D I SRA E L I

A PLAY I N FO UR ACTS

BY

L O UI S N P K . AR E R

a

f ;

LONDON J OHN ANE H BODLEY HEAD ! L , T E

NE‘V YORK ! J OHN LANE COMPANY M CM! VI

TO

GEORGE ARLISS

AN D

DE NNIS E AD IE

' l N FR IENDSHI P AND AD MI RAT ION

NOTE

l Tim DISRAELI is in n o s ens e an his torical p ay . e w m s lav s n ot la w i hts ac s as ade for e , for p y r g ; f t — were m ade for biograph ers to av oid I h av e pl ayed L ad B e acons fie ld was s o h a m i n h av oc with b oth . y c r g , li Th e u an al was th at I h av e prolon ged h e r fe . S ez C t t n m an ti ills b u t s t ks pu rch as e d wi h ou a y ro c fr , oc - an d s h ares are dull s tu ff u nles s th ey b e gilt edged . Al l I h av e s t ri v en t o do is t o s h ow a pictu re of the im i h is a li liv th e ki n l t e n whi c D r e ed, of d of peop e h e h ad t n t n wi th n v all th e m an o co e d , a d, abo e , of m s l t as li i i n u t m th e h m l hi e f , n o a po t c a , b fro o e y i an d s ocial po n t of v iew. As Sir Fran cis Drake s aid on a m em orable oc i l N w as n la m s w d th e t ab . o c o , I y y or on e , wh s v s s hi s h an a ain m m m its o oe er rai e d g s t e , co ! m d n w a nl e s s m an ur er u po a e po . is a li w w itt n s s ta tiall s it s tan s D r e as r e , u b n y a d n w r s t at t e in s s ow in 11. I t h , 9 0 as fi produ ced Pr ce T h at n al on n da v n i a u a e re , Mo tre , Mo y e e ng , J n ry 23 111wi t t at fin e n li Ar li , 9 , h h E g sh actor , George ss , in th e ti l a t i s lsi sli s i t e p r , M s E e Le e as Claris a , M s s

a u rit St . h n as L Be acons fie l an d i M rg e e Jo ady d, M ss

a al T av s . T h e l as t c on M rgaret D e as Mrs . r er se c u tiv e m an in Am i a a t l s as ns perfor ce er c , f er ong e o in N e w k in st n i n hi a an d a t Yor , Bo o , C c go , f er t av lli n m u b Van u v m Ne w r e g fro Q e ec to co er , fro l an s t o S an a is t k l in l im Or e Fr nc co , oo p ace B a t ore A il 2 1 on 1. pr 7 , 9 5

T HE play was first produ ced in England at th e R oya lty

h atr London un d th e m an a m n t of ME . . E . T e e, , er ge e SSRS J ED R ENN E d D ENN I S E E on th e a t n o n V an ADI , f er o of T u s da A il 4 1916 with th e oll win ast e y , pr , , f o g c

THE R T H ON BEN J M IN D S A D en n is E adie . . A I R ELI

' O H a m la nd B u ke T HE D UKE OE GLASTONBUR Y . r W C E V D E HARL S, ISCOUNT E FORD A V S N C DOLPHUS, I COU T UDWORTH E KE E P ardoe Woodm a n LORD B R OOK OF B RO O HIL L . H u bert H a ben A I B M P E . S ICHAEL ROB RT, BART r MR H G ME YE Rs Vi nc en t S tern ro d . U H y MR L ML E Cam bell Gu llan . U Y FOLJAMBE p ’ MR E E Dis ae li s S r ta H oward S tur e . T ARL ! r ec e ry! g ’ fir! B As c or' !Disraeli s Bu tler! H en ry T emp leton ’ P OTTE R !Disraeli s Garden er ! Arthu r B owyer ’ K A u s tu s Keo h FLO O s !a R u ral Postm an ! J . ug g , P E B KYN S !Bu tler at Glas tonbu ry Towers ! M orr'ice S eaton FOOTMAN !at Glas ton bury Towers ! Fran k D enm an LADY B E ACON s FI ELD M a ry Jerrold THE D u cHE s s OF GLAsr' ONB URY Fran ces I vor THE LADY CLARISS A M a ry Glyn ne 0 4 0 ? s CUDWORTH Gladys You ng W9 ' l ‘ L D B R KE Ade la Weekes i‘“ A Y OO MR N E L T RAVE R Ga b i elle D o z ia t s . O s r r

t i E E S age D rector WILFR D ATON. i l r H S R . Mu s a D i t . c ec or J . QUI E PE R SONS

H N B EN M IN THE R T O . J D E L . A ISRA I THE D UKE O F GL AST ON B URY C R E VI S C UNT D E HA L S, O E FORD A U VI S C UNT CU DOLPH S , O DWORTH LOR D B R OOKE O F B R O OKE HIL L LR M P E S E . ICHA L ROB RT, BART MR H G ME YE R . U H s MR L M E . U LEY FOLJAMB ’ Disra li s S ta MR . TEARLE ! e ecre ry! ’ BAS COT !Disraeli s Bu tler! ’ P OT T ER !Disr aeli s Garden er ! P L O O Ks !a R u ral Pos tm an ! P E R KYN S !Bu tler at Glas tonb u ry Towers ! FOOT M AN !a t Gla s tonb u ry Towers ! LADY BE ACONSFI E LD T HE D UOHE s s O F GLAS T ON B UR Y THE LADY CLAR ISSA LADY CUDWORTH LAD Y B ROOKE MR s N EL . O TRAVERS

Di lom ats E n lis h and r i n n av al an d mi lita r p , g fo e g y

fi s l ds an d ladi s liv i d s v an ts e tc . etc . of cer ; or e er e er , ,

D I S R A E L I

ACT I

At Gla s tonbu ry T owers

s I t i s a The octagona l room a t Gla s tonbu ry Towe r . s m a ll m betwe n the b a k as t- oom on the le t a nd roo e re f r f , o h a - h ht La ldi n n e of t e dr wi ng room s on t e rig . rge fo g d s a ke d b illa s ea d to a h Th e r om i s oor fl n y p r l e c . o u richly fu rn ishe d. T here i s a circ la r ottom a n i n the m iddle th m At the ba k two la F n h of e roo . c rge re c w d ws n i nt the a ns T h u h th m one end in o ope o g rde . ro g e o a u t la wn s vis ibl f croq e i e .

[The lar ge doors right and left are closed when the u ta i n i s s The babb n v sati n i n the c r r e . le of co er o b a k ast- m i s h d h do R a th own ea T e s . re re f roo r . or r n and a b a i n the T im s a ope , FOOTMAN , e r g e on s a lv e t s ! H u ts on a tab At that m m e n t er , n er e p it le . o the do s l t ar th wn n b the a nd or ef e ro ope y BUTLER , te the D UOH E s s llow d b L C and en r , fo e y ADY UDWORTH L C a L who m a i ORD UDWORTH ; ls o ORD BROOKE , re ns left readi ng m en ]

ADOLPHUS [Com i ng from the brea kfas t-room follow i ng LADY CUDWORTH and the D UCHE s s ] An d are we in to alm al this Au tu m n h s go g B or , Du c e s D UCH E s s [Si tti ng on the ottom a n ] Th e cl ear Q u een h as expres s ed a wis h th at we sh ou ld com e in October . 3 D I S R A E L I

The F b ws to the a n d exit le t [ OOTMAN o DUCHESS , f door]

L h ll sh all wan t a ADY CUDWORTH O , Do y , I th u s an d u n ds wn o po for go s . ’ A A th us n d n I m s DOLPHUS . o a po u ds orry I m en tio n ed it E rm n tru de u a k DUCHESS . y , yo r b c L u D m l Ye s m am m a . ADY CUDWORTH [ e re y] , [S tifiens hers elf ]

[Enter LADY BROOKE from the drawi ng-room ]

LADY BROOKE [Com i n g behi nd ottom an and kis s ing m in m H the G d n m a m a . as v DUCHESS] oo or g , e ery body fin ish ed breakfas t I u h is s till atin DUCHESS . h av e . Yo r fat er e g or t lki n a g . L h e s m am m a with ADY BROOKE . Here com e , , e d D efor .

T alki n . I t h ad t o e th e th DUCHESS . g b one or o er .

[LORD DEEFORD a nd the DUKE en ter from the brea kfas t-room ]

a Whi d DUKE . Yer g , Deefor Y h ll il m l tt R es ! s a b u d d a s . CHA LES . I o e co ge A t all h as an is the b a kb n f er , a appy pe try c o e of n l an d E g . ’ ’ kn w wh at h a e as antr ll DUKE . D ye o yer ppy p y

’ ' do Th ey ll s ell yer drain pipes for O ld lead ; use t ai as w d an d k i s in an t yer s rc e for fire oo eep p g yer p ry . h n h all n th m ou t CHARLES . T e I s tu r e . A — an d b e h ld u t o u bli x ati n DUKE . y e p p c e ecr o as l n a h arsh a dl ord.

[CHARLES s hru gs his shou lders a nd goes up to the wi ndow] D I S R A E L I

L am m a d u thin d ADY BROOKE . M , o yo k Deefor

‘ will s peak to Clariss a t o-day t D OH i ld a d — He h as n ot a a d U E s s . H eg r e ppro ch e m e ye t ill im ‘ LADY CUDWORTH . W s h e a ccept h 2

ou s . DUCHESS . Of c r e ’ ’ kn w L . h d n . h s s o ADY BROOKE O , I o t o S e fu n n y .

t us t n o hild O f m i n was v un n . DUCHESS . I r c e e er f y LADY CUDWORTH [ Seated] Does an yon e kn ow h ow Lady B e ac on s fie ld is th is m ornin g

s n t Mrs . av s t o i n . Sh e DUCHESS . I e Tr er quire ll is qu it e we . ’ s t h LADY CUDWORTH . Th en I h an av e to go u p — l d h at lim bin s tai s . s h e r . a an d e e So g , e c g r SO id O f h e r t o in t u s t LADY BROOKE . h orr fa , j as I was we adin g alou d . ’ h d n t kn w— it did s t ou BROOKE . O , I o o op y DUCHESS [Perem ptorily] Brooke !

Mrs . T av s s aid m in d d LADY BROOKE . r er I re e h e r of S arah Bern h ardt .

A ath a alwa s s a s th e i h t thin . D UCH E s s . g y y r g g

' an b in abl to th a th e i h t ADOLPHUS . F cy e g e y W g thin g in th ev en l an gu ages h a m in w m a I h a m in littl DUKE . C r g o n C r g e u m

T a ha m i a nd v s m a t [Enter MRS . RAVERS , c r ng ery r - u w m a n m the d awi n m . She yo ng o , fro r g roo has a f an i n he r ha nd]

Gu s hi l to v b d G d MRS . TRAVERS [ ng y e ery o y] oo — m ornin g good m ornin g

s ds a ti u la l the [Everybody re pon p r c r y DUKE , it L tabl a n d ads who then s s . of e re ] 5 D I S R A E L I — . Ah I was us t t al kin a t o DUCHESS j g bo u y u , ’ Mr — — s . T av s . How i is a li s wi r er s e r Mr . D r e fe ? w ll I ’ ui m s u . Q te e , re T l . in . fi l MRS RAVERS . I ooked L ady B e ac on s e d s a s S h e is m u h b tt this m n i y c e er or n g.

D UOHE S S . ui t w ll . I Q e e s aid s o . ’ . T the u h R a MRS RAVERS [On D c es s s . ] De r — D u ch es s So s ym p athetic A1ready a t you r artis ti c work I l DUCHESS . t h e ps m e to thi n k. T Adm i i l h —An wh at MRS . RAVERS [ r ng y] O d do y ou thi n k of V n tl i DUCHESS [I n ocen y] Noth n g . H l w l MRS . T RAVERS . ow c a m Ho s t ate y B u t in d d ur m i n d m us t e ul l u i d ee , yo b f y occ p e

[The DUCHESS looks up ] with so m an y gu es ts . we h av nl our two ld i ls DUCHESS . Wh y , e o y e er g r n i sb an ds h a l s— Vis u n t d a d the r h u , C r e co Deefor , — l you know an d Sir Mich ae Probert . T h e G v n O f th e ank MRS . T RAVERS . o er or B of — r is a li n is En gl an d You h av e forgotte n M . D r e a d h wife [A F OOTMAN enters from the brea kfas t-room wi th a v L D C tak s two letters on a s l er . A Y UDWORTH e

tt He b i n s the the lett to . a le er . r g o r er MRS

the xit. T RAVERS , n e !

m i n D UOH E S S [Acidly] T hey are n ot y fr e ds . DUKE [ Wa rn ingly] Belinda th ey are ou r gu es ts .

l w n d in wh . Ye s . an n t h DUCHESS . I c o e p o er g y T n a wal k ADOLPHUS [T o MRS . RAVERS] Bee for this m ornin g i

D I S R A E L‘ I

t s CHARLES . I am n o u re th at a yo u n g lady s ho u ld 0

read Greek .

L . Will u la c wo e t D ADY CUDWORTH yo p y q u , ee ford 7

I am —ah—a s l a CHARLES . v er e to v io en t exercis e a i l t s u ch a m atu t n a h o u r .

MRS T . lik m d a h us an . RAVERS So e y poor e r b d . How is u h us b an d A ath a DUCHESS . yo r , g T Alludi to the l tt s i s adi n MRS . RAVERS [ ng e er he re g]

‘ — s m w ite s l Oh u s t th e a . h e is m v in Noe i , j e He r o g l i from Car sb ad to Kiss ngen . Wh n do ou x t to s e e CHARLES . e y e pec him 7 Wh en will h e b e in En gl and w T . v . a d s m MRS . RAVERS Ne er He n er fro on e in - l t n water g p ace o a other . AR t h e d iv s be n e fit CH LES . I tru s er e wh at v All th e w T . . at MRS . RAVERS None e er ers i d v l s n e ws m t m s v di s agree with h m . He e e op y p o e ery w an d h as t o s m wh ls to h an th m h ere , go o e ere e e c ge e . I m m b wh n we s m e t a DUCHESS . re e er e fir t you t - n E m s or— or B aden B ade , or ,

walb a h d a u h s . . h s MRS . TRAVERS Sc c , e r D c e S c h walb atS h - n e O f th s l DUCHESS . O o e p aces u t you go t o for go . w in You s o k d . MRS . T RAVERS . ere ’ was s am lin w ls . I u ld DUCHESS . I p g oo co n t f i ti n abl a n an s peak a word O th e r ob jec o e j rgo , d you h elped m e . a u h ss ! Wh s h u ld MRS . T RAVERS . De r D c e y o a i n l an u a You are n lish y ou s peak a fore g g ge E g .

T h an k h av n . B u t u u sb an DUCHESS . e e yo r h d was n ot with you th en . as til h ad MRS . T RAVERS [H y] He gone to

I n a h u . O h d a ! I u h t Schlan gen b ad . rry , e r o g 8 D I S R A E L I

t o b e wi th him n ow b u t we are s o dreadful ly poor [Ris i ng] C La u hi n Oh m T s e x HARLES [ g g] , co e ho e q u isite diam on ds l as t n igh t DUKE [ Stirri ng u ncomfortably behi nd the T i m es Ha —h u m

T u i kl with a w de u l s m il MRS . RAVERS [Q c y, on rf e]

i l m s . We are b u t we h av a s t s He r oo poor , e nce or . ’ Y kin Yo d t kn w Ah ou are loo g at m y frock . u on o w Th is h at shifts a poor little wom an is dr iv en to . i th kn s wh at i l s m v cos t m e noth n g . Wor ow c rc e I o e in n i i n With and s s m e h s b st adv is m . , co der e ert e e t [ a n appea li ng gla nce a t the DUCHESS] Th ere Now

you des pis e m e . ’ n s n s A ath a ! T h s n th in DUC HESS . No e e , g ere o g “ to b e ash am ed of in h avi n g a good figu re . e H e DUKE . H ah ah lw T . Oh u h ss ou are a a s s o MRS . RAVERS , D c e , y y

You kn w h ow I am . kin d. o poor

d a thin e s . DUCHESS . Poor e r g , y ’ h n si i n to T . B t on e as s t MRS . RAVERS u o e po o

keep u p an d on e m u s t look n ice . ’ i h a Yo o . Ch a m n Yo do . u d DUKE . u r C r ’ [He ca tches the DUCHESS S eye and colla pses behi n d — his pa per] h u in

wi th t le am s on a s al vcr [Enter the BUTLER L . e gr . k u him vi d tl i n s ea h o He loo s abo t , e en y rc f s om eon e]

For m e DUCHESS . M is li a T l am s r . a u G s BUTLER . e egr for D r e , yo r r ce

DUCHESS [Acidly] He is n ot h ere . He s tands H u G a . BUTLER [ elples s ly] N0 , yo r r ce [ i rres olu te] D I S R A E L I

T E o t t MRS . RAVERS [ agerby n he poi nt of aking the te legram s ] I think I cou ld find him D UOH E S S ha l ai l t A ath a ! T o [S rp y] Cert n y no , g [ t he BUTLER] Keep th em . [Exi t BUTLER]

a h a s te l m ne DUCHESS . Des p tc es , m ess ge , egra s O h as n o pe ace with th at m an in th e h ou s e m m lin da ! DUKE . Co e , co e , Be

[LADY BROOKE has been s een wi th BROOKE on

he i s eadi to him . The the lawn ou ts ide . S r ng y th u h wi He is bor d to d h enter ro g ndow. e eat ]

LADY BROOKE .

I kn ow n ot wh at I was pl ayi n g wh at was dr am in th n Or I e g e , B u t I s tru ck on e ch ord of m us ic

Like th e so u n d of a great Am en .

. iv in a ah t th e li MRS TRAVERS . T he d e S r o fe

[T he DUKE rises i rritably]

’ h I s a T h at s s t n n in BROOKE . O , y u g

He dis s hi s arm and d i ts ou t a ai [ engage , r f g n]

v l il a h th a is ot DUCHESS [Se ere y] H deg rde , I ope t n Swi nbu rne

T is s to hid her la u ht r and i s [MRs . RAVERS r e e g e jo n the DUKE]

’ h n m m m ! I t s a LAD Y BROOKE . O , o , a a de r l n Ade aide An e Procter . D UOH E S S [T o CHARLES] I do n ot allow m y n dau gh te rs to read Swi bu rne . LADY CUDWORTH and LADY BROOKE [T ogethe r

de m u l m am m a . re y] No , D I S R A E L I

’ lin t DUKE [T o MRS . TRAVERS] Be da s n ot o b e — — trifie d with wh at 7 Pu rity of th e h om e e h 7 Ah — ’ . th s n o l a lik m . MRS T RAVERS . ere p ce e h o e n DUKE . Th a k God

. s h ! au h ! MRS TRAVERS . Hu N g ty LADY CUDWORTH [To the DUCHESS very i n n tl i noce y] How p ap a does adm re a pretty face .

T o C Ch a l s t ak Mrs . DUCHESS [ HARLES] r e , e

T av s in h e s You m a m t Cl a iss a . r er to t ro ery . y ee r wan v m u t k t o ou CHARLES . I t ery ch o Spea y ,

Du ch ess . W ll— DUCHESS . e 4

C . Al if it w s si l . HARLES one , ere po b e

DUCHESS . Oh

[Looks m ea ni ngly a t L ADY CUDWORTH who ri s es a nd goes ofi throu gh the wi ndow wi th LADY BROOKE]

in f e w m in t s ll m b a k a u . We , co e c e Will h n k u . T o . T CHARLES . T a yo [ MRS RAVERS] you com e ? I will tell you abo u t m y s chem e for m odel cottages .

T . Oh h ow ab s bin MRS . RAVERS , or g

[They go ou t through the wi ndow and are seen on the la wn]

us li da s h u ld e at l DUKE [After a pa e] Be n , I o b gr efu is li if you wou ld n ot s peak of Mr . D rae as you to ld ou —~I in v it d him liti al do . I h av e y e for po c re as on s . D U OH E S S [Engross ed i n he r em broi de ry] I believ e Mr s h A h— an s tim abl a i ul tu al a . Jo ep rc e e gr c r — l abou rer is agit atin g in Som ers ets hire . DO you — propos e to i n v ite him for politic al reas on s 7 11 D I S R A E L I

’ x i AS if th DUKE . Ts h a ! You are v e at ous ere cou ld b e an y com par is on ’ A h s i ld e all in Mr . DUCHESS . I gran t t wou b rc a v u s h ld n ot f o r . Arch is a good S axon n am e . I ou b e s u rpris ed if h e cou ld trace h is an ces try m u ch

u th b a k t a . v h e is a f r er c h n you rs Moreo er ,

DUKE [ Tu rning to her qu i ckby] So is DUCHESS [D eliberately] Ben j am in Disr aeli 7 I t d s n t n l oe o s o u d prob ab e . F t d is th e ain s th e a t DUKE [ lus ere ] He br of p r y .

ai n s o n ot iv bi th . DUCHESS . Br d g e r

h as a hi v d a hi h siti n . DUKE . He c e e g po o B a in atin w is t a s an d m DUCHESS . y we r g s a co t arr y in g an old wom an for h e r m on ey DUKE [Com i ng to her] Belin da ! Yer n ot goin g t o s ay an ythin g again s t L ady B e ac on s fie ld 7 l . n ne hin DUCHESS O y o t g .

DUKE . Wh at 7

Mr is a li . Sh e m a i d . DUCHESS . rr e D r e lin da DUKE . Be

[ Seei ng the BUTLER who has agai n com e i n with a telegram on a s alver] — i I I h av e n Op at ence .

[Exi t i nto garden]

DUCHESS [T o BUTLER] Yes 7 li Mr . i a u G ac . BUTLER . D s r e , yo r r e t l am s 7 DUCHESS . More e egr ’ An th s a n ws a s at th e BUTLER . d ere e p per per on ’ ’ as kin im door for . i a l i Mr . s i s n t in . . I h av t ld ou o DUCHESS e o y , D r e

[Exit BUTLER] 12 D I S R A E L I

The i s s im ati tl [ DUCHESS r e p en y . Ente r CHARLES from the ga rde n]

R Are n CHA LES . you alo e 7

Ye s . B t t . o DUCHESS u t I am u of em per . Lau h h CHARLES [ g i ng] Oh , Du c ess .

Th at Mr . is a li tu n s our DUCHESS . D r e ! He r ’ hou s e in to a pu blic thorou ghfare ! An d n ow there s a news p aper pers on tryin g t o ge t in to the h ou s e . ll ism is s th e — h— n ws a CHARLES . Sh a I d a e p per pers on 7 n o ! i ts s m ili n i n a ti i a DUCHESS . No , [S g n c p ti W ll n ow Ch a l s wh at is it on] e , , r e , 7 thin k c n s s CHARLES . I y ou a gu e .

B t as s u m an n t . DUCHESS . Perh aps . u e I c o n I t d u de li h tf u CHARLES . Wh e accep e yo r g

in v it ati n di d s o with a u s . o , I p rpo e Y s DUCHESS . e 7 S h v b n thin ki n v s i u sl CHARLE . I a e ee g ery er o y la l n h n lu d h at it is te y , D u ch es s ; a d I av e co c ed t m y du ty to ge t m arried . ow ld are DUCHESS . H o you - w n t n e . CHARLES . T e y o

Th at is v un . DUCHESS . ery yo g C e t am thin kin m wi HARLES . Y s ; b u I g of y fe W e m u s t t ak tim b th e m ore th an O f m ys elf . e e y l She will h av a h av s n s ibiliti s fore ock . e to f ce e y re po e in th e n ear fu tu re . l ath is in d h alth 7 DUCHESS . Su re y you r f er goo e l b t his h abit li d s CHARLES . Excel en t ; u of fe oe

xt m l v it . i not en cou rage th e h ope of e re e onge y Br efly , I as k perm iss ion to pay m y res pectful address es to L l Ma h ou an d th e u k will ady C ariss a. y I ope y D e gr an t it 7 D I S R’A‘ E YL‘J I h

. I f I t h u k will . B u t DUCHESS gran it , t e D e l ar iss a is b a l tw n t C re y e y . l n CHARLES . I sh a l h av e th e better ch a ce of m u ldin h e r o g . h e i - i h e i s l a s DUCHESS . S s v ery high s pir ted s d p y a t i i M i ow than i n an no e of or g n ality . [ ore n s orr ger]

Sh e akes n o in t st in m id in s t an . t ere e bro ery , for ce She gav e u p h e r m us ic les s on s with Ar abella Goddard. An d wh at re as on do you thin k S h e ofi e re d ? Sh e s aid s h e was t oo m u si al an Ar ab ll a G dda d c , d e o r was n o t m u s ical en ou gh CHARLES [La u ghi ng wi th am us ed s u periority] Thes e am i abl n t i i i l m e R m m b e ecce r c t es do n ot a arm . e e er , s h e will b e n s t l i i t co an t y n m y s oc e y . DUCHESS [Qu i te si mp ly] Ye s th at ou gh t t o s b h e o er r .

