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Cæsar's Wife: A Comedy in Three Acts

ACT II

The scene is the garden of the Consular Agent's residence. It is an Eastern garden with palm-trees, magnolias, and flowering bushes of azaleas. On one side is an old Arabic well-head decorated with verses from the Koran; a yellow rambler grows over the ironwork above. Rose-trees are in full bloom. On the other side are basket chairs and a table. At the bottom of the garden runs the Nile and on the farther bank are lines of palm-trees and the Eastern sky. It is towards evening and during the act the sun gradually sets. The table is set out with tea-things. Anne is seated reading a book. The gardener in his blue gaberdine, with brown legs and the little round cap of the Egyptian workman, is watering the flowers. Christina comes in.

Anne

[Looking up, with a smile.] Ah, Christina!

Christina

I was told I should find you here. I came to see Violet, but I hear she hasn't come back yet.

Anne

She was going to see the Khedive's mother.

Christina

I think I'll wait for her.

Anne

Would you like tea? I was waiting till Violet came in. I expect she's been made to eat all sorts of sweet things and she'll want a cup of tea to take the taste out of her mouth.

Christina

No, don't have it brought for me… I can never quite get over being treated as a guest in the house I was mistress of for so many years. [To the Gardener.] Imshi (Get out).

Gardener

Dêtak sa 'ideh (May thy night be happy).

[He goes out.]

Anne

Your knowledge of Arabic is rather sketchy, Christina.

Christina

I never see why I should trouble myself with strange languages. If foreigners want to talk to me they can talk to me in English.

Anne

But surely when we're out of our own country we're foreigners.

Christina

Nonsense, Anne, we're English. I wonder Arthur allows Violet to learn Arabic. I can't help thinking it'll make a bad impression on the natives. I managed this house on fifty words of Arabic.

Anne

[Smiling.] I'm convinced that on a hundred you'd be prepared to manage the country.

Christina

I don't think you can deny that I did my work here competently.

Anne

You're a wonderful housekeeper.

Christina

I have common sense and a talent for organisation. [Pursing her lips.] It breaks my heart to see the way certain things are done here now.

Anne

You must remember Violet is very young.

Christina

Much too young to be a suitable wife for Arthur.

Anne

He seems to be very well satisfied, and after all he is the person most concerned.

Christina

I know. His infatuation is – blind, don't you think?

Anne

[Coolly.] I think it's very delightful to see two people so much in love with one another.

Christina

D'you know that I used to be fearfully jealous of you, Anne?

Anne

[Amused.] I know that you thoroughly disliked me, Christina. You didn't trouble to hide it.

Christina

I was always afraid that Arthur would marry you. I didn't want to be turned out of this house. I suppose you think that's horrid of me.

Anne

No, I think it's very natural.

Christina

I didn't see why Arthur should marry. I gave him all the comforts of home life. And I thought it would interfere with his work. Of course I knew that he liked you. I suffered agonies when he used to go and dine with you quietly. [With a sniff.] He said it rested him.

Anne

Perhaps it did. Did you grudge him that?

Christina

I knew you were desperately in love with him.

Anne

Need you throw that in my face now? Really, I haven't deserved it.

Christina

My dear, I wish he had married you. It never struck me he'd marry a girl twenty years younger than himself.

Anne

He never looked upon me as anything but a friend. I don't suppose it occurred to him for an instant that my feeling might possibly be different.

Christina

It was stupid of me. I ought to have given him a hint.

Anne

[With a smile.] You took care not to do that, Christina. Perhaps you knew that was all it wanted.

Christina

[Reflectively.] I don't think he's treated you very well.

Anne

Nonsense. A man isn't obliged to marry a woman just because she's in love with him. I don't see why loving should give one a claim on the person one loves.

Christina

You would have made him a splendid wife.

Anne

So will Violet, my dear. Most men have the wives they deserve.

