Cæsar's Wife: A Comedy in Three Acts

Ronny

Never. I love it. I should like to stay here all my life.

Christina

Fancy that!

Ronny

[Addressing himself to Violet.] It would be madness to leave a place where you're so happy, wouldn't it? I feel so intensely alive here. It's a wonderful country. One lives every minute of the day.

Christina

You're so enthusiastic. One would almost think you'd fallen in love.

Violet

Ronny is naturally enthusiastic.

Ronny

[To Christina.] And why shouldn't I have fallen in love?

Christina

Won't you tell us who with?

Ronny

[With a chuckle.] I was only joking. Isn't it enough to have a splendid job in a country where there's so much hope? Sir Arthur has given me a marvellous opportunity. It'll be my fault if I don't make the most of it.

Christina

[Dryly.] Shall I give you a cup of tea?

Ronny

[Chaffing her.] D'you think I want calming down? I feel like a prisoner who was going to be hanged and has just had a free pardon. I don't want to be calmed down. I want to revel in my freedom.

Christina

All that means, I take it, that you don't want tea.

Ronny

It's no good trying to snub me. I'm unsnubable to-day. You haven't congratulated me, Anne.

Anne

My dear, you've been talking nineteen to the dozen. I've not had the chance to get a word in edgeways.

Ronny

[To Violet.] Will you put my name back on your list for that dinner? It would have broken my heart to miss it.

Violet

Your official position rather alters things, doesn't it? I would never dare to ask you now just to make an even number.

Ronny

Oh, well, I'm sending out the invitations. I shall write a formal letter to myself, explaining the circumstances, and I daresay I shall see my way to accept.

Christina

Dear Ronald, you might be eighteen.

[Arthur comes in with Henry Pritchard. This is Christina's son, a pleasant, clean young man, but in no way remarkable.]

Arthur

Henry tells me he's come to fetch you away, Christina.

Christina

So you lose not a moment in bringing him here.

Arthur

Really, Christina, you do me an injustice. I can't bear to think you should be parted from your precious boy an instant longer than necessary.

Henry

[Shaking hands with Violet.] How is my stately aunt?

Violet

Merry and bright, thank you.

Henry

You know I'm having a birthday soon, don't you?

Violet

What of it?

Henry

I've always been given to understand that aunts give their nephews ten shillings on their birthday.

Violet

Do they? I am glad. I'd love to press ten shillings into your willing hand.

Henry

Halloa, Ronny. Lucky devil. I congratulate you.

Ronny

That's awfully good of you, old man.

Arthur

On what? Christina!

Christina

I told Henry. I didn't think it would matter, I thought it better that he should know.

Henry

I say, Uncle Arthur, I'm afraid mother has been giving you a rotten time. It's not my fault, you know.

Arthur

What isn't?

Henry

Well, when mother told me at luncheon that the Khedive had applied for an English secretary, I saw by the beady look in her eye that if I didn't get the job she was going to make things unpleasant for somebody.

Christina

Really, Henry, I don't know what you mean.

Henry

Well, mother, you're an old dear…

Christina

Not so old either.

Arthur

Certainly not, Henry. Let us have none of your nonsense.

Henry

But you know perfectly well that you'd cheerfully bring the British Empire tumbling about our ears if you could get me a good fat billet by doing so.

Arthur

Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings…

Christina

You've got no right to say that, Henry. I've never asked anything for you that it wasn't practically your right to have.

Henry

Well, mother, between you and me I don't mind telling you that Ronny is much more suited to this particular job than I am. Only a perfect fool would have hesitated, and for the honour of the family we can't suspect Uncle Arthur of being that.

Arthur

You see what comes of bringing up a boy properly, Christina; you've made him a decent fellow in spite of yourself.

Christina

You're a tiresome creature, Henry, but I'm attached to you. You may kiss me.

Henry

Come along, Mother. I'm not going to kiss you in public.

Christina

[Getting up.] Well, good-bye, Violet. Don't forget our little conversation, will you?

Violet

Good-bye. Good-bye, Henry.

Christina

[To Anne.] Why don't you come for a little drive with us? It's such a beautiful evening.

Anne

Will you take me? I think I'd like it. It won't take me a minute to put on my hat.

[She gets up. They start to walk towards the house.]

Christina

[Putting up her cheek.] Good-bye, Arthur.

