The Profligate 22
LESLIE.
But you could shame her mother--you could drive any remaining feeling
of irresolution from this poor girl’s mind.
JANET PREECE.
They wouldn’t believe me; why should they?
LESLIE.
Then, if they doubt you, will you face this miserable libertine before
their eyes?
JANET PREECE.
Ah, no, no! For months I’ve been seeking him to beg him to make
reparation to me, but now that I’ve found him I want to put miles
between us, for I feel I’d rather go down to my grave what I am than
live what he could make me!
[_PRISCILLA enters._]
PRISCILLA.
Mrs. Stonehay and Miss Stonehay are here, ma’am.
JANET PREECE.
Oh!
LESLIE.
I’ll see them. [_PRISCILLA retires._]
JANET PREECE.
Let me go--give me leave to go.
LESLIE.
You are free to go, Janet--go. But you are going from your duty.
JANET PREECE.
My duty--my duty. If _he_ came to hear of it, would he think a little
better of me for it?
LESLIE.
He?
JANET PREECE.
Wilfrid--your brother.
LESLIE.
I think he would.
JANET PREECE.
I’ll stay. I’ll try and do my duty.
[_She sinks upon the sofa as MRS. STONEHAY and IRENE enter. MRS.
STONEHAY advances to LESLIE with outstretched hands._]
MRS. STONEHAY.
My dear Mrs. Renshaw!
LESLIE.
[_Coldly._] Mrs. Stonehay.
MRS. STONEHAY.
Dear child, what can I say to you in reference to
our--misunderstanding, shall I call it?
LESLIE.
Say nothing, please, nothing.
MRS. STONEHAY.
We will say nothing. The passing ill-humours of a crochetty but not
unamiable old woman are best forgotten. Ah, my dear, remember I am
about to lose my daughter. But I have yet to make my peace with our
little friend here. You have been indisposed, my poor Janet? Let it be
a lesson to you--never mistake firmness for unkindness. Don’t stand, in
your weak state. [_JANET sinks back upon the sofa._] I am positively
in ecstasies, dear Mrs. Renshaw, to learn that Lord Dangars is to be a
guest at the Villa Colobiano.
LESLIE.
To my surprise I find that my husband and this gentleman are acquainted.
MRS. STONEHAY.
Are old and close friends. And you weren’t aware of it! Delightful!
LESLIE.
I say again I am _surprised_.
MRS. STONEHAY.
Naturally. You will like Dangars. He has suffered, poor fellow, but he
has come out of the furnace a very refined metal.
LESLIE.
My husband--knowing Lord Dangars, I venture to think, but slightly--has
indeed invited him to this house.
MRS. STONEHAY.
Charming! It brings us all so closely together. Will Lord Dangars, may
I ask, remain with you very long?
LESLIE.
No.
MRS. STONEHAY.
No?
LESLIE.
Because, Mrs. Stonehay, I cannot, I regret to say, consent to receive
Lord Dangars.
MRS. STONEHAY.
I confess I don’t understand. Your husband’s friend----
LESLIE.
No, Mrs. Stonehay; my husband has only to know Lord Dangars as
thoroughly as I do to consider him an unfit companion for any reputable
man or woman.
MRS. STONEHAY.
Do you forget that you are speaking of one who is to be my daughter’s
husband? Irene! are you dumb?
[_LESLIE turns to IRENE, who is sitting with her head bowed and her
hands clasped._]
LESLIE.
Irene! Irene!
[_IRENE rises, supporting herself by the table._]
IRENE.
Mother--don’t ask me to marry Lord Dangars! Oh, don’t make me do
that--don’t make me do that!
MRS. STONEHAY.
Oh, I see--I quite see. [_To LESLIE._] How dare you tamper with my
daughter--how dare you? [_To IRENE._] We will go home. You shall never
enter this house again; our acquaintance with this lady has terminated.
LESLIE.
Irene!
MRS. STONEHAY.
What! Do you think by your mock-morality to upset my calculations
for Irene’s welfare? If so, you can have this satisfaction for your
pains--that one word, one look, from me will do more with this weak,
ungrateful girl than a month of your impudent meddling. Good morning.
[_MRS. STONEHAY and IRENE are going._]
LESLIE.
Irene!
IRENE.
I--I told you I was a coward. Good-bye.
LESLIE.
Oh, Irene!
IRENE.
You have done your utmost to save me----!
LESLIE.
No! I have not yet done my utmost. Janet! Janet!
[_JANET rises from the sofa with an effort, and LESLIE takes her by the hand._]
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