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Page 1 of 11907 · PDF PAGE 81
…s! and here I stand [rzses and dows], Denys de Beaulieu, Damoiseau de Beaulieu, in the Province of Normandy, at your lordship’s service. ALAIN, That is your way of looking after the lady’s reputation. Hear mine! Allow me first to introduce myself as Alain de Malé- troit, Sire de Malétroit, and Warden of the Marches under his Majesty King Charles— DENYS. Whom God preserve ! [ Waves his broken sword. ALAIN, What excellent sentiments, and what an unfortunate omen—dear, dear me! And I have the honour to offer you the hand— I presume you already pos…
1907 · PDF PAGE 80
…is Sir! pray let 2k I knov | throat repeatedly. This continues long, not pray jet me speak. VY YOU Denys fidgeting more and more. DENYS, ALAIN politely :| The wind has gone down some- ° what. We know you. [ALAIN falls into a fit of silent D laughter. DENYS rtses and puts ENYS. [Lronicadly.| I am too honoured. ALAIN. Well? DENYs. You speak of a lady tome. You mistake me ALAIN. [I hope so. DENYS. Do not entrust a stranger with your family secrets, is my advice—as a man of the world. ALAIN. But my nephew !— DENYS. I do not even know your lordship’…
1907 · PDF PAGE 79
THE SIRE DE MALETROIT’S DOOR 73 ALAIN, Well, well, that’s all right. Here you are, which is the great thing after all, isn’t it? Sit down, my dear young friend [Denys zncomfortably and slowly takes a chair}, and we shall—er—arrange our little affair. You arrived uninvited, but believe me, most welcome. DENYS. Sir, you persist in error. I am a stranger: Denys de Beaulieu is my name, and I am here under a safe-conduct. That you see me in your house is only owing to—your door. ALAIN, Ah! my door—a hospitable fancy of mine ! DENYS. I don’t understa…
1907 · PDF PAGE 74
…OIT’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 ha…
1907 · PDF PAGE 82
76 A DRAMATIC VERSION OF DENYS. I am a prisoner then? ALAIN, I state the facts, and leave the inference to Monsieur’s indulgence. But before you alto- gether decline this marriage, it would be perhaps properer did I present you to the lady. DENYS. [Sees that he must humour his strange host; rises and bows in acyutescence with znane sintle and phrase.) Ah, Monsieur, you make me too happy ! [This speech ts not ironical but con- ventional and absurd. ALAIN strikes the gong. Enter PRIEST and bows. ALAIN. Require the presence of the Lady Blanche de …
1907 · PDF PAGE 84
…on’t know what we—you— will do, but thank you—thank you. DENYS. [Draws himself up.| Ah! Mademoiselle, trust me, all will be well. [Enter ALAIN and tronically bows. DENYS. [Grandly.] Messire, I suppose that I am to have some say in the matter of this marriage, so let me tell you without further ado, I will be no party to forcing the inclinations of this lady. [ALAIN sw7z/es, DENYS fazses.] I—er—you understand me, sir? [ALAIN s¢277 smiles.) Wad it been freely offered to me, I should have been proud to accept her hand, for I perceive she is as goo…
1907 · PDF PAGE 75
A DRAMATIC VERSION OF THI SIRE DE MALETROIT’S DOOR 69 ALAIN, Let her be resigned to the will of Heaven. [Zhe PRiEST smeles subtly, ALAIN perceives wt.) And my will. [Strites vong twice.] You may retire, father. [PRIEST dows and retires. Enter CAPTAIN and stands at salute.| Ah, Captain, you have your fifty men in readiness? CAPTAIN. Yes, my lord. [Sa/ztes.] ALAIN. Let them be drawn up behind yon door. When I clap my hands you will raise the arras, but let no man move. And let ’em be silent—the man I hear Thang. [CAPTAIN salutes.} You may go. [CA…
1907 · PDF PAGE 78
…s standing alert and intent, listen- wns. From below are growls and mut- fered curses ; then a sharp sound like the snapping of a sword. ALAIN, Amat janua limen! (Closes book.| Now, my friend, whoever you are—for your charming letter does not mention your honourable name—we shall very soon have the pleasure of seeing you. ‘ Embrace of the eyes,” eh? You distrust my door already, eh? Why do you knock so? [Great noise below.) No honester crafts- man ever built a door—you waste time! Why so reluctant to move from the cold night to the ‘‘ blush of …
1907 · PDF PAGE 83
THE SIRE DE MALETROIT’S DOOR 77 ALAIN, This gentleman drank a little too much for dinner. DENYS. Nay, by St. Denys, not enough, else had F been now along under Cousin Henri’s table, and not in this house of maniacs and men-at-arms, and beauties in distress. Oh, pardon me, I am rude. [W2th lively gal- lantry.| Mademoiselle! I wrong myself when I forget myself: what I would say is that if the arm or brain of Denys de Beaulieu can save you, it isat your disposal [starts: but sertous, struck|—I mean—[Aside.] St. Denys, what a coil is here! Is it po…
1907 · PDF PAGE 89
…ens his arms to her. She still stands about to sob again, breaks down, but this time flings herself on him and sobs on his breast. Enter ALAIN unseen. [Softly.] My darling! [BLANCHE ratses her face. DENYS goes to kiss her, but she draws back. BLANCHE. The captain’s name was Florimond de Cham pdivers. DENYS. I did not hear it. [A jawse.] Blanche, will you kiss me? [They take one long look and then tenderly and very deliberately kiss. They remain sa, silently delighting an each other. ALAIN, [Comes forward with a chuckle.) Good morning, nephew ! …
1907 · PDF PAGE 85
…ENYS. Frankly, sir, I think your troubles must have turned your brain; there are other ways of settling such imbroglios among gentlemen. ALAIN. Alas, sir! Tam old. When I was younger I should have been delighted to honour you ; but Iam the sole male member of my ancient house. Faithful retainers are the sinews of age, and I were a fool did I not employ the strength I have. DENYS. Oh, hang me now, and have done with it ! ALAIN. No haste. An hour of life is always— an hour. And though one half that time is nigh lapsed already, yet—if you will giv…
1907 · PDF PAGE 87
…With gesture ap- propriate. | [BLANCHE curls herself up in chair and sobs bitterly. DENYS goes to window and looks gloomily out. [Mimics ALAIN.] Hooks. Iron hooks. Fastened into the wall. Strong. H’m! and there is the Lady BI— oh! curséd luck—do you clap me on the shoulder like a good comrade? No! you get round my neck like a lover! Oh! was ever gallant VOL. III. in such a scrape before? But dawn cannot be far off: I shall—swing myself lightly out of it. BLANCHE, [ Sobbing. } Denys ! Monsieur Denys! Monsieur DENYS. She has my name pat enough. O…
1907 · PDF PAGE 86
…that any one should love me. And yesterday he asked me to meet him on the stairs, so that he might tell me with his own voice; but Uncle Alain found the letter, and oh! oh! [Crzes.] DENYS. Poor child! [.4s%de.] By heaven, I do love her. Was ever a man so ill-placed to win a woman? BLANCHE. I would not have answered it—oh ! Mon- sieur, I swear to you. I thought no wrong. But uncle shut me up in the chapel, and said I was to be married to-morrow—and—and —set a trap for you. DENYS. Mademoiselle, I never thought ill of you, believe me ! BLANCHE, Th…