The Profligate 21

The Profligate 21

[_He draws her to him, but she breaks away with a low cry as LESLIE

enters._]

 

JANET PREECE.

 

Let me go! let me go!

 

LESLIE.

 

Janet!

 

JANET PREECE.

 

[_To LESLIE in a low whisper._] Mrs. Renshaw! You don’t know what a

base, wicked girl you are sheltering! I’m not fit to be in your house!

Oh, I’ll tell you--I’ll tell you!

 

WILFRID BRUDENELL.

 

Leslie, there have been no secrets between us ever, and there’s a

promise that there never shall be any.

 

LESLIE.

 

Will?

 

WILFRID BRUDENELL.

 

I--I have told Janet that I love her, and I have asked her to be my

wife. But Janet is in some distress and wishes to leave us. So, Les, I

want you to do me a service.

 

LESLIE.

 

What service, brother dear?

 

WILFRID BRUDENELL.

 

I want you to help her--and me.

 

[_He leaves them together._]

 

LESLIE.

 

Janet! Janet Preece. I love my brother very dearly, and long ago I

determined that the moment his heart went out to a good girl I would

call her my sister without a murmur. But you have said something to me

which has--frightened me. Oh, Janet, what is it that’s wrong--what is

it that’s wrong? [_JANET kneels humbly at LESLIE’S feet._] Why do you

kneel, Janet?

 

JANET PREECE.

 

Because it’s my place in the world for evermore; because I’m of no more

worth than the clod of earth you turn aside with your foot; because the

time has been when I was one of the tempted and not one of the strong.

 

LESLIE.

 

[_Turning away._] Oh, Janet, Janet.

 

JANET PREECE.

 

When I found that your brother loved me I wanted to run away without

the dreadful shame of confessing the truth to you. But I’m a little

happier for having told you, and I’ll go out of your house now quickly

and quietly, and you’ll never see me nor hear of me again. [_Kissing

the edge of LESLIE’S dress._] Good-bye--my dear. Good-bye, oh my dear,

my dear. [_She rises, and is about to go._]

 

LESLIE.

 

No, no! Stop! What you have told me seems to have stunned me. I--I

can’t realize it yet.

 

JANET PREECE.

 

Don’t try to--it’s better you should never realize it.

 

LESLIE.

 

A few minutes ago you and I were like simple girls; now we have

suddenly become sad grown women. Will--my poor Will! What shall I do?

 

JANET PREECE.

 

Nothing but let me go.

 

LESLIE.

 

Let you go! You have come into my life now, and your weakness and

loneliness make it my task to protect you. Put on your hat--quickly.

[_JANET hesitates._] Quickly! Throw that shawl over your shoulders.

[_JANET obediently puts on the hat and shawl. LESLIE begins writing

hurriedly at the table._] You mustn’t re-enter this house; you and my

brother must never meet again. My poor brother! I am going to send you

to a friend who will gladly render me a service. This afternoon I will

come to you. “The Villa Lotta, Viale dei Colli.” Are you ready?

 

JANET PREECE.

 

Yes.

 

LESLIE.

 

Present this--and here, here is some money. Come, we will go through

the garden.

 

[_They go together to the garden steps. Suddenly JANET utters a cry

of horror._]

 

LESLIE.

 

Janet!

 

JANET PREECE.

 

[_Dragging LESLIE from the steps._] Come away--come away! Look there!

Look there!

 

LESLIE.

 

[_Looking into the garden._] My husband and Lord Dangars.

 

JANET PREECE.

 

It’s the man--the man!

 

LESLIE.

 

The man! Lord Dangars!

 

JANET PREECE.

 

He lied to me; I have never known his true name till now. That’s the

man who called himself Lawrence Kenward.

 

LESLIE.

 

Great Heavens! They are coming this way into the house.

 

JANET PREECE.

 

Ah, hide me, hide me! I haven’t the courage to meet him. Ah, hide me!

 

[_She staggers to the sofa and sinks down beside it._]

 

LESLIE.

 

Janet!

 

[_LESLIE crouches down by JANET and puts her arms round her

protectingly, as DUNSTAN RENSHAW and LORD DANGARS ascend the

steps._]

 

LORD DANGARS.

 

Phew! I’m smothered with dust; you would walk.

 

DUNSTAN RENSHAW.

 

I’m very sorry. Shall we restore the perfection of our appearance

before looking for Mrs. Renshaw?

 

[_They go into the villa._]

 

LESLIE.

 

Janet! Do you know that this is the man to whom Irene Stonehay is

engaged to be married?

 

JANET PREECE.

 

I--I’ve heard them speak of him; I never suspected who he was. Heaven

pity her! He’ll kill her, body and soul.

 

LESLIE.

 

No, no. It is you who must help me to save her.

 

JANET PREECE.

 

I!

 

LESLIE.

 

You must. If you do your utmost to rescue this weak woman from the

dreadful life that is before her you’ll do something to make you

happier in the future.

 

JANET PREECE.

 

What can I do! I couldn’t shame him.