Transcriber’s Note:

Footnotes have been collected at the end of each chapter, and are linked for ease of reference.

Minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected. Please see the transcriber’s [note] at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation.

Any corrections are indicated using an underline highlight. Placing the cursor over the correction will produce the original text in a small popup.

Any corrections are indicated as hyperlinks, which will navigate the reader to the corresponding entry in the corrections table in the note at the end of the text.


THE BENEFIT

OF THE DOUBT


THE PLAYS OF ARTHUR W. PINERO

WITH INTRODUCTORY NOTES

By MALCOLM C. SALAMAN

Paper cover, 1s. 6d.; cloth, 2s. 6d. each

In 16mo

Vol.I.THE TIMES
II.THE PROFLIGATE
III.THE CABINET MINISTER
IV.THE HOBBY-HORSE
V.LADY BOUNTIFUL
VI.THE MAGISTRATE
VII.DANDY DICK
VIII.SWEET LAVENDER
IX.THE SCHOOLMISTRESS
X.THE WEAKER SEX
XI.THE AMAZONS
Also
In small 4to.
XII.THE SECOND MRS. TANQUERAY
XIII.THE NOTORIOUS MRS. EBBSMITH
XIV.THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT

LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN

MDCCCXCVI


THE BENEFIT

OF THE DOUBT

A COMEDY

In Three Acts

By ARTHUR W. PINERO

LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN

MDCCCXCVI


Copyright 1895 All rights reserved Entered at Stationers’ Hall Entered at the Library of Congress, Washington, U.S.A.


This Play was produced at the Comedy Theatre, London, on Wednesday, October 16th, 1895


THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY

The scenes are placed at Mrs. Emptage’s house, in the neighbourhood of Regent’s Park, and at “The Lichens,” Mr. Allingham’s cottage at Epsom.

The events of the First and Second Acts occur on the same day,[day,] those of the Third Act about fifteen hours afterwards.


THE
BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT