Kyrle Confessed that she was my wife?
Anne Made a clean breast of it in a minute, which is more than you could do with a sixteen-foot wagon and a team of ten, in a week.
Kyrle Anne, hear me; this is a frightful error – the girl will not repeat it.
Anne Bring her before me and let her speak.
Kyrle How do I know where she is?
Anne Well, bring your boatman then, who told me the same.
Kyrle I tell you it is false; I never saw – never knew the girl.
Anne You did not? [Shows Eily’s letter.] Do you know that? You dropped it, and I found it.
Kyrle [Takes letter.] This! [Reads.
Enter Hardress, L
Anne Hardress! [Turns aside.
Kyrle Oh! [Suddenly struck with the truth; glances towards Anne; finding her looking away, places letter to Hardress.] Do you know that? – you dropped it.
Hard [Conceals letter.] Eh? Oh!
Kyrle ’Twas he. [Looks from one to the other.] She thinks me guilty; but if I stir to exculpate myself, he is in for it.
Hard You look distressed, Kyrle. Anne, what is the matter?
Kyrle Nothing, Hardress. I was about to ask Miss Chute to forget a subject which was painful to her, and to beg of her never to mention it again – not even to you, Hardress.
Hard I am sure she will deny you nothing.
Anne I will forget, sir. [Aside.] But I will never forgive him – never.
Kyrle [Aside.] She loves me still, and he loves another, and I am the most miserable dog that ever was kicked. [Crosses to L.] Hardress, a word with you. [Exeunt Kyrle and Hardress, L.
Anne And this is my wedding day. There goes the only man I ever loved. When he’s here near by me, I could give him the worst treatment a man could desire, and when he goes away he takes the heart and all of me off with him, and I feel like an unfurnished house. This is pretty feelings for a girl to have, and she in her regimentals. Oh! if he wasn’t married – but he is, and he’d have married me as well – the malignant! Oh! if he had, how I’d have made him swing for it – it would have afforded me the happiest moment of my life. [Exit Anne, L. Music.
SCENE III. —Exterior of Myles’s Hut, door R. in flat. [2nd grooves.]
Enter Father Tom, L
Father T Here’s Myle’s shanty. I’m nearly killed with climbin’ the hill. I wonder is he at home? Yes, the door is locked inside. [Knocks.] Myles – Myles, are ye at home?
Myles [Outside, R. 2 E.] No – I’m out.
Enter Myles, R. 2 E
Arrah! is it yourself, Father Tom, that’s in it?
Father T Let us go inside, Myles – I’ve a word to say t’ye.
Myles I – I’ve lost the key.
Father T Sure it’s stickin’ inside.
Myles I always lock the dure inside and lave it there when I go out, for fear on losin’ it.
Father T Myles, come here to me. It’s lyin’ ye are. Look me in the face. What’s come to ye these tin days past – three times I’ve been to your door and it was locked, but I heard ye stirrin’ inside.
Myles It was the pig, yer riverince.
Father T Myles, why did yer shoot Danny Mann?
Myles Oh, murther, who tould you that?
Father T Himself.
Myles Oh, Father Tom! have ye’ seen him?
Father T I’ve just left him.
Myles Is it down there ye’ve been?
Father T Down where?
Myles Below, where he’s gone to – where would he be, afther murthering a poor crature?
Father T How d’ye know that?
Myles How! how did I! – whist, Father Tom, it was his ghost.
Father T He is not dead, but dyin’ fast, from the wound ye gave him.
Myles I never knew ’twas himself ’till I was tould.
Father T Who tould you?
Myles Is it who?
Father T Who? who? – not Danny, for he doesn’t know who killed him.
Myles Wait, an’ I’ll tell you. It was nigh twelve that night, I was comin’ home – I know the time, betoken Murty Dwyer made me step in his shebeen, bein’ the wake of the ould Callaghan, his wife’s uncle – and a dacent man he was. “Murty,” sez I —
Father T Myles, you’re desavin’ me.
Myles Is it afther desavin’ yer riverence I’d be?
Father T I see the lie in yer mouth. Who tould ye it was Danny Mann ye killed?
Myles You said so a while ago.