C . Ma t k it th at ou a i us l HARLES y I a e , then , y gr c o y con s en t 7

. o u ll h a l s u ll sh all DUCHESS J yf y , C r e joyf y I b e v a t ery h ppy to h ear sh e h as acce p ed you . - H ta k s Y l t t a . e CHARLES . ou sh a l h ear th a o d y [ e her hand and ki ss es i t form a lly] Th an k you Th an k you

n te th u h the wi n d w the an d L [E r ro g o , DUKE ADY

w d b . T BEACONSFIELD , follo e y MRS RAVERS]

DUKE [Com i ng i n apprehens i vely] Here is Lady

B e ac on s fie ld li n da . , Be — DUCHESS [ Coldby] Ah good m orn in g . LADY BEACONSFIELD [ Ve ry genia lly] Good m orn i n s g , D u ch e s .

am l to ou re m u h b tt . DUCHESS . I g ad h ear y a c e er l kin T nk ou . am LADY BEACONSFIELD . h a y I oo g for m y s capegrace h us b an d. 14

DJ S R A E L I — DUCHESS [ Shocked] D u ke Agath a !

. T Gu s hi l to th h MRS RAVERS [ ng y e DUCHESS] O , d a u h ss th a w n l k e r D c e , t as o y a jo e . I do n t a th s t f k DUCHESS . o c re for at or O j o e . CHARLES [Ponderous ly] I fear th e r u n of th e ll a s w u ld b e m u h u s e t o Th e ce r o not of c you . n um b s th e n t s are kn w an er of o e o n , d ’ . D u l Yo t lik MRS T RAVERS [ em re y] Ye s . u don e k s ith d o jo e e er , o y u 7 l CHARLES [P os ing] Hu m ou r is of s ev era ki n ds . e x m e n W O ford h av e a h u m ou r of our own .

T . Whi h o k t o s lv s . MRS . RAVERS c y u eep you r e e

n t A om the a de n l a d d wi th [E er CL RISSA fr g r , o e w he m es i n wi th a u h flo ers . S co r s ]

C m n in LARISSA . Good or g , ev eryb ody C L l a iss a HARLES . ady C r Cl a iss a T t MRS . T RAVERS . r [ oge her] M d a hild DUCHESS . y e r c C R T s s i the w s as ide a n d m i to LA ISSA [ o ng flo er , co ng ’ her m the m th I m x it d o r] Oh , o er SO e c e I wi I l su ad ou n v to b e DUCHESS . sh cou d per e y e er x i e c ted. ’ n ou s h uld t h av th e a s t CLARISSA . Th e y o n e gre te m an in th e world t o s tay h ere . [CHARLES s hows annoyance]

Th he alls him L ADY BEACONSFIELD . ere S c t t s t m an in th e w ld too h e grea e or , i to and ta ki n b th her ha ds CLARISSA [Com ng her, g o n ] h w m an ! Al wa s t o b e wi th hi m Oh , you appy o y hi th h t Oh ou h a T o b e th e firs t t o kn ow s o u g s , y ppy

’ L ADY BEACONSFIELD [Ki ss i ng her] Th at s wh at

I k n s a in m d a . eep o y g, y e r 16 D I S R A E L I

an s m s v i e CLARISSA . He tr for e eryth ng h to u ches . n u s th e l an ds a i o ai l a He ev e t rn c pe nt f ry nd. A ’ prim ros e by a riv er s brim is n ot m erely a yellow im s t the xt au i l i s pr ro e , bu te for be t fu fanc e CHARLES [B oom i ng] I t is m y delibe rate opin ion th a ta e sm a sh d i u l i n i t a s t n oul not nd ge n fa c es .

[CLAR ISSA gi ves him a look which ou ght to warn hi m he is treading on dangerous grou nd ; bu t he i s too absorbed i n his own wi sdom to noti ce i t]

UK Abse t-m i dedl to B u t m D E [ n n y, CLARISSA] co e com e Wh at hav e you done with Dizzy 7 [T o LADY BEACONSFIELD] Hu m ! I beg you r p ardon ’ Y n I l him LAD Y BEACONSFIELD . ou e edn t . c al i e lls i z Diz zy bec au s e I lov e h m . Th world ca him D z y au s i l s im a i k m is l th n b ec e t ov e h . Th t n c na e nob er a a peerage . ’ Ah I w l is ai DUKE . on t apo og e ag n . Wh ere is h e 7

’

I hi h e s to th e a ks . CLARISSA . t nk gone feed pe coc LADY BEACONSFIELD [Laughi ng] Oh ! Peacocks i iv l d t s n m h d an d s wans ! h e pos t e y o e o the . Hu g en en - is quite ov er ru n with them .

x n a alit Mr . D is ADOLPHUS . E traordi ry pers on y , ’ t m an ou l m in t a m r ae li s . Sor of y fee co e o roo , ’ ev en if you don t s e e him . ’

s s at s ns s ll . CHARLES [Cro ly ] Th no en e , Do y ish ll ! b d t ak s an BROO KE . Wubb , Do y No o y e y n otice wh en I com e in to th e woom ’ I m a n in h a him s ak MRS . T RAVERS . ye r g to e r pe . Wh A ath a DUCHESS . y , g 7 ll s m e h e s a s su h MRS . T RAVERS . Ev erybody te y c n wonderful thi gs . 17 D I S R A E L I

W n d CLARISSA [Enthus iasti cally] So h e doe s . o er f u l an d b a i l e u t fu .

nte s m the a d a i n a [DISRAELI e r fro g r en , c rry g s m a ll bu nch of flowe rs ]

ss ks are m u ltin DISRAELI . Du ch e , you r peacoc o g

t o a l T h n m an l t . o e r y . ey wa t ore food d es s wa er

I o n ot att o an im als . DUCHESS . d end t d al DISRAELI . Then I fe ar you m i ss a great e of h ti ff ti n T h to his wi d m n p at e c a ec o . [ en , fe ] Goo or h in a An n . T o t e th s n in . , M ry [ o er ] Good m or g g — u k Ah Mrs . T a s D e , r v er 7 T R m ili D id u h v a l as an t MRS . RAVE S [ S ng] yo a e p e walk with Claris s a 7

li h t u l . Win h an in h a d DISRAELI . De g f ter d n S in I n n n with with pr g. oce ce a as ti a ll Gui l 7 CHARLES [S rc c y] e ,

x . hin DISRAELI . E perien ce S am e t g . w s T . An d th s h a m in 7 MRS . R AVERS o e c r g flo er L a m DISRAELI [T o ADY BEACONSFIELD] M ry , y dear you r m orn in g tribu te

th a n d the kiss es her [He ha nds he r e flowers , n , m u ch to the dis gu s t of the othe rs ]

T o L . T h an k ou i ! ADY BEACONSFIELD y , D zzy [ the the x lai n i n m n in his o rs . E p g] Ev ery or g of - wh erev er we are T Lau hi H w u n allan t to MRS . RAVERS [ g ng] o g om it u s M h m a t o L B e acon s fie ld is a DISRAELI . y o ge ady

hom age to th e en tire s e x .

T u ts ies [MRS . RAVERS c r ]

L hi n l NO ADY BEACONSFIELD [P rotesti ng la ug g y] , 18 D I S R A E L I

’ ’ i I w fi li s a no , D zzy ! on t b e pu t o ke th at ! I t

- s n al l v t k n an kn w it . per o o e o e , d you o DISRAELI [La ughi ng] L ay n ot th at flatterin g u n ction t o your s oul You kn ow I m arried you for u m n yo r o ey . [Everybody dee ply s hocked]

’ L Al l v ll b u t if twas ADY BEACONSFIELD . ery we ’ to do v a ain n m m e l v . o er g , ow you d arry for o e i e th t For all wh o DISRAE LI . Per sh th ou gh ! m a l i a i wi s ru n awa rry for ov e e ther be t the r v e , or y from th em . I i tl I t s t are s tin CHARLES [ nd gna n y] ru you je g, s ir [L ifti his e e la ss and l ki g a t him DISRAELI ng y g j oo n a n t Sir I t s I m B u t I c an v b e m om e ] , ru t a . ne er B a ki o ill t s u re . [ re ng fi] St no Prober 7

i l is xt m l u s . DUCHESS . S r Mi ch ae e re e y b y D l sR AE LI [Cros s i ng toward bell-pu ll] T sh ! Lazy m a n L — CHARLES . azy 7 wh o d s u s . T h e m an DISRAELI . Wh y , of co r e oe ’ t in s s h u ld n v b e s n d in e m . h g , o e er ee o g

T h at is a s . CHARLES . po e ’ wh n h e l ts t t ll . I t s a s DISRAELI . No a a po e e e im l n h s e f b e s ee .

’ [T o everybody s a m a z em en t he ri ngs withou t as ki ng leav T he n he m m b s e . re e er ]

h— u h s s m a I in O D c e , y r g 7 u l ou h av DUCHESS [S ha rply] You h av e . S re y y e breakfas ted 7 A s a o DISRAELI . ge g

[ T o the BUTLER who enters and com es to DUCHESS] 19 D I S R A E L I — Ah would you v ery ki ndly tell Sir Mich ael Probert I wish t o s peak to him

[He ca reles s ly drops his hat and cloak on the ’ BUTLER S arm ] [The B UmL E R i s ta ken aback and gla nces at the he exit DUCHESS . S nods . The BUTLER ]

DUKE [T o brea k the a wkwa rd pause to the you ng — people] E r h ad a pleas ant gam e C T o the la hi LARISSA [ DUCHESS , ug ng] Poor Per k s n a l yn e r y fain ted . DISRAELI [T o CLARISSA] Why 1 DUCHESS [S tifily] One does n ot realis e th at th e — Gov ernor of th e Bank of Engl an d c an b e ah n ru g for . DISRAELI [Sim ply] Wh y n ot I t s i has ti l M d a li da DUKE [ n erpo ng y] y e r Be n ,

Mr . i a li e t m bl at his D sr e orders us all abou t . W re e

n od .

i is e an d the MRS . T RAVERS . Th e Prim e M n t r Gov ernor of th e Bank Wh at wonderful thin gs we s h all witn es s I a d a l ad L ki at he r DISRAELI . fe r not , e r y [ oo ng dream i ly] Stran ge S tran ge i th k av s Is MRS . T RAVERS [ W m oc ala rm ] He en ‘ m y h air com ing down P Y m in m e s m hin —s m DISRAELI . ou re d of o et g o e t l hin g b u e an d wh it e . T H ow h arm i n MRS . RAVERS . v ery c g DISRAELI [T o the DUCHESS] I am goin g to c arry m y im pertin en ce s o f ar as to ask you to allow m e to s e e Prob ert in priv at e . ill k im to th e lib a DUCHESS . W you t a e h r ry 7

e s l m n . I t s u s ts DISRAELI . Th library is too o e gge 20 D I S R A E L I

— I wa t is a t a o n . All h a Ca l s s l C nfere ce n c . [ re e y] N0 his dain m with its w s its s u n shin ; t ty roo , flo er , e , will answer m y pu rpos e qu ite well .

[Gene ral horri fied am az em ent]

D UOHE S S [Ris ing i ndigna nt] B u t ’

as til u s u s . ll DUKE [H y] Of co r e , of co r e We

n . T is arm Mr s . clear ou t . [Ofleri g MRS RAVERS h ] ’ T a s I ll s h w ou m n s . linda ak Lad r v er , o y y gu Be , t e y n B e ac on sfie ld to th e ora gery .

T . The C O R THS [Exit with MRS . RAVERS UD W and BROOKES go ofi i nto the gar de n]

M vi to o tu s to Y DUCHESS [ o ng g , rn CLARISSA] ou

ll ai e d lar iss a . xit i t a d wi entert n D efor , C [E n o g r en]

CHARLES [ T o CLARISSA] I sh all b e en ch an ted . Lad la iss a I h l lik to t ll ou ab u m y C r , S ou d e e y o t y - t s t t I am v i d h at a ah reform s on h e e a e . con nce t h appy peas an try t v m i v to R DISRAELI [At enti e , co ng o er CHA LES] a m s u n n l m an Wh t refor , yo g ge t e CHARLES [Haughtily] Oh ! I fear you woul d t I am l aim i consider th em beneath n o ice . rec ng m ars h y districts ; in trodu cin g a ne w s ystem of drain age ; bui ldin g m odel dwellings ; m odel dairi es ; m ere qu es tions of san itation . wi th s u i e Wh DISRAELI [Looks at CHARLES rpr s ] y , I h ad n o idea ! A poli cy of s ewage ! T h at is s plen di d ! Th at is tru e s tatesm an ship ! Heal th b e fore ev erythi ng S ani tas sanita tu m om nia sanitas . CHARLES [B ridling] I kn ew you woul d lau gh at T o R Will ou m 7 m e . [ CLA ISSA] y co e ’ I m in t o CLARISSA [Coldly] Very s orry . go g S he tu s to o write u p m y diary . [ rn g ] 2 1 D I S R A E L I — CHAR LES [Followi ng her] You r diary 1 C s I di a ti u in LARISSA . Ye . [ n c ng DISRAELI] D r g ou r walk e s ai thin s I h d g wan t to rem em ber .

[CHAR LES m a kes a n a ngry ges tu re a n d exit through wi nd w i ht s hu tti i t a him o r g , ng fte r ] t SIR C cu ts ies [En er MICHAEL PROBERT . LARISSA r to him ]

i ir i h a l ! xit CLARISSA . Good m orn n g , S M c e [E ] n in ! PROBERT . Good m or g T o Mr i a li I am v u s this [ DISRAELI] . D sr e , ery b y ni n m or g . h ow at u l ou m u s t b e DISRAELI . T en h gr ef y for this int erru ption

N w Mr . is a li PROBERT . o , D r e h n m n t . He s s s to t e DISRAELI . O e om e [ cro e d awi n - m d whi h he los s th n he l s s b th r g roo oor , c c e e c o e o wi ndows ] FROB B E D’ [ Watching him i n wonde rm ent] Good ’ h eav en s I s n t it warm en ou gh 7

xt di a h ow v i s av l . DISRAELI . E raor n ry o ce tr e E h PROBERT . h ow a s m h al -wa DISRAELI . An d pretty e r co e f y

to m eet th em . R ' ou s u es t—7 P R O B E r . Do y gg w Sit i it d t . DISRAELI . Noth ng . S o n , Prober down PR OB E R r' [ Sitti ng u nwi llingly] I am u n us u ally b u s y

ll N w t ll m e . I am u su a b u s . o DISRAELI . y y e ‘ l i t t we h all n to b ed You arriv ed as t n gh af er ad go e ,

bu t you fou n d a n ot e from m e awaitin g you . H ! h at s n ot m an t to b e . a h a T wa PROBERT , e t ak n in n s t e ear e .

D I S R A E L I

f k 7 always falling . Wh at di ference does th at m a e ’ Don t th e Conserv ativ es inv ariably go on j us t where t e R l l t n d vi v e rse sid s in th is h adi ca s ef off , a ce 7 Be e , ’ h tim all This thin m b e d n cas e it asn t e to f . g us t o e within th e next three weeks lon g before Parli am en t m eets

R S outs ide l s to the [M s . T RAVER appears , c o e wi ndow]

i h a PR OBERT . Why n su c hurry 7 aus th e hi h - ad to I di a DISRAELI . Bec e g ro n P R O B E Rr' [I nterrup ti ng him wi th a s nort] Oh ! th at ancien t b ugb ear at s n — al DISRAELI . T h ev er pre e t peril Our riv s - knowof this opportu nity to pu rch as e thi s h igh ro ad. ’ R O B E R r' w av n t t as it P . Th en hy h e h ey pur ch ed 7 ’ n t ad v DISRAELI . Th ey re o re y ; th ey h a e no — w hin w t u t th are a u s . Th are a h fleet , b ey tc g ey c ing m e

R tl u hes the wi d w [MRS . TRAVE S gen y p s n o open

E R ' ! i PR O B r . Ha Th e spy m an a And if h se e th e s li h s t m v DISRAELI . t ey g te o e h will s a u th e an al t n o on m y part , t ey n p p c , flee or fleet

—f - - PROBERT . Ha t Whe re s t he m on ey to c om e tram 7 DISRAELI [Quickly] What h wa t he y done wit h ’ Franee s twe nty m i lh asds 7 FR OE B E I’ ’ [T u rn i ng to him ] B u t m y dear sir

he is i n o tl [He sees MRS . T RAVERS . S n cen y plu cki ng a flower from a cree per s u rrou nding the wi ndow] 24 D I S R A E L I

B J ov e w y , h at a pretty wom an

' S he h lds the ow i n her ha d e [ o fl er n , to he i n at them , ds l as a ntl a a on a ou t o i no p e y, nd p sses nd f s ght]

Tu s t wa DISRAELI [ rn o rds MRS . T RAVERS as PROBERT s a ks . He wa its u ntil she be i s to m v th pe g n o e on , en

tu r s to Yes . atch s t n PROBERT] [ W e her goi ng, he n tu rns to PROBERT again] Su ch pretty ears

i G s u and w d w s ta ds th [ oe p closes the n o , n ere thi ki n a m m t th dis m is s s the i id t n g o en , en e nc en and om s d w to who has c e o n PROBERT , resum ed his s eat ]

W ll sir t h a li l rl ei e , , af er t t de gh tfu in te u d

. sir i i i u s h m PROBERT No , , n m y op n on yo r c e e is - h a ain . i n s t t re br ed Moreov er t is u con i u tional , and th e B an k will b e no party to you r hi gh -h anded m ethods . DISRAELI [I m patiently] I tell you there is no tim e P R OB E Rr [ Wavi ng him as ide ] You exaggerate Yo av th e as t th e im portance of th e thi ng . u h e E ern t t s a l u s thr u h a im agina ion . Becau s e hi c na r n o g s t o se e it in a d am — in a m i a de er , y u re r ge

DISRAELI [ Sitting on the ca us eus e] Neat again . i hi we ts [ With a wh m s ica l gla nce at m ] Ah , poe

Th e an is a s s d ailu . PROBERT . c al confe e f re h P‘ DISRAELI . O ’ ’ ' s t a s a ailu . PR O B E Rr . Wh ate v er doe n p y f re [P onde rou s ly] I h av e it on excellent au thority th a t th e ton n age whi ch p ass ed throu gh it las t year DISRAELI [I nte rrup ting him i mpatiently] En glish — t n m ti all all lis h . o nage , re em ber prac c y Eng it 7 PR OBERT . Wh at of 25 D I S R A E L I

W l u lik t s al l s d DISRAELI . ou d yo e o e e the c an c o e t o it 1

’ ’ R I t s l sin its l ! H a h a ! I t s s iltin P OBERT . c o g e f , g u sir sil in u ! n th e n l s hi s aili n on it p, ; t g p Soo o y p g e t e h e I m an th e am l s ir ! will b h ship of t des ert . e c e , DISRAELI [I nnocently] I thought you m ean t th e cam el . ’

wa th e as t . n t t u h it PROBERT . Be re of E Do o c , ir ! o will u n d . R m m b h a a h s or y u go er e e er P r o , R em em b er Ph araoh Ye s u t wh at ab u t s s 7 DISRAELI . b o Mo e

' — — O B E R a e w h u m h e was iv il d . PR r . He was J pr ege I n sh — DISRAELI . ort 7 I n sh t— Ri s i I di s a v PROBERT . or [ ng] ppro e of

n t i as Mr . is a li th are u n your flam b oya de , D r e ; ey En glish ; an d th e B an k sh al l n ot s tir a fin ger to fu rth er th em .

v s awa t hi s a a nd [DISRAELI m o e y, mas eri ng nger , opens the wi ndows ] — Why ar e you 7

ou w tti too wa m . DISRAELI . I fear ed y ere ge ng r

I was .

— i hin k I h av m ad PROBERT . H a I rejo ce to t e e s i l this ras h en terpris e im pos b e . ’ h bu t ou h av n t . DISRAELI . O , y e R ' ! will ou th e P R O B E r . Wh at Wh ere y go for m oney 7 DISRAELI [T u rni ng to hi m a nd com ing down all s lowly] I sh all go wh ere Ph araoh wen t . Wh ere

I sh all t o Mos e s . Chris tians go . go l

' / s d the m m e t but he [P R O B E R r i s nonplus e for o n , recovers and cross es de te rm i nedly to the drawi ng room door] D I S R A E L I

A n t an a e u d s tan d . t PROBERT . y r t , er I will b e n o u se m i n t o m e co g . Un der n o circu m s tan ces wh atsoev er sh all th e Na tion al I n s titu tion of whi ch I am th e h ad b e a a t t o un n ti ti e , p r y you r co s tu on al t s At th d tu t m h d . e i o A i e o [ oor , rn ng DISR ELI] Th s , sir is d ni l , efi te an d fin a .

hi is al Sir i h a l . I n th e DISRAELI . Not ng fin , M c e u nlik l v n s s aili n e I s n e y e e t of Mo e f g m , m ay e d for you again . D e nt An I sh l m s ir PROBERT [ fia ly] d al not co e , [Exit]

[LADY BEACONSFIELD has ente red throu gh the wi ndow]

DISRAELI [Looki ng after PROBERT] I thin k you

ll . wi I thin k you will .

[He clos es the door a nd s ta nds thi n king a m om ent]

LADY BEACONSFIELD [Anxious ly] Hav e you qu arrelled with him 7 — ’ — ’ . m d a b u t h e s h e s DISRAELI No no , y e r , i i m iss ed h s opportu n ty .