Arthur

Oh, I'll just come along and put you in your carriage. You shan't say that I don't treat you with the ceremony due to your importance.

[They saunter off. Violet and Ronny are left alone.]

Violet

You're coming back, Arthur?

Arthur

Oh, yes, in a minute. [Exit.]

Ronny

[Under his breath.] Violet.

Violet

Be quiet.

Ronny

Isn't it ripping? I could hardly prevent myself from letting them see how much I loved you.

Violet

You didn't. Christina suspected before and now you've told her in plain words.

Ronny

[Gaily.] That's only your fancy. You think because it's plain to you it must be plain to anybody else.

Violet

I've never before had anything to hide. D'you think I like it?

Ronny

And even if she does know, what does it matter? It does her no harm… And how could anyone help loving you?

Violet

[Quickly.] Take care what you say.

Ronny

No one can hear. To look at us anyone would think we were discussing the political situation.

Violet

You're cunning, Ronny.

Ronny

I love you. I love you. I love you.

Violet

For God's sake don't keep on saying it. I'm so ashamed.

Ronny

[Astonished.] What about?

Violet

Just now, this afternoon, I would never have said what I did only I thought you were going. I wasn't myself then, Ronny. I ought never to have…

Ronny

Thank God you did. You can't grudge me the happiness you gave me. You can't take it away from me now. I know you love me. I hold the sun and the moon in my hands and all the stars of heaven.

Violet

[Desperately.] What are we going to do? Oh, it's not fair to me.

Ronny

It's done now. You can't unsay it. Each time I look at you I shall remember. I've held you in my arms and kissed your lips. You can never take that away from me. And I needn't go. I shall see you constantly. Oh, I'm so happy.

[She walks up and down for a moment, trying to control herself, then she makes up her mind: she stops and faces him.]

Violet

I want you to go, Ronny. I want you to make some excuse and refuse the appointment here.

Ronny

No, I can't leave you now.

Violet

I beseech you to go.

Ronny

Do you want me to?

Violet

Yes.

Ronny

Give me your hand, then.

Violet

Why?

Ronny

Give me your hand. [She gives it him and he holds it.] Say you love me, Violet.

Violet

No.

Ronny

How cold your hand is!

Violet

Let me go.

Ronny

D'you really want me to go?

Violet

You know I don't. I adore you. It'll kill me if you go. [He bends down and passionately kisses her hand.] Ronny, Ronny, don't! What are you doing? [She tears her hand away. She is trembling with emotion. He is white and cold with passion. They sit opposite one another for a while in silence.] What a punishment! When you told me this afternoon that you loved me I thought I'd never been happy in my life before, and though it tore my heart to think that you must go I felt – oh, I don't know – as though my joy was so overwhelming, there was no room in my heart for anything else. And now I'm wretched, wretched.

Ronny

But why? Darling! My darling, we were going to be parted, and now we're going to be together. Can anything matter beside that?

Violet

It's all so hopeless.

Ronny

It needn't be.

Violet

How can it be anything else?

Ronny

I don't love you for a day or a week, Violet; I love you for always.

Violet

Whatever happens, I'm going to try to do my duty to Arthur.

Ronny

I'm not seeking to prevent you. What am I asking for? I only want to see you. I want to know that I'm close to you. I want to touch your hand. I want to think of you. What harm can that do you?

Violet

If I were my own mistress I could laugh and let you do as you choose. But I'm not. I'm bound to you hand and foot. It's torture to me. And the worst of it is I love my bonds. I can't wish to be without them. I'm at your mercy, Ronny. I love you.

Ronny

Oh, but that's enough for me. I swear to you I don't want you to do anything that you'll ever regret.

Violet

If it could only be taken out of our hands. If something would only happen.

Ronny

What can happen?

Violet

Perhaps the Khedive will change his mind. Perhaps the Foreign Office will say you must go to Paris.

Ronny

Would you be pleased? Violet, I want so little from you. How can it hurt you to give me that? Let us give ourselves a chance to be happy.

Violet

We shall never be happy. Never. The only thing we can do is to part, and I can't let you go. I can't. I can't. It's asking too much of me.

Ronny

I love you with all my heart and soul. I didn't know it was possible to love anyone as I love you.

[Arthur is heard gaily whistling to himself.]

Violet

There's Arthur!

