WHEN THE CLOCK STRUCK TWELVE.

A Christmas Play in One Act.

BY EDGAR FAWCETT.

CHARACTERS.

The Baron Beautemps, a wealthy French nobleman.
Henri, his son, aged twelve.
Lucienne, his daughter, aged ten.
Gaspard, serving-man in the château.
Eloise, maid of the Baroness Beautemps.

(The action passes in the spacious old castle of the Baron. The time is about a.d. 1600.)

Scene.

A portion of the grand upper hall in the Château de Beautemps. Large antique fire-place at back, in which burns a sleepy wood fire. Tapestried doors R. and L. Also R. and L., beyond either door, entrances to corridors that communicate with main hall. Large draped window R. of fire-place. Near R. door small cabinet, on which is a silver candelabrum with lighted candle. Near door at L. a similar candelabrum resting on heavy carved chair. As curtain rises, Henri and Lucienne are discovered beside chimney-place in act of hanging up stockings before it. Lucienne wears a costume of brocaded silken stuff reaching to the ground, and a small velvet hood, whence her hair flows in rich abundance. Henri wears doublet with large collar, and knee-breeches.

Lucienne (going to window, drawing curtains, and looking out. She then comes to front of stage).