He ss u i kl to the w i ti -des k ulls the [ cro es q c y r ng , p bell and s its to wri te a telegram ]

a I wa t ou m m m an d wr it M ry, n y to co e to y roo e

l m e t l h s . s om e etters for m e . I us t g h o d of Hu g Meyer LADY BEACONSFIELD [ Wi th a touc h of a nxie ty] u h s th e b an k H g Meyer , er ’

s th e b an k . Th a s th e DISRAELI . Hu gh Meyer , er t ’ m an a th at s th e m an . , M ry,

[BUTLER enters ]

Wo u ld you v ery kin dly s en d th at telegr am 7

i s i t o the who xit [G ve t BUTLER, e ] 27 D I S R A E L I

’

i ks u MRS . RAVE Rs s an l ks a t [DISRAELI p c p T f , oo it and thin ks ; puts it down ; rises and com es w to ' L t s lo ly cenh e . ADY BEACONSFIELD wa ches h m a us i i nxio ly calls to h m . ] L ADY BEACONSFIELD . Diz z y

[He s tops and beckons to he r to com e to him ]

— h av s s DISRAELI . Mary where e I een Mrs . Trav er before 1 — ’ LADY BEACONSFIELD [Relieved] Oh we v e m e t h e r at di n n ers I m a l a DISRAELI . No , no e n , ong go . ’ L No iz z f ADY BEACONSFIELD . w, D y You re o f - on on e of you r wild goose ch as es . w s e An sh e h a t m . DISRAELI . d n o u n Sh e w shi s ou - all LADY BEACONSFIELD . or p y as w pretty om en do . — DISRAELI [M us i ng] Blu e and white blu e an d white al LADY BEACONSFIELD . Wh at are you t king abou t 7 I n t h e r with s m hi blu an d DISRAELI . con ec o et ng e w hite . and are s ssi on [MRS . TRAVERS CLARISSA een cro ng w R R la u hs the la n . M S . T RAVE S g ]

Diz z I L D CO F LD . y A Y BEA NS IE — s e is a ai wi h Cla issa . DISRAE LI . Here h g n t r

R al m d a ru n al . u n ong , y e r , ong

!LADY BEACONSFIELD exi t into the drawing-room ] ll ws us t as he i s at the do r he [He fo o he r . J o , He la u hi a a i n . hea rs MRS . T RAVERS g ng g looks towards her] D I S R A E L I

Wh the d vil was it 7 S udde l with a lea ere e [ n y , g m of tri u m ph] I know !

xit i to the d awi - m los i t [E n r ng roo , c ng he door] t [En er MRS . T RAVERS and CLAR ISSA from the garden]

L ki a t CLARISSA [ oo ng f er DISRAELI] There, now ! ’ We v e driv en hi m away Wh at a pity - TR . MRS . AVERS What a h ero worshipper you are ! B u t h a CLARISSA . w t a h ero t o wors h ip ! Wh en I am t alki wi th him I m t n ng , a alki g with one of the ak m ers of hi s tory . MRS T . I . RAVERS su ppos e he u nbu rdens him s elf t o you quite freely 7 R t v CLA ISSA . I ne er s eem s as thou gh it were im portan t bu t su dden ly I find h e is te llin g m e great w n d l thi n and u s . thi ks in m i s o erf ng He e p re . E s i MRS . T RAV RS . Thi frien dsh p b etween th e u n i l and th e s a s m a is s t n l l yo g g r t te n ra ge y beau tifu . How i us s m h m t hi prec o you r y pat y us be to m . alis e i CLARISSA . I re e wh at h h as done for h s u wh a difi ltie e i co ntry , t cu s h h as ov ercom e b h s y— genius an d ev erybody els e s eem s s o triv ial s o ’ n S s ts the u n ecessary . Don t you fee l th at 7 [ he i on ottom a n]

TR I t i k d s d. at MRS . AVERS . h n I u n er tan Wh would I giv e to m ake a thir d in yo ur conv ersations 7 [ Sits besi de her] ’ d n ou CL ARISSA . Why o t y 7 I ns i nuati n l littl m e MRS . TRAVERS [ g y] Poor e ’ t i Y u m s s m tim s I h av en bra n s enou gh . No . o u t o e e l i s im l h e h e n sa i te l m e n a p e way wh at as b e y ng . I oce tl For i s a wh di h e s m m n [ nn n y] n t nce , y d u o Sir Mich ael j u s t n ow 7 D I S R A E L I

’ Oh d s n alk ab u t littl CLARISSA . He oe t t o e thin gs like th at He di s cus ses th e condition of th e

l th e li n a i n s . peop e , po cy of t o s wn m iti ns T . And hi o a b 7 MRS . RAVERS o

v . Hi s am biti is lim it d t o CLARISSA . Ne er on e is m akin g h cou ntry great . B u t ll m e —wh MRS . T RAVERS . te y

e m the a d [Ent r CHARLES , fro g r en]

I n i a l Mr is a li h as CHARLES [ ro c l y] So you r . D r e ki n dly allowed you t o com e b ack 7 m will C Ris i m A ath a . am a LARISSA [ ng] Co e , g M b e wantin g m e .

CHARLES Th e D u ch es s s en t m e to as k Mrs .

T rav ers t o j oin h e r . T o T A ath a m CLARISSA [ MRS . RAVERS] g , co e

T is s s m ili n l [MRS . RAVERS r e g y]

T o L As d sh e h l ou t CHARLES [ C ARISSA] a rewar , e d l n lin th e h ope th at you wo u ld ch eer m y o e ess . T T o hasti l Ye s d a MRS . RAVERS [ CLARISSA , y] , e r l i th at is on y fa r .

xi t tu i at the wi n d w to s m i l at [E , rn ng o e CHARLES] — CHARLES [ Wi th a s igh of s atisfa ction] Ah l [I n m a Now L ad l a iss a a be the gra nd nner] , y C r , pr y s eated . CLARISSA [Com i ng over to him abru ptly] Why is a li s o m u h do you dislike Mr . D r e c 7 ac k I n ith lik him n or CHARLES [ T a ken ab ] e er e ,

is n thin t o m e . dislike hi m . He o g ’ Oh — n t ou l l n l 7 CLARISSA . 7 Do y fee o e y — CHARLES [As tonished] Lon ely 7 Y ar e th e n l m an in all th e w ld CLARISSA . ou o y or

i li is a li . wh o n eith er likes n or d s kes Mr . D r e 3 0

D I S R A E L I

R m m h a h all th s CLA ISSA . One o ent . W t av e e e m odels to do with m e 7 CHARLES [S om ewha t s u rpris ed] Hav e I not m ade m ys elf clear ? Sin ce I firs t h ad th e priv ilege of m tin ou I h av wat h d ou l s l an d ee g y , e c e y c o e y , , — ah - Cl ariss a m ay I c all you Cl ariss a 7

[She bows as s ent he s its beside her]

I h av i d h t in im will m e dec de t a t e , ou beco e y — adm irably su ited t o occu py th e position I h av e s r wi th at m t the w d m t [ gre enjoy en of or ] adu bra ed. CLAR ISSA [Qu ickly] I b e g you r p ardon 7 CHAR LES [Expla ining gracious ly] Adum brated u li m tl s h w o t ned, or , ore correc y , fore ado ed. u You will thin k CLARISSA [D em rely] Th an k you . m e v sill arl s — m a I ll ou a l s ery y, Ch e y ca y Ch r e 7

[He gravely bows assent ]

B u t I am n ot uit s u I u n d s t an d Th ank you . q e re er ou v e t Is this — is this all an f y , e en y . re y o fer of m arriage 7 I h d I h ad m ad h at l a with u t CHARLES . ope e t c e r o f i l ai n s s s h o fens v e p n e of peec . CLAR ISSA [ Sta ri ng at him ] How won derfu l CHARLES [Ki ndly] Oh ! You h av e th e righ t to i l ll expect a hi gh m atrim on a a iance . CLARISSA [Afte r a hu m orous glance at him ] B u t I l m ean th e m anner of you r propos a . l CHARLES . Su re y n m an tw n t - CLARI SSA . You are a you g of e y one , — and I am a girl of ninete en an d you com e with an ess ay on political econ om y I a m an with h av s n s ibilitie s CHARLES . am e y re po Y u will t a am il n ot a h ero of rom an ce . o en er f y, 32 D I S R A E L I n ot on e of th e wom en of which h as ev er been t alked ab u t an d whi h th e m e n h av n o , of c e ev er don e an y thin t o b e as h am g ed of .

CLARISSA . Hav e th ey ev er don e an ythin g 7

C . thin h k t an God . Ri s i n HARLES No g , [ g] Well I thin k th e n ext thin g is to an n ou n ce our betroth al CLARISSA [Als o ri s i n g a nd m ovi ng towa rds the door] N ot uit th e n x t thin . I am v m u h h n q e e g ery c o ou red, L d d b u t I m t lin e or Deefor , u s dec e th res pon sibilities —an h i il d t e pr v eges . CHARLES [ Ta ken aba ck] I b e g you r par don i CLARISSA [ Wi th a grea t outbu rs t a n d com i n g down ’ a t him 0 Ch a l s Ch a l s u v m d a ] , r e , r e Yo e a e h orrible h as h of th e wh ole thin g

[CHAR LES i s horrified]

’ Ye s it s ak l e t e t alk sl an ll , for p y s e , m g , or I Sh a h av e h ys terics ! I did like you ; I liked y ou v ery m h Y re i l n s tl l u . ou a n t a d ss t c e re y po e y correc . ’

B u t I am n ot . D e antl I d n t lik Kin A t [ fi y] o e g r hu r . G Ch a l s R u s in n alah ad m akes m e yawn . r e k s e ds - l m e t o sleep I sh oul d die at Du n e m Cas tle . You r w m n w o h n v b n t alk d ab u t an d u o e h av e e er ee e o , yo r m n w n d n an thin w ul d m ak m e e h o h av e ev er o e y g, o e s m An d oh ! th s m d l hild n - I wan t crea . o e o e c re l h il n wh o t a th i in a s flesh an d b ood c dre , e r e r p fore an d s m ear th eir fa ces with jam B t— Cla iss a CHARLES . u r

I m s ou h a l s . I t is CLARISSA . a orry for y , C r e in li h an di a d wi th a titl an d a dreadf ul t o b eg fe , c ppe e - I f I v m a — an d I h 0 e I ready m ade po sition . e er rry p s h all -m y h u sb an d will b e a m an wh o h as got him s elf in to dreadfu l t an gl es s o th at I m ay s ym p athis e An h e m u s t b e with him an d ge t him ou t of th em . d D 3 3 D I S R A E L I doing thin gs all th e tim e ! I wan t a h usb an d wh o is at th e tt m an d is lim i — lim bin h an ds bo o , c b n g c g on an d k s—bl din h an ds an d l di n kn s nee ee g b ee g ee , with h is s x s m in d if eye fi ed on th e u m m i t . Nev er h e v s h I c an h l im t o lim b an d ne er get t ere ; e p h c , , if h e alls I c an all wit him f , f h . C A B H RLES . u t I Yo w n at the to . u CLARISSA . No You ere bor p s it in a rarefied atm os ph ere like th e gods o n l m O y pu s .

S he s udde l i v s a o o a s s he s ees [ n y g e cry f j y ,

w -w DI S RAEL1 r m the d awi n - om , entg fro r g ro ] Ah

C Wi th an a l k a t who HARLES [ ngry oo DISRAELI , rem ai ns s ta ndi ng at the door ] I s e e I h ad m ade a i m s take . [He s tru ts ou t into the garden ]

ou h d him DISRAELI . So y av e refus e 7 CLARISSA [Su rpris ed] Oh How did you kn ow 7

T h at a k was l u n t u s al . DISRAELI . b c e oq e of ref

- You h av e n o s ym p ath y with ready m ade greatn es s . u — [P layf lly] Al i you are a little R adic al .

a s . CLARISSA . Perh p

At h t v b is . I m . DISRAELI . ear e ery ody a CLARISSA [Wi th am us ed protes t] You l n i ain . e a t to n v DISRAELI . Cert y W w b r g e ery b ody to a u niform lev el s o as to begin all ov er again n d— is b v a r e a o v e e erybody . CLARISSA [ Wi th a la ugh] I s th at R adi cali sm 7 Y u s I t o t th a wa . ou DISRAELI . works u t y ref e Deeford b ecaus e h e is a m ere descen dant ; not an

an ces tor . l i CLARISSA . We l 7 Am I n ot r ght 7 34 D I S R A E L I

. m a b m an an s t o k w. DISRAELI He y eco e ce or , y u no

he la u hs T h it o th [S g . ey s n e ottom an]

Are you fond of him 7 CLARISSA [T u rning to him thoughtfu lly an d s i e l I lik hi v m h n e nc re y] e m ery u c . Wh e h forgets

x d h e c an b e u it h a m i n . I f h e h ad s im l O for , q e c r g p y said l a iss a will ou m a m e I m i h t h av , C r , y rry 7 g e Y ! l an sw d u s t as s im l e s . B u t h e tu d ere , j p y , ec re m e on m odel cott ages an d th e m odel fam ily

E . I h a v hi h in i n him DISRA LI v e a ery g op o of . C R Am az d Wh m i v an s LA ISSA [ e ] y , one of y gr e ce again s t h im is th at h e does n ot appreciate you is a littl l s s th an u te u s to m e DISRAELI . He e e co r o , b ecaus e h e m ay go throu gh an y door in fron t of m e b i h t i h T h is s o i l h t i e y r g of b rt . at r dicu ous t a t b s lim com e su b e . I is is s tin CLARISSA . t d gu g .

. I t is a u n da i n whi h DISRAELI No . fo t o on c to i T h at n s i u s su i it is th e b u ld em pires . co c o per or y qu ality which enables on e En glis hm an t o go ou t am ong thirty th ou s an d s av ages an d m ake th em fear him an d h at him an d—ad him , e , ore . B u t h e h as i itiativ CLARISSA . no n e o kn ws Wh h e b as t d us t DISRAELI . Wh o 7 en o e j n i m s hi m l tt a s h e av ow abou t h s refor , s ode co ge , g e m e a n e win sigh t in to his ch aracter sh owed m e th ere i i i was s om eth n g n h m . ’ Th n wh d s n t h e le t it m ou t 7 CLARISSA . e y oe co e DISRAELI [Tu rning to he r wi th a s m ile ] I f th e m i is i h e h t to t . opportu n ity occu rred , g r e A m an s h u ld m ak his own o or CLARISSA . o e pp ’ i I s d him u n i An d it s u s e t alk . u t tie s . no ng ref e ; an d I ld him wh t o y . D I S R A E L I

I Did ; DISRAELI . you 7 u it l CLARISSA . Q e fr an k y . D id DISRAELI . you 7 CLARISSA [Alm ost i mp a tie ntly] I told him I m u s t h av a m an a ti n i itiativ a m n e of c o , of n e , a wh o tried . Wi th a bu s t o n thu s ias m 0 Mr is a li d s [ r f e ] , . D r e , one oe n ot liv in u m an s e e ou an lis t n to o e yo r co p y , y , d e y u , with ou t l earni n g I n t u ti her tl M a hild DISRAELI [ err p ng gen y] y de r c , I h e ou will l a n I h o ll An d ou op y e r ope y u wi . y m u st begin by giv in g Deeford ’ CLARISSA [ Stopping her ears ] Don t As h e is l i o I w u d s n m a b kl a . d es n w, o oo er rry a r c yer He o l ay bricks an d h e m ay build a c ath edral .

[Enter L ADY BEACONSFIELD]

LADY BEACONSFIELD [As she enters and closes door] ’ N ow la iss a u v h ad m h an u sh a , C r , yo e ore t yo r re of m i y D zzy . CLARISSA [Goi ng u p to the window] He h as been adv i With a tt ou t a t givi n g m e good ce . [ pre y p — DISRAELI] which I am n ot goin g to follow

[Exi t i nto garden]

G i towa ds wi d w LADY BEACONSFIELD [ o ng r n o , tu rns ] Are you com ing ou t 7 i tti on the tt m a th u ht ull DISRAELI [ S ng o o n, o g f y]

Deeford h as as ked Cl ariss a to m arry him . L ADY BEACONSFIELD [ Wi thou t enthus iasm ] I ’ s u ppos e th at s a good m atch .

h e h as us d him . DISRAELI . And s ref e L Com i n d wn i nte es tedl ADY BEACONSFIELD [ g o , r y] Oh 7 — DISRAELI [Su ddenly ris i n g] Mary An n I am 3 6 D I S R A E L I going to play fairy godfather and b ring th em t th oge er . LADY BEACONSFIELD [Laughing] You A m atch ’ m aker As if you h adn t en ou gh to do ! is m b e DISRAELI . Ah Wh o knows b u t th ay t e I h av b n h greates t thin g I h av e done . e ee a i ith s u h a i s e rch n g for a you ng m an . W c pr ze as la iss a to e won m a m u s t C r b , Deeford y beco e j ’ wh at i k l i l th d I n eed. Th n wh at a s p end d cou p e ey k m a e . L B i h m i ADY BEACONSFIELD [ es de i ] Ah , D zzy alwa ys dream i n g a rom an ce DISRAELI [ Tu rni ng to her te nde rly] An d liv in g

on e m d a whil ou are at m sid . , y e r , e y y e

[The DUCHESS a ppears ou ts ide the window]

LADY BEACONSFIELD [Looki ng ofi] Th e terrible — ’ u h ss an d an d sh s l kin bl a k . D c e , d Deefor e oo g c ’ DISRAELI [ Wi th hi s back to the wi ndow] Th en h e s l i s s e a a t o b e to d h e r of h s rejection . Doe h ppe r talkin g m u ch 7 V l m s LADY BEACONSFIELD . o u e I n t her ear a DISRAELI [ With m ock fea r . o ] M ry ’ we ll go for a walk

[Exeu nt into garden by one wi ndow while the D UCHE s s and CHARLES en ter by the other]

DUCHESS [ Ve ry i ndigna nt] I am s u rpris ed and

k I s h all t alk to Cl a is s a . sh oc ed. r

I a th t will h av f t . CHARLES . fe r a e no e fec I n o in th e ab it t alkin with u t DUCHESS . am t h of g o eff ect - To wh at do you attribu t e h e r refu s al 7 Ma I ak m m in d l 7 CHARLES . y Spe y free y s DUCHESS . Of co ur e . D I S R A E L I

. Th n le t m e s a with all s CHARLES e y re pect , I a s h e h as h ad h er h n fe r ead tur ed.

DUCHESS . Wh at do you m ean 7 B y whom 7

C B Mr . is a li . HARLES . y D r e DUCHESS [Shocked and i ndigna nt] Ch arles ’ t CHARLES . Pray don m i su n ders t an d m e Clariss a — h e h as m thi s e w. is v ery young . S ade a h ero of J He t alks to h er in his persu as iv e an d m a gnetic way

— — - fos te rs h e r foolish h um h e r hi gh fl own ideals n n th i m Th e n s is th t I s m a d e us as . co equ ence a ee i s in — u in s i in —in a w d u n m an ti u n ntere t g n p r g or , ro c l m i DUCHESS . I warned G as tonb u ry s o eth n g dr ead f w h Wh at f u l wou ld h appe n i e h ad t at pers on h ere . am I t o do 7 Th e Du ke sh akes in his sh oes at the i m s ght of hi . [She sees DISRAELI i n the ga rden]

I da n ot t u s m s l to s ak to Here h e is . re r t y e f pe ’

I ll t lk l a is s a . him . a to C r ’ An I ll t alk Mr . is a li CHARLES . d to D r e B e a u l xi t DUCHESS . c ref [E ] ’ h I m n ot a aid him CHARLES . O , fr of

[H e cros ses to the escri toi re and tu rns over the leaves of a book] th u h the wi d w i ht H e [Ente r DISRAELI ro g n o , r g . bows to the DUCHESS who goes ou t throu gh the l He i a d oppos ite wi ndow hau ghti y . sm les n com es down ]

Ah d 7 u n th e u s 7 DISRAELI . , Deefor Co rti g M e ith a n l CHARLES [Oflens i vely] No . I n e er re d ov e s nor writ e th em . it i n n t ati n s b h and DISRAELI . P y . n oce recre o , ot t th e l atter lu cr a iv e .

D I S R A E L I

au s it is t DISRAELI . Bec e ru e . An d wh en a v ery you n g m an s pe aks an u n pleas an t tru th t o a v ery old on e h e s h ws ab s lu t l kl s a , o o e y rec e s cou r ge . w th . T h as n o wa CHARLES ere o er y . I m atie ntl tu n i n awa A n DISRAELI [ p y , r g y] h u dred. ’ Do you t ake a girl s No as fin al 7 I s u s sh e kn ws e r CHARLES . ppo e o h own m i n d i hl im l B u t in n DISRAELI . H g y prob ab e . a y cas e m ake h e r ch an ge it . How CHARLES . 7 DISRAELI [T u rni ng to him a nd s m ili ng] I am gl ad — y ou are aski n g m e t o help you becau s e I am in

t e re ste d in y ou . I n t st d in m e CHARLES . ere e 7 l DISRAELI . Deep y . Wh 7 CHARLES . y s n l n s t n i n DISRAELI . Becau e E g a d a ds terrible n eed of m e n of you r s tam p . tem tu us l I a n t s e e CHARLES [Con p o y] c n o th at . ll Wi th a in a t ri a England is doin g v ery we . [ f e or o c l m an ner] Sh e was n ev er s o prosperou s as n ow. Sh e is a ist a an in du s t i u s m iddl l as s h as a w e r ocr cy , r o e c , an d a con te n ted an d h appy peas an try . Other r n ations en v y h e . DISRAELI [Appla u di ng] Splen did Splen did ’ H ow m an y old Tory s qui res I v e h eard t alk j u st like ’ ’ th at An d th at s h ow th ey v e t alked sin ce th e ’ Th t s h ow th t d wh n b egin n in g of thin gs . a ey alke e we los t Am eric a ; when th e I n di an m u tin y b u rs t u po n u s wh en our s oldi ers froze an d s t arv ed in th e Crim ea ; wh en we des erted Den m ark ; an d wh en we s at idle wh ile Fran ce an d Germ an y fl e w at e ach ’ ’ I t s th at t alk th at h as l s t u s oth er s thro ats . j u s t o all our frien dships . D I S R A E L I

CHARLES [Contem ptu ou s ly] Ah Contin en tal — - frien dship s Frog- eaters Beer s willers — DISRAELI [ Very n ea rly a ngry m as ters him s elf] Ah -is th at h ow you t alked to Clariss a 7

C . I do n ot dis ss liti wi m HARLES cu po cs th wo en . I DISRAELI . do .

[He ta kes CHARLES by the arm a nd forces him down on the ottom a n]

m an ! ! n lan d is as is l i See, See E g o ated as a sh p l yin g off th e co as t . Her crew kn ow n othin g of wh at th all th e l an -lu s h ey c d bber . T ey go on sh ore n ow an d th en for a deb au ch an d as th ey onl y h u n t ou t th e v i th m a k with h n ce , ey co e b c a eadach e , a d righ teou s ly th an k God th ey are n ot as other m e n I t ll ou a m n t i w k all v l e y fer e s at or o er th e wor d . T h e s i it n ati alit h as awak n d in F an p r of on y e e r ce , i in G m an n I l . N w wi n h er y , ta y e e as b een pou red in t th e old b ttl s an d an x l si n m u s t ll w o o e , e p o o fo o

s n l at . I s h all n ot liv t o s e e it u t I h a oo er or er e , b e r th e s thin th e ast ! B u t ou Go ee g of ye y My d, wh at thin gs you will witness ! T ake c are you are n ot as l —All th e ati s m u st x a d an d eep n on e p n , — ev erywh ere our em pire is in th eir way Prus sia; for / n M vem t o t m tu us tes t m ins t a ce . [ o en f con e p o pro fro

' CHARLES] Yea r y ou t hin k Prussia is satis fied . Wh n was sh e v s atis d 7 Sh e is th e c ut - u s e e er fie p r e , h e th e m i dnigh t as s assin am o n g th e n ation s . S h as s t l e n Sil s ia P l an d an v S hl swi - ls te in o e , o , H o er , c e g Ho , Al s ace -Lorr aine ; sh e h as ab sorbed all Germ an y in

i is l t o ro n l an . a fictitiou s em p re . Wh o t b 7 E g d “ ef t r is - h o u f~!s 7 I n I n dia J e e Now, ’ whil F a c o i s c ri l d n ow is r u ss ia s tu n it e r n pp e , R oppor y t wa I n a an ul tim at l s n at h at h e r to creep o rds di d e y c , 41 D I S R A E L I and s o wi l pe En g an d off th e m ap. For with I n di a l st th e wh l a i ou r m i m l s an o , o e f br c of e p re cr u b e , d n lan d s in ks in to in si n ifi a c e wi th a m t a d E g g c n , or g ge a is t a a am li n i n m a m r ocr cy , g b g fore g com erce , h o e t ad u d d on m bid m titi n an a ad d r e fo n e or co pe o , d degr e l R i n N l i peop e . [ is g] ow do you s e e why C ar ss a refu sed you 7 Th es e are th e thi n gs I h av e sh own er n e n ts i h . Do you wo der sh wa a m an of a ct on 7 Do you wonder sh e will n ot b e conten t with bein g ’ m erely a duke s wife — CHARLES [D eeply i m pres sed] I begin I begin t o s ee B u t t n I o Wh at c an an n e . wh a c a d 7 y o m an do 7

a n e m an h as al ad d DISRAELI . Wh t o re y one Y sir — B u t h ow c an I h to CHARLES . ou , 7 ope em u late you 7 You c an l a —Will ou l a n 7 DISRAELI . e rn y e r ill ou t a h m e sir 7 CHARLES [Eagerly] W y e c , k e k at hi m Ye s DISRAELI [ With a e n loo ] . ow an I b in 7 CHARLES . H c eg L v u s m all id als b tt DISRAELI . ea e yo r e ; or , e er Y ha v m sm all id als to at . ou s till , grow fro e gre er e — o re settin u h u s in d begun well y u a g yo r o e or er , -n ow p ass on ! Pas s from the p arish to th e em pire e a ish ! H ow s m all it s m s CHAR LES . Th p r ee ’ in liti s h ow u tt l An d ev eryt hin g I v e done po c , er y t insignifican .

n liti s th i is ins i ni an . DISRAELI . I po c no ng g fic t CHARLES [La ughi ng bitterly] Con tr as t it with this qu es tion of I n dia . th we h ld it l s it 7 DISRAELI . Wh e er o or o e e ! Ye s ! What is th e s lu ti CHARLES . Y s o on war 7 D I S R A E L I

DISRAELI [T u rn i ng a way] W ar is n ev er a s olu tion W ar is an a av ati n ggr o . a e l Wh at th n is th e s lu ti n 7 CHARLES [E g r y] , e , o o DISRAELI [ Tu rns a nd looks a t him s teadi ly a whi le as i d idi n wheth he i s t to be t ld th n om es f ec g er fi o , e c l os to him and s a ks a lm s t i n a whis A v c e , pe o per] ery s m all thing a thin g m e n ar e lau ghin g at .