Christina

I marvel at your kindness to her. You're so tolerant and sympathetic, one would never imagine she's robbed you of what you wanted most in the world.

Anne

I shouldn't respect myself very much if I bore her the shadow of a grudge. I'm so glad that she's sweet and charming and ingenuous; it makes it very easy to be fond of her.

Christina

I know. I wanted to dislike her. But I can't really. There is something about her which disarms one.

Anne

Isn't it lucky? It's a difficult position. That irresistible charm of hers will make everything possible. After all, you and I can agree in that we both want Arthur to be happy.

Christina

I wonder if there's much chance of that.

[Anne looks at her for a moment inquiringly, and Christina coolly returns the stare.]

Anne

Why did you come here this afternoon, Christina?

Christina

[With a faint smile.] Why did you take so much trouble to get your brother moved to Paris?

Anne

Good heavens, I told you this morning.

Christina

D'you think we need make pretences with one another?

Anne

I don't think I quite understand.

Christina

Don't you? You wanted Ronny to leave Egypt because you know he's in love with Violet.

[For a moment Anne is a little taken aback, but she quickly recovers herself.]

Anne

He's very susceptible. He's always falling in and out of love. I had noticed that he was attracted, and I confess I thought it better to put him out of harm's way.

Christina

How cunning you are, Anne! You won't admit anything till you're quite certain the person you're talking to knows it. You know as well as I do that Violet is just as much in love with him.

Anne

[Much disturbed.] Christina, what are you going to do? How could I help knowing? You've only got to see the way they look at one another. They're sick with love.

Christina

What did Arthur expect? I've never seen a couple more admirably suited to one another.

Anne

I thought no one knew but me till this morning, when you were talking to Arthur. Then I thought you must know too. My heart was in my mouth, I was afraid you were going to tell him. But you didn't, and I thought I'd been mistaken.

Christina

You didn't give me credit for very nice feeling, Anne. Because I didn't act like a perfect beast you thought I must be a perfect fool.

Anne

I know how devoted you are to your son. I didn't believe you'd stick at anything when his interests were at stake. I'm sorry, Christina.

Christina

Pray don't apologise. I didn't know it myself. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell Arthur, but I simply couldn't. I couldn't do anything so shabby.

Anne

Oh, Christina, we mustn't ever let him know, we can't make him so miserable. It would break his heart.

Christina

Well, what is to be done?

Anne

Heaven knows. I've been racking my brains. I can think of nothing. I'd arranged everything so beautifully. And now I'm helpless. I thought even of going to Ronny and asking him to refuse any job that will keep him here. But Arthur looks upon it as so important. He'll insist on Ronny's accepting unless his reasons for going are – what's the word I want?

Christina

Irrefutable. It seems very hard that my boy should be done out of such a splendid chance by Ronny. Except for your brother I'm sure Arthur would give it to Henry.

Anne

[Diplomatically.] I know he has the highest opinion of Henry's abilities.

Christina

You can't expect me to sit still and let things go on.

Anne

Arthur is perfectly unconscious. He thinks Violet is as much in love with him as he is with her. You couldn't be so cruel as to hint anything to him.

Christina

How you adore him, Anne! You may set your mind at rest. I'm not going to say a word to Arthur. I'm going to speak to Violet.

Anne

[Frightened.] What are you going to say?

Christina

I'm going to ask her to do all she can to persuade Arthur to give Henry the job. And then Ronny can go to Paris.

Anne

You're not going to tell her you know?

Christina

[Deliberately.] If it's necessary she must make Ronny refuse the appointment. He must invent some excuse that Arthur will accept.

Anne

But it's blackmail.

Christina

I don't care what it is.

[Violet comes in. She wears an afternoon gown, picturesque and simple, yet elegant enough for the visit she has been paying. She has a large hat, which she presently removes.]

Anne

Here is Violet.

Violet

Oh, you poor people, haven't you had any tea?

Anne

I thought we'd wait till you came back. It'll come at once now.