Father T Who tould ye it was Danny Mann?
Myles I’m comin’ to it. While I was at Murty’s, yer riverince, as I was a-tellin’ you – Dan Dayley was there – he had just kim’d in. “Good morrow, – good day” – ses he. “Good morrow, good Dan, ses I,” – jest that ways entirely – “it’s an opening to the heart to see you.” Well, yer riverence, as I ware sayin’, – “long life an’ good wife to ye, Masther Dan,” ses I. “Thank ye, ses he, and the likes to ye, anyway.” The moment I speck them words, Dan got heart, an’ up an’ tould Murty about his love for Murty’s darter – the Colleen Rue. The moment he heard that, he puts elbows in himself, an’ stood lookin’ at him out on the flure. “You flog Europe, for boldness,” ses he – “get out of my sight,” ses he, – “this moment,” ses he, – “or I’ll give yer a kick that will rise you from poverty to the highest pitch of affluence,” ses he – “away out ’o that, you notorious delinquent; single your freedom, and double your distance,” ses he. Well, Dan was forced to cut an’ run. Poor boy! I was sorry for his trouble; there isn’t a better son nor brother this moment goin’ the road than what he is – said – said – there was’nt better, an’, an’ – oh! Father Tom, don’t ax me; I’ve got an oath on my lips. [Music.] Don’t be hard on a poor boy.
Father T I lift the oath from ye. Tell me, avick, oh! tell me. Did ye search for the poor thing – the darlin’ soft-eyed Colleen? Oh, Myles! could ye lave her to lie in the cowld lake all alone?
Enter Eily from door R. flat
Myles No, I couldn’t.
Father T [Turns – sees Eily.] Eily! Is it yourself, and alive – an’ not – not – Oh! Eily, mavourneen. Come to my heart.
[Embraces Eily
Myles [Crosses to L.] D’ye think ye’d see me alive if she wasn’t? I thought ye knew me better – it’s at the bottom of the Pool a Dhiol I’d be this minute if she wasn’t to the fore.
Father T [C.] Speak to me – let me hear your voice.
Eily Oh, father, father! won’t ye take me far, far away from this place?
Father T Why did ye hide yourself this way?
Eily For fear he’d see me.
Father T Hardress? You knew then that he instigated Danny to get rid of ye?
Eily Why didn’t I die – why am I alive now for him to hate me?
Father T D’ye know that in a few hours he is going to marry another?
Eily I know it. Myles tould me – that’s why I’m hiding myself.
Father T What does she mean?
Myles [L.] She loves him still – that’s what she manes.
Father T Love the wretch who sought your life!
Eily Isn’t it his own? It isn’t his fault if his love couldn’t last as long as mine. I was a poor, mane creature – not up to him any way; but if he’d only said, “Eily, put the grave between us and make me happy,” sure I’d lain down, wid a big heart, in the loch.
Father T And you are willing to pass a life of seclusion that he may live in his guilty joy?
Eily If I was alive wouldn’t I be a shame to him an’ a ruin – ain’t I in his way? Heaven help me – why would I trouble him? Oh! he was in great pain o’ mind entirely when he let them put a hand on me – the poor darlin’.
Father T And you mean to let him believe you dead?
Eily Dead an’ gone: then, perhaps, his love for me will come back, and the thought of his poor, foolish little Eily that worshiped the ground he stood on, will fill his heart a while.
Father T And where will you go?
Eily I don’t know. Anywhere. What matters?
Myles [Against wing, L.] Love makes all places alike.
Eily I am alone in the world now.
Father T The villain – the monster! He sent her to heaven because he wanted her there to blot out with her tears the record of his iniquity. Eily, ye have but one home, and that’s my poor house. You are not alone in the world – there’s one beside ye, your father, and that’s myself.
Myles Two – bad luck to me, two. I am her mother; sure I brought her into the world a second time.
Father T [Looking, R.] Whisht! look down there, Myles – what’s that on the road?
Myles [Crosses R.] It’s the sogers – a company of red-coats. What brings the army out? – who’s that wid them? – it is ould Corrigan, and they are going towards Castle Chute. There’s mischief in the wind.
Father T In with you, an’ keep close a while; I’ll go down to the castle and see what’s the matter. [Crosses R.
