The Angel in the House; A Comedy in Three Acts (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915 Excerpt: ... man of two and forty. I am really young--quite young, boyish. Lady Sarel (rises). Genius is always voung, but Hyacinth. I'm afraid we're not sticking to the subject. The question is an alliance with my dear friend, Sir Rupert Bindloss. Lady Sarel (r. of table). You appal me. I know that he ought to marry again. I have told him so myself. In fact, I have already suggested a suitable victim. Hyacinth. Indeed Lady Sarel. You may have met her. A Mrs. Whippingham-Forgast. Sir Rupert thinks a great deal of her. (Crosses and sits on settee.) And now you suggest--I think I had better say at once, my dear Hyacinth, that I cannot see my way. Hyacinth. No, but I can help you to see it. First of all, put this Mrs. Whippingup-Forcast behind you. Lady Sarel. My dear Hyacinth Hyacinth. I want to be your dear Hyacinth. I am before all things anxious to be your dear Hyacinth. I am very fond of you. But you do not know yourself. Lady Sarel. Yes, I do. I care for you quite as much as you care for me--perhaps more. (Goes to chair at bureau R.) Hyacinth (puts on third log. He actually leaves his beloved fire and, crossing the stage, stands over her). Dear Lady Sarel, for your own sake I ask you to marry Sir Rupert. I am convinced that your destiny lies here, as chatelaine of this rather draughty house. (Turns up his collar, and puts drapery round Lady Sarel.) You would become a source of great strength to me. Lady Sarel. I thought that I should never differ from you. It was my dream that you could never be wrong. (She is on the verge of tears.) Hyacinth (l. of settee). You will see your dream come true. The fact is that, until you are married, there will be (he hesitates) a constant danger of my being robbed of that celibate calm so essential to my temperament. Lady Sarel. T...