Violet

How are you, Christina? How is Henry? [They kiss one another.] I've not seen him for days.

Christina

He's coming to fetch me presently.

Violet

I shall tell him he neglects me. He's the only one of my in-laws I'm not a little afraid of.

Christina

He's a good boy.

Violet

He has a good mother. I thought it would be such fun having a nephew several years older than myself, but he won't treat me as an aunt. He will call me Violet. I tell him he ought to be more respectful.

[Meanwhile Servants have brought the tea.]

Christina

What have you been doing this afternoon?

Violet

Oh, I went to see the Khedive's mother. She made me eat seventeen different things and I feel exactly like a boa-constrictor. [Looking at the cakes and scones.] I'm afraid there's not a very nice tea.

Christina

So I notice.

Violet

[With a smile.] I suppose I couldn't persuade you to pour it out.

Christina

[Gratified.] Certainly, if you wish it.

[She sits down in front of the teapot and pours out cups of tea. Arthur comes in.]

Arthur

Hulloa, Christina, are you pouring out the tea?

Christina

Violet asked me to.

Violet

If only I weren't here it would be quite like old times.

Arthur

I understand you want to see me, Violet.

Violet

Oh, I hope you haven't come out here on purpose. I sent the message that I wished to have a word with you when convenient, but I didn't want to hurry you. I was quite prepared to go to you.

Arthur

That sounds very formidable. I had a few minutes to spare while some letters were being prepared for me to sign. But in any case I'm always at your service.

Violet

The Khedive's mother has asked me to talk to you about a man called Abdul Said.

Arthur

Oh!

Violet

She thought if I put the circumstances before you…

Arthur

[Interrupting.] What has he got to do with her?

Violet

He's been employed for years on an estate of hers up the Nile. His mother was one of her maids. It appears she gave her a dowry when she married.

Arthur

[Smiling.] I see. I gathered that Abdul Said had powerful influence somewhere or other.

Christina

Who is this man, Arthur?

Arthur

He's been sentenced to death for murder. It was a perfectly clear case, but there was a lot of perjury and we had some difficulty in getting a conviction. What has the Princess asked you to do?

Violet

She explained the whole thing to me, and then she asked if I wouldn't intercede with you. I promised to do everything I could.

Arthur

You shouldn't have done that. The old lady knows quite well an affair of this sort is no business of yours. I wish you'd told her so.

Violet

Arthur, what could I do? His wife was there, and his mother. If you'd seen them… I couldn't bear to look at their misery and do nothing. I said I was sure that when you knew all the facts you'd reprieve the man.

Arthur

It's not in my power to do anything of the sort. The prerogative of mercy is with the Khedive.

Violet

I know, but if you advise him to exercise it he will. He's only too anxious to, but he won't move without your advice.

Arthur

It's monstrous of the Princess to try and make use of you in this way. She prepared a complete trap for you.

Anne

What did the man do exactly?

Arthur

It's rather a peculiar case. Abdul Said had a difference of opinion with an Armenian merchant and shortly after his only son fell ill and died. He took it into his head that the Armenian had cast the evil eye on him, and he took his gun, waited for his opportunity, and shot the Armenian dead. The man isn't a criminal in the ordinary sense of the word, but we can't afford to make exceptions. If we did there'd be a crop of murders with the same excuse. I looked into the case this morning and I see no reason to advise the Khedive to interfere with the course of justice.

Violet

This morning? When you came in to luncheon full of spirits, laughing and chaffing, had you just sent a man to his death? How horribly callous!

Arthur

I'm sorry you should think that. I give every matter my closest attention, and when I've settled it to the best of my ability I put it out of my mind. I think it would be just as unwise to let it affect me as for a doctor to let himself be affected by his patients' sufferings.

Violet

It seems to me horrible to slaughter that wretched man because he's ignorant and simple-minded. Don't you see that for yourself?