Eily Promise me that you’ll not betray me – that none but your self and Myles shall ever know I’m livin; promise me that before you go.
Father T I do, Eily; I’ll never breathe a word of it – it is as sacred as an oath. [Exit L. —music.
Eily [Going to cottage.] Shut me in, Myles, and take the key wid ye, this time. [Exit in cottage, R. C.
Myles [Locks door.] There ye are like a pearl in an oyster; now I’ll go to my bed as usual on the mountain above – the bolster is stuffed wid rocks, and I’ll have a cloud round me for a blanket.
[Exit Myles, R. 2 E
SCENE IV. —Outside of Castle Chute. [1st grooves.]
Enter Corrigan and six Soldiers, R. 1 E
Corrig Quietly, boys; sthrew yourselves round the wood – some of ye at the gate beyant – two more this way – watch the windies; if he’s there to escape at all, he’ll jump from a windy. The house is surrounded.
Quadrille music under stage. – Air, “The Boulanger.”
Oh, oh! they’re dancin’ – dancin’ and merry-making, while the net is closin’ around ’em. Now Masther Hardress Cregan – I was kicked out, was I; but I’ll come this time wid a call that ye’ll answer wid your head instead of your foot. My letters were returned unopened; but here’s a bit of writin’ that ye’ll not be able to hand back so easy.
Enter Corporal, R
Corp All right, sir.
Corrig Did you find the woman, as I told ye?
Corp Here she is, sir.
Enter Sheelah, guarded by two Soldiers, R
Sheelah [Crying.] What’s this? Why am I thrated this way – what have I done?
Corrig You are wanted a while – it’s your testimony we require. Bring her this way. Follow me! [Exit, L.
Sheelah [Struggling.] Let me go back to my boy. Ah! good luck t’ye, don’t kape me from my poor boy! [Struggling.] Oh! you dirty blackguards, let me go – let me go!
[Exit Sheelah and Soldiers, L
SCENE V. —Ball Room in Castle Chute. Steps, C.; platform – balustrade on top, backed by moonlight landscape – doors R. and L.; table L. C.; writing materials, books, papers, etc., on it; chairs; chair L. 2 E., chairs R.; chandeliers lighted. Ladies and Gentlemen, Wedding Guests discovered, Hyland Creagh, Bertie O’Moore, Ducie, Kathleen Creagh, Ada Creagh, Patsie O’Moore, Bridesmaids and Servants discovered. – Music going on under stage
Hyland Ducie, they are dancing the Boulanger, and they can’t see the figure unless you lend them the light of your eyes.
Kathleen We have danced enough; it is nearly seven o’clock.
Ducie Mr. O’Moore; when is the ceremony to commence?
O’Moore The execution is fixed for seven – here’s the scaffold, I presume. [Points to table.
Hyland Hardress looks like a criminal. I’ve seen him fight three duels, and he never showed such a pale face as he exhibits to-night.
Ducie He looks as if he was frightened at being so happy.
Hyland And Kyrle Daly wears as gay an appearance.
Enter Kyrle Daly down steps, C
Ducie Hush! here he is.
Kyrle That need not stop your speech, Hyland. I don’t hide my love for Anne Chute, and it is my pride, and no fault of mine if she has found a better man.
Hyland He is not a better man.
Kyrle He is – she thinks so – what she says becomes the truth.
Enter Mrs. Cregan, L. 2 E
Mrs. C Who says the days of chivalry are over? Come, gentlemen, the bridesmaids must attend the bride. The guests will assemble in the hall.
Enter Servant, R. 2 E., with letter and card on salver
Serv Mr. Bertie O’Moore, if you plase. A gentlemen below asked me to hand you this card.
O’Moore A gentleman! what can he want? [Reads card.] Ah! indeed; this is a serious matter, and excuses the intrusion.
Hyland What’s the matter?
O’Moore A murder has been committed.
All A murder?
O’Moore The perpetrator of the deed has been discovered, and the warrant for his arrest requires my signature.
Hyland Hang the rascal. [Goes up with Ducie.
O’Moore A magistrate, like a doctor, is called on at all hours.
