RETRIBUTIONACT I. THE PARLOR.The curtains rise as Fascina comes whirling on to the stage with the waltz movements and a series of graceful bows. After having gone around the stage twice she stops, and taking the newspaper from the table takes a seat in the rocker beside the table, and soon becomes absorbed in its contents. The door bell rings. Fascina looks up with a start.

Fasc. Come in. (Enter servant.)

Serv. A lady wishes to speak to Miss Fass.

Fasc. Then haste and show her into the parlor.(Exit servant and enters Marie, who is greeted with a kiss.)

Fasc. Why, Marie, did Fortune direct thee here, Or some soft windthat fain would bring me good?

Marie. Neither, my dear, but alone to chat with thee.

Fasc. Then, take this seat, I pray, and chat with thee.

Marie. Thank you. Now I'll start my chatting machine. Thou hastheard of young Clayton, I'm sure, For 'twas he who broke themonotony of our social realm, and made sweet the dance To allwho love it, but not so to me, For naught I care for the dancetho' music Doth charm my feet till, by vibration, They keepthe time and swiftly oscillate My bones till my body keep inharmony.

Fasc. Ha! ha! ha! What an excuse for dancing!I will take note of your phraseology.

Marie You are not going to dance, Fascina?

Fasc. No, I'm going to let my feet vibrateTill my bones will oscillate my bodyInto graceful harmony(Fascina whirls lightly with the waltz movement, while Marielaughs.)

Marie Well, Fassie, if your dance is over now,I will go on with my ne'er ending chat.Young Clayton, as you know, is an artist,And, tho' dancing he makes a profession,Still I think him far below his station.He is handsome, graceful, charming, winning-

Fasc. And disgusting.

Marie Why, Fassie! How could you be so cruel?

Fasc. Indeed, I'm wonderfully merciful.But what about him dost thou wish to say?

Marie He gives an exhibition of his class.

Fasc. What class, pray?

Marie His class of vibratory musclesThat oscillate in harmonious motion.

Fasc. Marie, if thou didst not teach in our schools,I'd call thee biggest of all modern fools.Why, who ever heard of a dancing classBeing so misnamed and badly called,As a class of vibratory musclesThat oscillate in harmonious motion?00055Marie Be thou calm, my dear, and with me this eveGo to see young Clayton's pupils dance.

Fasc. Now, that is better, and I shall be pleasedTo go, if you will come for me at four,For Clayton comes now to pay me a call.

Marie Oh, so? Then I'm off, that we may not meet.(She raises, bowing low and gracefully.)Aurevoir!

Fasc. Good-bye (Bowing low in response.)(To herself) A sweet, pretty girl is she, and graceful,But as poor as a church mouse, and poorer,And has to teach almost for a pittance.(The door-bell rings.)Come in. (Enter servant with card on a waiter.)

Serv. A gentleman, Miss.

Fasc. Show him in; no, wait a minute.(She runs to the glass and arranges her toilet.)Now show the gentleman in.(Enter Clayton.)

Clay. Good morning, Miss Fassie.

Fasc. Good morning, Mr. Clayton. (Extends her hands.)Just take a seat and rest. (She points to a chair.)Now, tell me, I pray, what I'd most like to hear.

Clay. Lovelier are you than the fairest roseBlushing in the mellowest light of spring.

Fasc. (Laughing) Why, had I searched the very ends of earth,Not would I've found flatterers half so gifted.

Clay. Pardon me, fair maiden, I flatter not.Your presence thrills my soul with a delightThat makes me oblivious of all but thee.Would your fingers trip the piano keys,Or your voice pour forth in its melody,Then would I vibrate into ecstacy.

Fasc. Then I will play for thee. What shall it be?(She takes a seat at the piano.)

Clay. A night in June, sure, would I most prefer.(She plays, and rises amid applause from Clayton.)

Fasc. Now, sir, will you favor us with a song?For oft have I heard that the nightingaleMust sing if he would win himself a mate.

