The Drunken Feathers

Scene xxi

(Hyde Park, London. The words "HYDE PARK, LONDON: MARCH, 1786'"appear. FOX and SHERIDAN stroll together.)

FOX

I tell you, Richard, something has taken place between them. We must confront Prinny alone and demand the truth.

SHERIDAN

How can we? They are absolutely inseparable. Whenever he is asked to an event, he will not attend unless Mrs. Fitzherbert is also invited.

FOX

I endeavored to speak to him at the Duke of Devonshire's ball last week, but when he arrived, she was with him, in all her newly acquired finery.

(A flashback begins, showing an evening ball at Devonshire House. Part of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro K.492, Act III, Ecco La Marcia" begins to play. Couples dance merrily as FOX drinks a glass of wine.)

FOX (cont.)

Then, they danced in front of everybody as though they had nothing to hide! The sight of them together nearly turned my stomach.

(FOX frowns at the PRINCE OF WALES and MRS. FITZHERBERT, who are dancing together while smiling at each other.)

FOX (cont.)

Once the dance finally ended, I managed to catch Prinny's eye, so I acknowledged him, like a gentleman.

(FOX smiles, waves, and bows to the PRINCE OF WALES, who catches his eye and smiles in return.)

FOX (cont.)

But just as he was about to greet me...

(MRS. FITZHERBERT tugs lightly on the PRINCE OF WALES' arm, getting his attention. She shakes her head and glares at FOX, who frowns back. To FOX's surprise, the PRINCE OF WALES nods to her and allows her to lead him away.)

FOX (cont.)

'Twas no surprise to learn she hates me, as I reciprocate her feelings. But Prinny? 'Tis entirely unlike him to cut me, and even less so to turn away a glass of port. I fear she's made a shirker of him.

(FOX watches as the PRINCE OF WALES reaches for a glass of wine. MRS. FITZHERBERT gently tugs on his arm and shakes her head. He smiles back at her and draws him arm away from the wine. They walk away, to FOX's disbelief. The flashback ends. FOX is shown standing next to SHERIDAN in Hyde Park again.)

FOX (cont.)

(Horrified)

Oh, God, what if she makes a Tory of him?

SHERIDAN

Charles, you know that will never happen. Don't be melodramatic.

FOX

Is it melodramatic to...

(FOX and SHERIDAN hear commotion from a nearby hill. The PRINCE OF WALES, COSWAY, COLONEL ST. LEGER, KEMBLE, WINDHAM, CAPTAIN PAYNE, and HON. HANGER, all on horseback, ride down the hill together.)

FOX (cont.)

Look, Richard, there he is!

SHERIDAN

And without Mrs. Fitzherbert!

FOX

(Calling to him)

Prinny!... Prinny!

SHERIDAN

Now, don't...

(FOX runs off in their direction. SHERIDAN sighs and reluctantly follows him.)

SHERIDAN (cont.)

Oh, Christ in Heaven.

(The PRINCE OF WALES, seeing FOX and SHERIDAN approach him, stops his horse, and motions for his riding friends to do the same.)

COLONEL ST. LEGER

Could that be Fox and Sheridan approaching us?

PRINCE OF WALES

I fear it is... Proceed without me, gentlemen; I might be delayed awhile.

(COSWAY, COLONEL ST. LEGER, KEMBLE, WINDHAM, CAPTAIN PAYNE, and HON. HANGER ride off as FOX and SHERIDAN, panting from climbing up the hill, reach the PRINCE OF WALES.)

PRINCE OF WALES (cont.)

Charles, Richard! To what do I owe the pleasure?

FOX

I would not venture to say pleasure is what brings us here.

SHERIDAN

George, we need to talk.

PRINCE OF WALES

What about?

FOX

About December the 15th, 1785.

PRINCE OF WALES

(Cold)

Then I have nothing to say. Good day, gentlemen.

(The PRINCE OF WALES turns to leave. FOX grows desperate.)

FOX

For my own peace of mind, answer but a few questions and...

PRINCE OF WALES

I have declared time and time again that I am not now, nor have I ever been, married to Mrs. Fitzherbert. What more can I say?

FOX

Why was your carriage seen outside her house that night?

PRINCE OF WALES

This is nonsense. We live in separate houses, for God's sake. 

SHERIDAN

Answer the question, George. The fate of the Whig party will be decided by the events of that night.

PRINCE OF WALES

(Reluctant, cold)

Very well. I dined at her house with her uncle, Mr. Errington.

SHERIDAN

Where did you travel afterward?

PRINCE OF WALES

Richmond. I stayed a week there on holiday.

SHERIDAN

Unaccompanied?

PRINCE OF WALES

I am under no obligation to answer that.

FOX

Did nothing else transpire? If something did, for God's sake, tell us!

PRINCE OF WALES

Gentlemen, if you please, I haven't the time to discuss events that have never taken place! I have plenty of my own predicaments that must be dealt with first.

SHERIDAN

Such as?

(Cut to ACT I, SCENE XXII.)