The ha dle the d L i s a lm s t im e tibl [ n of oor . o p rcep y v s es i t m o ed. DISRAELI e ]

. Wh at sir wh at 7 CHARLES , ,

A dit h . di t h du in s a d. DISRAELI . c A c g n — CHARLES [P u z z led] A di tch 7

A di h du in sh i tin s an d. DISRAELI . tc , g f g CHARLES [Eagerly] You m ean th e

i him to s ile ce an d [DISRAELI s wftly m otions n ,

' s lowly approaches the door left]

i with am a z m t Wh CHARLES [ Wa tchi ng h m e en ] y , l l m in a iv at h u s sir 7 Su re y thi s s ec u ded roo pr e o e , s all l a s th e m s t s u i , of p ce , o ec re

- [DISRAELI opens the breakfas t room door . MRS . T RAVERS follows the openi ng door with her he als a b k ha nd on the ou ter handle . S conce oo s he i s carryi ng]

DISRAELI [Apologis i ng profu sely] I b e g yo u r pardon

- u it u tur b d Th ank ou s o MRS . T RAVERS [Q e nper e ] y l iss l t h er b k m u ch . Dear C ar a ef oo

A n t i m s ta u s . DISRAELI . fortu a e c rcu nce for Wh at was th e book 7

bil . MRS . TRAVERS . Sy

[She ma kes a pretence of looki ng f or the book] 43 D I S R A E L I

I h av a d it . Now wh c an DISRAELI . e he r of , ere it b e 7

He m a k s a a t s h w l ki n or i t bu t ke s [ e gre o of oo gf , ep an eye on her ]

l h s d. R m m a in s an d Do e p u , Deefor e e ber , di tch giv es th e b es t s oil for celery .

T o T whil the are a ll st s ibl [ MRS . RAVERS e y o en y hu nti ng]

W e were in th e thick of a v ery in teres tin g dis si m l s a l a c us on . So e peop e y o m

. T R all MRS RAVERS . e y 7 An d s m adv at a tiliz DISRAELI . o e oc e fer er

’ tu s and s e i n ba k [MRS . T RAVERS rn , e g DISRAELI S c t wa ds her s li s the b k b hi n d a i o o r , p oo e p ece f u n i tu s e s he r f r re . DISRAELI e ]

n B u t I s ay s a d . till a a tl l ki or the b k MRS . T RAVERS [S pp ren y oo ngf oo ] S an d 7

D u i the thi k the hu t t the [ r ng c of n , en er DUKE , ll w d b L L and fo o e y ADY BEACONSFIELD , ORD L L an d L ADY CUDWORTH , ORD ADY BROOKE and CLARISSA]

DUKE [ Cheerfu lly] Wh at are you all pl aying ? Hide-an d-s eek 7 H ds m thin lik it u k . e DISRAELI . So e g e , D e [ fin ’ the book] Ah ! Th ere it is ! Now is n t th at r e m arkable 7 [H e s toops to pi ck i t u p] w i ou k w ou LADY BEACONSFIELD . No , D zzy , y no y are n ot to s toop.

Ah b u t i k u thin s on e m u s t . DISRAELI . , to p c p g 44 D I S R A E L I

T o S ’ . T ha di [ MRS RAVER , n ng her the book] Mus tn t on e 7

She lo ks at him i n a ha l -sm ili n ha l - u z z le d [ o f g, f p wwy]

DUCHESS [Ente ri ng u ncons cious of a nythi ng u nus u a l] I h av e arranged we are all to picn ic in th e Abbey u in s t o-m w r orro .

. a u h s s I am d l i v d DISRAELI De r D c e , eep y gr e e , bu t we sh all n ot b e able to av ail o u rs elv es of you r exqui site hos pit ali t y beyon d t o-day D UOH E S S C ldl Oh— I m s B t [ o y] 7 a orry . u , of u s — d will ou d iv th e a co r e Deefor , y r e dr g 7

m in . DISRAELI . Deeford is co g with us

A a v n t o as ton is hm nt C [ gene r l m o em e f e . HARLES looks expecta ntly towa rds DISRAELI]

D UOHE S S [T u rni ng rou nd s ha rply] Wh at 7

ui his as sis t a . DISRAELI . I req re nce DUCHESS [Am a z ed and i ndigna nt] R equ ire his as sis tan ce h as d n m e th e h u a t DISRAELI . He o e ono r of ccep n i g a secret aryship . [Excla m ations ]

How u n x t ed —L d d MR S . T RAVERS . e pec or Deefor — ’ worki n g Clariss a I s n t th at u n ex pected 7 sm ile l ki n at C Not CLARISSA [ Wi th a , oo g HARLES] lt t a oge h er . ’

An d how h ll h av to w k . MRS . T RAVERS . e e or [T o DISRAELI] You will h av e s o m an y thin gs t o teach him . t Mr is a li h as CHARLES [Looki ng a CLARISSA] . D r e already begu n . D I S R A E L I

Yes I h av n t a hin him wh at it DISRAELI . , e b ee e c g took m e m an y years to learn . An wh at is th at . d MRS . T RAVERS 7 DISRAELI [T u rn i ng s lowly rou nd and looki ng a t her v v a l ad th at a dit h du in s an d ery gra ehy] De r y , c g i e t il l g v es th b es s o for ce ery .

CURTAIN

I n D own i ng Stree t

' i vat m i n D wn in t et On DISRAELI S pr e roo o g S re . the left a la rge wi n dow opens on a gla ss -covered ba l n u ll o v d w s t the a k s an . A b co y f f e ergreen flo er c , t wa ds the le t a d a th d i n the ri ht o r f , oor no er oor g

n a nd a thi d d i n n t on the i ht. I n cor er, r oor fro , r g the t the m a a t w i ti n -ta bl wi th a cen re of roo gre r g e, ha i b hi d i t. t R o l Two he ha i s a n d L . tab e . c r e n o r c r . f On the wall a as o m a s n v d t a it o s tates c e f p , e gra e por r s f n The a m e . gene ral as pect of the room i s s olem n nd di i d n ot a v t t wi th o s h a . T le i s li t d gn fie , t y e y he ab ere do u m ts blu b ks and tt A sm a l ta bl i n c en , e oo le e rs . ler e n t on the le t bel wthe i n d w wi th cha i i n t fro , f , o w o , a r fron

i t. At the ba k a m u m e ta l la c ab v whi h of c , on n firep e, o e c a i — is l fe s iz e portrait of Que en Victoria .

T he m i s m t a th u tai n i s es . P es en tl [ roo e p y , s e c r r r y FOLJAMBE opens the door i n the right corn e r cau ti ou s ly a nd e s i n t th m he i s a u t to e t bu t wi th pe r o e roo bo n er , dra ws qu ickly a s the en tran ce door on the right i s d a th l tt s s m n e nd . n s wi ope MR T EARLE e ter e er , o e u n n ed whi h he s on the s m a ll ta bl le t ope , c pla ce e f ; th s d whi h he la es on the la ta bl i n the o er , opene , c p c rge e t F O L e t . xi t I n the m a im c n re MR . T EARLE e . e n e h As s JAMBE as been s een watching him fu rti vely . oon a s s s li s i n wi th a tl ike MR . T EARLE ha gone, FOLJAMBE p c i H e ta t e t n o the w iti s wftnes s . s nds a th lef cor er f r ng t i th one able fa ci ng a n d watchi ng the entra nce door . W 49 D I S R A E L I ha d he shu l es the le tte s a nd at the s am e ti m ee s n fi r , e p r at th m His e e alls tt T his he e . y f on an open le er . coaxes towards him a nd tri es to read ou t of the corner o w b hi s e e . nt s u n l ll ed f y E er DISRAELI dde y, fo o y T E AR F a as s ed MR . LF OLJAMBE s tands qu i te u nem b rr ]

P a s a tl ni n DISRAELI [ le n y] Good m or g , ‘ F l am — o m ' o j b e [T T EARLE] You did n ot tell m e l .

Folj am b e was waitin g . T A w n ot h s r ur s n a l E RLE . He as ere , i . Yo per o

l t s re n th e l s ir . e ter a o tab e , ‘

T o him T h an k ou Mr . Z x r le . DISRAELI [ ] y , [ Si ts i n the chair behi nd the table ]

[Exi t T EARLE thr ough the door i n the right corner] [DISRAELI looks at FOLJAMBE enqu iringly]

F I h av m a s al m at OLJAMBE . e co e on per on ter , sir .

Ye s Glan es v his tt and DISRAELI . ? [ c o er le ers m a kes pencil notes on thei r backs ] F OLJAMBE [I n the tone of a ju s t m a n with a gri ev a nce] I h av e h ad th e h onou r of b eing h ere s om e

Ye s DISRAELI . I I c an b e littl use to ou F OLJAMBE . feel of e y ta s u n der presen t circum s nce . ’ I d n t un d s t an d . DISRAELI . o er f I m a tu to s a s o with all FOLJAMBE . I y v en re y , ’ t ou s m to b e k in m e at a m s possible res pe c , y ee eep g r len gth . — DISRAELI [Protes ti ng] Oh l Yo u r pres en ce at m y elbow n owis a proof to th e co n trary . B u t I am n ot in th e l s t u h with F OLJAMBE . c o e o c I h ad h im a t m a t s h av b you ope for . No port n t er e een 50 D I S R A E L I n t us d to m n m i —a l n e r te e . Ev e y room is u pst a rs o g wa y off . l t e DISRAELI . Patien ce Patien ce You wi l m m I t l il e ber o d you I m u s t ob s erv e you a little wh e . I h av b n i wh at I e ee do ng s o . Th e resul t is j u s t x t e pec ed.

F . I am v at u l s ir . Ma I OLJAMBE ery gr ef , y h Ope

Ye s . . s n h ill k ou b u DISRAELI . He cefort I w eep y y M atters of great con s equ en ce are com in g u p to day F a e l Ye s ir OLJAMBE [E g r y] , s 7 Ye Mr F l am I s a . s m DISRAELI , . o j b e ay y one m att ati n l im er of N o a portance . — — FOLJAMBE [Eagerly] Of e r I m perial im port sir ance , Ye s v n I m l im a . DISRAELI . , e e peria port nce I n F . s ir OLJAMBE deed, For nl ss e th e wh l DISRAELI . u e th h eart be s o u nd o e d u s t s u f bo y m fer . You allu d s ir to FOLJAMBE . e , ,

I allu d to d ain a . DISRAELI . e r ge F O L J AM B E [D i sappoi nted] Drainage ? [Then i n s in ua ti l ab ad T h e d ai a was t ng y] Ah , ro ? r n ge of e l th e in a a d s t p aces , dra ge of e er

n o Mr . F l am b th e d ain a DISRAELI . No , , o j e , r ge of I L A at s h m . n m us x s . on don . gre c e e E or o e pen e a di n hi m a a ka am tryi ng to arran ge a lo an . [H n g p c ge — of pa pers from table ] Here are th e p apers you m igh t gl an ce thro u gh th em . F O L J AM B E C es t all ta ki the a e s I s th [ r f en , ng p p r ] ere n thin ls si r o g e e ,

Ye s e s . i ks u a blu d u m t DISRAELI . , y [P c p e oc en ] T his co n t ain s th e report of the Secret ary of St ate for I ndia on th e co alin g s tatio n s an d fortificatio n s of 51 D I S R A E L I th e Gu l Ad n . f I L e t m e s ee f of e Dry s tu f, fear . ; wh ere is th e Gul f of Aden [He ris es and goes over to m a s u n lls th o ica T u i to p ro e m ap f Afr . rn ng F who has ll w d him is t e Gul OLJAMBE , fo o e ] Where h f of Aden [FOLJAMBE prom ptly points i t ou t] ’ u am ili a with t e n t s e e F Yo re f r h cou ry , I . [ OLJAMB E s ta ts s li ht Ah es l . xa m i s the m a r g y DISRAELI e ne p] , y ,

v u n h alth li m at I b li v . ery e y c e , e e e F OLJAMBE [D eliberate ly] Th e dis trict will grow i n im portan ce wi th th e dev elopm en t of th e Su ez C l ana . Wi th n t m t h th e u an al ! DISRAELI [ co e p ] O , S ez C

iltin u sir silti u . R tur s to his tabl S g p, ng p [ e n e]

n t s H e a i es s v a l la o icia l [DEEFORD e er . c rr e er rge fi bl u e v lo s s a le d e n e pe , e ] Ah , Deeford CHARLES [ Very bus i nes s li ke] Des patch es from ai s ir C ro , .

’ He la s th m tabl a n d as s s [ p ce e on DISRAELI S e, p e on to his ta ble on the l t wh he si ts nd com ef , ere a m enc es worki n g at docwm en ts ]

F Wh at ou wi sh m e to do with OLJAMBE . do y th s a s s ir e e p per ,

I n a m m n t . P i k u a a m t DISRAELI . o e [ c s p n eng ge en a d a o F ed es c r nd cros ses t DEEFORD . OLJAMBE g t wa ds the t le la i a t the Cai d s at hes o r ab , g nc ng ro e p c ] - e sh all h av u s da t o da d. W e a v ery b y y y , Deefor ’ I lu nch with th e Goldsm i th s Com p an y at on e ; I h t o s n h t t it tu us t s a av e re po d to t e o as of L era re . M y s m thin n i t L t t n T hin ks h e o e g ce abou poor dear y o . c it l an wr e nov e s . [ They la u gh] 52 D I S R A E L I

This af te rn S ali sb u ry h as a garden p arty ’ at a ld. I it w n t i H tfie o ra n .

[DISRAELI tu rns his head s lightly to gla nce ou t of wi n d w F u i k t o , OLJAMBE q c ly s na ches u p on e des pa tch to look a t the one u nde rnea th DISRAELI sees this out of the corner of his eye bu t conti n u es ]

T o -n ight ady B e ac on sfie ld an d I di n e inform ally — — at th e Fren ch Em b as s y a dm irable cookin g We h av e prom is ed t o look in l ater at th e L yceu m t o s e e ’ ! I v i ll r ng s Ham let . I sh a prob ably s u p with

him a t th e s t ak Clu b . A s t n u u s da Beef e re o y ,

Deeford . Lau hi n B u t n w k s ir CHARLES [ g g] o or ,

. Th e l ss a P im inist d s th e DISRAELI e r e M er oe , ’ i t e i t t i l fewer m s akes h s ap o m ake . [ Sm i ng] T h at s

ath d . Mr . F l am b l as m ak a n t r er goo o j e , p e e e o e of

th at .

F wat hi d libe a t l u ts [ OLJAMBE , c ng DISRAELI , e r e y p the pa pers which DISRAELI gave him on the top the des at hes the n m a k s a t i n a ote of p c , e no e n book which he carri es ] — T h e less a Prim e Min is ter I m u s t s ay th at at - An Man ch es ter Man ch est er will appreciate th at . d i h as n o s n s it wi ll in fu ri ate Joh n Br gh t . He e e of h u m u o r .

u h A [CHARLES a nd DISRAELI la g . FOLJ MB E t n ow i ks u the a s ha vi ng m a de the no e, p c p p p er a with them the des at hes and m v s to n d p c , o e wards hi s door as DISRAELI com es to him ]

DISRAELI [Gla n ci ng a t the table as he com es u p to ti i n that the des a t h s are ne FOLJAMBE , and no c g p c e go ] 53 D I S R A E L I

You m igh t take u p you r qu arte rs in th e n ext room ’ it s m h I ore andy . h ope to s ee a great deal m ore of Y u v t - you . o h a e h e p apers ? [Looktng thr ou gh the ’ a s i n F 8 ha d i them a nd tu n n p per OLJAMBE n , finger ng r i g them v O h h s ar e th e d s a h s m o er] , t e e e p tc e fro Cairo . F C us d I e a n s ir OLJAMBE [ onf e ] b g you r p rdo , . O n t l k . h a v a ur a m is k . T a e DISRAELI , ery ta e [ s the m a nd replaces them on the table ]

nt e L d s d to out [E r ADY BEACONSFIELD , res e go ]

’ L n ADY BEACONSFIELD . Are t you com in g this m orn ing ?

[CHAR LES ris es at once and pla ces a cha ir for her]

’ DISRAELI [B ehind the wri ting-table ] I m afr aid wi th t e u m n th e a k u m a . I am yo us t e joy p r o , M ry expectin g a v ery im portan t v isitor .

Mr . [T o F OLJAMBE] T h at rem in ds m e . Meyers is com in g pres en tly ss ed — FOLJAMBE [I mp re ] Mr . Hu gh Meyers 2 r u h s th e b an k DISRAELI . M . H g Meyer , er an d

I m a ui u as sis t an . m illi on aire . y req re yo r ce

I sh all b e h all th e m ni . FOLJAMBE . ere or ng As F i s T h an k ou . l DISRAELI . y [ OLJAMBE nger ] ‘ I s th ere an ythi n g els e 2 FOLJAMBE [I ndica ting the pap ers which DISRAELI

i Th s a s s ir . i s s till hold ng] o e p per , — Oh b e su ! Th . ldi DISRAELI . to re ere [Ho ng them whi le F OLJAMBE takes on e end] Th e blu e on e ’ l u an d whit — th at s u i u s an d th e white one . B e e c r o 0

T h an k o y u . [Exit FOLJAMBE] 54

D I S R A E L I ta king the ca rd a t the s am e tim e a nd gla nci ng a t i t]

There Th ere Com e b ack in a qu arter of an h ou r .

A t lo ki at the a d w it m m . [ f er o ng c r ] Oh , a a o ent

T o As oom h w hi n is Mr s . [ B ] S o m i . Here . Meyer ’ ’ [ T o LADY BEACONSFIELD] N ow you ll s e e h e s not s t i l o v ery err b e .

' B AS CO B s the d a u s M r . u h [ open oor , nno nce H g M s a nd xit t a ha m i n eyer e . En er MEYERS , c r g m ar t with l the a i tes t tr a s the J ew , on y f n ce of ]

DISRAELI [M es t/ing him at the door and sha ki ng hands

w th him G d m i Mr . s . L ad i ] oo orn ng , Meyer y — B e ac ons fie ld Lord Deeford. A te a k wled i LADY BEACONSFIELD [ f r c no g ng MEYERS , as s to the d tu s a nd s a s la u ll to p se on oor , rn y p yf y DISRAELI] I sh all b e b ack i n t e n m in u tes DISRAELI [Holdi ng the door open f or her] T h e

s n h e b te m d a . oo er t et r , y e r

[Exi t LADY BEACONSFIELD]

u tte s a s i h o ha i e ss l s s the d a [He r g f pp n , c o e oor nd com es to MEYERS]

l— ll d— b s v thi s u n su m in Ah We , Deefor o er e as g o w u ld as s hi m in th e s t t wit gen tlem an . Y u o p ree h ou t th e faintest idea you h ad ru bbed elbows with ’ one of th e world s gre at es t powers MEYERS [M odes tly] Oh You em b arras s m e Nothi n g is s o eas y as m akin g m on ey wh en th at is th e k n ou h av fiv e u n ds onl y thi n g y ou m a e . O ce y e po wh at is t o prev en t you r h av ing fiv e m illi o ns Ch a l s c an we s a fiv e u n ds DISRAELI . r e , cr pe po t ogeth er between u s

[CHARLES a nd MEYERS la u gh] 5 6 D I S R A E L I — MEYERS [ Wi th fond regret] Ah b u t m y m illion s will n ot keep the daisies ou t of m y lawn

l awn . . s ir bu t th iv ou th e DISRAELI No , , ey g e y B a ks o Oh x m s u t ward the [ re fi] , e cu s e e [Goe p o — bell pu ll] I wan t to in trodu ce you to th e ex cellen t

Mr . F l a A i t l k o j m b e . v ery prom is n g as sis tan c er of i m n . T o T who a a s Mr . F l am b e [ EARLE , p pe r ] o j e , l a p e se . [Exit T EARLE]

m es down to has [DISRAELI co MEYERS . CHARLES gone back to hi s work]

MEYERS [Q uietly to DISRAELI] Th e m oney will b e ready . him DISRAELI [ To CHARLES] Do you h ear , ‘ Deeford t He is s peaki n g of m illion s . illi n s I thin k MEYERS [Cas ua lly] Fou r or fiv e m o , s ai you d . l a at b u si ss B x in . I am b d DISRAELI . u t e p a ne tech niqu e . ’

I t s n si a l s m . MEYERS . a co der b e u si l — l a him l DISRAELI . Con der ab e He r

illi s v in L n d n . For MEYERS . T wo m on I h a e o o th e s t I h av wi thd awn m di in Fr ank o t re , e r y cre t f r , am an d bringin g it b a ck in gold .

x l ain ain . DISRAELI . E p ag F t u s adv is s m e MEYERS . My rankfor ho e e I th e m n m in n m n t . s DISRAELI . O e om e o ey co g from Ge rm an y

Ye s . MEYERS . ’ Go on Mr . s . H s d. DISRAELI . a T h at goo , Meyer u s a dv is s m e th at MEYERS . My Fran kfort h o e e I n du e th e b u llio n h as b een s h ipped t o L on don . n k co u rs e it will b e tran sferred to th e b a . 57 D I S R A E L I

n DISRAELI . Th e b a k Wh at b an k

. The an k n l an d n at u all . MEYERS B of E g , r y ’ . Th at s ath h s t oo . DISRAELI r er u m orou ,

te F H wai ti s e t ul l [En r OLJAMBE . e s ta nds ng re p c f y bu t li s teni ng wi th a ll hi s ear s ]

R MEYE S . Wh y

I was thinki n b t . DISRAELI Nothin g . g of Pro er How lon g W111th e wh ole trans action take M k d n t FO L MEYERS . y Fran fort corres pon e [ JAMBE m a kes a s light m ovem ent] tells m e th e m on ey will b e at m y di s pos al in th e B an k of En gl an d ins ide th of ree weeks . i h s DISRAELI [ T o FOLJAMBE] This s Mr . Hu g Meyer ’ T o t F O L J AM B E S s h u ld u h a [ MEYERS , pa ting o er] S c w k th e is or er . [T o FOLJAMBE] Wh at was prec e s u m requi red for th e Drain age of Lon do n Schem e

u i F O L [MEYERS a nd CHARLES s how s rpr s e . JAMBE gla n ces a t them kee nly]

F m i I an t s a off -h an d OLJAMBE . I a afra d c no y ,

S ir .