Mrs. C We can excuse you for such a duty, Mr. O’Moore.
O’Moore [Crossing, R.] This is the result of some brawl at a fair, I suppose. Is Mr. Corrigan below?
Mrs. C [Starting.] Corrigan?
O’Moore Show me to him.
[Exit O’Moore and Servant, R. 2 E. – Guests go up and off, L. U. E
Mrs. C Corrigan here! What brings that man to this house?
[Exit Mrs. Cregan, R. 3 E
Enter Hardress, down steps, C. from R., pale
Hardress [Sits, L.] It is in vain – I can not repress the terror with which I approach these nuptials – yet, what have I to fear? Oh! my heart is bursting with its load of misery.
Enter Anne, down steps, C. from R
Anne Hardress! what is the matter with you?
Hard [Rising, L. C.] I will tell you – yes, it may take this horrible oppression from my heart. At one time I thought you knew my secret: I was mistaken. The girl you saw at Muckross Head —
Anne [R. C.] Eily O’Connor?
Hard Was my wife!
Anne Your wife?
Hard Hush! Maddened with the miseries this act brought upon me, I treated her with cruelty – she committed suicide.
Anne Merciful powers!
Hard She wrote to me bidding me farewell forever, and the next day her cloak was found floating in the lake. [Anne sinks in chair.] Since then I have neither slept nor waked – I have but one thought, one feeling; my love for her, wild and maddened, has come back upon my heart like a vengeance.
[Music – tumult heard, R
Anne Heaven defend our hearts, what is that?
[Enter Mrs. Cregan, deadly pale. R. 3 E. —Locks door behind her
Mrs. C Hardress! my child!
Hard Mother!
Anne Mother, he is here. Look on him – speak to him – do not gasp and stare on your son in that horrid way. Oh, mother! speak, or you will break my heart.
Mrs. C Fly – fly! [Hardress going, R.] Not that way. No – the doors are defended! there is a soldier placed at every entrance! You – are trapped and caught – what shall we do? – the window in my chamber – come – come – quick – quick!
Anne Of what is he accused!
Hard Of murder. I see it in her face. [Noise, R.
Mrs. C Hush! they come – begone! Your boat is below that window. Don’t speak! when oceans are between you and danger – write! Till then not a word. [Forcing him off, R. 3 E. —noise, R.
Anne Accused of murder! He is innocent!
Mrs. C Go to your room! Go quickly to your room, you will betray him – you can’t command your features.
Anne Dear mother, I will.
Mrs. C Away, I say – you will drive me frantic, girl. My brain is stretched to cracking! Ha! [Noise, R.
Anne There is a tumult in the drawing-room.
Mrs. C They come! You tremble! Go – take away your puny love; hide it where it will not injure him – leave me to face this danger!
Anne He is not guilty.
Mrs. C What’s that to me, woman? I am his mother – the hunters are after my blood! Sit there – look away from this door. They come!
[Knocking loudly – crash – door R. 3 E. opened – enter Corporal and Soldiers, who cross stage, facing up to charge– Gentlemen with drawn swords on steps, C.; Ladies on at back– O’Moore, R. 3 E. —enter Corrigan, R. 3 E. – Kyrle on steps, C.
Corrig Gentlemen, put up your swords; the house is surrounded by a military force, and we are here in the king’s name.
Anne [R.] Gentlemen, come on, there was a time in Ireland when neither king nor faction could call on Castle Chute without a bloody welcome.
Guests Clear them out!
Kyrle [Interposing.] Anne, are you mad? Put up your swords – stand back there – speak – O’Moore, what does this strange outrage mean?
[Soldiers fall back– Gentlemen on steps; Kyrle comes forward
O’Moore Mrs. Cregan, a fearful charge is made against your son; I know – I believe he is innocent; I suggest, then, that the matter be investigated here at once, amongst his friends, so that this scandal may be crushed in its birth.
Kyrle Where is Hardress?
Corrig Where? – why, he’s escaping while we are jabbering here. Search the house. [Exit two Soldiers, R. 3 E.
Mrs. C [L.] Must we submit to this, sir? Will you, a magistrate, permit —
O’Moore I regret Mrs. Cregan, but as a form —
Mrs. C Go on, sir!
