Trelawny of The "Wells": A Comedietta in Four Acts

by Arthur Wing Pinero

[Looking at her.] Cordelia! Cordelia—with Kean!

Rose.

[Adjusting the chain upon him.] This should hang so. [Returning to the basket and taking up the sword-belt and sword.] Look!

Sir William.

[Handling them.] Kean! [To her, in a whisper.] I'll tell ye! I'll tell ye! when I saw him as Richard—I was young and a fool—I'll tell ye—he almost fired me with an ambition to—to——[Fumbling with the belt.] How did he carry this?

Rose.

[Fastening the belt, with the sword, round him.] In this way—

Sir William.

Ah! [He paces the stage, growling and muttering, and walking with a limp and one shoulder hunched. She watches him, seriously.] Ah! he was a little man too! I remember him! as if it were last night!

I remember——- [Pausing and looking at her fixedly.] My dear, your prospects in life have been injured by your unhappy acquaintanceship with my grandson.