DOI article:
Hobbes, John Oliver; Moore, George: The fool's hour: the first act of a comedy
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20196#0273
By John Oliver Hobbes and George Moore 267
Lady Dol. Men take these things for granted. If the truth
were known, I daresay he already regards you as his wife.
Julia. [With an inspired air.] Perhaps that i-s why he treats
me so unkindly. I have often thought that if he were my
husband he could not be more disagreeable ! He has not a word
for me when I speak to him. He does not hear. Oh, Lady
Doldrummond, I know what is the matter. He is in love, but I
am not the one. You are all wrong.
Lady Dol. No, no, no. He loves you ; I am sure of it. Only
be patient with him and it will come all right. Hush ! is that his
step ? Stay here, darling, and I will go into my room and write
letters. [Exit, brushing the tears from her eyes.]
[Butler ushers in Mr. Mandeville. Neither of them perceive Julia,
who has gone to the window.]
Butler. His Lordship will be down in half an hour, sir. He is
now having his hair brushed.
Julia. [In surprise as she looks round.] Mr. Mandeville ! [Pause.]
I hardly expected to meet you here.
Mandeville. And why, may I ask ?
Julia. You know what Lady Doldrummond is. How did you
overcome her scruples ?
Mandeville. Is my reputation then so very bad ?
Julia. You—you are supposed to be rather dangerous; You
sing on the stage, and have a tenor voice.
Mandeville. Is that enough to make a man dangerous ?
Julia. How can / teil ? But mamma Said you were invincible.
You admire mamma, of course. [Sighs.]
Mandeville. A charming woman, Mrs. de Trappe. A very
interesting woman ; so sympathetic.
Julia. But she said she would not listen to you.
The Yellow Book—Vol. I. Q Mandeville,
Lady Dol. Men take these things for granted. If the truth
were known, I daresay he already regards you as his wife.
Julia. [With an inspired air.] Perhaps that i-s why he treats
me so unkindly. I have often thought that if he were my
husband he could not be more disagreeable ! He has not a word
for me when I speak to him. He does not hear. Oh, Lady
Doldrummond, I know what is the matter. He is in love, but I
am not the one. You are all wrong.
Lady Dol. No, no, no. He loves you ; I am sure of it. Only
be patient with him and it will come all right. Hush ! is that his
step ? Stay here, darling, and I will go into my room and write
letters. [Exit, brushing the tears from her eyes.]
[Butler ushers in Mr. Mandeville. Neither of them perceive Julia,
who has gone to the window.]
Butler. His Lordship will be down in half an hour, sir. He is
now having his hair brushed.
Julia. [In surprise as she looks round.] Mr. Mandeville ! [Pause.]
I hardly expected to meet you here.
Mandeville. And why, may I ask ?
Julia. You know what Lady Doldrummond is. How did you
overcome her scruples ?
Mandeville. Is my reputation then so very bad ?
Julia. You—you are supposed to be rather dangerous; You
sing on the stage, and have a tenor voice.
Mandeville. Is that enough to make a man dangerous ?
Julia. How can / teil ? But mamma Said you were invincible.
You admire mamma, of course. [Sighs.]
Mandeville. A charming woman, Mrs. de Trappe. A very
interesting woman ; so sympathetic.
Julia. But she said she would not listen to you.
The Yellow Book—Vol. I. Q Mandeville,