Ki n l l k u the ur s m e . DISRAELI . d y oo p fig e for

t in l s ir . FOLJAMBE . Cer a y , Y h th e a ou k w th e DISRAELI . ou av e p per , y no ; whi on e te . [Exit FOLJAMBE]

MEYERS [Pu z z led] T h e Drain age of London Sch em e ? CHARLES [Lau ghi ng] H ow u n rom an tic ! An d h ow dis appoin tin g DISRAELI [ Stops with a s harp look at him ] Why ? D I S R A E L I

. I CHARLES h ad hoped Mr . Meyers h ad com e on a m u h m im c ore portan t m atter . Oh - t DISRAELI . Wh a

. Th e u l CHARLES S ez Can a .

l ks re roa ch a ll a t [MEYERS oo p / y DISRAELI , b m u d a t a t he CHARLES eco es conf se , re lising h has blu nde red]

A te a aus to ldl DISRAELI [ f r p e, CHARLES , co y] — I n d d Mr . s h all w i th e xt ee Meyer , s e go nto n e room

He m v s to the d i n the le t e s i t [ o e oor f corn r , open , a nd MEYERS pas ses out]

’ [ Then he com es down to CHARLES] You re qu ite i h t t th a nal . As h av h it r g , i i s e Su ez C you e t t is t I h t ll ou u pon h e tru h , it be ter s oul d e y , th at u n til I am ready [ Wi th emp ha s is ] n ot a l t thi m att th at s yllab e m us t be brea h ed on s er . I s clea r

a s tl O n m u S ir . CHARLES [E rne y] y hon o r ,

Th ank ou . DISRAELI . y

[Exit after MEYERS]

itin Mr s So s orry to keep you wa g , . Meyer

t T h n he s i ts [CHARLES u tter s a s u rpri s ed whis le . e - k t the at his wri ting table with his bac o room . He k Ente r F OLJAMBE wi th papers . loo s ’ u s u i s d a t abs n e aro n d, rpr e DISRAELI S e c ]

C m i n d wn . is a li s ir FOLJAMBE [ o g o ] Mr D r e ,

CHARLES [P oi nt i ng wi thou t looki ng u p] I n there . i s F OLJAMBE . W th Meyer ‘ l s Ye s . CHARLES [S tifiy] With M r . Meyer . 59 D I S R A E L I

FOLJAMBE [C om ing nea rer] Here are th e p apers . CHARLES [Still engross ed i n his wor k] Th an k u yo . F OLJAMBE [M ovi ng qui ckly towa rds the door on the left] Sh all I take them in

Gi h t o m e . CHARLES . No . v e t em FOLJAMBE [Com ing down behi nd CHARLES ; per s is t t Will ou t ak th m in m l d en ] y e e , y or u rt l CHARLES [C ly] Pres en t y . B u F OLJAMBE . t l CHARLES [ Short] Pres en t y . FOLJAMBE [I ns idi ous ly] Ah I thought th e ’ p apers weren t wan ted u is d bu t n l ha l atte din CHARLES [ S rpr e , o y f n g] E h

’ w n t a r . s as FOLJAMBE . M Meyer s en t for for paltry h alf-m illion

CHARLES [Cu rtly] I a m v ery b u s y . ’ s to the ba k o hai F OLJAMBE [Com e c f CHARLES S c r , ’ watchi ng CHARLES keen ly] He s h ere for th e Su ez l Can a .

ut ha i w u d [CHAR LES leap s o of his c r a nd heels ro n . two ta d a i a h th n t T he m e n s n f c ng e c o er . E er B As c or' ]

B As c or' [An noun cing] Lady Clariss a Pev ens ey

T av s . an d Mrs . r er

[F OLJAMBE looks qu ickly towa rds the door at the T a nd s u behi n d m ention of MRS . RAVERS goe p ’ DISRAELI S table]

M as t i n him s l to dis CHARLES [ er g e f, FOLJAMBE ,

him T h an k ou Mr . l am . m i ss i ng ] y , Fo j be 60 D I S R A E L I

A bu s t la u hte m the la di s u ts [ r of g r fro e o ide . F es t wa ds his d OLJAMBE go o r oor . En te r w d ll e b . T CLARISSA fo o y MRS RAVERS . F O L

a nd . x ha n a l k JAMBE MRS TRAVERS e c ge oo , xi t l s i the d BASCOT e , c o ng oor]

a ach s T as i to [FOLJAMBE p pro e MRS . RAVERS f s a k to h er s e m ti s hi to pe , h o on m be s ti ll ; he ti t wa ds his d has ti l t re res o r oor , y wri es on a leaf o hi s t b k tea s o the l a lds i t la es f no e oo , r fi e f, fo , p c i t on the m a ntel/ ie a nd xi t p ce , e ]

w t hi . T a and [MRS RAVERS , c ng CHARLES CLARISSA , ta kes the paper u nobs erved]

’ C As s he te s i htl LARISSA [ en r , br g y] Here s an inv as ion [Sha kes ha n ds wi th CHARLES] CHAR LES [S pea ki ng to both the ladies ] I am m ore — th an delighted [He tu rns to CLAR rS S A ] C A ath a is s t a i n i k l LARISSA . g y g n Ber e ey Sq u are with w t tl an W e am t o t ak us on our ay o Sco d. c e e co fi l in t th e a k b t h e L ady B e a ns e d o p r , u s h as gon e . ’ Mr is a li s s n m A ath a wan t d t o s e e . a tu an d g e D r e c , , t o t ll th e t u th was d in to s e e h ow o l k in e r , I y g y u oo il th e throes of to . ’ u h n h th th s t il h av n t CHARLES [La g i g] O , e roe of o e u n derm in ed m y con s titu tion y e t . H avi s a l ot the a a n d MRS . T RAVERS [ ng fe y g p per , hidde n i t i n he r glove ] We expected t o fin d you with a we t towel roun d you r h ead ’ f ar I v e d n n thin b u t l k CHARLES . So o e o g oo

on .

I th u h t ou s m d w i d wh n CLARISSA . o g y ee e orr e e we c am e in . h L d T . Wh i h is t e e n d MRS . RAVERS c p , or Deefor E h I b e u a d n T CHARLES . g yo r p r o 6 1 D I S R A E L I

whi h is m i hti th a T . T h e e n MRS . RAVERS p c g er n — ’ th e s w l r am i is a li s own e n . ord M . Benj n D r e p Oh Lau hs h ld it He CHARLES . [ g ] Be o [ s ole m nly ha nds her a very s ha bby qu ill] ldi i t u with om an ti ad MRS . T RAVERS [Ho ng p, r c m irati on ] Oh h appy bird th at b ore this qu ill ’ Ye s u th n t v n t its b in CHARLES . , b t at di d pre e e g eaten at Mich aelm as . T ti ll h ldi n i t u h am MRS . RAVERS [S o g p] S e Sh am e ! I t s h oul d h av e b een pen sion ed in s om e a n in m green m eadow by ru n g s trea . C Wh at a s i h t it w u ld h av l k d LARISSA . g o e oo e with all its qu ills gone Ah You h av n o v n 0 MRS . T RAVERS . e re ere ce N s en s e of awe [S he reverentially pu ts down the qu i ll] [Enter LADY BEACONSFIELD]

as t ld m e ou w LADY BEACONSFIELD . B co to y ere h ere . t k L [CLARISSA and s he m e e and i s s. ADY BEACONS the tu s to M S T FIELD n rn R . RAVERS]

’ Mr How d y e do ! [ T o CHARLES] Wh ere is . d is raeli

as ti l l s t d wi th Mr . MRS . T RAVERS [H y] C o e e s Meyer . C Am az to T Wh h ow LARISSA [ ed MRS . RAVERS] y , coul d you gu ess th at 7 R alis i her s li Oh — I re MRS . T RAVERS [ e ng p] ’ n i d Mr M er s u h am at th e d . A cog s e . e y s bro g oor fin an cier ! H ow du ll !

[CHARLES goes to his own table]

’ L ull ! I m t n t ADY BEACONSFIELD . D on e er h ooks !

D I S R A E L I

’ an a th a s a n ti I th e s in po ec ry ppre ce . pound dru g ’ a m ortar ; bu t I h av en t th e s m alles t idea of their ti proper es . CLARISSA [ Who has been looki ng at the flowers i n the hous tu s s udde l s t u k b hi s t n How green e, rn , n y r c y o e] h u m bly you s peak of you rs elf CHARLES [ T o CLARISSA] Th at is th e poin t I h av e I a h d . n ow I t re c e know th at knowno hing . CLARISSA [D em u rely] Th at is a gre at s tride ’ t wa ds u al is n i o r yo r go , t t CHARLES [Eagerly] I s it

C . I thin k She s m i l s and tu s LARISSA s o . [ e rn away to the wi ndow] Ar o in ur am wi w CHARLES . e y u adm ir g o f ous ndo garden L d n l a ts am i lu CLARISSA . Poor on o p n , dr e ng of b e s kies m an l k at th m wh n th CHARLES . Co e d oo e ; e ey l s e e you r eyes th eir dream will b e rea ised . Am us d i n i s C a l s She CLARISSA [ e ] G a t s tr de , h r e [ goes i n to the green hous e] T Ma I CHARLES [ Shyly to MRS . RAVERS] y l T Lau hi n Ye s . B u t le t an o d MRS . RAVERS [ g g] l n s wom an s it s ti l and res t h e r weary bo e .

la a i T an d [CHARLES p ces cha r for MRS . RAVERS follows CLARISSA]

- s i ts at the w iti table . S he [MRS . TRAVERS r ng ’ draws F O L J AMB E S note ou t of her glove reads ' kn i e i t ks the tabl . i ks u a a e , loo on e P c p p p r f

toys wi th i t bea ts a ta ttoo wi th i t on the table . s a t a n ted s i nal n te F A preco cer g , e r OLJAMBE H ne a l l s s the do qu ickly wi th pap ers . e r y c o e or a nd s ta nds agai ns t i t] 64 D I S R A E L I

FOLJAMBE [ Unde r hi s brea th] Agath a ' MRS . TRAVERS [I ndicati ng the green hou se] Sh Meyers

FOLJAMBE . Ye s .

‘ . T MRS RAVERS . Abou t th e Canal l F Y OLJAMBE . es .

. T . Th are MRS RAVERS ey agreed. F H OLJAMBE . ow do you kn ow

. T . th i an MRS RAVERS Bo rad t . FOLJAMBE [Eagerly] Then

. T . ai a MRS RAVERS C ro . St rt n ow.

[FOLJAMBE m a kes a m ovem ent of protes t]

Now F I n t i OLJAMBE . s ru ct ons ?

. R A i MRS T AVERS . t Tr es te . FOLJAMBE [ Sur pri sed] T ries te How do I go

. T B w . a MRS RAVERS y y of Os ten d. F OLJAMBE . Os tend

e t s . He a t hes the las t w [DISRAELI n er c c ord, bu t d s ot bet a a n thi H e oe n r y y ng. com es di rectly to MR T S . RAVERS]

All l n Mr DISRAELI . a o e , s . Trav ers FOLJAMBE [Os tenta tiou s ly clos i ng the door behi nd im a s i he ha d us t n t d and m i h f j e ere , co ng down] Th e i t s as kin s ir est m a e y ou were g for , .

. Oh th an k ou . e m an DISRAELI , y W aged on a Mr u h u ss . T o . T . l am ro g g e [ MRS RAVERS] Fo j be . Su ch a worker ! [ T o FOLJAMBE] Sorry I pu t you l t o s o m u ch trou b e .

A at l as u S ir . G s t FOLJAMBE . gre p e re , [ oe owards hi s door] F 6 5 D I S R A E L I

tu ns to T th wi th a [DISRAELI r MRS . RAVERS , en glance at FOLJAMBE]

An is h us b an d Mrs . DISRAELI . d h ow you r poor , Trav ers [FOLJAMBE at the door tu rns qu ickly then exit]

i nt- m t MRS . T RAVERS [ Sa like ] Jus t th e s a e . A

Kiss in n ou k w. ge , y no

. T o ad Wh at h av ou DISRAELI o b , too b ad . e y done wi th th e you n g people T i t/i ve he r s h u ld to the MRS . RAVERS [Po n ng o r o er greenhou s e wi th the pa pe r-knife s he i s s ti ll holdi ng] h Ri s s u ts the kn i d wn ill ou T ere . [ e p fe o ] W y kin dly m ake m y excu s es t o Clariss a You are n ot in s o ab u tl DISRAELI . go g r p y

T . I h a t a m an th e d a MRS . RAVERS v e o cco p y e r h ss Sh e is an isin a aa an d I am Du c e . org g b az r , s ecretar y . — DISRAELI [ T a king her ha nd] Ah always occu pied Al a s wit n in s m with good works . w y h you r h a d o e

n takin . I n s t t oo . great u der g ecre ,

t sts la u hi [She pro e , g ng]

G i t wa ds the t a d MRS . TRAVERS [ o ng o r en r nce oor] — Oh I t h as b ee n a great priv ilege to s e e th e s an c r tu a y .

a a i s her h lds the d [DISRAELI ccom p n e , o oor open]

li—n t s t Mr . is ae o a s t . Not a ep , D r ep s an tu a in d s in ou h a D ISRAELI . A c ry dee , ce y v e

gr aced it .

T . Oh th an k ou . MRS . RAVERS , y - — You l k h a m in to da h a m in . DISRAELI . oo c r g y c r g

[Calli ng to BASCOT] B as cot . 66 D I S R A E L I

- . T . Oh th k G d b e G d MRS RAVERS , an you . oo y . oo b e y . He sh ws he r ou t s the d a [ o graci ous ly, close oor nd s ta ds the thi n ki He m u tt s Os te d Os n re ng. er n , ! tend He t . m s s l wl to his able and i s cts co e o y , n pe i t los l to s ee i a thi has b dis ar a n ed c e y f ny ng een r g . Fi di n thi n he i ks u the a -kni e n g no g, p c p p per f a nd si tti d a t ki n ai hil ng own f lls to hi n g ag n . W e he i s i n deep thou ght he abs tra ctedly beats a tattoo on the table wi th the pa per-knife]

F M u i kl s his d bu t s ta ts ba k OLJA BE [Q c y open oor, r c s i n h I - I —e a d n s ir on ee g DISRAELI] O , b g you r p r o , . I th u ht o all Di s a s o g y u c ed . [ p pear ]

[DISRAELI has tu rne d s ha rply to hi m the n looki ng at the pap er-knife i n his ha nd he realis es the u e t has b n u t to d tha t F and s i ee p , an OLJAMBE ha v t He th ws the kni MRS . TRAVERS e m e . ro fe down i n dis gu s t and calls CHARLES]

h l s DISRAELI . C ar e

[CHARLES a nd CLARISSA com e i n from the balcony]

T o [T o CLARISSA] Sorry t o in terru pt you . [ CHARLES] D id Folj am b e ev er brin g th os e p apers i Oh es CHARLES [Going to his table and si tt ng] , y .

Lon g ago . ’ DISRAELI [Ris ing ] Ah ! Wh y didn t you s en d him in wi th them th u h ou w u ld not lik to be CHARLES . I o g t y o e i d s turbed. u i i h t DISRAELI [Com i ng over to CHARLES] Q te r g . Did h e s ay an ythi n g

h t him a h im in n t . CHARLES . I th ou g r t er pert e 6 7 D I S R A E L I

DISRAELI [Careless ly] Oh How h all I CLARISSA . S go

m a . T o ll DISRAELI . No , y de r [ CHARLES] We ?

C . as k i HARLES He ed qu es t o ns . Ye s DISRAELI . ? R T u i ou nd B t I n him CHA LES [ rn ng r ] u s u bbed . Fin ally h e h ad th e im pertinen ce to s ay you were — s eein g Meyers abou t [He looks a t CLARISSA and s tops ] DISRAELI [I mpa tie ntly] Well ’ Am I s ak in Lad la is s a s CHARLES . to pe y C r pres ence Ye s e s Go DISRAELI . , y on

Ab u t th e u an al . CHARLES . o S ez C An a DISRAELI . d wh t did you s ay H Ra the i di a t Not a w C ARLES [ r n gn n ] ord, of cou rs e . - A i DISRAELI . Oh [ fte r a paus e] Th en h ow d d you s nu b h im CHARLES [Repeati ng hi s action with FOLJAMBE] I — l m erely s tood u p an d ooked at him . DISRAELI [ Thr owi ng u p his ha nds i n horror] Oh— l CHARLES [Am az ed] Wh at Wh at m u ld ou h av t ld him DISRAELI . ore co y e o if you h ad t alked an hou r CHARLES [Hotly] Do you accu se m e of s peak in g

te l s ir . I a us ou DISRAELI [ S rn y] No , cc e y of l n l h oldin g you r ton gu e too e oqu e t y .

h w ll is asil m u l d . CHARLES . O , e He e y zz e H w DISRAELI . o ? ’ P u t him his a l . I ll t h him . CHARLES . on p ro e fe c ’ [He goes qu ickly towa rds F OLJ AM B E S door] 6 8 D I S R A E L I

DISRAELI [Ringi ng] Ah Capital Fetch him b all y m ean s . [CHARLES goes ou t]

M . l Mr l DISRAELI . r T e ar e . Te ar e

[T EARLE appea rs ]

’ S n d e s n i u n s m s s n at e for th e or Q ee e e ger on ce . [T EARLE exit]

CLARISSA [ Who has been watchi ng i n tently] Has Ch arles m ade a m is take

A i l on e . o w DISRAELI . h orr b e [T CHARLES ho ’ re -e nte rs ] Well He s n ot th ere

C es t all is n ot in his m s ir . CHARLES [ r f en] He roo , — all I t ll w e i DISRAELI . No Sh e you here h s ? is a t i t ati n i t e - i t He V c oria St o , c at ch n g h t e n th r y x ss on his wa t o s t n T i st an d s o to e pre y O e d, to r e e , Al xa e n dria . ’ Ala m d For G d s s ak Sir wh o is CHARLES [ r e ] o e , , he

’

s M . T r av e rs h s an . DISRAELI . He i rs s u b d [CLAR ISSA and CHARLES u tter a cry of am a z em e n t] — — Ye s ! He and sh e are agen ts s pies s en t h ere to di s v —w at h v t l th m co er h you a e o d e . him a s t d CHARLES . Hav e rre e n h a n s h at h as h e DISRAELI . O w t grou d W don e h di o m l him kn win h e CHARLES . W y d y u e p oy , o g was a s py B u kn i s n t DISRAELI . eca se I ew t Bec au e I wa ed t o h av e h im u n der m y eye For weeks h e h as been

l I kn w it . I n s een enterin g this room s ecret y . e [ ’ di ca l ing pa pers on the table] I v e laid tr aps for him 6 9 D I S R A E L I l s him im on a als s n t etter for to read . I h ad h f e ce , when you CHAR LES [M is erably] When I blu n dered

l t n t l u m us l s . DISRAELI . Wh en you os co ro of yo r c e R t I a s a do CHA LES . I s here n othing c n y or

I t . DISRAELI . fear n o ll t ll u s wh sil n is s o CLARISSA . Wi you e y e ce — t im port an t i ’ i t an wh at v . . h n wit s n o m DISRAELI O , o of por ce e er

’ [CLAR ISSA s its i n DISRAELI S cha ir behind the table des pa i ringly]

Y s— T o Yo u ht t o kn w so th at ! e [ CHARLES] u o g o , in fu ture CHARLES [M is erably] Fu tu re ! Wh at fu tu re is th ere for m e th a in u ur ou m a n l DISRAELI . So t f t e y y co tro l Sit d wn your featu res as we l as you r to n gu e . o

th [CH ARLES s its a t the right of e table . DISRAELI i n i R and s ta n ds fac g h m . CLA ISSA CHARLES li s ten to him intently]

I s m ail ash a Kh di v t is u n d th e P , e e of Egyp , er im pres sion h e is R am es es th e Great ; b u t th e on ly t Pyram id h e h as r aised is a pyram id of deb t . Egyp is a dr n e h as su k d th e l as t y b o e , ou t of whi ch h c e u m a w e l as t as s ts h e h as are th e o nce of rro . Th e llin sh a in h e an al an d th s h e is contro g res t Su ez C , e e i an b u ilt dy ng to s ell t o th e high es t bidder . Fr ce

th e an al b u t i to u it . k v ts c , s too poor b y B is m am co e it as a m a t n a n l a d as a e ns of s n at ching a I di E g n , n t d th e ur h as m ea s of defen di n g it . Bo h preten p c e is th e l as t thin g th ey are thin kin g of ; b oth are watch in g each oth er like cats ; an d I sm ail s its an d 7 0

D I S R A E L I

L ki at a nd s ea ki l w DISRAELI [ oo ng CHARLES , p ng s o ly bu t wit wi n th h e us iasm Yes . s a it gro ng ] Do y ,

Cla is s a . D s i r o ay t . Becau s e th ere is another kind a m an wh o m i h t e tw of g b ice as u s efu l . CLARISSA [Eagerly] Wh at kin d DISRAELI [ Com i ng towar d CHARLES] A m an s o h on es t th at th e rogu es wou ld think him a rogu e s o ’ tru thfu l th at they d s wear h e was lyin g ; s o Sim ple ’ th at th ey d n ev er fathom him Ris i n i di a tl Wh l au h at m e CHARLES [ g n gn n y] y g , sir I feel m y folly bitterly en ou gh Wh a is th e m att d DISRAELI . t er , Deefor — w t m . is s u t is u s i CHARLES D gu t ter d g t h ys elf . r An d desf ai . [T EARLE appea rs ]

d s ai DISRAELI . Why e p r ’ Th e u n s m ss n T EARLE . Q ee e e ger DISRAELI [Sharply] Not wan te d [T o CHARLES] You are th e m an [Exit T EARLE]

[CHARLES a nd CLARISSA u tte ra cry of a m az em ent] I I e t u s t i CHARLES . , to b r ted wi h th s m iss ion a fter wh at I h av e don e n ot DISRAELI . Wh y Am I th e m an ou wan t Ah ou CHARLES . y , y ’ I m a s l s s i — I m n t . a u n t i kn ow o e e , co ce ed dler a perfect an d com plete fool ll— an tin th at— T o C DISRAELI . We gr g [ LARISSA] ’ it— to bu t an tin th t th at I di dn t s ay [ CHARLES] gr g a , is a v ery good reas on for s en di n g you . B t I h av ail d al ad CHARLES . u e f e re y l all m su s s s in li are DISRAELI . Ne ar y y cce e fe s u o fou nded on prev ious failu re . On yo r wn showing 7 2 D I S R A E L I

n b d will s u s o You h av n l t m t o o y pect y u . e o y o ee all th e u n n in with h a s lid tish a u s c g t t to Bfi f ce of yo r , and th e s m s wil ll ch e er l be di s arm ed. Com e Wi you go CHARLES [Enthus ias ti ca lly] Will I go CLARISSA [Ris ing excitedly a nd com i ng towa rds CHARLES] Ah ’ Ah T s ti n DISRAELI . a h ere you r m an of a c o , Clariss a [Slowly to CHARLES] I warn you Th ere will b e gr av e dan ger Ar e you read y to m eet it Gl l CHARLES . ad y — — DISRAELI . I m ean dan ger of de ath u i tl Ye s Sir CHARLES [Q e y] , L ki at C t the w d CLARISSA [ oo ng HARLES , repea s or with a ne whorror] Death DISRAELI [ T o he r] Ev ery s tep of th e way -e v ery — h ou r of th e day dan ger l u rkin g in ev ery s edu ctiv e di s u s . n h e is in t if his and b e g i e Wh en o ce Egyp , err ’ k wn his li will n ot w th a m m t s u h as . n o , fe b e or o en p rc e ’ CLARISSA [Her eyes fixed on CHARLES] I didn t — ’ know I didn t kn ow e l v la i s a m hild DISRAELI [T nder y gra e] C r s , y c , do ou forbid him to go y — I n n t id. CLAR ISSA . I ca o forb

s ou c an . s h all b ou . DISRAELI . Oh ye , y He o ey y h e B t t in m m n . I f ou bid him an d u h k a o e t y for , s an d I s n d th at th m an — h ow will ou obey , e o er y feel CHARLES [Appea li ng softly] Clariss a

[The two m e n watch he r i nte ntly]

a s t wi t he s l b av l CLARISSA [After ru ggle h r e f r e y, s im ply] You m u st go DISRAELI a nd CHARLES [Together] Ah 7 3 D I S R A E L I

ll n ho u t his ha ds DISRAELI . We do e [He lds o n — s he com es to him ] I thin k I m ay tell hi m m ay I n ot — h a wa ti t 7 t ere is a gre t re rd awai n g his re u rn .

