Jenny.
I want you. D’you think I didn’t guess what was going on? I saw you come in with Halliwell. Then I saw him go out with his wife. Then another man went out, and I knew you were alone with her.
Basil.
[Sharply.] How did you know?
Jenny.
I gave the butler a sovereign, and he told me.
Basil.
[Looking for a word to express his contempt.] Oh, you ... you cad! It’s only what I should have expected you to do.
Jenny.
And then I waited for you, and you didn’t come. And at last I couldn’t wait any longer.
Basil.
Well, you’ve finished it now.
[Jenny catches sight of a photograph of Basil, standing on a table.
Jenny.
[Pointing to it.] What’s she got your photograph here for?
Basil.
I gave it to Mrs. Murray before I was married.
Jenny.
She’s got no right to keep it there.
[She takes the photograph and flings it violently
on the floor.
Basil.
Jenny, what are you doing?
[Jenny digs her heel into it savagely, viciously.
Jenny.
[Hissing the words.] Oh, I hate her. I hate her.
Basil.
[Striving to contain himself.] You drive me perfectly mad. You’ll make me say things that I shall regret all my life. For Heaven’s sake, go.
Jenny.
I shan’t go till you come with me.
Basil.
[Beside himself.] I choose to remain.
Jenny.
What d’you mean?
Basil.
Look here, until to-day I swear to you before God that I’ve never done anything or said anything that you couldn’t have known. Do you believe me?
Jenny.
I don’t believe that you’re not in love with that woman.
Basil.
I don’t ask you to.
Jenny.
What!
Basil.
I said, until to-day I’ve been absolutely faithful to you. Heaven knows, I’ve tried to do my duty. I’ve done all I could to make you happy. And I’ve struggled with all my might to love you.
Jenny.
Say it out if you’ve got anything to say, I’m not afraid to hear.
Basil.
I don’t wish to deceive you. It’s best that you should know what has happened.
Jenny.
[Scornfully.] Now for another thumping lie.
Basil.
This afternoon I told Hilda I loved her.... And she loves me too.
Jenny.
[With a cry of rage.] Oh!
[She hits at his face with her umbrella, but he
wards the blow, and, snatching the umbrella
from her, throws it away.
Basil.
You’ve brought it on yourself. You made me too unhappy.
[Jenny, panting and bewildered, stands helpless,
trying to control herself.
Basil.
And now it’s the end. The life we led was impossible. I tried to do something that was beyond my power. I’m going away. I can’t and I won’t live with you any longer.
Jenny.
[Frightened at herself and at what he says.] Basil, you don’t mean that?
Basil.
I’ve struggled against it for months. And now I’m beaten.
Jenny.
You’ve got me to count with. I won’t let you go.
Basil.
[Bitterly.] What more d’you want? Isn’t it enough that you’ve ruined my whole life?
Jenny.
[Hoarsely.] You don’t love me?
Basil.
I never loved you.
Jenny.
Why did you marry me?
Basil.
Because you made me.
Jenny.
[In a whisper.] You never loved me — even at the beginning?
Basil.
Never.
Jenny.
Basil!
Basil.
It’s too late now to keep it in. I must tell you and have done with it. You’ve been having it out for months — now it’s my turn.
Jenny.
[Going up to him and trying to put her arm round his neck.] But I love you, Basil. I’ll make you love me.
Basil.
[Shrinking from her.] Don’t touch me!
Jenny.
[With a movement of despair.] I really think you loathe me.
Basil.
For Heaven’s sake, Jenny, let us finish with it. I’m very sorry. I don’t wish to be unkind to you. But you must have seen that — that I didn’t care for you. What’s the good of going on humbugging, and pretending, and making ourselves utterly wretched?
Jenny.
Yes, I’ve seen it. But I wouldn’t believe it. When I’ve put my hand on your shoulder, I’ve seen that you could hardly help shuddering. And sometimes when I’ve kissed you, I’ve seen you put out all your strength to prevent yourself from pushing me away.
Basil.
Jenny, I can’t help it if I don’t love you. I can’t help it if I — if I love some one else.
Jenny.
[Dazed and cowed.] What are you going to do?
Basil.
I’m going away.
Jenny.
Where?
Basil.
God knows.
[There is a knock at the door.
Basil.
Come in.
[The Butler enters with a note, which he gives
to Basil.
Butler.
Mrs. Murray told me to give you this note, Sir.
Basil.
[Taking it.] Thank you.
[He opens and reads it as the Servant goes out
of the room, then looks up at Jenny, who
is anxiously watching him.
[Reading.] “You may tell your wife that I’ve made up my mind to marry Mr. Brackley. I will never see you again.”
Jenny.
What does she mean?
Basil.
[Bitterly.] Isn’t it clear? Some one has asked her to marry him, and she means to accept.
Jenny.
But you said she loved you.
[He shrugs his shoulders without answering.
