The Drunken Feathers

Scene XIII

(MRS. FITZHERBERT's house in France. The words 'ONE YEAR LATER / PLOMBIERES, FRANCE' appear. Outside, it is cloudy and raining. LADY LINDSAY and MRS. FITZHERBET sit in a drawing room together. LADY LINDSAY paints a portrait miniature of MRS. FITZHERBERT while the latter gazes despondently into her lap.)

LADY LINDSAY

Chin up, please.

(MRS. FITZHERBERT adjusts her position accordingly. LADY LINDSAY notices how glum her friend looks and stops painting.)

LADY LINDSAY (cont.)

This is turning out to be a miserable portrait.

MRS. FITZHERBERT

(Sharply)

Then you ought to find another subject.

(Stands)

You have painted me half a dozen times already.

MRS. FITZHERBERT walks to a window while LADY ANNE, insulted, stands.)

LADY LINDSAY

What is the matter, Maria?

MRS. FITZHERBERT

The matter is I am tired of this self-imposed exile. I want to return to London as soon as possible.

LADY LINDSAY

You know what will happen if...

MRS. FITZHERBERT

I no longer care, Anne! There is nothing in this world I desire more than to go home and...

LADY LINDSAY

And what? Subject yourself again to the Prince's relentless attention?

(Beat. MRS. FITZHERBERT decides to tell LADY LINDSAY her secret.)

MRS. FITZHERBERT

I have not yet dispatched my letter expressing the following sentiments, but... I have told him I will be his.

LADY LINDSAY

Maria!

MRS. FITZHERBERT

I know I injure him and destroy perhaps forever my own tranquility, but this is the only way to secure our happiness!

LADY LINDSAY

What is this? You have never felt anything for him beyond friendship.

MRS. FITZHERBERT

The truth is I have felt attached to him since the beginning, but I hid these feelings because I thought them to be improper for someone of my rank and religion, and because I knew you would judge me harshly for it. But the Prince is a sweet, sensitive creature; there is no end to his generosity and love, which I had never before received from a gentleman. I hardly knew my two husbands, for we were married only out of necessity. I have always dreamed of having just one great romance in my life, within the proper confinements, of course. Is that so horrible?

LADY LINDSAY

His Royal Highness is infamously inconstant. He shall desert you within six months.

MRS. FITZHERBERT

You misunderstand him. Whatever occurred in his past is forgiven and forgotten. I thought the Prince would forget me after I left, but he has remained true and dedicated to me, even all this time I've been abroad.

(LADY LINDSAY shakes her head in disappointment. MRS. FITZHERBERT walks to a desk in the room and picks up a page from a letter.)

MRS. FITZHERBERT (cont.)

Here is a letter from just last week:

"Save me, save me, save me on my knees I conjure you from myself. Come then, Oh! Come, dearest of wives, best and most adored of women, come and forever crown with bliss him who will, through life, endeavor to convince you by his love and attention of his wishes to be the best of husbands, and who will ever remain until the latest moments of his existence, unalterably thine." Signed, "Your lover and your husband, titles I would not exchange for the possessions of the whole universe."

I have never in my life been loved so sincerely. His passion used to frighten me, but now I find myself attracted to it.

LADY LINDSAY

He must have made those promises to a dozen women before you, and you are a fool to believe him.

MRS. FITZHERBERT

Think what you like of me; I know my mind is clear and my heart is pure. I am determined to complete his happiness, as well as my own, whether you support me or not.

LADY LINDSAY

Then you will allow him to sacrifice his place in the line of succession and ostracize himself from his family and friends—all of this for you?

MRS. FITZHERBERT

For his sake and mine, I cannot describe the exact measures we will take to be together, but it will be in a way that protects us both.

(Beat)

I trust this information will remain in confidence.

LADY LINDSAY

(Walking toward the door)

To be sure, madam. I wouldn't wish to have anyone think I had encouraged this connection between you and the Prince. I shall return to England with you, but I think we had better remain apart, at least until things cool down.

MRS. FITZHERBERT

What do you mean?

LADY LINDSAY

By now, everyone in London knows of the Prince's love for you. The moment you set foot in England, people will begin to talk, rumors will spread, and you will become an object of curiosity. A single rumor, whether it is true or not, could ruin you. Those whom you had once considered friends, even family, will cut ties with you. You ought to know that if you are determined to be with the Prince, you shall never know peace again, and I will have no more advice to give.

(LADY LINDSAY exits. MRS. FITZHERBERT takes the portrait miniature of herself, which is now complete. She studies it for a moment. Then, she goes to her desk, pulls out her letter to the Prince, and puts it in an envelope, along with the portrait. Cut to Scene XIV.)