The Benefit of the Doubt; a Comedy in Three Acts

by Arthur Wing Pinero

Understand?

Fraser.

This lady’s proposal is, after all, one worth considering. It would be a double triumph for you to ride back into the shabby little circle you regard as “society” in her coach. It would be a triumph over me in the first place—over me!

Theophila.

[Opening her eyes and speaking calmly in a subdued voice.] Alec [glancing over her shoulder], is aunt out there? [He goes to the window and looks out.

Fraser.

Yes.

Theophila.

Call her, please.

[He disappears. She rises feebly, and, with an effort, pushes away the chair Fraser has placed at the head of the settee; then she sinks into it. Mrs. Cloys enters at the window with Fraser, and comes to Theophila.