Clay. If singing wins thee, I'll sing forever.Hark! There is music, let us sing the strain.(They sing, finally breaking into a graceful waltz, andending in a series of graceful bows, with the last of whichhe lifts her hand to her lips, and then reaching for his hattakes leave. She takes a seat, after bowing him out, andleans upon the table as if in meditation. Her mother enters.)

Mother What! my daughter, dost thou sit and grieveWhen all the town is astir, and rumorDoth proclaim Clayton the admired of men?What ailest thou, that thy cap is not setTo catch him in matrimonial meshes?

Fasc. Matrimony! Dost thou think me a fool? And would it to me bequite becoming To stoop and be to him in wedlock joined, Whena hundred men, and richer by far Than he, have knelt at myfeet and, begging, Have pleat for love, and in its stead myscorn Have all received, and with it my deep contempt?

Mother Thou speakest well, thou art a great big fool, And biggerstill when refusest thou to set Thy net and catch such a fineyoung rooster.

Fasc. Indeed, he is nearer rooster than man, With never a pocket inhis breeches In which there is a cent to buy a loaf.

Mother Hush, fool! or get thee hence to the asylum, For so well thouknowest that thirty times Have thirty fortunes knocked hard atthy door, And fortune usually knocks lightly once.

Fasc. Fortune? You call that baboon a fortune?

Mother Baboon? How dare you to utter the word? He is a gentleman-anobleman, I wist When I had noted his lordly bearings, Andtenderness of his skin-

Fasc. Yes, alligator skin.

Mother And saw him gliding with grace in the dance.

Fasc. With the grace of an elephant.

Mother Hush, madam, or I'll slap you in the mouth. Wait till youpenetrate his deep disguise.

Fasc. I have penetrated it and have found A baboon dressed incitizen clothes. 00088(The mother advances as if to strike her daughter, whenthe door bell rings and both ladies turn toward the door asthe servant enters and hands to Fascina a card.)

Serv. 'Pon my word, Appollo or his spirit Standeth just without atyour door.(Fascina looks at the card with surprise.)

Fasc. Lord Duvall. Who would have thought that everAt this humble door would a lordship knock.Do haste, I pray, and show his lordship in.(Exit servant, and Fascina runs to the glass and powders herface, leaving her mother sitting. When she has admiredherself a few seconds she returns and takes a seat oppositeher mother and waits expectantly. Duvall enters with acourteous bow. Both ladies rise.)

Duv. Pardon me, ladies, for such intrusion.I am Lord Duvall of the Avonsdale,A lord who from his home and friends far-fetchedDoth wander, seeking aught that will delight,And rest to tune the vibrating chordsOf a soul pent up, and leave free to playThe nobler sentiments of a perfect life.And oft have I heard of your grace and charms,For world-wide are they, and sweeter thy voiceThan melody of a thousand angel choirs.So I pray that me thy grace will permitTo bask in the sunshine of thy sweet smiles,And list to thy voice lift itself in song.

Fasc. Your lordship doth condescend to flatter,Yet I will sing for thee, if thou wilt hear,But allow me to present my mother.(He advances to shake hands, bowing low.She puts one hand behind her, and with the other points towarddoor.)

Mother You are an adventurer, and there's the door.

Duv. But, I am Lord Duvall of Avonsdale.

Mother Lord Devil of Devilsdale; for aught elseHad your lordship been, not would you have comeAnd sneaked into this house uninvited.

Fasc. Hush, mamma.(Enter servant.)

Serv. Madam, you're wanted at the telephone.(Exit mother.)

Fasc. Your lordship must not my poor mother blame,She's crazy as an animated louse.

Duv. As a dead louse, but I beg your pardon,So let us mingle our voices in song.(She plays on the piano and sings while he accompanies her.At the close she turns and he clasps her hand.)