Jenny goes up to him imploringly.
Jenny.
Oh, Basil, if it’s true, give me another chance. She doesn’t love you as I love you. I’ve been selfish and quarrelsome and exacting, but I’ve always loved you. Oh, don’t leave me, Basil. Let me try once more if I can’t make you care for me.
Basil.
[Looking down, hoarsely.] I’m very sorry. It’s too late.
Jenny.
[Despairingly.] Oh, God, what shall I do? And even though she’s going to marry somebody else, you care for her better than any one else in the world?
Basil.
[In a whisper.] Yes.
Jenny.
And even if she does marry that other man she’ll love you still. There’s no room for me between you. I can go away like a discharged servant.... Oh, God! oh, God! what have I done to deserve it?
Basil.
[Touched by her utter misery.] I’m very sorry to make you so unhappy.
Jenny.
Oh, don’t pity me. D’you think I want your pity now?
Basil.
You had better come away, Jenny.
Jenny.
No. You’ve told me you don’t want me any more. I shall go my own way.
Basil.
[Looks at her for a moment, hesitating; then shrugs his shoulders.] Then good-bye.
[He goes out, and Jenny, looking after him,
passes her hand wearily over her forehead.
Jenny.
[With a sigh.] He’s so glad to go.... [She gives a little sob.] They’ve got no room for me.
[She
takes up from the floor the photograph on
which she stamped, and looks at it; then
sinks down, burying her face in her hands,
and bursts into a passion of tears.
THE FOURTH ACT
The Next Morning.
[The scene is the same as in the Second Act, the drawing-room at Basil’s house in Putney. Basil is sitting at the table, with his head in his hands. He looks tired and worn; his face is very white, and there are great black lines under his eyes. His hair is dishevelled. On the table lies a revolver.
[A knock at the door.
Basil.
[Without looking up.] Come in.
[Fanny enters.]
Fanny.
[Subdued and pale.] I came to see if you wanted anything, sir.
Basil.
[Looking up at her slowly, his voice is dull and hoarse.] No.
Fanny.
Shall I open the windows, Sir? It’s a beautiful morning.
Basil.
No, I’m cold. Make up the fire.
Fanny.
Wouldn’t you like a cup of tea? You ought to ‘ave something after not going to bed all night.
Basil.
I don’t want anything.... Don’t worry, there’s a good woman.
[Fanny puts coals on the fire, while BASIL
listlessly watches her.
Basil.
How long is it since you sent the telegrams?
Fanny.
I took them the moment the office was opened.
Basil.
What’s the time?
Fanny.
Well, sir, it must be ‘alf-past nine by now.
Basil.
Good Heavens, how slowly the hours go. I thought the night would never end.... Oh, God, what shall I do?
Fanny.
I’ll make you a strong cup of tea. If you don’t ‘ave something to pull you together — I don’t know what’ll ‘appen to you.
Basil.
Yes, make it quickly, I’m thirsty.... And I’m so cold.
[A ring at the front door is heard.
Basil.
[Jumping up.] There’s some one at the door, Fanny. Hurry up.
[She goes out, and he follows her to the door of
the room.
Basil.
Fanny, don’t let any one up beside Mr. Halliwell. Say I can see no one. [He waits for a moment, anxiously.] Is that you, John?
John.
[Outside.] Yes.
Basil.
[To himself.] Thank God!
[John comes in.
Basil.
I thought you were never coming. I begged you to come at once.
John.
I started immediately I got your wire.
Basil.
It seems hours since the girl went to the post-office.
John.
What’s the matter?
Basil.
[Hoarsely.] Don’t you know? I thought I had said it in my telegram.
John.
You simply wired that you were in great trouble.
Basil.
I suppose I thought you’d see it in the papers.
John.
What on earth d’you mean? I’ve not seen a paper. Where’s your wife?
Basil.
[After a pause, almost in a whisper.] She’s dead.
John.
[Thunderstruck.] Good God!
Basil.
[Impatiently.] Don’t look at me like that. Isn’t it plain enough? Don’t you understand?
John.
But she was all right yesterday.
Basil.
[Dully.] Yes. She was all right yesterday.
John.
For goodness sake tell me what you mean, Basil.
Basil.
She’s dead.... And she was all right yesterday.
[John does not understand. He is greatly
distressed, and does not know what to say.
Basil.
I killed her — as surely as if I’d strangled her with my own hands.
John.
What d’you mean? She’s not really dead!
Basil.
[In agony.] She threw herself into the river last night.
John.
How awful!
Basil.
Haven’t you got something more to say than how awful? I feel as if I were going mad.
John.
But I can’t understand! Why did she do it?
Basil.
Oh — yesterday we had an awful row ... before you came.
John.
I know.
Basil.
Then she followed me to ... to your sister-in-law’s. And she came up and made another scene. Then I lost my head. I was so furious, I don’t know what I said. I was mad. I told her I’d have nothing more to do with her.... Oh, I can’t bear it, I can’t bear it.
