Collected Works (Vol. III)

1906 A DRAMATIC VERSION! OF R. L. STEVENSON’S STORY THE SIRE DE MALETROIT’S DOOR (Written in collaboration with GERALD KELLY) SCENE I. The SIRE DE MALETROIT sitting before the fire. A chime of bells—eleven. ALAIN, ’Leven o° th’ clock! Plague take these lovers! What? do they make a Malétroit wait? [Picks up letter from table—reads] ‘‘ Mademoiselle ”— um, um — ‘‘ my words might show that love which I cannot declare in writing ”’—very likely—‘‘nor raise a blush on that alabaster brow”—um! um! ah !— ‘‘embrace of the eyes”—is the fellow an octopus ?—‘* Tho’ you do not respond to my letters ’’—ah !—‘‘yet I would not have you leave me” —I daresay not—‘‘ Pity me, moon- like queen ”’—moonlike? um !—‘‘ Leave the postern door ajar”’—well, it is ajar—‘‘that I may speak with your beauty on the stairs” —um—can’t meet him there. Cold! cold! [Snzfs.] A pretty letter. [Zhrozws it aside.) Andrew ! some more logs. [Her ANDREW.] I expect company. [Chuckles long.] The old Burgundy, Andrew. [#xz¢ ANDREW.] I propose to squeeze Duke Charles’ grapes, though fate and my age forbid me a smack at his forces — neu sinas Medos equttare tnultos—but our good King is no Augustus. [Strikes gong. Enter PRIEST quietly and quickly, ALAIN does not turn round, Good evening, father. All is ready? PRIEST. All, my lord. 1 This play has been publicly performed within the United Kingdom. Stationers’ Hall. All rights reserved. ALAIN, It is near the time, in her room? She has remained PRIEST. All the day. ALAIN. Has she attempted no message? eh? PRIEST, Sir, she —— ALAIN. [Jzterrupts.| She has not succeeded, at least? PRIEST, I am still Father Jerome. [ Pause. ALAIN. She is ready dressed as I ordered? And now praying in the Chapel ? [ALAIN gets up and can now see PRIEST. PRIEST, As you ordered, my lord. ALAIN, Content? [PRIEST puts out his hands with the gesture ‘* hardly.” PRIEST. Young maids are wilful, my lord. It is entered at 68