going to marry Miss Jenny Bush.

John

Never heard of her. Is it any one I know?

Basil

Yes, you knew her.

John

[Searching his memory.] Bush … Bush… [With a smile.] The only Jenny Bush I've ever heard of was a rather pretty little barmaid in Fleet Street. Presumably you're not going to marry her.

[John has said this quite lightly, not guessing for a moment that it can have anything to do with the person Basil proposes to marry. Then, since Basil makes no answer, John looks at him sharply: there is a silence while the two men stare at one another.

John

Basil, it's not the woman we used to know before you went out to the Cape?

Basil

[Pale and nervous, but determined.] I've just told you that you used to know Jenny.

John

Man alive, you're not going to marry the barmaid of the "Golden Crown"?

Basil

[Looking at him steadily.] Jenny was a barmaid at the "Golden Crown."

John

But, good Lord, Basil, what d'you mean? You're not serious?

Basil

Perfectly! We're going to be married this day week.

John

Are you stark, staring mad? Why on earth d'you want to marry Jenny Bush?

Basil

That's rather a delicate question, isn't it? [With a smile.] Presumably because I'm in love with her.

John

Well, that's a silly ass of an answer.

Basil

It's quite the most obvious.

John

Nonsense! Why, I've been in love with twenty girls, and I haven't married them all. One can't do that sort of thing in a country where they give you seven years for bigamy. Every public-house along the Thames from Barnes to Taplow is the tombstone of an unrequited passion of my youth. I loved 'em dearly, but I never asked 'em to marry me.

Basil

[Tightening his lips.] I'd rather you didn't make jokes about it, John.

John

Are you sure you're not making an ass of yourself? If you've got into a mess, surely we can get you out. Marriage, like hanging, is rather a desperate remedy.

[Basil is sitting down and moodily shrugs his shoulders. John goes up to him, and putting his hands on his friend's shoulders looks into his eyes.

John

Why are you going to marry her, Basil?

Basil

[Springing up impatiently.] Damn you, why don't you mind your own business?

John

Don't be a fool, Basil.

Basil

Can't I marry any one I choose? It's nothing to you, is it? D'you suppose I care if she's a barmaid?

[He walks up and down excitedly, while John with steady eyes watches him.

John

Basil, old man, we've known each other a good many years now. Don't you think you'd better trust me?

Basil

[Setting his teeth.] What d'you want to know?

John

Why are you going to marry her?

Basil

[Abruptly, fiercely.] Because I must.

John

[Nodding his head quietly.] I see.

[There is a silence. Then Basil, more calmly turns to John.

Basil

D'you remember Jenny?

John

Yes, rather. Why, we always lunched there in the old days.

Basil

Well, after I came back from the Cape I began going there again. When I was out there she took it into her head to write me a letter, rather ill-spelt and funny – but I was touched that she thought of me. And she sent some tobacco and some cigarettes.

John

My maiden aunt sent you a woollen comforter, but I'm not aware that in return you ever made her a proposal of marriage.

Basil

And so in one way and another I came to know Jenny rather well. She appeared to get rather fond of me – and I couldn't help seeing it.

John

But she always pretended to be engaged to that scrubby little chap with false teeth who used to hang about the bar and make sheep's eyes at her over innumerable Scotch-and-sodas.

Basil

He made a scene because I took her out on one of her off-nights, and she broke it off. I couldn't help knowing it was on my account.

John

Well, and after that?

Basil

After that I got into the habit of taking her to the play, and so on. And finally…!

John

How long has this been going on?

Basil

Several months.

John

And then?

Basil

Well, the other day she wired for me. I found her in the most awful state. She was simply crying her eyes out, poor thing. She'd been seedy and gone to the doctor's. And he told her …

John

What you might really have foreseen.

Basil

Yes… She was quite hysterical. She said she didn't know what to do nor where to go. And she was in an awful funk about her people. She said she'd kill herself.

John

[Drily.] Naturally she was very much upset.

Basil

I felt the only thing I could do was to ask her to marry me. And when I saw the joy that came into her poor, tear-stained face I knew I'd done the right thing.

[There is a pause. John walks up and down, then stops suddenly and turns to Basil.

John

Have you thought that you, who've never needed to economise, will have to look at every shilling you spend? You've always been careless with your money, and what you've had you've flung about freely.

Basil

[Shrugging his shoulders.] If I have to submit to nothing worse than going without a lot of useless luxuries, I really don't think I need complain.

John

But you can't afford to keep a wife and an increasing family.

Basil

I suppose I can make money as well as other men.

John

By writing books?

Basil

I shall set to work to earn my living at the Bar. Up till now I've never troubled myself.

John

I don't know any man less fit than you for the dreary waiting and the drudgery of the Bar.

Basil

We shall see.

John

And what d'you think your friends will say to your marrying – a barmaid?

Basil

[Contemptuously.] I don't care two straws for my friends.

John

That's pleasant for them. You know, men and women without end have snapped their fingers at society and laughed at it, and for a while thought they had the better of it. But all the time society was quietly smiling up its sleeve, and suddenly it put out an iron hand – and scrunched them up.

Basil

[Shrugging his shoulders.] It only means that a few snobs will cut me.

John

Not you – your wife.

Basil

I'm not such a cad as to go to a house where I can't take my wife.

John

But you're the last man in the world to give up these things. There's nothing you enjoy more than going to dinner-parties and staying in country houses. Women's smiles are the very breath of your nostrils.

Basil

You talk of me as if I were a tame cat. I don't want to brag, John, but after all, I've shown that I'm fit for something in this world. I went to the Cape because I thought it was my duty. I intend to marry Jenny for the same reason.

John

[Seriously.] Will you answer me one question – on your honour?

Basil

Yes.

John

Are you in love with her?

Basil

[After a pause.] No.

John

[Passionately.] Then, by God, you have no right to marry her. A man has no right to marry a woman for pity. It's a cruel thing to do. You can only end by making yourself and her entirely wretched.

Basil

I can't break the poor girl's heart.

John

You don't know what marriage is. Even with two people who are devoted to one another, who have the same interests and belong to the same class, it's sometimes almost unbearable. Marriage is the most terrible thing in the world unless passion makes it absolutely inevitable.

Basil

My marriage is absolutely inevitable – for another reason.

John

You talk as if such things had never happened before.

Basil

Oh, I know, they happen every day. It's no business of the man's. And as for the girl, let her throw herself in the river. Let her go to the deuce, and be hanged to her.

John

Nonsense. She can be provided for. It only needs a little discretion – and no one will be a ha'porth the wiser, nor she a ha'porth the worse.

Basil

But it's not a matter of people knowing. It's a matter of honour.

John

[Opening his eyes.] And where precisely did the honour come in when you…?

Basil

Good heavens, I'm a man like any other. I have passions as other men have.

John

[Gravely.] My dear Basil, I wouldn't venture to judge you. But I think it's rather late in the day to set up for a moralist.

Basil

D'you think I've not regretted what I did? It's easy enough afterwards to say that I should have resisted. The world would be a Sunday School if we were all as level-headed at night as we are next morning.