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Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour
Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour
LADY FREDERICK
CHARACTERS
Lady Frederick Berolles
Sir Gerald O'Mara
Mr. Paradine Fouldes
Marchioness of Mereston
Marquess of Mereston
Admiral Carlisle
Rose
Lady Frederick's Dressmaker
Lady Frederick's Footman
Lady Frederick's Maid
Thompson
A Waiter at the Hotel Splendide
Time: The Present Day
Acts I and II —Drawing-room at the Hotel Splendide, Monte Carlo.
Act III —Lady Frederick's Dressing-Room.
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
Scene: Drawing-room of the Hotel Splendide at Monte Carlo. A large, handsomely furnished room, with doors right and left, and French windows at the back leading to a terrace. Through these is seen the starry southern night. On one side is a piano, on the other a table with papers neatly laid out on it. There is a lighted stove.
Lady Mereston, in evening dress, rather magnificently attired, is reading the papers. She is a handsome woman of forty. She puts down the paper impatiently and rings the bell. A servant answers. He has a French accent.
Lady Mereston
Did Mr. Paradine Fouldes come this evening?
Servant
Yes, miladi.
Lady Mereston
Is he in the hotel now?
Servant
Yes, miladi.
Lady Mereston
Will you send some one up to his room to say I'm waiting to see him?
Servant
Pardon, miladi, but the gentleman say 'e was on no account to be disturbed.
Lady Mereston
Nonsense. Mr. Fouldes is my brother. You must go to him immediately.
Servant
Mr. Fouldes his valet is in the 'all. Will your ladyship speak with him?
Lady Mereston
Mr. Fouldes is more difficult to see than a cabinet minister. Send his servant to me.
Servant
Very good, miladi.
[Exit Servant, and presently Thompson, Mr. Fouldes' man, comes in.
Thompson
Your ladyship wished to see me.
Lady Mereston
Good evening, Thompson. I hope you had a comfortable journey.
Thompson
Yes, my lady. Mr. Fouldes always has a comfortable journey.
Lady Mereston
Was the sea calm when you crossed?
Thompson
Yes, my lady. Mr. Fouldes would look upon it as a great liberty if the sea was not calm.
Lady Mereston
Will you tell Mr. Fouldes that I should like to see him at once?
Thompson
[Looking at his watch.] Excuse me, my lady, but Mr. Fouldes said no one was to disturb him till ten o'clock. It's more than my place is worth to go to him at five minutes to.
Lady Mereston
But what on earth's he doing?