a
pauper also?

_M.B._ Not I, indeed. I am a maker of munitions. A-ha! [_Twirls his
moustache._

_G.J._ (_losing his temper_). Cur! [_Exit, to enlist, into cupboard.
Before he has time to realise his mistake the curtain falls._

ACT II.

_Hyde Park, August, 1915._

_A dozen energetic supers, by being extremely glad to see one another
very many times, are creating the illusion of a gay and fashionable
throng. Enter_ Marmaduke Beltravers _with_ Mary. _She is distraite._

_M.B._ (_in full hearing of fashionable throng_). Darling, I have waited
patiently for you. Say that you will marry me now.

_Mary._ Marmaduke, you are rich, you are beautiful and you are kind to me
in your rather wicked way. But, alas! I cannot forget the noble figure of
George--my George. [_She sobs._

_Enter_ George Jeffreys, _in the uniform of a private._

_G.J._ Mary!

_M.B._ (_intervening jauntily_). Well, my man?

_G.J._ (_his vocabulary strengthened by Army life_). You dash blank
blighter! You ruddy plague-spot!

_Mary_ (_gazing at him with horror_). Oh, George,
those--clothes--don't--fit! [_Sobs heartbrokenly._

_M.B._ (_striking while the iron is hot_). Mary, you shall choose between
us, here and now.

_G.J._ (_yearningly_). Mary, with you to cheer me on I will win the V.C. I
swear it. My beloved, come with me; there will be a separation allowance.

_Mary_ (_shuddering_). Not in those trousers. I--can't. [_She swoons
in_ Marmaduke's _arms._ George _raises his fist to strike_ Marmaduke.
_Enter_ Sergeant Tompkins.

_Sergt. T._ 'Ere, none o' that. Private Jeffreys, 'SHUN! Right--TURN!
About--TURN! Left--TURN! Quick--MARCH! [_Exit_ George _to win V.C._

CURTAIN.

ACT III.

Marmaduke's _Mansion in Park Lane, August, 1916._

[_Enter_ Mary Beltravers (_nee_ Gray), _unhappy._

_Mary._ My little dog--my only friend--I cannot find him. (_She rummages
absently among the papers on her husband's desk. Suddenly she snatches up a
document, reads it through and clutches at her throat._) My husband--a
German ser-py! (_She turns savagely on_ Marmaduke, _who has just entered._)
So this--this is the source of our wealth! Your munitions arm our enemies.
You play the German game.

_M.B._ (_simply_). I do. I have a birth qualification.

_Mary_ (_wildly_). But I'll thwart you; I'll denounce you (_seizes
telephone_). You shall rue the day you married a true daughter of England.

_M.