Duv. Not could ever the gently zephyrOn Eolian harps have vibrated sweeter.Than the airy touch of your graceful fingersDid vibrate those old piano chords.Not could angels, in the heavenly choir,001010Have sung a single note to equal thine,Nor all their voices, blending into one,Produced a melody half so divine.(He lifts her hand to his lips just as the mother re-enters.)

Mother Fascina, isn't that scamp gone yet?(Exit Duvall.)

Fasc. Why, mamma, dost thou try to play the fool,When a young lord doth me so much admire?I'm sure, had it been that dancing monkey,Not would your furor have vented itself.

Mother Clayton, after all, is a gentlemen.

Fasc. What is Lord Duvall?

Mother A scoundrel.

Fasc. (Indignant) That sounds like a lie.

Mother It does, eh? and who told it?(She reaches for the broom and chases Fascina twice around thetable and then from the room as the curtain falls.)

ACT II. THE DANCE.(The curtains rise on Clayton's pupils skipping and stepping time to music, while Clayton, with his side toward the audience, directs their movements. The bell rings. The music stops, also the dance, and Fascina, Marie and Max enter. Clayton receives them with a very low bow and conducts them to seats, and after some 001111explanation of the dance and some complimentary remarks concerning his pupils he steps back, and in a dramatic way exclaims:)

Clay. The dance is destined paramountTo all amusements, new or old,And the world itself grow dull and cold.(Then he turns and waves his cane to the pupils and theythey continue the exercise, breaking into a grand match andpassing out on the right and left.)

Fasc. They perform nicely, Mr. Clayton.

Marie I was quite delighted with them myself.

Max. Marie doth always speak my sentiments.

Clay. Thanks. And since I am thus complimentedI do with grace return the courtesy.Allow me to teach you Cupid's frolic.

Marie Your offer, sir, indeed is generous, But since it's growinglate, we'd rather sing.

Max. Yes, yes, the world for a song.

Clay. Then may our souls be lost in song.(They sing, leaving the stage with a series of gracefulbows. Scarcely are they out when Duvall enters.(They sing, leaving the stage with a series of gracefulbows. Scarcely are they out when Duvall enters.

Duv. Why, hello! The Clayton dance is over. Hark! What isthat? Sh! it is Fascina and that young chap Claytonreturning. I'll hide and hear what sayeth my rival.(He hides just as Clayton and Fascina enters 001212arm inarm. They stop near Duvall, and Clayton takes her hand inhis.)

Clay. My dear Fascina, look into my eyes and list, I pray, to mystory of love; 'Tis a story old as the heaven is, but newwhen in the depth of human hearts its scroll of eternaltruth unwinds. I love you, and from the depth of my soul Ibeg you, Fascina, to be my bride.

Fasc. Sir, had I been forth from a cannon shot, Not would I havehad a greater surprised, but since fortune doth stoop tosmile on me, My poor heart will not let me say thee nay.(He lifts her hand to his lips and then places upon herfinger an engagement ring.)

Clay. It is I upon whom fair fortune smiles, and the gods pourout ten thousand blessings, Therefore, when shall thehappy wedding be?

Fasc. On the thirty-first, if thy will permits.

Clay. So shall it be --.(From without) Hello! hello! hello!

Clay. Excuse me a minute, for some one calls.(Exit.)

Fasc. (alone) He's the ripest gooseberry I ever plucked, for onlya fool would ask me to wed A man too poor to buy forhimself bread. My cap I'll set for that Lord Duvall, andif he asks me, I'll say yes, that's all,001313And Clayton, with thanks, may go to the deuce.I've conquered now, and I'm satisfied,Tho I said I'd marry him, yet I lied;So I'll flirt with Max, Marie's young gosling,And swell his head until his tender wingIs linked into mine, and Clayton, vexed,Will in anger ask back his bridal ring.(She begins to whirl and hum-tra-la-la-la-la!And Duvall, behind the screen, rubs his handsand grins with satisfaction. Clayton re-enters.)