[He breaks down and hides his face in his hands,
sobbing.
John.
Come, Basil — pull yourself together a bit.
Basil.
[Looking up despairingly.] I can hear her voice now. I can see the look of her eyes. She asked me to give her another chance, and I refused. It was so pitiful to hear the way she appealed to me, only I was mad, and I couldn’t feel it.
[Fanny comes in with the cup of tea, which
Basil silently takes and drinks.
Fanny.
[To John.] He ain’t slept a wink all night, sir.... No more ‘ave I, for the matter of that.
[John nods, but does not answer; and Fanny,
wiping her eyes with her apron, leaves the
room.
Basil.
Oh, I’d give everything not to have said what I did. I’d always held myself in before, but yesterday — I couldn’t.
John.
Well?
Basil.
I didn’t get back here till nearly ten, and the maid told me Jenny had just gone out. I thought she’d gone back to her mother’s.
John.
Yes?
Basil.
And soon after a constable came up and asked me to go down to the river. He said there’d been an accident.... She was dead. A man had seen her walk along the tow-path and throw herself in.
John.
Where is she now?
Basil.
[Pointing to one of the doors.] In there.
John.
Will you take me in?
Basil.
Go in alone, John. I daren’t, I’m afraid to look at her. I can’t bear the look on her face.... I killed her — as surely as if I’d strangled her with my own hands. I’ve been looking at the door all night, and once I thought I heard a sound. I thought she was coming to reproach me for killing her.
[John goes to the door, and as he opens it, Basil
averts his head. When John shuts the
door after him, he looks at it with staring,
frightened eyes, half mad with agony. He
tries to contain himself. After a while
John comes back, very quietly.
Basil.
[Whispering.] What does she look like?
John.
There’s nothing to be afraid of, Basil. She might be sleeping.
Basil.
[Clenching his hands.] But the ghastly pallor....
John.
[Gravely.] She’s happier than she would ever have been if she’d lived.
[Basil sighs deeply.
John.
[Seeing the revolver.] What’s this for?
Basil.
[With a groan of self-contempt.] I tried to kill myself in the night.
John.
H’m!
[He takes the cartridges out and puts the revolver
in his pocket.
Basil.
[Bitterly.] Oh, don’t be afraid, I haven’t got the pluck.... I was afraid to go on living. I thought if I killed myself it would be a reparation for her death. I
went down to the river, and I walked along the tow-path to the same spot — but I couldn’t do it. The water looked so black and cold and pitiless. And yet she did it so easily. She just walked along and threw herself in. [A pause.] Then I came back, and I thought I’d shoot myself.
John.
D’you think that would have done any one much good?
Basil.
I despised myself. I felt I hadn’t the right to live, and I thought it would be easier just to pull a trigger.... People say it’s cowardly to destroy oneself, they don’t know what courage it wants. I couldn’t face the pain — and then, I don’t know what’s on the other side. After all, it may be true that there’s a cruel, avenging God, who will punish us to all eternity if we break His unknown laws.
John.
I’m very glad you sent for me. You had better come back to London, and stay with me for the present.
Basil.
And d’you know what happened in the night? I couldn’t go to bed. I felt I could never sleep again — and then, presently, I dozed off quite quietly in my chair. And I slept as comfortably — as if Jenny weren’t lying in there, cold and dead. And the maid pities me because she thinks I passed as sleepless a night as she did.
[A sound of voices is heard outside, in altercation.
Fanny comes in.
Fanny.
Please, sir, Mr. James.
Basil.
[Angrily.] I won’t see him.
Fanny.
He won’t go away, I told ’im you was too ill to see anybody.
Basil.
I won’t see him. I knew he’d be round, curse him!
John.
After all, I suppose he has a certain right to come here — under the circumstances. Hadn’t you better see what he wants?
Basil.
Oh, he’ll make a scene. I shall knock him down. I’ve suffered too much through him already.
John.
Let me see him. You don’t want him to make a fuss at the inquest.
Basil.
I’ve been thinking of that. I know the stories he and his people will make up. And the papers will get hold of it, and every one will blackguard me. They’ll say it was my fault.
John.
D’you mind if I have a talk to him? I think I can save you from all that.
Basil.
[Shrugging his shoulders, impatiently.] Do whatever you like.
John.
[To Fanny.] Show him up, Fanny.
Fanny.
Yes, sir.
[She goes out.
Basil.
Then I shall go.
[John nods, and Basil goes out by the door
next to that of the room in which Jenny is
lying. James Bush appears.
John.
[Grave and cold.] Good morning, Mr. Bush.
James.
[Aggressively.] Where’s that man?
John.
[Raising his eyebrows.] It’s usual to take one’s hat off in other people’s houses.
Delphi Collected Works of W. Somerset Maugham (Illustrated) Page 318