[CL ARISSA bows her hea d]

I f I s d CHARLES . u ccee DISRAELI [ T o CLARISSA] Whether h e s u cceed ail e h or f , 2 [S he s obbi ngly as sents ]

N n T o R s all Good ow th e . [ CHA LES] When h you be ready to s t art [H e goes to his cha ir behi nd the table a nd s its ] CHARLES [E nthus ias t/wally] I thi n k I cou ld s t art t e t t -m w h day af er o orro . it ! Th t will m k th e u n d DISRAELI . Cap al a a e er t aking s o m u ch m ore in terestin g . R I e tl H ow do ou m an sir CHA LES [ nnoc n y] y e , E u i n d F l am b will h av DISRA LI . Why , yo r fr e , o j e , e ’ - H ta k s u a forty eigh t h ours s tart with I s m ail . [ e e p Conti nenta l B rads haw and cons u lts i t] Y m a I sh all b e t oo l at CHARLES . ou e n e

t i n t o n v th at im s si . DISRAELI . I am ry g co ey pre on ll— t -m w th n if it m u s t b e CHARLES . We o orro , e , ’ ha t s t t — t F l am b c an do DISRAELI . T b e er bu o j e l n a a great dea i a d y . ’ H R ll L ki at his wat h —th s C A LES . We [ oo ng c ] ere

- a nigh t m ai l t o n igh t at n in e . ’ DISRAELI [Clos ing CHARLES S wa tch] N owI ’ CHARLES [B ewi lde red] Now You don t m ean

I m an in t e n m i n u t s . DISRAELI . e e ’ m l a I s h an t v n CHARLES . B u t y u gg ge e e h av e a clean collar 7 4 D I S R A E L I

I DISRAEL . D am n you r collar [Rapidly] Catch ’ th e v x ss m h a in C Do er E pre fro C r g ross . Yo u ll be in MarSe illeS t o-m w m nin an d in Cai a da orro or g , ro y — ahead of Folj am be a day ah ea d ! ’ C t iki the tabl B v I ll o HARLES [S r ng e] y Jo e , d it ! DISRAELI [W W W ] Of c om s e ou W111 Now hild n s a d b e t o a h h y , c re , y goo y e c ot er . ’ I ll w i t u i n s ti n s H m a k s i r e yo r tru c o . [ e e as f to write he looks at the lovers who ar e s ta ndi ng overwhelm ed and exi t through the door on the

u ic kly to CLARISSA] Claris s a o h is a li s t n o — t e did y u ear wh at Mr . D r e s ai d j u w h h h e h ld ou t of a wa d ope e . re r

I f h e h ot s aid it I s h ld h av . CLARISSA . ad n , ou e CHAR LES [T aki ng her han ds i n his ] Th e reward will b e m i n e if I s u cceed

i ail . CLAR ISSA . Or f y ou f l ou l v m e th n CHARLES . C ariss a Do y o e e

CLARISSA [Ea rnes tly] I lo v e you . a a ou iv m e CHARLES . Ah Wh t cou r ge y g e I ll n u a too I f an CLARISSA . Sh a eed co r ge , y thin h a n s t o ou it will h av b n m d in . g ppe y , e ee y o g I f an thin d h a n s to m e I CHARLES . y g goo ppe , or

in h at will h av b n u d in . do an yth g good, t e ee yo r o g Ch a l s is th at t u CLARISSA . r e , r e ’ C You kn wit is av n t ou h an d HARLES . o H e y c ge m e already ? You s aid I h ad m ade gian t s trides ; wh o b u t y ou u rged m e on An d th e s t n ou w th e w ak CLARISSA . ro ger y gro , e er m I beco e . r o him CHAR LES [Clas pi ng he t ] No , no g u i nt his a e with her head CLARISSA [Looki ng p o f c , on i s s h u ld Oh b u t I lik it h o er] , e 7 5 D I S R A E L I

CHARLES [ Wi th playful reproa ch] A week ago you i ’ d dn t lov e m e . ’ w h w n t . h at as the m an CLARISSA . T at as you T wh ! o adu m brated. ’ CHARLES [ Winci ng] Don t w CLARISSA [La u ghing] Su ch a b eau tiful ord .

B u t I kn ow on e m ore beau tifu l . t CHARLES . Wh a C A L RISSA. Hope

[DISRAELI enters with va rious papers ]

’ T im s DISRAELI . e u p

R s ir . CHARLES . eady , is all ou d— m in DISRAELI . Here y nee oney , s tru ction s an d [Dis pla yi ng a green pape r] a code for a w b e off ! t l m s t e u li at . No e egr . I keep h d p c e s C tu n s to n o [A HARLES r CLARISSA] No , De ’ l H ta kes part u res s h o u d b e s u dden . [ e CHARLES S a hi R G d l u k ! arm nd lea ds m to door down . ] oo c - e ! CHARLES . Good by — CLARISSA [Through her tea rs bravely] Good lu ck ! CHAR LES [ Wavi ng to her ] Good-bye

[Exit CHARLES]

tan ds at t do l ki DISRAELI . Good lu ck [ S he or oo ng — after him ] Ah l [He tu rns to CLARISSA] Now CLARISSA [D is cons olately] Wh at am I to do Wh at am I to do iv DISRAELI [Thi n ki ng it over] Com e for a dr e . Yo are h a tl ss —How l n CLARISSA . Oh u e r e o g will it b e b efore we h ear from him

T h e w ks . DISRAELI . re ee How am I wait CLARISSA . to ow am I to wait 7 DISRAELI . H 7 6 D I S R A E L I

C Y Y ’ l i u ou d n t v m . LARISSA . o o o e h — T n wh did I s n d him ? DISRAELI . No h e y e ’ Li t an d w ll sten . You Sh all com e o Hu gh en den e it t t wa oge her . ' B t t w ks I t s im s sibl CLARISSA . u hree ee po e

DISRAELI [ Wi th a s udde n idea ] Do as I m ean to . CLARISSA [Eagerly] Wh at i th n an d d DISRAELI . Com e nt o e co u try fee ks peacoc . CLARISSA [ Wi th grea t di sgus t] Pea cocks DISRAELI [Li nking hi s arm i n hers and leadi n g her ou i n l an d int lli n t b i ds I t ra p dly] Very ob e e ge r , as su u re yo . CURTAIN

ACT I I I

At u h H g enden .

’ D is ae l i s s tu d - a l m wi th r y . A cosy oa k p ne le d roo la n rge F re ch windows , looki ng ou t on a bright garden . Over the m a n telpiece are s om e s ilhoue ttes a ls o a con vex m i T he is a la t a t i ht n l s to rror . re rge writing able r g a g e the s pectator ; i n fron t of it i s a revolvi ng chai r an di na ha i i s a t the l t o i t T h is a or ry c r ef corne r f . ere s a a i the s ta t -s a t t o of f c ng pec or . A fende r e in fron f t A u d the wa lls b k as s all bu i lt he firepla ce . ro n a re oo c e i nt the and lle d wi th b ks A ne au tu m n o walls fi oo . fi m n i n T he li ht i n the s s t and s u bdue d or g. g room i of u ts id i t i s b illi an t i th t o e r . One door n e lef corner , a th i n the i ht no er r g . Whe n the u ta i ises wea i n an old c r n r , DISRAELI , r g s t hat a n old at old b ts a a in a s ad of , co , oo , nd c rry g p e, i s s ee n s tandi ng i n the wi ndow throwi n g s om e s eed which he ta kes ou t of the pocket of hi s coa t to the ac ks whi h h w v a e ot s n r n ee . pe oc , c , o e er ,

C m i d w lau hi n ! DISRAELI [ o ng o n , g g] No , no No ’ figh tin g T here s plen ty for all of you

P t old a de e om es to the wi d w [ OTTER, he g r n r , c n o ]

m w e in wi th th at POTTER . Hey , as ter , heer b go g s pade

G D I S R A E L I

l ss m s DISRAELI . B e y o ul An th t ts POTTER . d em dir y boo DISRAELI [Going up to POTTER a nd gi ving him the ’ s ad l n d m n s w k e h tt p e] Sp e di orni g or , , Po er ’ ’ n t l f v a h POTTER . Do b am e m e i you e c u g t you r d h eat . DISRAELI [Getting shoes ou t of cu pboard] Wh y ’ Tis w ll k u ht t e in POTTER . e n owed you o g o b you r b e d. DISRAELI [Ha ngi ng hi s old ha t i n the cup boa rd an d ’ ta ki ou t his s h s I m n ot ill ng oe ] Why . Ye r ou re s ou a e . t al ad a . POTTER . , y Mor b y

Sez s o in prin t . DISRAELI [Am u sed] Oh Wh ere [He s i ts and n i s He th ws the old ne s ou t i n the cha ges h s hoes . ro o centre of the floor] ’ ’

I ad it wi m own s . L as t n i h t s POTTER . re y eye g b Glo e .

A hi hl s t l sh t . Wh at DISRAELI . g y re pec ab e ee does it s ay ’ w w ll an d s a P . F a s u u n s OTTER e r yo re erry e , y ll - i i n d t Doctor Wi u m s h e v a b in s eed go n g n a ou here . ’ R i An h t e t too— t [ em em ber ng] t a b ru e , for Doc or ’ ’ illu m s h e us t d v b a n l t th is h b ttl 0 W , j ro e y ef ere o e ’ s f s e Sir . tu f for ,

[Gi ving him a bottle of m edi ci ne] — h Lad B e acon s fie ld . V DISRAELI . O for y ery t Willi am s h as good of th em to b e s o an xiou s . Doc or wi t o s e e L ad B e acon s fie ld wh o h ad been here t ce , y ’ ll He lac s the b ttle a fain tin g fit ; an d th at s a . [ p e o on the m a nte lpi ece ] T T h m L d n n ws a s POT ER . e on o e p per 82 D I S R A E L I

te B AS OO T om the ht with a t a [En r fr rig , r y, on whi h is a sm a ll co ee- ot tc An x r s si c fi p , e . e p e on of dis m a y pas s es over his face as he n otices the old b ts on the ks h s a t oo floor . He loo opele s ly and DISRAELI , goes on behi nd him to the u pper end of the table]

Ah m a DISRAELI . y coff ee [Sits a t the t ble . P leas a tl G d m ni n y] oo or ng , Bas cot . ’ B As c O T [Noti ci ng DISRAELI S coa t wi th i ncreased hor o G d m n in i r r] oo or g , s r I s m i i i DISRAELI . you r s tress s t rr ng

. I li ir k u th b t BASCOT be ev e s o , s . [Pic s p e oo s a nd ta kes them to the cup boa rd] An L DISRAELI . d ady Cl aris sa Ye s si BASCOT . , r . i ti o e m a Pl ks POTTER [ Po n ng fi] Here b Pos t n oo .

’ [B AS OO T ta kes DISRAELI S bla ck velvet coat ou t of the cu pboa rd]

DISRAELI . Good B AS OO T [Holdi ng u p the coa t] May I res pectfu lly s u s — u at sir gge t yo r co , h u t this is so m t abl DISRAELI . O , b co for e BASCOT [ Wi th a di s creet cough] P o stm an Plooks is m i i co n g , s r . i u it i ht as t m u s t k DISRAELI [ Sm les ] Q e r g , B co ; eep u a s H ha s his at p appe ran ce . [ e c nge co ]

ba k m he l t t i s [FL O O KS com es on at the c fro t ef , r e m e i n bu t i s v t d b who to co , pre en e y POTTER, poi nts to his m u ddy boots ]

L O OK d m n in Mr . is a li . F S . Goo or g, D r e m in DISRAELI [Com ing to his table] Good orn g ,

FIO O ks . av b a this m n in Mr . He y g or g 83 D I S R A E L I

F R Not s o h a s l i in s ir LOO S . e vy as u u a th s m orn g , .

DISRAELI . Th ank goodn ess

[BASCOT takes the bag from FLOOR S and ha nds it to who u s ou t the DISRAELI , nlock it and pour s letters ]

Th an k B ou as eot . Wi t w ll Mr . l ks y , fe pre ty e , P oo ’ F R tt rni ddlin ir LOO S . Pre y , s . An d th e t n s DISRAELI . wi F R T win i ll l . s s a u s h alth t o e e LOO S e y . G ad s ’ u ab u t so a l a d o was l s ir yo re o e r y He r y u poor y , POTTER [At wi ndow] Th ere T o F R Wh at ou DISRAELI [ LOO S] , y , too

R ill as m ain u s ab u t it S ir . FLOO S . V age w p et o , DISRAELI [Sorti ng the lette rs ] Giv e th e v ill age m y ’ ‘l v an d s a I m ui t w ll an d Lad B e acon s field o e , q e e y y — is q u ite well an d th e s wan s are qui te well an d th e a ks are xt a di n a il w ll—e h tt pe coc e r or r y e , Po er ’ Gru A d t e m POTTER [ fily] y , r a

F R T h an k ou sir . G d m ni S ir . LOO S . y , oo or ng ,

[Exi t wi th POTTER]

DISRAELI [Handi ng B AS OOT s om e letters ] Lady B n s fi l —L a Cl iss e aco e d dy ar a .

B AS OO T Th an k ou sir . . y ,

[Exi t]

[DISRAE LI s ips his cofiee anddes u ltorily exam i n es his le tters ]

POTTER [Appea rs at the wi ndow wi th two dam aged s u nflowers ; he s ighs hea vi ly a nd com es i n ] Wh at ’ ’ h e r l ad s hi ll s a wh sh e s s this I d n t y p y , en ee , o kn w o . D I S R A E L I

DISRAELI [Rea di ng] Sees wh at ’ th es POTTER . Wh y , e ere su nflowers s h e s e t su ch s t ore by . ’ DISRAELI [Still readi ng] Wh at s th e m atter with th em ’ . R u i a i n s th e m is POTTER n t o atter . Peacocks th e m atter DISRAELI [T u rni ng rou nd] Pea cocks again ’ i ti POTTER . T s peacocks all th e m e

te m the i ht s h as a dew [En r CLARISSA fro r g , fre y ros ebu d]

Yo . Ah d m in m d a u DISRAELI , goo orn g, y e r is tt l n com e in th e n ick of tim e . Here Po er s co di g m e on acco u n t of th e poor pea cocks . POTTER [Com i ng a ppea li ngly towards CLARISSA] ’ ’ s w s Morn in shi . t I s e z i h at th e , you r L ady p Wh a , ’ ’ ’ u se 0 m e an d th e m l ads toili n an d m oilin fit t o b u s t _ k th e l a tid wh n h at u l he as t s to eep p ce y , e t ey gre g y e ’ l is allowed to com e s q u awkin all o v er th e p ace . [T u rns to go] u hi e ll h av ou r u bl s CLARISSA [La g ng] W a e tro e ,

Mr . Potter . POTTER [T u rn/ing back qu i ckly] Maybe s o ; bu t ’ — they don t e at sun fl owe rs u gly to ads

[Exit]

’ sh u lde allu di CLARISSA [Eagerly at DISRAELI S o r . ng to the letters ] An y n ews

DISRAELI [Casu a lly] Not yet . CLARISSA [ Com i ng a way imp a tient ly] Not yet Not y e t Not yet I t sh ou ld h av e com e days ago ’ ’ Shou ldn t it Sh oul dn t it W ll DISRAELI . e D I S R A E L I

. An d v da the h as n CLARISSA e ery y cry bee , ! Not yet !

. R m m b th e t DISRAELI e e er as k h e h as . R e i m em b er th e d ffi cu l ties . An t e CLARISSA . d h dan gers .

. n o . F t th e dan s DISRAELI No , orge ger . Hav e you b reakfasted ak as d AS if I l CLARISSA . Bre f te cou d break ’ fas t As s oon as eigh t O clock s trikes I wan t to b e

h s e e th e t l a h b o m . I w ere , to e egr p y co e an t to watch u s yo r face as you read th e m es age . DISRAELI [ Wheeli ng hi s cha i r rou nd to face her whim s ica lly] Ar e y ou so deeply in lov e CLARISSA [ With a tragic s igh] Un s peakably DISRAELI [D ri ly] Ah I b eliev e abs en ce is a l m great e em en t of ch ar . C As i s he w u ld like to s ha k him Oh LARISSA [ f o e ] , you T ell m e th e n ews will b e good T ell m e s o

I h it will b e d. DISRAELI . ope goo C n o LARISSA . No ,

m s it will b e d. DISRAELI . I a u re goo ’ ’

Ah ! T h at s b tte . Y u kn w it s CLARISSA . e r o o , l e as d l in l v as I am ! Oh q uite dr eadfu to b eep y o e , ’ ’ i thi n s a I m s u I su ppos e th at s a h orr d g to y . re m am m a wou ld thin k it h orrid. ’ ’ I m su h a l s w u ld think it wasn t . DISRAELI . re C r e o i t i w d s m ak a di f CLARISSA . Th e po n of v e oe e f er ’ sn t it ence , doe n u s B u t wh is it s o d ad u l DISRAELI . E orm o y re f to b e in lov e on the end o the s a a i CLARISSA [ Sits f of , f c ng DISRAELI] ’ t t ak s all th e n it ou t on e I t s di s astrou s . I e co ce of ’

h l v an d n ow I d t . I u s ed to thin k I was rat er c e er , on ’ — - I u s ed t o thin k Oh ! was n t I a wretch I was 86

D I S R A E L I

’ iv l I d t lik l DISRAELI [Pens e y] Yes . on e peop e wh o keep qu iet . ’ u l s h e a t do h a l s an CLARISSA . S re y c n C r e y m is ch ief

NO . B t sh ul d Ch arle s h av ail d. DISRAELI . u o e f e ’ CLARISSA [I ndigna ntly] He h as n t failed ' li ht DISRAELI [Qu ickly] Of cour s e h e h as n t . [ S g B u t s h uld h e h av ail d sh e m i h do a paus e] o e f e , g t l m i hi to th e s h m great dea of s c ef c e e . CLARISSA [Still m ore i ndigna nt] DO you m ean to s a ou will s till carry ou t you r s ch em e if y —y Ch arles 1 La i his ha nd on he d a DISRAELI [ y ng rs ] My e r , do you think th e British Em pire will coll aps e when I do ? NO ! Ch arles an d I are n othi n g ! we are ’ t wh ls B t i t h at only oili n g h e ee . u t s m y du y to s ee t t s in t th m a nd s o I h av s u ad d n o dus get o e . e pe r e v s m h Mrs . Tra er to co e ere — CLARISSA [Am az ed] Here 4 h l DISRAELI . An d e p you feed the peacocks . Wh CLARISSA . Here ? y ? I wan t o h av th at a shin atu DISRAELI . t e r vi g cre re wh ere I c an s e e he r . [He ris es and m oves towa rds the wi ndow] t CLARISSA . B u h ow did you persu ade h er DISRAELI [T u rni ng to her] Wh en th e te legr am C l s ai d to m I th w o t hin ts h e from h ar e f le co e , re u

ed . Sh e is is n kn t h ad s u cceed per hi g t o ow th e ru th . ’ l L B ac on s fie l s in She is Sh e eapt at ady e d v itation . t o-da com in g h ere y . CLARISSA [La ughi ng] Wh at a pity Hughenden h as n o du n geon '

the a d n is tt . I u l DISRAELI . No , g r e be er co dn t s ee he r in a du ngeon . D I S R A E L I

t L m the i t he [En er ADY BEACONSFIELD fro r gh . S i s ath a l and ail r er p e fr looki ng. She bri ngs a n tt open le er . CLARISSA ris es ]

L Che il G d m nin ADY BEACONSFIELD [ er y] oo or g , Dizzy T e d l ! [ a An n , m de ar av DISRAELI n er y] M ry y _ H e y ou h ad a good nigh t L s I i ADY BEACONSFIELD . Of cou r e h av e , D zzy . l l S ept ike a top.

DISRAELI . Su re ? L T o C Now ADY BEACONSFIELD [ LARISSA] , ’ la iss a li t n i C r , s e to h m ! He dou bts e v erybody s w ts m i ord . He dou b n e I v c an b li v an thin ou DISRAELI . ne er e e e y g y s a abou t s l T o s L y your e f . [ CLARISSA acro s ADY ’ BEACONSFIELD ta king LAD Y B E ACO N SE I E L D S left ha nd] DO you kn ow wh at this foolish wom an did a little while ago Sh e drov e t o th e Hou s e O f Com m on s with m e O n e n igh t when I h ad to T e tm an m ake a v ery im portan t speech . h foo sl am m ed the carriage door an d cru shed h e r finger in it CLARISSA [ Wi th a cry] Oh Ye ! T h is n An d b au s DISRA ELI . s poor fi ger ec e \ s h l b e Sh e n e v e r S he kn ew h ow dis tress ed I ou d , s t th e a n u n fli n chin l u ttered a oun d, b u bore go y g y m He an d I kn ew nothin g abou t it till I got h o e . [ kis ses the fill/gt r] R h h oww n d u l CLA ISSA . O , o erf LADY BEACONSFIELD [Com in g overm to CL AR l S SA ] ’ m a i d m d a . Nons en s e ! Wait till yo u re rr e , y e r ’ l thin s all th e tim You ll b e doin g j u s t as won derfu g e , l th m an d thinkin g j u st as litt e of e . 8 9 D I S R A E L I

’ W ll if v s k . u th e t th o DISRAELI e , yo e po en ru , y u ’ s h all h av u m nin s f in e yo r or g o fer g .

[He goes i nto the garden]

LADY BEACONSFIELD [Qu ickly] Claris s a Nev er allu de to m y h ealth b efore Dizzy ! Prom is e ! I t worries him an d Heav en knows h e h as worries n u h with u h t e o g , o t t a . R h t is n thin th e CLA ISSA . O , b u a y g m atter L thin — in ADY BEACONSFIELD . No g noth g to m ake s t illi m s s s I s t a fu s abou t . Doc or W a ay m u b e v ery ’

a l . I m . h ll i h t N w u a a s a . o m ind c ref So t t r g , Not a word t o Dizzy h e u sh a ai CLARISSA . T cr ed finger g n L Ye s ! Gl a l ADY BEACONSFIELD . d y . E v ery day for his s ake

Re - te m the a de wi th a s [ en r DISRAELI fro g r n , ro e] H Th e l as s s um m . e ha ds DISRAELI . t ro e of er [ n i t to LADY BEACONSFIELD]

Th an k ou i . h LADY BEACONSFIELD . y , D zzy [ T ey

kis s N w o m u s t at n d t o b u s in s s . ] o , y u te e

s at hi des k L [DISRAELI s it s , ADY BEACONSFIELD v hi s to the wi dow s ta n ds o er m . CLARISSA goe n , who i v s he w s a nd x t r i . m eets POTTER, g e flo er e s ba k lim bs on the d -st l a nd She com e c , c fen er oo arranges them i n vas es ]

L ADY BEACONSFIELD [Alludi ng to the le tte r s he had brou ght] L ad y Probert as ks u s to din e on Th u rsday k wee . ’ Lad t Th at s ath am us DISRAELI . y Prober r er in ! Sir i h a l d n u s m e an d t nd s g M c e e o nce , h u er a ai nst m e an — as ks m e to dinn g , d er 90

D I S R A E L I

i CLARISSA [Rea ds ] Th e celery is ripe to d g. [She looks u p utterly bewilde red]

lau hi s the d aw his [DISRAELI , g ng, open r er of t - k u t n a de wri ing table and ta es o a gree p p er co , l ike the on e he ga ve CHARLES i n ACT I I ]

LADY BEACONSFIELD [T akes the telegram from l i ! CLARISSA a nd reads ] Th e ce ery s ripe to dig. W ll I t s a l thin k h e d h av n e m u s y , I h ard y nee e go e t o th e expens e oi R l t t i t i s a de ss a s na t he s CLARISSA [ ea is ing ha co m e ge, c the telegram from LADY BEACONSFIELD a nd tu rns to DISRAELI] Wh at does it m ean

DISRAELI [Ris i ng] A great deal m ore th an it s ays . L ook. ’ Wh at s th at 7 CLARISSA .

A th e d I av him . L k DISRAELI . copy of co e g e oo

[ The two wom en com e close to hi m ]

’ l i Th e a all l n t n T h e ce ery is r pe to di g. p r e s e e ce T h e Su ez Can al pu rch as e is com pleted an d th e ! ch equ e a ccepted. iz LADY BEACONSFIELD . D zy DISRAELI [ Wi th i m m e ns e joy] Ye s h as s u d d CLARISSA . He ccee e S l DISRAELI . u perb y ki i t s bs Oh th a k G od CLARISSA [B rea ng n o o ] , n Th an k God [ Si n ks on s ofa ] LADY BEACONSFIELD [T u rning to her ] Clariss a ’

Le h e r m d a it s w th it . DISRAELI . t cry , y e r or L ADY BEACONSFIELD [T o DISRAELI] How glad you m u st b e l — r n w th at th d am DISRAELI . G ad Fo o o er re of m ine will b e re alis ed. D I S R A E L I

L ADY BEACONSFIELD . Wh at dream DISRAELI [I ns pired] T o m ake m y s o v ereign Em press of I n dia LADY BEACONSFIELD [Hus hed] Em pres s of I n di a ! — A . I t s u n ds w ll e h a DISR ELI o e , , Mary M ry , ou sh all b e m m n i i y y ess e ger wh en th e tim e s r pe . You Lad B e acon s fie ld sh all a th e n ws to ou r , y , c rry e l An h ll n ou b v ed u n . d ou s a b e th a d e o Q ee y ere , y s h all b e u d wh n I s tan d u t o ann u n th e n e w pro , e p o ce ’ title t o Her Majes ty s F ai thful Com m on s — LADY BEACONSFIELD [ Wi stfu lly] Ye s l Dizzy wh en will th a t b e h s m tim m us t la s Altu d DISRAELI . O o e e e p e . [ i n to the tel am whi h he la s with the de on g egr , c y , co , - l i the wri ti ng table ] This m u s t b e form a ly r at fied.