Corrig [At door, L. 3 E.] What room is this? ’tis locked —
Mrs. C That is my sleeping chamber.
Corrig My duty compels me —
Mrs. C [Throws key down on ground.] Be it so, sir.
Corrig [Picks up key – unlocks door.] She had the key – he’s there.
[Exit Corporal and two Soldiers
Mrs. C He has escaped by this time.
O’Moore [At L. table.] I hope Miss Chute will pardon me for my share in this transaction – believe me, I regret —
Anne Don’t talk to me of your regret, while you are doing your worst. It is hate, not justice, that brings this accusation against Hardress, and this disgrace upon me.
Kyrle Anne!
Anne Hold your tongue – his life’s in danger, and if I can’t love him, I’ll fight for him, and that’s more than any of you men can do. [To O’Moore.] Go on with your dirty work. You have done the worst now – you have dismayed our guests, scattered terror amid our festival, and made the remembrance of this night, which should have been a happy one, a thought of gloom and shame.
Mrs. C Hark! I hear – I hear his voice. It can not be.
Re-enter Corrigan, L. 3 E
Corrig The prisoner is here!
Mrs. C [C.] Ah, [Utters a cry.] is he? Dark bloodhound, have you found him? May the tongue that tells me so be withered from the roots, and the eye that first detected him be darkened in its socket!
Kyrle Oh, madam! for heaven’s sake!
Anne Mother! mother!
Mrs. C What! shall it be for nothing he has stung the mother’s heart, and set her brain on fire?
Enter Hardress, handcuffed, and two Soldiers, L. 3 E
I tell you that my tongue may hold its peace, but there is not a vein in all my frame but curses him. [Turns – sees Hardress; falls on his breast.] My boy! my boy!
Hard [L.] Mother, I entreat you to be calm. [Crosses to C.] Kyrle, there are my hands, do you think there is blood upon them?
[Kyrle seizes his hand– Gentlemen press round him, take his hand, and retire up
Hard I thank you, gentlemen; your hands acquit me. Mother, be calm – sit there. [Points to chair, L.
Anne Come here, Hardress; your place is here by me.
Hard [R. C.] Now, sir, I am ready.
Corrig [L. of table.] I will lay before you, sir, the deposition upon which the warrant issues against the prisoner. Here is the confession of Daniel or Danny Mann, a person in the service of the accused, taken on his death-bed – in articulo mortis, you’ll observe.
O’Moore But not witnessed.
Corrig [Calling.] Bring in that woman.
Enter Sheelah and two Soldiers, R. 3 E
I have witnesses. Your worship will find the form of the law in perfect shape.
O’Moore Read the confession, sir.
Corrig [Reads.] “The deponent being on his death-bed, in the presence of Sheelah Mann and Thomas O’Brien, parish priest of Kinmare, deposed and said” —
Enter Father Tom, R. 3 E
Oh, you are come in time, sir.
Father T I hope I am.
Corrig We may have to call your evidence.
Father T [C.] I have brought it with me.
Corrig “Deposed and said, that he, deponent, killed Eily O’Connor; that said Eily was the wife of Hardress Cregan, and stood in the way of his marriage with Miss Anne Chute; deponent offered to put away the girl, and his master employed him to do so.”
O’Moore Sheelah, did Danny confess this crime?
Sheelah [L. C.] Divil a word – it’s a lie from end to end; that ould thief was niver in my cabin – he invented the whole of it – sure you’re the divil’s own parverter of the truth.
Corrig Am I? Oh, oh! Father Tom will scarcely say as much? [To him.] Did Danny Mann confess this in your presence?
Father T I decline to answer that question!
Corrig Aha! you must – the law will compel you!
Father T I’d like to see the law that can unseal the lips of the priest, and make him reveal the secrets of heaven.
Anne So much for your two witnesses. Ladies, stand close. Gentlemen, give us room here.
[Bridesmaids down, R. Exit Father Tom, R. 3 E
Corrig We have abundant proof, your worship – enough to hang a whole country. Danny isn’t dead yet. Deponent agreed with Cregan that if the deed was to be done, that he, Cregan, should give his glove as a token.