Arthur

I'm afraid I'm not here to interpret the law according to my feelings but according to its own spirit.

Violet

It's easy to talk like that when you haven't got any feeling one way or the other. Don't you realise the misery of that man condemned to die for what he honestly thought was a mere act of justice? I wish you'd seen the agony of those poor women. And now they're more or less happy because I promised to help them. The Princess told them I had influence with you. If she only knew!

Arthur

You should never have been put in such a position. It was grossly unfair. I'll take care that nothing of the sort occurs again.

Violet

D'you mean to say you'll do nothing? Won't you even go into the matter again – with a little sympathy?

Arthur

I can't!

Violet

It's the first thing I've ever asked you, Arthur.

Arthur

I know. I'm only sorry that I must refuse you.

Violet

This is the first sentence of death in Egypt since our marriage. Don't you know what it would mean to me to think I'd saved a man's life? The Khedive is waiting to sign the reprieve. It only requires a word from you. Won't you say it? I feel that the gratitude of these poor women may be like a blessing on us.

Arthur

My dear, I think my duty is very clear. I must do it.

Violet

It's clear because all that grief means nothing to you. What do you care if a man is hanged whom you've never even seen? I wonder if you'd find it so easy to do your duty in a matter that affected you. If it meant misery or happiness to you. It's easy to do one's duty when one doesn't care.

Arthur

You're quite right. That is the test: if one can do one's duty when it means the loss of all one holds dear and valuable in the world.

Violet

I hope you'll never be put to it.

Arthur

[With a chuckle.] My dear, you say that as though you hoped precisely the contrary.

Violet

Must I write to the Princess and say I was entirely mistaken, and I have no more influence over you than a tripper at Shepheard's Hotel?

Arthur

I'd sooner you didn't write to her at all. I will have a message conveyed which you may be sure will save you from any humiliation.

Violet

[Icily.] I'm afraid you have a lot of business; you mustn't let me keep you.

[He looks at her reflectively for a moment and then goes out. There is an awkward silence.]

Violet

Those good people we had to luncheon to-day would be amused to see what the power amounts to that they congratulated me on.

Christina

There's very little that Arthur would refuse you. He'd do practically anything in the world to please you.

Violet

It'll be a long time before I ask him to do anything else.

Christina

Don't say that, Violet. Because I came here to-day on purpose to ask you to use your influence with him.

Violet

You see how much I have.

Christina

That was a matter of principle. Men are always funny about principles. You can never get them to understand that circumstances alter cases.

Violet

Arthur looks upon me as a child. After all, it's not my fault that I'm twenty years younger than he is.

Christina

I want your help so badly, Violet. And you know, the fact that Arthur has just refused to do something for you is just the reason that will make him anxious to do anything you ask now.

Violet

I don't want to expose myself to the humiliation of another refusal.

Christina

It's so important to me. It may mean all the difference to Henry's future.

Violet

[With a change of manner, charmingly.] Oh! I'd love to do anything I could for Henry.

Christina

The Khedive has asked Arthur for an English secretary. It seems to me that Henry has every possible qualification, but you know what Arthur is; he's terrified of the least suspicion of favouring his friends and relations.

Violet

My dear Christina, what can I do? Arthur would merely tell me to mind my own business.

Christina

He wants to give the post to Ronald Parry…

Violet

[Quickly.] Ronny? But Ronny's going to Paris. It's all arranged.

Christina

It was. But Arthur thinks it essential that he should stay in Egypt.

Violet

Did you know this, Anne?

Anne

Not till just now.

Violet

Does Ronny know?

Anne

I don't think so.

[Violet is aghast. She does all she can to hide her agitation. The two women watch her, Christina with cold curiosity, Anne with embarrassment.]

Violet

I'm… I'm awfully surprised. It's only an hour or two ago that Ronny and I bade one another a pathetic farewell.

Christina

Really? But there was never any talk of his going till the day after to-morrow. You were in a great hurry with your leave-takings.

