Page:Under the Gaslight.djvu/48



SCENE I.—An elegant boudoir at cottage, Long Branch; open window and balcony at back; moonlight exterior; tree overhanging balcony.

Bed is at ; toilette table ; arm chair ; door 2 ; lighted lamp on toilette table; dresses on chair by bed  and by window on  (Music.)

is discovered (en negligee) brushing her hair out at table before mirror.

Pearl. I don't feel a bit sleepy. What a splendid drive we had! I like that foreigner. What an elegant fellow he is! is nothing to him. I wonder if I'm in love with him. Pshaw! What an idea! I don't believe I could love anybody much. How sweetly he writes!—(picks up letter and sits on chair ) "You were more lovely than ever to-night; with one more thing, you d bean angel!" Now, that's perfectly splendid: "with one more thing, you'd be an angel—that one thing is love. They tell me Mr. is your professed admirer. I'm sure he could never be called your lover—for he seems incapable of any passion but Melancholy." It's quite true. does not comprehend me. (Takes up another letter.) ", forgive me if I have been cross and cold. For the future, I will do my duty, as your affianced husband, better." Now, did ever anyone hear such talk as that from a lover? Lover!—O, dear! I begin to feel that he can love, but not me. Well, I'd just as soon break—if he'd be the first to speak. How nice and fresh the air is! (she turns down lamp.) It's much nicer here, than going to bed. (Settles her self in tete-a-tete for a nap. Pause.)

[Moonbeams fall on, ''who appears above the balcony. He gets over the rail and enters''.

Byke. Safely down! I've made no mistake—no, this is her room. What a figure I am for a lady's chamber. (Goes to table, picks up delicate lace handkerchief, and wipes his face.) Phew! Hot! (Puts handkerchief in his pocket.) Now for my bearings. (Taking huge clasp-knife from his pocket.) There's the bed where she's sleeping like a precious infant, and here— (Sees in chair and steals round at back, looking down at hher.) It's so dark—I can't recognize the face. It's a wonder she don't feel me in the air and dream of me. If she does she'll wake sure—but it's easy to settle that. (Takes phial of chloroform from his pocket, saturated the handkerchief he picked up, and applies it.) So!—now my charmer—we'll have the ear-rings. (Takes them out.) What's herehere? [sic] (Going to table.) Bracelets—diamonds! (Going to dresses, and feeling in the pockets.) Money! That's handy. (He puts all in a bag, and hands them over balcony.) Now

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