Ronny

[Quickly.] Shall I go?

Violet

Yes. No. Have we got to hide ourselves? Has it come to that already? Oh, I hate myself.

[Arthur comes in.]

Violet

[Brightly.] You're very gay this afternoon, Arthur. One doesn't often hear you whistle.

Arthur

D'you think it's unbecoming to my years or to my dignity?

Violet

Shall I give you a cup of tea?

Arthur

To tell you the honest truth that is what I came here for.

Violet

And I was flattering myself it was for the pleasure of my company.

Arthur

Ronny, will you find out if it would be convenient for the Khedive to see me at eleven o'clock to-morrow?

Ronny

Very good, sir.

[He goes out.]

Violet

What have you to see the Khedive about – if it isn't a secret?

Arthur

Not at all. I'm merely going to place before him Ronny's name.

Violet

Then the matter's not definitely settled yet?

Arthur

Not formally. I've not had the reply yet to my telegram to the Foreign Office, and I've not had the Khedive's acceptance of my suggestion.

Violet

But supposing the Foreign Office say they think he'd better go to Paris after all?

Arthur

I think it's most unlikely. They know by now that the man on the spot is the best judge of the circumstances, and I've accustomed them to giving me a free hand.

Violet

And you think the Khedive will raise no objection?

Arthur

He knows Ronny a little and likes him. I think he'll be delighted with my choice.

[There is a pause. Arthur drinks his tea. There is no sign that he is conscious of Violet's agitation. She is tortured by indecision.]

Violet

Arthur, I'm sorry if I was cross just now about Abdul Said. It was stupid of me to interfere with something that wasn't my business.

Arthur

Oh, my dear, don't say that. I'm sorry I couldn't do what you wanted.

Violet

I made myself needlessly disagreeable. Will you forgive me?

Arthur

Darling, don't reproach yourself. That's more than I can bear. There's nothing to forgive.

Violet

I owe so much to you. I hate to think that I was horrid.

Arthur

You don't owe anything to me at all. And you're incapable of being horrid.

[He seizes her hands and is about to kiss them, when she draws them abruptly away.]

Violet

No, don't kiss my hands.

Arthur

Why not?

[He is surprised. For an instant she is taken aback. He looks at her hands and she withdraws them as though he could see on them the kisses which Ronny, a few minutes before, had pressed on them.]

Violet

[With the faintest laugh of embarrassment.] If you want to kiss me I prefer you to kiss my cheeks.

Arthur

That is evidently what they're made for.

[He does not attempt to kiss them. She gives him a quick glance and looks away.]

Violet

Arthur, I'm afraid Christina will be awfully disappointed at Henry's not getting that job.

Arthur

Let us hope she will bear her disappointment with as much fortitude as I do.

Violet

I don't think she's entirely given up hope that you will change your mind.

Arthur

[With a chuckle.] I'm sure of that. I don't expect to have much peace till the matter is officially settled. That is why I mean to settle it quickly.

Violet

What is your objection to Henry?

Arthur

None. He's not such a good man as Ronald Parry, that's all.

Violet

The last time there was a good job going Henry just missed getting it.

Arthur

Henry is one of those men who would do very well for a job if there weren't always somebody just a little bit better applying at the same time.

Violet

Christina thinks you're so anxious not to favour him because he's your nephew that you are positively biassed against him.

Arthur

Christina, like the majority of her sex, has an unerring eye for the discreditable motive.

Violet

She blames me because you won't help Henry. She thinks it's because I'm jealous of her.

Arthur

How exactly like her! The best mother and the most unreasonable woman I've ever known.

Violet

[Forcing the words out.] It would be a great pleasure to me if you could change your mind and let Henry have the post instead of Ronald Parry.

Arthur

Oh, my dear, don't ask me to do that. You know how I hate refusing to do anything you wish.

Violet

Anne is so anxious that Ronny should go to Paris. He's made all his preparations, don't you think you might just as well let him go?

Arthur

I'm afraid I don't. I want him here.

Violet

It would be such a joy to me if I could go and tell Christina that you'd consented. It would make such a difference to me, you see. I want her to be fond of me, and I know she'd never forget if I'd been able to do her a good turn like that. Oh, Arthur, won't you?

Arthur

Darling, I'm afraid I can't.

Violet

I promise I'll never ask you anything again as long as I live if you'll only do this for me. It means so much to me. You don't know how much.

