The Profligate 25

The Profligate 25

HUGH MURRAY.

 

You look fagged, my boy.

 

WILFRID BRUDENELL.

 

Hallo, Murray. I am a bit done to-night.

 

HUGH MURRAY.

 

Walking?

 

WILFRID BRUDENELL.

 

Flying like a blind bat, from one quarter of London to another. I’ve

got some business in hand, and no one will do more than gape or laugh

at a fellow when he’s in terrible earnest. This cursed city! It soaks

up the poor and the helpless like a sponge; but I’ll wring it dry

yet--you’ll see if I don’t--you’ll see----

 

[_He twists the arm-chair round and sits facing the fire._]

 

LESLIE.

 

[_To HUGH, in a whisper._] I told you so--he is searching for her.

 

HUGH MURRAY.

 

Yes.

 

LESLIE.

 

What should I do if he found her!

 

HUGH MURRAY.

 

Nothing. Leave everything to chance.

 

LESLIE.

 

Chance!

 

HUGH MURRAY.

 

Chance is a fairer arbiter of our lives than we imagine. You are

terribly ill. [_She shakes her head._] I have written into the country

for some fruit for you; it should have arrived by this time, with this

morning’s bloom on it. I’ll go and enquire. [_She offers her hand,

which he merely touches._] Poor Will’s fast asleep. [_He goes out._]

 

LESLIE.

 

[_Bending over WILFRID._] Tired to death. Will, my dear brother, you

are the only one left me now and you are drifting away from me. Your

heart is no longer mine and your thoughts are no longer mine. It’s so

hard to lose husband and brother at once! Come back to me--come back to

me!

 

[_JANET, looking very poor and ill, appears at the door._]

 

LESLIE.

 

Oh! Janet!

 

JANET PREECE.

 

Mrs. Renshaw.

 

LESLIE.

 

How do you come here?

 

JANET PREECE.

 

I’ve been keeping near you since you left Florence. Days ago I found

out you were here, through watching your brother and Mr. Murray. If

I’d sent my name up to you you’d have refused to see me, so I’ve been

waiting my opportunity to steal into the hotel while the porter was

absent. Don’t turn me away till you’ve heard me!

 

LESLIE.

 

Sit down, while I think for a moment.

 

JANET PREECE.

 

Thank you.

 

LESLIE.

 

[_To herself, looking at the arm-chair in which WILFRID is sleeping

concealed from view._] Chance has brought them together again and Mr.

Murray says that chance is a just arbiter. I’ll neither unite them nor

keep them apart. Chance shall do everything for me. Well? Speak low,

please.

 

JANET PREECE.

 

[_Pointing to door._] Your brother is not in there?

 

LESLIE.

 

No. What do you want of me?

 

JANET PREECE.

 

To tell you this. I’m going out to Australia in company with some poor

farming people from down near home; I met them by chance here in London

and it’s settled. We sail from Plymouth the day after to-morrow, and

there’s an end o’ me.

 

LESLIE.

 

Can I--do anything--to help you?

 

JANET PREECE.

 

Oh, no, no. But before I go I’ve got to ease my mind of something that

you must listen to. It’s this. I’ve parted you from your husband.

Haven’t I? Haven’t I?

 

LESLIE.

 

Yes.

 

JANET PREECE.

 

Well, then, its only just to him that you should know this. It’s

_I_ that tempted _him_, not he that led me on; and I’ve lied to you

in letting you think the man was to blame instead of the woman. I’m

worthless, part of the rubbish of the world, and was so before I met

him, and he’s a better man than you think for. There!

 

LESLIE.

 

Janet, do you think I don’t see through the falsehood you’re telling

me?

 

JANET PREECE.

 

The falsehood!

 

LESLIE.

 

You’re trying to heal my sorrow with a fable. It’s useless; I have

heard the truth from my husband’s lips.

 

JANET PREECE.

 

Ah, then, in pity for me, take him back! Don’t let me go to my grave

knowing that I’ve ruined your life for you. Try to blame me more! Try

to blame me more! [_WILFRID stirs in his sleep._]

 

LESLIE.

 

Hush!

 

JANET PREECE.

 

We’re not alone!

 

LESLIE.

 

My brother.

 

JANET PREECE.

 

[_In a whisper._] He has not heard me. I’ll go.

 

LESLIE.

 

Janet, I’ll not keep the truth from you! Wilfrid loves you still.

 

JANET PREECE.

 

Oh, no!

 

LESLIE.

 

He has been searching for you for days past, and he is there now worn

with trouble and anxiety for you.

 

JANET PREECE.

 

Oh, don’t tell me! don’t tell me!

 

LESLIE.

 

It would be a reproach to me if I let you go in ignorance; and now,

Janet, I--I leave the rest to you.

 

JANET PREECE.

 

God bless you for the trust you place in me! You needn’t fear me.

Good-bye.

 

LESLIE.

 

Ah, Janet, I am so perplexed. We are both in trouble--both in trouble.

 

JANET PREECE.

 

In years to come, when I am only a mere speck in his life, you’ll tell him, won’t you?