(The Smythe home in Shropshire, 1774. Young MARIA SMYTHE, now aged 17, returns home from France with her trunk of belongings. Her father, WALTER SMYTHE, sits at the table studying a letter.)
MARIA SMYTHE
Papa!
WALTER SMYTHE
Maria! My, how much you've grown! The nuns must have fed you well in Paris.
MARIA SMYTHE
To be sure, they did, but I was beginning to miss English food. I am glad to be home again.
(Noticing the letter)
Is that a letter?
WALTER SMYTHE
Yes, Maria. Allow me to congratulate you.
MARIA SMYTHE
On what?
WALTER SMYTHE
On your impending marriage, should you choose to accept it, though you have few means of survival if you do not.
MARIA SMYTHE
(Stunned)
Marriage?
WALTER SMYTHE
I realize I've neglected to mention it till now, but I wanted to ensure his offer was sound. Some weeks ago, I received a letter from a wealthy Catholic landowner seeking a wife. His name is Mr. Edward Weld. He came to know of us through a mutual acquaintance. He was first married some 11 years ago, was later widowed, and now wants you for his bride.
MARIA SMYTHE
Married 11 years ago? Pray, what is his age?
WALTER SMYTHE
Not that it is of much importance, but you will be pleased to know he is still a young man of 35, only 18 years your senior. I was surprised he sought a wife from a family as impecunious as ours, but eligible Catholic brides in this country are scarce, many going abroad to marry or enter convents. As Mr. Weld is not in want of money and desires a large family to inherit his estate in Dorset, he thought you would do nicely.
MARIA SMYTHE
Dorset? I am to live with a complete stranger 200 miles away when I have only just returned home?
WALTER SMYTHE
Maria, you are a poor Catholic Englishwoman with no status and no dowry. A woman in your unfortunate position is not at leisure to choose when or whom she marries if she wishes to be well supported. A better offer of marriage will not come; 'consider it a gift from God. If you wish to provide a good life for yourself and whatever children you may bear, you must take it. As you know, I am grown increasingly old and frail. With your mother gone, I alone am responsible for my six children, and 'tis more than I can bear. Mr. Weld can provide you a better life than I have, so for God's sake, Maria, I implore you to accept his offer. I wish to see my eldest child settled and comfortable before I die.
(MRS. FITZHERBERT seems unsure, but to keep her father happy, she weakly nods. Cut to SCENE V.)
YOU ARE READING
The Drunken Feathers
Historical FictionIn this biographical series that begins in 1784, twenty-one-year-old George, Prince of Wales-- the eldest son of King George III and heir to the British throne-- spends his youth idly by keeping countless mistresses, drinking profusely, and making f...