Clay. Come, darling, and let us be going.

Fasc. All right, my dear, I am ready.(She takes his arm and they pass out. Duvallcomes out from behind the screen and claps hishands several times and paces the floor)

Duv. (Aloud) I am the monarch of all I survey.Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.(He sings, at the close of which the curtain falls.)

ACT III. THE PARLOR.(Curtains rise. Fascina stands, with hat on and glovesin hand, ready to go out when Clayton enters.)

Clay. Just in time, for you have on your hat.Make ready and go with me for a drive,And haste, my love, the rig is at the gate.

Fasc. (Coldly) Thank you, Mr. Clayton, I'm engagedthis eve.(Enter Max.)

Max. Hurrah for a drive! Would you like to go? (ToFascina.)Then haste, for hard by doth stand the rig.

Fasc. (To Clayton) Excuse me sir. (Walks off withMax.)

Clay. When will you be back?

Fasc. I don't know. (Angrily.)

Clay. I will come to take you to church this eve.(No response.)

Clay. (Alone) Such an indignity I must resent.For she, my promised bride, and with contempt,Doth dare to drive with such unripe pumpkin.She is a flirt and all powder besides,And I might say a goose, a big, big goose,And geese are noted for no sense having.I will seek Marie and tell her of Max,And forthwith his ring she will send him back,And her heart left free will cleave unto me,And Fascina may go to the deuce.(Exit Clayton and enter Marie.)

Marie Well! did I ever? Nobody at home!Fascina must be out flirting with Max,For sure, I believe all that Clayton said,And I am more surprised that I am vexedThat Fascina should stoop to win awayMy beau, to whom I have been engagedE'er since in childhood I made him my vow;And she who numbers her beaux by the score'Tis a shame, a pity, a shame it is,001515But if he is fool enough to be won,I will give him back his engagement ringAnd Clayton's heart I'll accept in its place.Hark! They come. I'll hide and give them a scare.(She hides just as Max and Fascina enter.)

Fasc. I am so glad to have had a drive with you.

Max. Yea, fair one, would the gods but it decree,We would drive together eternally.

Fasc. And what would become of Marie, I pray?

Max. Why, Marie and I will never be wed,For tho she's scholarly, yet she is poor;And I, upon whom a good fortune smiles,Would dare not stoop to purchase poverty.(Marie, in hiding, begins to weep.)

Fasc. Well, we'll see, but at present let us part.

Max. Shall I come back to take you to the church?

Fasc. Yes, pray do, for Clayton I can not bear.(They turn and walk to the door, and Marie,still weeping, rises from her place of hiding andslips from the room while Max is kissing Fascina'shand. Fascina returns and begins toarrange her toilet, when a sharp ring at the bellmakes her turn in anger.)

Fasc. It is again that dancing fool, I'll bet.(Enter Clayton.)

Clay. Well, darling, are you most ready for church?

Fasc (Angrily) Excuse me, please, I have an engagement.

Clay. Engaged? Well, may I come next Monday eve?

Fasc. No, sir. I have an engagement.

Clay. Then surely I may come the next Sunday?

Fasc. No, sir. I have an engagement.

Clay. Well, I pray thee, what Sunday may I come?

Fasc. I have a standing engagement.(Enter Max.)

Max. List to the vesper bells, come, let us haste.

Fasc. (To Clayton) Excuse me, sir; good night.(Walks off with Max.)

Clay. I'll come back after church, for I must speak.(Clayton walks out and the mother walks in,and seating herself at table begins to read.The bell rings and Duvall enters, bowing andsmiling. She rises and he offers to shake hands,but she puts her hands behind her.)

Mother What do you want?

Duv. Please your grace, I'm hither seeking a wife,And beg that I be permitted to wooAnd win the hand of your lovely daughter.

Mother If Fascina choose the devil to wed,She must likewise decide to live in hell,And naught have I on this question to say.(She sweeps from the room.)