Arthur

I can't, Violet.

Violet

Won't you talk it over with Anne?

Arthur

To tell you the truth I don't think it's any business of hers.

Violet

[Hesitatingly.] Is it due to her influence that Ronald was appointed to Paris?

Arthur

Why?

Violet

I want to know. If she's been pulling strings to get him moved I suppose it's for some reason. He was very comfortable here. It's not often you find a secretary who exactly suits you.

Arthur

Well, yes, it was her doing. She tells me she doesn't mean to come to Egypt so much as in the past and wants her brother nearer to her.

Violet

If she wants to see much of her brother she let him choose rather an unfortunate profession… I wonder she didn't tell you the truth.

Arthur

[Quickly.] I'm convinced she did. I thought her explanation very natural. I'm sorry it's necessary for me to interfere with her plans.

Violet

I'm sure she wouldn't mind my telling you why she's so anxious Ronny should leave Egypt. She thinks he's in love with a married woman and it seems desirable to get him away. Perhaps she didn't want to tell you. I fancy she's been very uneasy about it.

Arthur

I daresay it's only a momentary infatuation. Let us hope he will get over it quickly. I can't lose a useful public servant because he happens to have formed an unfortunate attachment.

Violet

I'm afraid I'm not explaining myself very well. Ronny is desperately in love. There's no other way of putting it. You must let him go. After all, you're very fond of him, you've known him since he was a small boy; it isn't as though he were a stray young man sent you by the Foreign Office. You can't be entirely indifferent to him. Perhaps his welfare is at stake. Don't you think it's wiser – it's only kind – to send him out of harm's way.

Arthur

My dear, you know that I – Arthur Little – would do anything to please you and that I care very much for the happiness of Anne and the welfare of Ronald Parry. But, you see, I'm an official too, and the official can't do all sorts of things that the man would be very glad to.

Violet

How can you separate the official and the man? The official can't do things that the man disapproves.

Arthur

Ah! that's a point that has been discussed ever since states came into being. Are the rules of private morality binding on the statesman? In theory most of us answer yes, but in practice very few act on that principle. In this case, darling, it hardly applies. I see no conflict between the man and the official.

Violet

You think it doesn't really concern you, Arthur?

Arthur

I've not said that. But I'm not going to let an appeal to my emotions interfere with my judgment. I think I understand the situation. I'm not proposing to change my mind. I shall present Ronny's name to the Khedive to-morrow.

Violet

D'you think me very stupid, Arthur?

Arthur

Not at all, darling. Only a clever woman could achieve your beauty.

Violet

Then doesn't it occur to you that if I've made such a point of Ronny's going it must be for some very good reason?

Arthur

[With a quick look at her.] Don't you think we'd better leave that subject alone, darling?

Violet

I'm afraid you'll think it silly and vain of me to say so, but I think you should know that – that Ronny's in love with me. That is why I want him to go.

Arthur

It's very natural that he should be in love with you. I'm always surprised that everybody else isn't. I don't see how I can prevent that except by taking you to live in the depths of the Sahara.

Violet

Don't make light of it, Arthur. It wasn't very easy for me to tell you.

Arthur

How do you wish me to take it? I can't blame Ronald. He's by way of being a gentleman. I've been good to him. He'll make the best of a bad job.

Violet

D'you mean to say that it makes no difference to you?

Arthur

This secretaryship is a stepping-stone to a very important position. You're not going to ask me to rob him of it because he's done something so very natural as to fall in love with the most charming woman in Egypt? I imagine that all my secretaries will fall in love with you. Poor devils, I don't see how they can be expected to help it.

Violet

You drive me mad. It's so serious, it's so tremendously serious, and you have the heart to make little jokes about it.

Arthur

[Gravely.] Has it ever struck you that flippancy is often the best way of dealing with a serious situation? Sometimes it's really too serious to be taken seriously.

Violet

What do you mean by that?

Arthur

Nothing very much. I was excusing myself for my ill-timed jests.

Violet

You're determined to keep Ronny here?

Arthur

Quite. [There is a pause. Arthur gets up and puts his hand on her shoulder.] I don't think there's anything more to say. If you will forgive me I will get back to the office.

Violet

No, don't go yet, Arthur. There's something more I want to say to you.