P u l a lin m u s t b e at d th e a t du at d . op r fee g cre e , p r y e c e L wi t u ll s a dl bu t ADY BEACONSFIELD [M ore s f y y,

wi th a sm i le ak h ast i . ] M e e , D zzy DISRAELI [Laughi ng] You im patien t wom an CLARISSA [Recoveri ng] Will Ch arles com e b ack s n n w oo , o

An th im ati n t w m an . I DISRAELI . o er p e o He s its a t hi s tabl m u s t telegraph this to Meyers . [ e] Ye s ! LADY BEACONSFIELD . Wi th DISRAELI [ Writing] He m ade it pos sible . [ sh u lde An th J e w a whim si ca l gla nce over his o r] o er , ’ - How u i u s Mary l Th ere ll b e a peerage for him . f r o poor old Prob ert will b e [He reads ] Hu gh l h as is n all . T h e Su an a u Meyers , Lo n do W ez C p rc e ! l t d an d th e h u a t d . com p e e , c eq e ccep e

[LADY BEACONSFIELD goes u p to the window to con cea l her tea rs ] D I S R A E L I

CLARISSA [Com ing to him im patiently] You h av e n ot an s w d m u s ti ill Ch a l s m h m ere y q e on . W r e co e o e s oon 7 DISRAELI [T u rning to he r] Ye s ! with tru m pets l win b d u m s atin a s i . o g , r b e g , fl g fly ng ’ Oh ! I d n t a an thi CLARISSA . o c re y ng th at

An w d n lls in in DISRAELI . d e di g be r g g L At the wi d w l ki n o ADY BEACONSFIELD [ n o , oo g fi] A s t a i n n a r T av s t o c ab Ca th t b e M s . r er udd n l a s t d Ri si n wi th the DISRAELI [S e y rre e . g t r elegram he has been wri ti ng i n his ha nd] M s . ’ T s s h n ow ! rav er ! We c an t h av e Mrs . T rav er ere ’ h ’ d Sh e d worm this ou t of u s in fiv e m inu te s . S e s e e it n all a o our f ces . L La hi Oh i ! ADY BEACONSFIELD [ ug ng] , D zzy You m ade m e in vit e h e r n h r wa ! ri h r . d e a DISRAELI . Ge t d of e Se y Kill h e r [La ughing protes t from the ladi es ]

[Enter B As c or' wi th a ca rd on a salver] L ADY BEACONSFIELD . Dizzy i s t o w k th ou . t u w t DISRAELI . Bo of y Se yo r or . — ’ — T ell h e r tell h e r I m v ery ill v ery ill in dee d ! ’ [He re ads the ca rd] [Exci te dly] Hu gh Meyers ! I t s Hu gh Meyers [T o B As oom] Sh owh im in a t o n ce

[Exi t B As c om]

’ T h at s s plen did ! I s it possible h e h as h eard the n ews C C n h l s l hi m LARISSA . a C ar e h av e cab ed to 2 DISRAELI [Hu m orou s ly] No Th es e fin an ciers ’ kn i I f h e s m ow ev eryth n g by a s ort of ins tin ct . co e ’ ’ i ’ l t o t ll u s d n t s il his f t d n t t ll h m . I l e , o po e fec ; o e 94

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u t n d t t le a m i to DISRAELI [P ti g own he e gr m , co ng him a n d l ki n a t hi m k l th n tici oo g een y en, o ng his a i ta ted nditi h u i etl W ll s it g co on] O ? [Q y] e , d wn —s it w o do n .

[MEYERS drops m echa nica lly on the end of the

s a b a ha i b hi nd i t of . DISRAELI rings c r from e a nd s i ts bes ide him ]

‘ DISRAELI [Gently] Well 2 ’ ’ w h t o ll I t s s o . I d t kn w MEYERS on o o te you . m u h h a d th an I x t d c r er e pec e . — — DISRAELI [Gently] Well tell m e tell m e . — — — S . I I Mr i li I am as d as MEYER . D srae goo a k u b n r pt . ’ Wh a —I dn t at h DISRAELI . t di c c

M h u s is as d as an k u t . MEYERS . y o e goo b r p DISRAELI [ Stu n ned] B ankru pt - Meyers b ank — ru pt Ar e you m ad I wish t God I w MEYERS . o ere You m an ou are m a il s s d DISRAELI . e y te por r y pre e ou are in t m a di u lti s y e por ry ffic e . h I a I m an we are on MEYERS . I m ean w at s y e th e in k t br k of b an ru p cy . — h th e hin is im DISRAELI . B u t bu t O t g possible

I t i h th . MEYERS . s t e tru — B h w -A h u s lik u s an DISRAELI . u t o o e e yo r hist i al firm ? Wh ou m i h t as w ll s a th e or c y , y g e y B an k of En gl an d S o I sh ul d h av th u h t MEYERS . o e o g A il DISRAELI [Ris i ng and sta ndi ng over him . ngr y] Wh wh at h av ou b d in — h at y , e y een o g W ’ St — I t s n o t ou r aul t MEYERS . Stop op f 96 D I S R A E L I M as t i hi ms l ll . x l i I DISRAELI [ er ng e f] We E p a n . am waitin g

. Ah I am s till h al i k m l MEYERS f n th e dar ys e f . I told you th e m oney was b eing s en t from Frankfort — shipped from Brem en I m a tientl Y s DISRAELI [ p y] e , ye s

. I h av n x i n il I MEYERS e bee e pect g it da y . w —I t l a h d ! il - rote e egr p e S ence . T o day I receiv ed l t m l l a et er fro O den zaa . DISRAELI [N ot ca tchi ng the nam e] E h ld aal us insi h e h MEYERS . O enz ; j t de t Du tc Th sh i — i i — frontier . e p m y bu ll on sh p th e au thoritie s m n n at Bre e h av e ot allowed it to s ail . Wh ? DISRAELI . y Th e au h iti s u s s a wh MEYERS . t or e ref e to y y . ’ l i s t They are fu l of pol te regret . Th ey day th ey don h I t s t ain n di n n u i i n kn ow w y . i de ed pe g e q r es ; a d s e t n m a t a th e enqu irie ar pos po ed fro d y o d y . in n DISRAELI . Wh y were you n ot form ed s oo er Th e a t ain an d w w u d MEYERS . c p cre ere n er — ob s erv ation were n ot allowed to wr it e or telegraph . T n w am in l t h u i dl w itt n in h e e s c e a et er , rr e y r e il n th m a in a ws a an d s b pen c o e rg of ne p per , ent y th e interm edi ary of a com m ercial trav eller . W ll DISRAELI . e ? I h th e an k n l an d MEYERS . h ad oped B of E g wou ld h av e giv en m e credi t for th e two m illion s u s h av un til th e arriv al of th e shi p . B u t ru m o r e Th e b een s e t aflo at h ere af fectin g m y solv en cy . ith I t a t B an k is actin g in perfect good fa . c nno

An d s o m b a k is b k n . negotiat e m y p aper . y c ro e DISRAELI [An excla m a tion of a nger] Ah Yo a Ah b e as a as ou lik . u MEYERS . ngry y e I h be e n h m an all m li j u stified. av e n a onest y fe H 97 D I aR A E L I an d n ow I s tan d before you in th e ligh t of a co m m on h at B eaks d w b wi his h ad c e . [ r o n , o ng e ] DISRAELI [Com i ng s lowly to hi m and ofiering his ha d Mr s I k ow ou s ir n ] . Meyer . n y ,

s his ha d bu t a t a k [MEYERS gras p n , c nno spe ]

Now t ll m e c an ou ss b wh m th e m u s , e y gu e y o ru o r h av e been s tarted l t t l MEYERS [P u lli ng him se f oge he r] Not dir ect y . s m h s til in u n is a Of cou rs e o e o e fl e ce t work. R T R Ah—l DISRAELI [ em emberi ng MRS . RAVE S] I s yo u r pos ition com m only kn own Not e t MEYERS . y .

[DISRAELI m oves away towards his writing-table]

I h av m s t ai h t t o ou b aus u s e co e r g y , ec e of co r e a th e n al n we c an not c rry ou t Ca co tract . [DISRAELI s uddenly rea li ses the horror of the s ituation] Th an k av n I am in tim Th an k a h h as n ot He e e . He v en t at gon e throu gh .

[DISRAELI pi cks u p the telegram he was abou t to t a holds ou t to him s end o MEYERS nd i t . MEYERS ta k s i t l ki n i n u i i n l at ads e , oo g q r g y DISRAELI re i t and the n s ta ds h r -s t i ke n , n orro r c ]

Good God si n ks i n t hi s hai A us e [DISRAELI o c r . pa ] s Wh n wi ll it e kn wn DISRAELI [ Voi celes ] e b o , ‘ Meyers Wh en will it b e kn own 2 s i l ss MEYERS [ With a ges ture of de pair . Vo ce e ] - - o n i T o m w m in . T gh t . orro orn g DISRAELI [B rea ki ng ou t and leapi ng up ] B y th e Lord it sh all not

[He tu rns to MEYERS] 9 8

D I S R A E L I

L T ADY BEACONSFIELD . hen 7 e DISRAELI . Meyers was fin ding the m oney for th Canal L CO D . Ah ! _ ADY BEA NSFIEL i — h e DISRAELI . Wa t Deeford h as p ayed ov er t bh e u e ow s h as il d— n n t q . N Meyer fa e an d we ca o m eet it . L An ADY BEACONSFIELD . d ou 7 — y DISRAELI [Am a z ed] I 7 L i l Ye s I a ADY BEACONSFIELD [S mp y] , dear . w nt t o kn wh ow thi s will af t o fec you . at d h t m at DISRAELI . Wh oes t a ter 7 ’

L I t ll th a m att s m e . ADY BEACONSFIELD . s a t er to ’ I n t t h it at will DISRAELI . h av e h ou g t of . Wh h a n to m e tte an d i t i abl ppe ? Dis gr ace , u r rre r ev e ; — th e kind of di s grace no m an c an bear no m an c an li thr h v e ou g . LADY BEACONSFIELD [Gently pu tti ng her ha nd on his arm ] Dizzy ! Ye s ! B av s I will b a it ! DISRAELI . y He en , e r ’ i I ’ ll it— l I ll face th e nat on . b ear a one LADY BEACONSFIELD [Lay ing her ha nd on hi s arm Not l d a tenderly] a one , e r . B a ki d wn s i ks i nt hi s hai and DISRAELI [ re ng o , n o c r ou bu ries his head i n her arm ] Th an k God for y , Mary Th an k God for you LADY BEACONSFIELD [M as teri ng her tears ] Hav e you don e an ythin g ye t 7 DISRAELI [Helpless ly] So s oon 7 Wh at cou ld I do 7 LADY BEACONSFIELD [ Wi th as su m ed che erfu lnes s ] ’ Sh ou ldn t we go u p t o town 7 ’

I an t . I dar n ot . I an n t m v DISRAELI . c e c o o e s l h e im i is t an t s ti with u t ecret y . T Pr e M n er c no r o 100 D I S R A E L I

l l s etting th e wh o e wor d agog . Th e p apers h av e l w s i D s ai I am il . I f I n owm n w d ere een g Street n o , in the s s wh n I am su s d t o e ill rece , e ppo e b , ev ery ’ n w a in th e w ld w d w h s l t e sp per or oul gro y terica . I s

i l a . I am i d h an a horr b e , M ry t e , d nd foot . [Enter BASCOT]

' A u i Mrs . T av B AS COB [ nno nc ng] r ers . Alm s t wi th a s h u t and lea i to h DISRAELI [ o o , p ng is ‘ feet] Wh at 2

' A r Mrs . T av s in a s ati n c ab s ir . B s c o . r er , t o , ’ LADY BEACONSFIELD [Hu rri edly] I ll get rid of h e r — DISRAELI [T u rning on her] Ge t rid of h e r 7 [T o ' r wait an d s h e r i w n I B As oor ] As k h e to , ow h n he rin g [Exit B AS C O D' ]

’ u l ll n ot i LADY BEACONSFIELD . S re y you rece v e h e r n ow

Ye s DISRAELI .

LADY BEACONSFIELD . Why 7

I wan t t o s e e h e r . I wa t to s e e th at DISRAELI . n I wan kn w He s ch arm i n g face of h ers . t to o [ goe t u a d and uts his d ss i n - wn on v qu ickly o c pbo r , p re g go o er his coat] — LADY BEACONSFIELD [Am a z e d] Dizzy Wh at is this pl ay - actin g 7 a

ill ill . h DISRAELI [Grim ly] I am . Very T e ’ Sh e sh all s e e th e si k s t m an p apers s ay I m ill . c e s h e ev er s awin h e r life [Enter CLARISSA] J

dl Mrs . T av s h as d iv n u CLARISSA [Excite y] r er r e p. Sh all I s en d h e r away 7 D I S R A E L I — . N n o Ch in h e r Ri s h and DISRAELI o , no , a [ ng ] and foot [He throws him s elf on the s ofa ] A l s t n is h d B u t r . is a i CLARISSA [ o e ] , M D r e ’ . ll u dden l his e e DISRAELI Hu sh I m i . [ S y y res ts on the m edici ne bottle on the m a nte lpie ce he rea lis es the va l ue of i t as a piece of m is e on s cen e ; he l a s u s na t hes the b ttl a nd la s i t on a sm a ll e p p , c o e, p ce table at the head of the s ofa then throws him s elf bac k on the s ofa ] I am very ill

[CLARISSA s tands watching i n u tter bewi lderm ent] te MRs he avis hi [En r . T RAVERS . S is m ore r ng tha n ever]

T om es wa d us hi l to L MRS . RAVERS [C for r g ng y ADY BEACONSFIELD] Ah Dear Lady B e ac on s field L ADY BEACONSFIELD [Pu ts her finger to her lips ] Sh

h hed Oh MRS . T RAVERS [ Seeing DISRAELI us ] ’ r i w ill I s a li as . did I m s o s orry ! I hea rd M . D r e I m it s n ot kn ow wh eth er to com e or n ot . a qu e u re a n t an t m e M a k s as i to wi thd aw you c n o w . [ e f r ] v s T av s DISRAELI [I n a wea k oice ] I th at Mrs . r er , dear 7

Y s . L . e d a ADY BEACONSFIELD , e r h h —h —h o—h o—h o DISRAELI [F eebly] O , o o

i w s o s i u s . Rs T . I h ad d a it as M . RAVERS no e er o ’ I won t s t ay a m om ent DISRAELI [Risi ng a little and holding ou t a wea k s d a nd waveri ng ha nd] Swee t Mrs . Trav er So goo ’ — I m v w ak v w ak . of you . ery e ery e R uts her lac s a on the tabl and M s . T RAVERS [P e c rf e v hi the s a to him ta ki n his ha d i n a com es o er be nd of , g n ’ at is th e grea t show of syrrypathy] I m s o s orry . Wh m atter 7

D I S R A E L I

wh m this dis t s s s to L [CLARISSA , o res e , goe ADY BEACONSFIE LD]

’ s m t ti s n t sh e s m Dear , y p a he c creature ! I y ’ ath i a B u t n b e u n as . e h av p et c , M ry 7 do t e y W e Lie s down utt l ex j us t h eard from Deeford. [ er y ha us ted] R i th di i u lt u s i her MRS . T RAVE S [ W fi c y s p pre s ng cu rios ity] I ndeed ? I n the v i e a d i n m a n a DISRAELI [ o c of y g ] M ry , ’ is n t it tim e for m y b eef te a 7

[ This i s a lm os t too m u ch f or LADY BEACONSFIELD ‘ a nd C who ha v the at s t di lou lt LARISSA , e gre e fi y i n kee pi ng their cou nt ena nces ]

T A an im i t aus You MRS . RAVERS [ fte r pat en p e] s ay y ou h av e h eard 7 DISRAELI [ Who had apparently forgotten her ex — Y i stence h Mr . T av s m d e s ] O , s r er fro Deefor ? , is th a l am 7 l we h ad a telegram . Wh ere t te egr He p

m e u a . p, M ry [LADY BEACONSFIELD helps him ] — Ah P i ti Th on th e bl . R d it [ o n ng] ere , ta e ea for

s l Mr . T v s . your e f , s ra er

u and ads the t le m [MRS . T RAVERS picks p re e gra . s ta ds bl a i the DISRAELI n fee y, f c ng the la firep ce .

[Looki ng i nto the m irror] Heav en s ! How pale I am “ T R adi T h e l is i MRS . RAVERS [ e ng] ce ery r pe to ! T o Ho odd 7 dig. [ CLARISSA] w

CLARISSA [F orce d to s ay s om e thi ng] Ye s . DISRAELI [Looking i nto m irror] Why odd 7 104 D I S R A E L I

MRS . TRAVERS [Sm i ling and pu tting down the telegram ] Th at an yon e sh o u ld cable all th e way

m t ab u t l . She s s the n d fro Egyp o ce ery [ ee gree co e . S he l ks a t i t ke e l he r s as h and a s a a n tl oo n y eye fl , pp re y[ n o one is wat hi she adua ll d aws i t t wa ds he c ng, gr y r o r r] Watchi he r i n the m i Oh o DISRAELI [ ng rror] , y u ’ kn ow h e s engaged on a v ery in teres ting agricul tu ral x i t m i e per m en . You re em b er th e di s cus s on we were h av in g at Glas ton b u ry T owers on this v ery s u b ject . T C u m li the de i n her ha n d MRS . —RAVERS [ r p ng co ] Oh y e s Gl as ton b u ry T owers ! Su ch a delightfu l

a t . An s s L d d in t p r y d all di per ed. or Deefor Egyp — is li v ill—Sir i h a l b t poor Mr . D r ae ery M c e Pro er ou t of town th a ta whi h he s u s es DISRAELI [ Wi s rt, c ppres ] Prob ert ! Ris i n u i kl a nd s li i the d MRS . T RAVERS [ g q c y pp ng co e A t i s d I i nto the glove of her right ha nd. s on he ] be g u a d n 7 She l ks ab u t or a wa s a yo r p r o [ oo o f y of e c pe, to read the code ] I t ak s m e lik DISRAELI [B la ndly] A twin ge . t e e You m i n d d m e a v t i in v i w th a t . re e of ery ry ng ter e with Probert . T who i s d eti n CLAR ISSA [T o MRS . RAVERS , fi g g] ’ m att Mrs . T av s 7 Wh at s th e er , r er ’ i u to the wi nd w I s t MRS . TRAVERS [Edg ng p o ] n this room v ery clos e 7 ’ DISRAELI [T o LADY BEACONSFIELD] Don t le t h e r slip R L ki ou t o the wi dow Oh M S . TRAVERS [ oo ng f n ] I s th at on e of th e fam ou s peacocks 7 LADY BEACONSFIELD [I ntercepting he r near the ’ z u d h m an d th e wi ndow] D iz y s v ery pro of t e , of

s wans . 105 D I S R A E L I

’ . T I u t th m . MRS RAVERS . v e h eard s o m u ch abo e May I go and loo k at th em 7

[LADY BEACONSFIELD ta kes her right arm i n her own left arm and gently endeavou rs to de ta i n her]

B who m s d wn DISRAELI [ eckon ing to CLARISSA , co e o ’ to him qu ickly] Sh e h as th e code ! Don t l e t h e r ad it e t re y . Follow h e r Stick to h er

u to taki her [CLARISSA goes p MRS . TRAVERS , ng left arm i n he r right] I ’ ll h CLARISSA . S ow you th eir h ouses . ’ . T ici u s l h n t t u bl MRS RAVERS [ V o y] O , do ro e

[She and CLARISSA go ou t arm -in-arm ]

u d to the writi -table DISRAELI [H rrie ly crossing ng , ta k s ou t a t T o L e s heet of pap e r and wri es . ADY a I w t ou to h b t BEACONSFIELD] M ry , an y fetc Pro er t a on ce . LADY BEACONSFIELD [Goi ng towar ds the bell-pu ll] ’ I ll order th e carriage ’

i I rs . s e cab s till DISRAELI . Wa t . s M Tr av er th ere 7 ’

L I ll s e . She s to ADY BEACONSFIELD . e [ goe wi d w a nd l ks o Yes C m s dow to n o oo fi] , dear . [ o e n the table above DISRAELI]

ll t ak th a . DISRAELI . We , e t L D — t if ir i h a l A Y BEACONSFIELD . Oh bu S M c e refus es to com e ! ’ DISRAELI [Still wri ti ng] Say it s a m atter of life t and dea h . — — B u t Mrs . T av s 7 LADY BEACONSFIELD . r er ’

I ll l k af t h e r . a t ak DISRAELI . oo er M ry, e a iss a with u I wan t h a w m an al n ! Cl r yo . t t o o e 106

D I S R A E L I

i i ’ MRS . TRAVERS [Com ng towards h m ] I m s o d ad u ll s t re f y orry , bu

ta kes her i ht ha n d a nd d aws her [DISRAELI r g , r down bes ide him ]

You m u s s ta / till h m DISRAELI . No , no . t y t ey co e k b ac . M c a is tin . T . I n i MRS RAVERS deed no y b wa g . L B e acon s fie l k DISRAELI . No . ady d h as ta en

th at .

ndi na nt R ll —J MRS . T RAVERS [I g ] ea y ’ — I . n t b e an F dli her D SRAELI Ah , do gry [ on ng ha nd] Th e dain ty h an d

. V i n but not u it s u o he s l MRS T RA ERS [Sm li g, q e re f r e f] Pleas e DISRAELI [Toying with it] Th e s u pple fin gers — s o lon g and thin so ex qui sitely sh aped

P t s ti u ttis hl Mr . D is MRS . TRAVERS [ ro e ng coq e y] rae li

k hi s— si DISRAELI . So qu ic to grasp t ng u ncon dered — trifle s s craps of p aper i hte d Le t e You MRS . T RAVERS [F r g ne ] m go are h u rtin g DISRAELI [Holdi ng her tight] I n s u ch a h u rry to — get away from th e poor sick m an to ge t away — an d read [He ta kes the code ou t of he r glove a nd holds i t up ] th e code 7 F i him at ba ll MRS . T RAVERS [ ac ng y] We 7 Wh at of it 7 ’ ’

th a s b . Th a s h w I DISRAELI . Ah , t etter t o rem em b er you .

R . R m m b m e 7 MRS . T RAVE S e e er we t t t T w s Yes . Wh n m e a h e DISRAELI . e o er ’ — t I t l a s o cur ious I rem em bered you , bu couldn p ce 108 D I S R A E L I you . I connected you with s om ethin g blu e an d wh ite

. T Wi th a in her s bu t u h on MRS RAVERS [ fe r eye , a la g her li ps ] Milk and water 7

. n w an DISRAELI No S o d water . Mon t Blanc an d th e L ak G e of en ev a .

[MRS . TRAVERS star ts ]

' G n v a in th e six i s l e e t e . Politica refu gees an d th eir n lish s m athis s A m an all L m l n d E g y p er . c ed u ey, a — his rav ishin g- sh all I s ay wife 7

[She looks at hi m qu ickly]

— m r ad th i No Co e was e r word. Ch arm in g re lations hi Th at li l l — e p. de ghtfu co u p e so good to th u h a xil s B t l l Th s aid n ppy e e u peop e are cru e . ey L l — — ki n d Mr . um ley an d hi s lov e y com r ade were a ts —d n ts gen , ecoys e gaged in worm ing ou t th e s ecre th e u s in t m in th b t o is n — of ref gee , e pt g em ack pr o to death .