Duv. I've struck a tornado, or it struck me.However, my calling card I will leave.(Exit Duvall and enters servant, who begins toarrange things in the room. In a short whileClayton enters.)

Clay. Well, has Miss Fascina returned from church?

Serv. Yes, sir. I will go and announce your call.(Exit servant and enter Fascina leading abicycle.)

Fasc. Excuse me, sir. I'm going a wheeling,

Clay. A wheeling? and the clock is striking ten?Why, thou art mad, Fascina, and madderWhen thou dost risk e'en the loss of thy soulIn such a Sabbath desecration.

Fasc. You are no preacher, that you may advise,For my soul is mine, and nothing to you,So therefore just attend to your business.(Enter Max.)

Max. Are you ready? If so, let us make haste.(He assists her with the wheel.)

Clay. When, dear, may I expect you to be back?

Fasc. In the morning, sir, so I say good night.(Exit.)

Clay. (Alone) She wants me to quarrel and set her free,But, nay, nay, she shall be tortured, I swear,And I be victor in this flirtation.(Enter Marie.)

Marie Why, Mr. Clayton, are you left all alone?Where is Fascina? I must spend the night.(Takes a seat.)

Clay. She has gone out wheeling with that young fool.

Marie A wheeling on Sunday night? What a shame!How, Mr. Clayton, can you love such a girl

Clay. I do not love her, tho I am engaged.'Tis you I love, and oft wanted to say,And now I make bold to plead my cause;Wilt thou, my sweet angel, condescendTo be the wife of him who thee adores

Marie And what will become of Fascina, pray

Clay. Fascina, of course, may go to the deuce.

Marie And I hope Max will decide to go with her.

Clay. Why, the parson is just across the way,And some license at home has the judge.Why not in Fascina's house be wed?

Marie If thou dost desire it, then I agree.(Clayton kisses her.)

Clay. Bless you, my darling, I will soon return.(Exit Clayton and re-enters with the parson.They marry, the parson reading the ceremonyfrom the church ritual. After the ceremonythe parson takes leave and Clayton turns toMarie.)

Clay. I am Lord Cecil Clayton in disguise,And you, my darling, are Lady Clayton,001919No longer poor, but a lady of wealth.

Marie Not poor, my lord, but own a million.

Clay. A million? Then Max a fool has been.

Marie He was born a fool. But hark!(They listen, and then clutching each other'sarm run away. Fascina enters the room.)

Fasc. Well, once more am I back, and nearly dead,And I'm engaged to get married to Max;And he a tender weed, so soft and green,If I plant him he will bring forth blossoms.(She walks to the table and picks up a card andutters an exclamation.)Lord Duvall! And coming again at nine.Then must I hasten to my bed and rest.(Exit, and after an interval enters her mother,who walks to the opposite door and calls.)

Mother Jimima! hasten and let us breakfast.(She busies herself in setting the room in orderSoon the cook rings the bell.)

Mother Fascina! Fascina! come to breakfast.(Exit mother and enters servant with a broomand begins the work of cleaning. Duvall entersand presents a card.)

Duv. I would like to speak to Miss Fascina.(He takes a seat. Exit servant. Enter Fascina.)

Fasc. Good morning, my lord. You are early.002020(Extends her hand as Duvall rises.)

Duv. I sought to be early, while fragrant mornDoth breathe into me her breath of love;And I've hastened hither to kiss thy handAnd thro' those magnetic orbs to gazeInto the secret depths of thy pure soul.And futhermore, without thee e'en my lifeIs an empty dream, and body and soulBut the shattered remains of empty thought.Could I but spend all of my life with thee,Nay, more, all of the long eternity,Each hour my soul would increase its love,And its chords vibrate but a single thought-I love now, henceforth and eternally-Will you be my bride?

Fasc. I can't refuse you so much happiness.

Duv. Ah! Then we will wed on the thirty-first.(She gives a start.)