Violet

I thought he'd be busy packing and that I mightn't have another chance.

Christina

You've been so intimate, I'm sure he would have been able to snatch a moment to say good-bye to you and Arthur before his train started.

[Violet does not quite know what this speech means. She gives Christina a look. Anne comes to the rescue quickly.]

Anne

Ronny has been acting as Violet's secretary to a certain extent. I expect they had all sorts of little secrets together that they wanted to discuss in private.

Christina

Of course. That's very natural. [With great friendliness.] If I thought I were robbing you of anyone who was indispensable to you I wouldn't ask you to put in a good word for Henry. But, of course, if Ronald became the Khedive's secretary he couldn't exactly continue to write letters and pay bills for you, could he?

Violet

I'm rather taken aback. I'd got it fixed in my head that Ronny was going.

Christina

I can promise you that in helping Henry you're not doing any harm to Ronald. Anne is very anxious that he should leave Egypt. Isn't that so?

Anne

In a way. Henry is proposing to spend the rest of his official life in Egypt. An appointment like this is naturally more important to him than it would be to Ronny, who is by way of being a bird of passage.

Christina

Exactly. Ronny has had his experience here. If he stayed longer it would only be waste of time. Anne naturally wants to have him near her. I daresay she's a little afraid of his getting into mischief here.

Anne

I don't know about that, Christina.

Christina

My dear, you know how susceptible he is. There's always the possibility that he'll fall in love with someone who isn't very desirable.

Violet

I've got an awful headache.

Christina

Why don't you take a little aspirin? I'm quite sure that if you set your mind to it you can persuade Arthur to give the job to Henry. And that would settle everything.

Violet

And if I can't persuade him?

Christina

Then you must put it to Ronny.

Violet

I?

Christina

You see, if he refused the appointment and left Egypt, then I'm convinced Arthur would accept Henry.

Violet

Why should I put it to Ronny?

Christina

[Pleasantly.] You've been so very friendly, haven't you? If you suggested to him that… he's standing in Henry's way…

Violet

I should have thought it was for Anne to do that.

Christina

How simple-minded you are! A man will often do for a pretty woman what he won't do for his sister.

Violet

You want me to make him go?

Christina

Don't you think yourself that would be the very best thing… for all parties?

[Violet and Christina look steadily at one another. Violet sinks her eyes. She knows that Christina is aware of her love. She is terrified. Ronald comes in. He is in the highest spirits.]

Ronny

I've been sent to have a cup of tea. Sir Arthur is coming along in a minute. I've got some news. I'm staying in Egypt. Isn't it splendid?

[Violet gives a little gasp.]

Violet

Is it settled then?

Ronny

Did you know? I thought it would be a surprise.

Violet

No. I've just heard.

Ronny

Isn't it magnificent?

Christina

You're very changeable. It's only a few months ago that you were constantly telling Henry you'd had enough of the country.

Ronny

Never. I love it. I should like to stay here all my life.

Christina

Fancy that!

Ronny

[Addressing himself to Violet.] It would be madness to leave a place where you're so happy, wouldn't it? I feel so intensely alive here. It's a wonderful country. One lives every minute of the day.

Christina

You're so enthusiastic. One would almost think you'd fallen in love.

Violet

Ronny is naturally enthusiastic.

Ronny

[To Christina.] And why shouldn't I have fallen in love?

Christina

Won't you tell us who with?

Ronny

[With a chuckle.] I was only joking. Isn't it enough to have a splendid job in a country where there's so much hope? Sir Arthur has given me a marvellous opportunity. It'll be my fault if I don't make the most of it.

Christina

[Dryly.] Shall I give you a cup of tea?

Ronny

[Chaffing her.] D'you think I want calming down? I feel like a prisoner who was going to be hanged and has just had a free pardon. I don't want to be calmed down. I want to revel in my freedom.

Christina

All that means, I take it, that you don't want tea.