’ T R AVE R S a e ha s as s u m ed an x essi [MRS . S f c e pr on o h at the o the t A s ti ed f orror m em ory f pa s . fl s a s her li s bu t s he e ve s h s el cry e c pe p , r co r er f and s m i lingly tu rns to DISRAELI]

T An d wh a h ll this to do MRS . RAVERS . pray t as a wi th m e 7

Ah wh at in d d ? You th e i n d DISRAELI . — , ee , fr e . r Lum l an his of D u ch es s es o f D u kes Good M . ey d ch arm in g com r ade were dr iv en ou t of Genev a by th e slan derers an d where do you think I s awhim next 7 i t h ad ad d F l am b to his I n Down ng S reet . He de o j e

m I as so s f or him I av hind w k. na e . w v ery orry g e or i You av him ins t u ti n s to B u t y ou d d b etter . g e r c o to T i s t i th the i n on his he a s h u rry r e e . [ W r g finger , r p 109 D I S R A E L I

the tabl em i di her her s i al to F on e, r n ng of gn OLJAMBE i n c t N I A I I ow do m m b ou d a Mrs . ] re e er y , e r Lu m l ey-Foljam b e-T rav ers 7 — x MRS . T RAVERS [Calm ly] An d wh at ne t 7 i n adm i ati n till DISRAELI . Adrnirat on . Profou d r o

- this m m n t . T o da o h a di s a in m e o e y y u v e ppo ted . [Holdi ng up the code ] Why s teal this 7 Weak ; v ery w ak You h ad n l t o ask m e an d I w ul d h av e . o y , o e l ! t d ou . Th e l is i t o di m an s Th e o y ce ery r pe g, e S u ez Can al pu rch as e is com pleted an d th e ch eq u e ! a a L m l ll ccepted. Poor de r u ey h as h ad a th at ti s m u thi re o e jo rney for n o n g. T u hi n t i u hantl I c MRS . RAVERS [La g g r mp y] on a ul at o l - a o h lu n gr t e y u . You r app e f ced b y as b dered in to s u cces s ’

Th at s all an u s do . DISRAELI . y of I n t s ss th at ill s t u MRS . T RAVERS . o a u cce w co yo d ear . ’ DISRAELI [ Wearily] Th at s th e s ort of thin g Gl ll ads ton e wi s ay . ’ T T iu m ha tl I t s wh a th e ld MRS . RAVERS [ r p n y] t wor ill i is n w s ay wh en t kn ows Meyers b a kr u pt . DISRAELI [P retending am az em ent] When it kn ows wh at 7

L ea i v him and eati i t MRS . T RAVERS [ n ng o er rep ng s wee tl but wi th e di sh de li ht s is b an k u t y , fi n g ] Meyer r p — — b an kru pt b an kru pt a kl T s — I am v ill DISRAELI [ We y] Mrs . rav er ery — ’ — ’ don t don t j es t with m e .

T . s is b a k u t an d hi s MRS . RAVERS Meyer n r p ; ch equ e was te p aper . — — DISRAELI [D az ed] Wait wait l e t m e gather m y ’ wits Ah it s as n u h ou to s a s o b u t . , e y e o g for y y , why shoul d I b eli ev e you 7 110

D I S R A E L I

he s ts o t - Her ac [S i n he left of the wri ti ng table . f e reflects every em otion ca lled u p by the ens u i ng s cene ]

. I t Wh h av ou s n m e 7 PROBERT repea . y e y e t for

I t ld I m i s n o . DISRAELI . o you gh t e d for y u n m PROBERT . Wh e 7 Wh at do you ean 7 n e li l in e v i w DISRAELI . Wh e w h ad th at de ghtfu t r e

at Gl aston b u ry T owers .

Ha I th u h m h . u h a PROBERT . ! o g t as u c Yo r re

b ain d s h m . s s h as ail d ou an d ou h ad r e c e e Mo e f e y , y ’

it . ll it a lin o m e . to giv e u p We , s no us e ppea g t h av s s h ail m e . I DISRAELI . Mo e as n ot f ed e i th e s h m hr c arr ed c e e t ou gh .

! . Wh at ou m an t ll m e ou if; PROBERT 7 Do y e to e y h av e pu rch as ed th e Su ez Can al 7 I f h is on e thi on whi h I id DISRAELI . t ere ng c pr e w an d th e l it is n sis n . Th e m ys e f , m y co te cy po er t s t k I h ad t o act glory of m y coun try were a a e .

'

kl n d h ad to ac t on m own s s ibili . qu ic y , a I y re po ty n‘ l t e t ll ou s ir ou PROBERT [Sternly] Th en e m e y , , y i i h av e com m tted a cr m e . a li am n t was n ot s ittin t o v t DISRAELI . As P r e g o e

I h ad s k it ls wh . F u m illi s th e m oney , to ee e e ere o r on

li Y us d . s ter n g . ou ref e

d I am u d it . PR OBERT . I di d, an pro of I w t t o th e w althi s t iv at DISRAELI . So en e e pr e — fir m to Hu gh Meyers . H A J e w PROBERT . a DISRAELI [T aki ng n o notice of the afiront] Meyers u t a atriot s awth e atn ss n ot b ein g a p arty m an b p , gre e I s n t d to of th e idea an d s tood by m e . e Deefor

i s h ad ot wi d wh at I was d in , I sm ail . Sp e g n of o g

F [M RS T RAVERS i s triu mp ha nt] l 12 D I S R A E L I s o Deeford h ad to go in a h u rry ! a r ace for an m i Un d st an d m e I E p re ! He h as s u cceeded. er , l l s de iberately pu t th e m atter in th e s im p es t term . Deeford h as bou gh t th e Canal an d h as p aid for it ’ l with M e ye rs s chequ e drawn on th e B an k of En g an d .

[P ROBERT s ta rts ]

i ' ' Wait ! Meanwhile L v u u l l o li h as b een at work

b th e i w o T . y n term ediar y [He bo s t MRS . RAVERS S he sm i li ngly retu rns his bow] of on e of th e m ost as in ati m n m u in t an s is f c ng wo e of y acq a ce . Meyer n k b a ru pt .

M v t o T [ o em en f triu m ph from MRS . RAVERS]

Wh t PROBERT . a ?

. h n in DISRAELI He as bee ru ed.

Mr i li n d o this . I PROBERT . . D srae , I war e y u of s aw it -h n ti h as l an d d fore . You r hi gh a ded a c on e ou u s wh I s ai t You m us t ou t y j t ere d i woul d. get of

e alin to m e . it as bes t you c an . I t is n o u s appe g [He ris es ] DISRAE LI [ Wi th a tota l change of m a nner] No 7 th n I will n ot a al I will m m an e ppe . co d Wh at PROBERT . ? DISRAELI [Goi ng to his table and dis playing the pa per he ha d prepar ed] You will Sign this n ot e givi n g Meyers u nlim ited credit

T is attenti ve [MRS . RAVERS ]

I Are o m PROBERT . 7 y u ad 7 ’ Me e r w n o s in m li . s s DISRAELI . I as ev er s ane y fe y i im Th e n k pos it on is s av ed if h e c an gain t e . Ba of l i it— -da n ow Eng an d m us t gi v e him u nlim t ed cred to y; .

T wa t hes i te tl [MRS . RAVERS c PROBERT n n y] I M 3 D I S R A E L I

’ P R OB E Rr' Yo d . n u on t kn ow wh at y ou are s ayi g . ’ You d n t k I o now to wh om you are speakin g . us ref e . Y ’ DISRAELI . ou c an t .

. I us m l Y h a PROBERT ref e e ph atical y . ou v e m istak n u m n I e e yo r a . am an Englishm an ; th h ad a at a i n al i n o e of gre N t o n s titu tio . I am n t to b e d d ab u — l or ere o t by an by an a ien J e w.

L s ta ts a il C [ ADY BEACONSFIELD r ngr y . LARISSA ca tches her hand and s oothes her]

. Ah t th e ali n e a ns o e DISRAELI , bu e J w h ppe t b th e b tt iti n m h e a n s t o e e er c ze oreov er , h ppe b im i nist Pr e M er . PR O B E R r' m . Do you threaten e 7

Ye s if ou m e . DISRAELI . , y force to m h a PROBERT . E pty t re ts . ou thi k s o You s a th e a k DISRAELI . Do y n 7 y B n i a ati n al ins it ti n Wh at b m s th a s N o t u o . eco e of t — title if it refus es to s av e th e n ation 7 Wh at becom es of you 7 R E R r' li P OB . Mr . Dis rae th at th e l a k DISRAELI . Wh en it is known c of p atrio tis m of on e m an h as pl aced ou r cou ntry in th e position of a pers on wh o is tryin g to p ass a frau dulen t x s d th e ati to h e idi ul th e w ld ch equ e , e po e n on t r c e of or , l e n al l s t I n di a b a d n lan d b ate h e r os t th C a , o , ffle E g , e n , h er d d h e r th u h th e m u d—wh at dis gr aced , ragge ro g b ecom es of th e B an k 7 E r' Y u an n t t u h th e a k P R O B R . o c o o c B n ’ ll s m ash th e an k DISRAELI . I B

an d R s i n to the i t [MRS . TRAVERS CLA ISSA pr g r fee ] Parliam en t gran ted th e B ank its ch arter ; Parlia m en t c an with draw it .

D I S RA E L I

’ Wh a v . ? u m un d DUKE t Yo e co e ro to th at , h av e you 7

. Th e d a u is m i h t DUCHESS e r Q een co ng ere , o t h t m is th s a A nigh . W a ore ere to y ? [ nxious ly] I s there an y n ews of dear L ady B e acon s fie ld 7 ’ ’ n d th at s h s v ill DUKE . Beyo e ery I v e heard ’ n hin i ot g daren t as k D zzy .

SI R m e ets S a [ MICHAEL PROBERT MEYER , nd s ha kes ha nds patronis ingly]

W ll s On u l s a n PROBERT . e , Meyer 7 yo r eg gai 7 M des t as v Th an ks to Sir MEYERS [ o e er] you , i h l M c ae . B m s Ye s es at at i i id a PROBERT [ oo ] , y gre p r ot c e , kn w i an I talk d it v l you o . D zzy d e o er on g before am in it you c e to . l e MEYER S [Sim p y] So h e told m . e s ! An th e an k as a PROBERT . Oh , y d B , great ’ i tit ti n ul d t le t it p atriot c in s u o , co n dr op . MEYERS [ Wi th a twi nkle] How fortu nate you s aw li it in th at gh t . PROBERT [I mp ervi ou s to irony] Oh Glad to h elp you Glad to h elp you

[CLAR ISSA has com e i n on the ar m of a you ng c who bvi ous l b d her to d ath ozfi er , has o y ore e . She gives hi m his cong! and com es to MEYERS ]

Ab i tI/ to av o s CLARISSA [ r p y , MEYERS] H e y u een Ch arles 7 Ah Lad la issa ! Vis u MEYERS . , y C r So co nt Dee ford h as com e h om e 7 Yes bu t hi k it—I h av b CLARISSA . , t n of e not een allowed to s ee him yet T oo n t MEYERS . T oo bad b ad Why o 7 120 D I S R A E L I

Wh h e a iv d nl an h u a o an d CLARISSA . y, rr e o y o r g , as s n as h e h a h n h to t i h t t oo d c a ged, h e ad go s ra g o wn in Do g Street .

S atur all . MEYER . N y ’ li h e l s t with Mr CLARISSA . I be ev e s c o e ed . is li at thi m m t D rae s o en .

[CHAR LES appear s i n the doorway on the right]

MEYERS [P oi n ti ng to him ] L ook CLARISSA [Alm os t voiceles s ] Ch arles

h at a h the but ar e k t withi n [ The y ru s e c o r , ep bou nds by the pres ence of the othe r people i n ’ u the om m a whom ; to C dis s , ro , ny of HARLES S g t insis t on s ha ki ng ha nds wi th him ]

’ CHARLES [He wou ld gi ve a king s ra ns om to fold ’ i n hi s ar m s bu t a n t Oh— an all th s her , c ] H g e e — people s r Very form a lly] How do you do 7

D m u el w ll th a k ou . CLARISSA [ e r y] Very e , n y D UOHE S S [ Saili ng down on them ] Dear Ch arles

I am s o v ery glad.

[Sha kes ha nds wi th him ]

C m i n to him Oh h ow wn LADY CUDWORTH [ o g ] , bro you are LADY BROOKE [ Sim ila rly] Qui te a diff erent m an u i e s m m an CHARLES [La gh ng] No . Th a e ; b u t ’ I v e s een thin gs . C wdi i n I s a old llah L ORD CUDWORTH [ ro ng ] , fe — y s o glad . ki ha ds How are ou ll CHARLES [Sha ng n ] y , Do y ? [He ki ss to get to CLARISSA] Clariss a i z i his arm I s a o L ORD CUDWORTH [ S e ng ] y , y u kn ow

I 2 D I S R A E L I

L i wha t is the m atte ta k s ADY CUDWORTH [See ng r , e ’ CUD W OR 'BH S arm Sh C m a wa ] o e y . ’ C I u d W ll I was i to UDWORTH [ nj re ] e , b u t go n s ay [LADY CUDWORTH ta kes hi m ou t] [The DUKE and the D UOH E SS go out]

l a CHARLES . C r i n to him ll ! BROOKE [Com g ] Hu o a , Deeford So glad ! ’ N a rl ou t atie e a ou CHARLES [ e y of p nc ] H re y , Brookie 7 Clariss a I s a o kn w BROOKE . y . y u o CHARLES [ T ur ns on him feroci ou s ly] Well ! Wh at 7

L i z i he r hu s ba d m al ADY BROOKE [ Se ng n ] Co e ong, do — r—n hin BROOKE [T o CHARLES] Oh e ot g.

[He a nd his wife go out] [All are ofi except MEYERS a nd FROHERE ]

C l a iss a HARLES . C r CLARISSA [Looki ng at MEYERS an d s ta rrtpi/ng her foot — prettily] Oh wh at sh all I do 7 MEYERS [ With cha rm i ng i ndulgence] My dear l m s n atu a . youn g lady , do wh atev er co e r

[He whis pe rs to P R OB E R E ]

PR OB E R E E h 7 Wh at 7— Go d bl ss m s ul . e y o

[H e and MEYERS go out B u t the room is ne ver qu i te e ntptyfl

CLARISSA [Alm ost before they ar e ou t of the room ] Ah

D I S R A E L I

’ CL ARISSA [ Wi th grea t importa nce ] I v e been adi n H b t S n an d R kin re g er er pe cer us . C Wi th u i n e s h Oh HARLES [ gen ymp at y] , poor darlin g ’ I f ou su fi e re d h sh ul dn t I 7 CLARISSA . y , w y o ’ C B v h ad th e w s t it HARLES . y Jo e , you v e or of , th u h o g . T ll m e all t it— ll u ad CLARISSA . e abou a yo r v n tu s e re . C was t o t ll . x t th t wh it HARLES . None e E cep a en all d n I m e t our ol i n d F l am o e d fr e , o j be C W as h e i u s LARISSA . fu r o 7 N- l l th e n o t an t . n CHARLES . . Q ui e p eas O y poor ’ d v il di dn t ui t kn at do wh t o . e q e owwh to , or ere go ’ C A Th s al a s lsb . L RISSA . ere w y Car ad C O — Ki i HARLES . r ss ngen .

[He tries to kiss her; B u t the DUCHESS loom s u pon them ]

l is s a k DUCHESS . C ar a Your b c 7

D em u Ye m a . CLARISSA [ rely] s , am m

[Enter L ORD BROOKE and L ORD CUDWORTH ta lki t ethe L and L ng og r . ADY BROOKE ADY CUDWORTH ente r an d com e down on eithe r s i de ]

[Gradua lly all the cha racters re-ente r]

L ADY BROOKE and LADY CUDWORTH [Togethe r] ’ I s it tru e th e Q u een s com in g h ere to-nigh t 7 ’ w BROOKE a nd CUDWORTH [T ogether] Don t kno , ’ I m s u re . [They tu rn a way and the two wom en m eet]

’ t o wi sh u r h s b ands L ADY BROOKE . Don y u o u h ad m ore co n v ers atio n 7 124 D I S R A E L I

L Th s li ADY CUDWORTH . ey h av e o ttle to s ay th a t th e l s s h t alk t it th e t ey abou , e better . T o C anxious l MEYERS [ LARISSA , y] They s ay Lady B e acon s fie ld is ill

Mr . I am dre a x CLARISSA . Meyers , d q y an iou s s h e i l ill MEYERS . Why 7 I s s er ous y 7 ’ ’ I n t kn w I n t k w CLARISSA . do o ; do no . And I ’

is a li . daren t m en tion it t o Mr . D r e Her abs ence to -nigh t is s u ch a h orrible dis appoin tm en t for

him .

’ P R O B E R r' [Joining them and boom i ng genia lly] I t s — — i l n othin g t o b e frigh ten ed ab ou t . I h av e ah s pec a l w him a f e w t Wi li am s . Sa in form ation . Doc or

da hin u u su al . F ain in fits . ys ago . Not g n t g

[ The crowd ha ve gathe red abou t the entra nce on the i ht l ki n o x e ta ntl r g , oo g fi e p c y]

a hi and as the a ll ba k [DISRAELI i s appro c ng, y f c to m a ke way for him several are hea rd s ayi n g “ M r . i i s m i . Ah M r . D is rae l co ng !

D ae li etc . etc . D is raeli is r , , ]

' e Ah Wa wi k PR OB E Rr [Looking towa rds entranc ] r c , Kin m ak th e g er . th t am in MEYERS [Qu ietly] Better th an a . Benj — — - Dis raeli th e Je w Em pres s m aker

[At this m om ent DISRAELI co mes i n throu gh the

He i s i n m i is te ia l d ss . doors on the right. n r re He walks wi th He is a l ittle greyer than be ore . his ha nds behi nd his back hi s head s lightly

b t as i bli vi us o his s u u di s . T he en , f o o f rro n ng crowd m a ke way for hi m ]

r is a li—l D UOHE s s [Going to him ] D ear M . D r e 125 D I S R A E L I

- — D I S R AE LI [Abs ent m indedly] D u ch ess ch arm ed ch arm ed [He tries to pas s on ]

s n s DUCHESS . So v ery orry deares t L ady Beaco fie ld cannot b e h ere to-nigh t — DISRAELI [ Wi nci ng] So is s h e an d so am I

s o am I .

[T he DUKE a nd CLARISSA excha nge glan ces and ’ endeavou r to a ttract the DUCHESS S attention]

’ B t I m it is n l a in in DUCHESS . u s u re o y p ass g dis siti n po o . I t s t s o I t t s o DISRAELI . ru . rus .

[He gets away CLARISSA com es qu ickly to him ]

a ctio il [I n a tone of dee p fie n] Dear ch d. u is s e CLARISSA [Q ietly anxi ous hy] How h , reall y 7 ’ t as k m e I an t u st m s l DISRAELI . Don c not r y e f

I am h ibl an xi u s . Willi am s to s peak . orr y o Doctor m e sh ul d n t h — t v n to reas su red , or I o o b e ere no e e s m eet th e Em pres of I ndi a .

Th is a l ud bu z z v sati n and the [ ere o of con er o , people begi n to m ove about]

DISRAELI [Address ing the as sem bly] Her Majes ty is on h e r way

[Pres ently the DUKE noti ces tha t DISRAELI i s s pea king he s ignals s ile nce to the othe rs and the conversa tion gradua lly dies down]

[DISRAELI bows his head i n tha nks an d s pea ks aga in ]

D I S R A E L I wh o carried thro u gh th e diffi cu lt an d delicate n egotia ti s wit h s te t t— h a l s on h s u c con u m m a ac I refer to C r e , Vis u t — n co n Deeford h as j us t arriv ed in Lon do . — Deeford f

R u ie tk s ir . CHA LES [Q y] Here ,

[DISRAELI gras ps his ha nd] [M u rm u rs of ap proval and adm i ration from the crowd] — M wa m st th anks . I h DISRAELI . Deeford y r e ope ll - w to h av e s om ethin g to te you to m orro .

i s R [Appla us e . CHARLES jo n CLA ISSA]

s ta nds a l los t i n thou ht [DISRAELI one, g ]

[The crowd brea ks into ta lk] I [SI R MICHAEL and HUGH MEYE RS are s u rrou nded by congratu lating friends ]

R te s th u h the u tai s on the [M . T EARLE en r ro g c r n a t le m i n his ha nd He thi ks he left wi th e gra . n f t a i ne ws a n d s ta nds he l is the bea rer o r g c , p l s l not da i to m ov wa d es y , r ng e for r ]

’ [ The DUKE gently a ttracts DISRAELI S a ttention ]

[D ea d s i lence]

[Everybody wa tches wi th i ntens e interes t]

T o CH i n a whis L k CLARISSA [ ARLES , per] oo l H CHARLES [ S u rpris ed] A te egram . ere

I t m u s t b e v r u n t . I am i h CLARISSA . e y rge fr g t en ed. Wh CHARLES . y 7 h L B e ac on s fie ld h as b n CLARISSA . Hus ady ee ll v ery i . D I S R A E L I

’ . i t l m B u t n t CHARLES So D zzy o d e . you do — m ean you fear 7 t h CLARISSA . Wa c ! Watch !

ha s au tom a ti a ll ta k the t a [DISRAELI c y en elegr m , a nd s ta nds i id n ot da i n t t r g , r g o open i . T EARLE goes ou t the way he ca m e]

[There i s a bu rs t of m erry m u sic from the i n ner room ]

A sh v ha i [ i er pas ses over DISRAELI . He m ec n ca lly tea rs open the envelope and lets i t flu tte r to the grou nd]

[At this m om en t the re i s a m ovem ent i n the grou p a t the back]

[LADY BEACONSFIELD enters s lowly throu gh the ldin do s i n u t d ss with a di am nd fo g or , Co r re o tia a he m i li l m ti ns the wd to r . S s ng y o o cro s il n a d om s d w t wa ds e ce, n c e o n o r DISRAELI , who has his back to her]

[She lays her ha nd on his arm ]

H u t wa ds her He s ta es [ e s hudde rs and t rns o r . r a t he bla n kl n ot t u s ti n his s s s r y , r g en e ]

LADY BEACONSFIELD [ Very tenderly] Dizz y a n n Wi th a bewilde d lan DISRAELI . M ry A [ re g ce ’ a t the telegram ] I didn t know L ADY BEACONSFIELD [Sm ili ng] Th e doctor s en t ou a t l am d a y e egr , e r .

A s ta li ll o d u m s a nd a m ili ta ban d [ rt /ng ro f r , ry crashes ou t God Save the Queen — [ The crowd excla im Ah l The Qu ee n ! an d li ne u p] D I S R A E L I

[The curt ai ns i n the a rch on the left are thrown e A ow o is s d aw u op n . r f FOOTMEN een r n p u ts id nd th is a eat bla z o l i ht o e, a ere gr e f g ]

[DISRAELI draws him s elf u p he ta kes LADY

’ ‘ B E ACO N SFI E LD S ha nd the DUKE leads the DUCHESS CHARLES leads CLARISSA the t i o i l a nd as th ve i n a o hers pa r fi s im lar y , ey m o s ta tely proces s ion to m eet the Emp res s of I n di a

T H E CURTAIN FALLS

BY T H E SAM E AUT HOR

PO M AN D ER W AL K

A NO V E L

With Illust ati n S ' W r o s by J . cor r ILLIAMS

Cr own vo 6s S . .

S O ME P RES S O PI NIO NS

Tim es . o o u t sw wa s P mander Walk lay Chi ick y, and make an apt s etting the q uaint and dainty c omedy which was produced o s w its o has o o at the Playh u e , and hich auth r here turned int a n vel , w - - s w s S o s . ith many kilful pen and ink dra ing by J. c tt William “ E ven in S ta n da r d — s l - g . Pomander Walk has a delici ou o d world fl vo o M w of naki n a ll hi s r. ha s o a ur ab ut it , and Parker the p er g r . characters real personages whos e c oncern s are of the li velies t interest ! to u s .

T a ! r Mr e t e . o s P ark r na de s u . L ui n c re tti e r b k made even a p oo . With him ' three charming h ours in the mos t enchant

’ ' ’ ' ! L ad res F zeld. A delightful book .

“ P a ll M a ll Ga z tt — is old- li e e . There a charming world a abo ut its w its s o t he alk , inhabitant and their limited envir nment , and agreeable amenities of thi s s heltered retreat fr om the rude world s s to ov of w make an irre i tible appeal the l er beauty, hile the clever n s and cunning touche s with which Mr. Parker reveal s them make o le s ’ for the reader s pleas ure

' ’ D i h r m c s a e ite a M r. r s s o is ad t d u ly C o l e. Parke plea ant t ry p q o s ss o as w s s ucce fully, and can be enj yed ell in the e page and in the - n I t has o f o i s arm chair as o the s tage . a gentle t uch o hum ur and ! s s plea ingly and lightly illu trated .

’ ’ S u nday Tz m es Walk has unde niably a certain O ' charm ! with out d oubt it i s charmingly written and charmingly ! s taged .

’ b M s old-wo o s s so s O ser van r. Parker fanciful rld c medy ettle ea ily into s tory form that it seems to have found its happies t e xpress i on

I t is s . there . a pretty thing, light and fanta tic and tender

' ' ’

L ad s P z torz a l . A s o y c charming early nineteenth century t ry , full o f ra ce o s . g and hum ur, and prettily illu trated