Fasc. All right, but let us part ere mamma comes.(They kiss hurriedly and part just as the motherenters, carrying a traveling bag.)

Mother Good-bye, Fascina, I'm off for a week.

Fasc. For a week, mamma, and why not longer?I would stay till after the thirty-first.

Mother And why, pray?

Fasc. I'd like to join you.

Mother So? Then all right. Good-bye. (Kiss.)002121(Fascina goes with her mother to the door andreturns.)

Fasc. What a panic on the thirty-first!O, if i could just get rid of the two,But they are such fools that they ne'er quarrel,And, blinded by love, they see no insults.I will try once more, and if then I fail,I will seek Marie and to her confess,And secure her aid, and tell Lord Duvall,And we'll have a picnic with those two fools,(Exit Fascina and enters servant, who cont n use the work ofcleaning and dusting the room.In a short while Max enters.)

Max. Tell Miss Fassie I request her presence.

Serv. All right, sir. (Exit.)(Max takes a seat, and soon the servant reenters.)

Serv. She's not at home, sir. What must I report?

Max. Tell her ere long I will come again.

Serv. All right, sir.(Exit Max, and the servant continues his work.Re-enter Max.)

Max. Has Miss Fassie returned yet?

Serv. Yes, sir. I'll tell her that you are here.(Exit servant, and Max takes a seat. Re-enter servant.)

Serv. Miss Fassie says she's not at home.

Max. All right, I'll walk down the street and return.(Exit.)

Serv. Well, he's too much fool to be insulted.(He continues his work and soon Max returns.)

Max. Tell Miss Fassie she must be seen.

Serv. All right, sir.(Exit servant and re-enters.)

Serv. Miss Fascina says go to the devil.

Max. (Rising) Tell her to remember the thirty-first.(Exit.)

Interlude.(Enter mother with her traveling bag and begins to take offher wraps.)

Mother Ha, ha, ha. A picnic on the thirty-first.Well, I will be here to help them pick.(Exit mother and enter a policeman and hides himself.(The band strikes up Mendelsohn's wedding march's and Duvallslips in and hides behind a screen. Soon the bride, Fascina,and Max, Marie and Clayton, the mother and the parson enter,keeping time to the music, and form in a semicircle. Fascinafeigns to grow sick, and the parson, who knows of thedeception, and that 002323both Clayton and Max are supposedto be the groom and to get married to Fascina, they beingignorant of Duvall's presence behind the screen, speaks firstto Max, as the bride seems to faint.)

Parson She faints! Run for the camphor!(Exit Max.)

Parson (To Clayton) And you, sir, go for the water.(Exit Clayton.)

Parson (To Duvall) Come forth, young man, and wedyour bride.(Duvall comes out from hiding and Fascina, whohas been only pretending to be sick, steps outand gets married to Duvall, the parson readinga ceremony from the church ritual. Max andClayton return.)

Fasc. Permit me, gentlemen, to introduceMy husband and Lord of Avonsdale(The gentlemen step back in surprise.)

Max. Your husband.

Marie (Stepping over to Clayton) And allow me to present my husband,Lord Clayton of the Avonsdale.(Duvall gives a start and Max is amazed.)

Clay. (To Duvall) And permit me, my Lord, to introduceMy friend, the city policeman.(The policeman steps out and seizes Duvall.)

Clay. (Triumphantly) I denounce this man as a murderer,The usurper of my legal title,And having this day three living wives.Hark! they clamor outside the door.(Enter first wife, wringing her hands, and followed byseveral children. She puts her arms around him and thechildren climb upon his back.)

1st Wife My husband! my husband! Oh, my husband!

Children Papa! papa! papa! Here's my papa!(Enter second wife and several children.)

2nd Wife Here's my husband! O, my husband!

Children Papa! papa! papa? Here's my papa!

Mother (Picking up a club) Move back! and let me fix that scamp.(Fascina falls to the floor, fainting, and the curtains falland the band plays a short finale.)