Ronny

It's no good trying to snub me. I'm unsnubable to-day. You haven't congratulated me, Anne.

Anne

My dear, you've been talking nineteen to the dozen. I've not had the chance to get a word in edgeways.

Ronny

[To Violet.] Will you put my name back on your list for that dinner? It would have broken my heart to miss it.

Violet

Your official position rather alters things, doesn't it? I would never dare to ask you now just to make an even number.

Ronny

Oh, well, I'm sending out the invitations. I shall write a formal letter to myself, explaining the circumstances, and I daresay I shall see my way to accept.

Christina

Dear Ronald, you might be eighteen.

[Arthur comes in with Henry Pritchard. This is Christina's son, a pleasant, clean young man, but in no way remarkable.]

Arthur

Henry tells me he's come to fetch you away, Christina.

Christina

So you lose not a moment in bringing him here.

Arthur

Really, Christina, you do me an injustice. I can't bear to think you should be parted from your precious boy an instant longer than necessary.

Henry

[Shaking hands with Violet.] How is my stately aunt?

Violet

Merry and bright, thank you.

Henry

You know I'm having a birthday soon, don't you?

Violet

What of it?

Henry

I've always been given to understand that aunts give their nephews ten shillings on their birthday.

Violet

Do they? I am glad. I'd love to press ten shillings into your willing hand.

Henry

Halloa, Ronny. Lucky devil. I congratulate you.

Ronny

That's awfully good of you, old man.

Arthur

On what? Christina!

Christina

I told Henry. I didn't think it would matter, I thought it better that he should know.

Henry

I say, Uncle Arthur, I'm afraid mother has been giving you a rotten time. It's not my fault, you know.

Arthur

What isn't?

Henry

Well, when mother told me at luncheon that the Khedive had applied for an English secretary, I saw by the beady look in her eye that if I didn't get the job she was going to make things unpleasant for somebody.

Christina

Really, Henry, I don't know what you mean.

Henry

Well, mother, you're an old dear…

Christina

Not so old either.

Arthur

Certainly not, Henry. Let us have none of your nonsense.

Henry

But you know perfectly well that you'd cheerfully bring the British Empire tumbling about our ears if you could get me a good fat billet by doing so.

Arthur

Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings…

Christina

You've got no right to say that, Henry. I've never asked anything for you that it wasn't practically your right to have.

Henry

Well, mother, between you and me I don't mind telling you that Ronny is much more suited to this particular job than I am. Only a perfect fool would have hesitated, and for the honour of the family we can't suspect Uncle Arthur of being that.

Arthur

You see what comes of bringing up a boy properly, Christina; you've made him a decent fellow in spite of yourself.

Christina

You're a tiresome creature, Henry, but I'm attached to you. You may kiss me.

Henry

Come along, Mother. I'm not going to kiss you in public.

Christina

[Getting up.] Well, good-bye, Violet. Don't forget our little conversation, will you?

Violet

Good-bye. Good-bye, Henry.

Christina

[To Anne.] Why don't you come for a little drive with us? It's such a beautiful evening.

Anne

Will you take me? I think I'd like it. It won't take me a minute to put on my hat.

[She gets up. They start to walk towards the house.]

Christina

[Putting up her cheek.] Good-bye, Arthur.

Arthur

Oh, I'll just come along and put you in your carriage. You shan't say that I don't treat you with the ceremony due to your importance.

[They saunter off. Violet and Ronny are left alone.]

Violet

You're coming back, Arthur?

Arthur

Oh, yes, in a minute. [Exit.]

Ronny

[Under his breath.] Violet.

Violet

Be quiet.

Ronny

Isn't it ripping? I could hardly prevent myself from letting them see how much I loved you.

Violet

You didn't. Christina suspected before and now you've told her in plain words.

Ronny

[Gaily.] That's only your fancy. You think because it's plain to you it must be plain to anybody else.

Violet

I've never before had anything to hide. D'you think I like it?