Arthur

Will you allow me to advise you not to? It's so easy to say too much; it's never unwise to say too little. I beseech you not to say anything that we should both of us regret.

Violet

You think it's unimportant if Ronny loves me, because you trust me implicitly.

Arthur

Implicitly.

Violet

Has it never occurred to you that I might be influenced by his love against my will? Do you think it's so very safe?

Arthur

If I allowed any doubt on that matter to enter my head I should surely be quite unworthy of your affection.

Violet

Arthur, I don't want to have any secrets from you.

Arthur

[Trying to stop her.] Don't, Violet. I don't want you to go on.

Violet

I must now.

Arthur

Oh, my dear, don't you see that things said can never be taken back. We may both know something…

Violet

[Interrupting.] What do you mean?

Arthur

But so long as we don't tell one another we can ignore it. If certain words pass our lips then the situation is entirely changed.

Violet

You're frightening me.

Arthur

I don't wish to do that. Only you can tell me nothing that I don't know. But if you tell me you may do irreparable harm.

Violet

D'you mean to say you know? Oh, it's impossible. Arthur, Arthur, I can't help it. I must tell you. It burns my heart. I love Ronny with all my body and soul.

[There is a pause while they look at one another.]

Arthur

Did you think I didn't know?

Violet

Then why did you offer him the job?

Arthur

I had to.

Violet

No one could have blamed you if you had suggested Henry.

Arthur

My dear, I'm paid a very considerable salary. It would surely be taking money under false pretences if I didn't do my work to the best of my ability.

Violet

It may mean happiness or misery to all three of us.

Arthur

I must take the risk of that. You see, Ronny is cut out for this particular position. It's only common honesty to give it him.

Violet

Don't you love me any more?

Arthur

Don't ask me that, Violet. You know I love you with all my heart.

Violet

Then I can't understand.

Arthur

You don't think I want him to stay, do you? When the telegram came from the Foreign Office ordering him to Paris my middle-aged heart simply leapt for joy. Do you think I didn't see all the advantages he had over me? He seemed to have so much to offer you and I so little.

Violet

Oh, Arthur!

Arthur

But if he went away I thought presently you'd forget him. I thought if I were very kind to you and tolerant, and if I asked nothing more from you than you were prepared to give I might in time make you feel towards me, not love perhaps, but tenderness and affection. That was all I could hope for, but that would have made me very happy. Then the Khedive asked for an English secretary, and I knew Ronny was the only man for it. You see, I've been at this work so long, the official in me makes decisions almost mechanically.

Violet

And supposing they break the heart of the man in you?

Arthur

[Smiling.] By a merciful interposition of Providence we all seem to have just enough strength to bear the burdens that are placed on us.

Violet

D'you think so?

Arthur

You like the rest of us, Violet.

Violet

How long have you known I loved him?

Arthur

Always. I think perhaps I knew before you did.

Violet

Why didn't you do something?

Arthur

Will you tell me what there was to do?

Violet

Aren't you angry with us?

Arthur

I should be a fool to be that. It seems to me so natural, so horribly natural. He's young and nice-looking and cheery. It seems to me now inevitable that you should have fallen in love with him. You might be made for one another.

Violet

Oh, do you see that?

Arthur

It had struck you too, had it? I suppose it's obvious to anyone who takes the trouble to think about it. [She does not answer.] Haven't you wished with all your heart that you'd met him first? Don't you hate me now because I married you? [She looks away.] My dear child, I'm so sorry for you. I've been very grateful for your kindness to me during the last month or two. I've seen you try to be loving to me and affectionate. I've been so anxious to tell you not to force yourself, because I understood and you mustn't be unhappy about me. But I didn't know how. I could only make myself as little troublesome as possible.

Violet

You've been immensely good to me, Arthur.

Arthur

That's the least you had a right to expect of me. I did you a great wrong in marrying you. I knew you didn't love me. You were dazzled by the circumstances. You didn't know what marriage was and how irksome it must be unless love makes its constraints sweeter than freedom. But I adored you. I thought love would come. With all my heart I ask you to forgive me.

Violet

Oh, Arthur, don't talk like that. You know I was so happy to marry you. I thought you wonderful, I was so excited and flattered – I thought that was love. I never knew that love would come like this. If I'd only known what to expect I could have fought against it. It took me unawares. I never had a chance. It wasn't my fault, Arthur.