The Mousetrap

COPE. I’m not ashamed of my feeling for that lady. I am very deeply attached to her. All I want is her happiness. If she were happy with Lennox, I’d sit right back and fade right out of the picture.

GERARD. (Rising and moving to Right ofCOPE) Chivalry only lives today in the American nation.

COPE. I don’t mind your laughing at me, Doctor Gerard. I dare say I sound romantic and old-fashioned, but that young man riles me. Sitting there reading a book and taking no notice of his wife or anybody else.

GERARD. (Moving above the table Centre to Right of it) But he was not reading a book.

COPE. (Puzzled) Not reading—but he had a book . . . (He puts his glass on the table.)

GERARD. He was holding that book upside down. Curious, is it not? (He sees Ginevra’s torn handkerchief on the floor.) And here is something else. (He picks up the handkerchief.) A handkerchief that has been torn to pieces, so—by a girl’s fingers.

COPE. (Moving below the table to Left ofGERARD) But that’s—that’s very extraordinary.

GERARD. Yes, it is extraordinary. (He moves to the chair down Right and sits.) It is also very interesting.

COPE. Well, I’ve a great respect for maternal devotion, but I think it can be carried too far. (He moves Right Centre) I’ve got to get down to the American Express before they close. See you later.

GERARD. A toute à l’heure.

(COPE exits up Right.)

(He looks at the handkerchief.) Maternal devotion? I wonder.

(GINEVRA enters up Left, pauses, looks around, then comes swiftly and romantically across to GERARD.)

GINEVRA. Please, please—I must speak to you.

(GERARD looks at GINEVRA in astonishment, then rises.)

GERARD. Miss Boynton?

GINEVRA. (Dramatically) They’re taking me away. They’re planning to kill me—or shut me up. (She takes his arm and shakes it vehemently.) You must help me—you must help me. (She stares pleadingly up at his face.)

GERARD. This is your handkerchief?

GINEVRA. Yes. (She takes the handkerchief without interest.) Listen—I don’t belong to them really. My name’s not really Boynton at all. I’m—I’m—(She draws herself up) royal.

(GERARD studies her attentively.)

GERARD. I see. Yes, I see.

GINEVRA. I knew I could trust you. There are enemies, you know, all round me. They try to poison my food—all sorts of things—they don’t let me speak to anyone. If you could help me to escape . . . (She starts and looks around.) They’re coming. I’m spied on—all the time. (She moves quickly up Left.) They mustn’t know I’ve spoken to you.

(GINEVRA exits up Left.)

GERARD. (Moving Centre and looking after her) Nom d’un nom d’un nom!

(SARAH enters on the terrace from Centre and comes into the room.)

SARAH. (Moving to Right ofGERARD) Has something upset you, Doctor Gerard?

GERARD. Yes, I am upset. Quelle histoire! Royal blood, persecution, poison in the food, surrounded by enemies.

(The lift descends and the door opens. LADY WESTHOLME, MISS PRYCE and the DRAGOMAN enter from Left. LADY WESTHOLME carries a copy of “The Times” and MISS PRYCE has her handbag.)

SARAH. But that . . . (She breaks off and moves down Right.)

(GERARD moves down Right Centre.)

LADYWESTHOLME. (Crossing to Left ofGERARD) Ah—Doctor Gerard. I’ve been looking for you.

(The DRAGOMAN moves to Left of LADY WESTHOLME. MISS PRYCE moves to the desk.)

The arrangements for our trip to Petra are quite complete. We start on Tuesday and spend the night at Ammãn, then on to Petra the following day. The journey will be made in a first-class touring car. (She indicates the DRAGOMAN) This is our dragoman—Mahommed.

DRAGOMAN. My name not Mahommed, lady. My name Aissa.

LADYWESTHOLME. I always call dragomen Mahommed.