The Mousetrap

LADYTRESSILIAN. And he calls that cheerful. I shall go out on the terrace for a little. (Treves crosses to the French windows and looks off. She moves upL. of the chaise. To Royde, confidentially.) Don’t make a fool of yourself a second time.

ROYDE. What do you mean?

LADYTRESSILIAN. You know quite well what I mean. Last time, you let Nevile walk off with Audrey under your nose.

ROYDE. (Moving below the chaise.) Is it likely she’d have preferred me to Nevile?

LADYTRESSILIAN. (Moving above the chaise.) She might have—if you’d asked her. (Royde moves to L. of Lady Tressilian.) Are you going to ask her this time?

ROYDE. (With sudden force.) You bet your life I am. (Audrey enters by the French windows. She is very fair and has an Undine-like look. There is something strange about her air of repressed emotion. With Royde she is natural and happy.)

LADYTRESSILIAN. (As Audrey enters.) Thank God for that. (Audrey, with hands outstretched, crosses below Treves and Lady Tressilian toR. of Royde.)

AUDREY. Thomas—dear Thomas. (Royde takes Audrey’s hands. Lady Tressilian looks for a moment at Royde and Audrey.)

LADYTRESSILIAN. Mathew, your arm. (Treves assists Lady Tressilian, and exits with her by the French windows.)

AUDREY. (After a pause.) It’s lovely to see you.

ROYDE. (Shyly.) Good to see you.

AUDREY. (Crossing below Royde toL.) It’s years since you’ve been home. Don’t they give you any leave on rubber plantations?

ROYDE. I was coming home two years ago . . . (He breaks off awkwardly.)

AUDREY. Two years ago! And then you didn’t.

ROYDE. My dear, you know—there were reasons.

AUDREY. (Sitting in the armchairL. C.; with affection) Oh, Thomas—you look just the same as when we last met—pipe and all.

ROYDE. (Moving toL. of the coffee table, after a pause) Do I?

AUDREY. Oh, Thomas—I am so glad you’ve come back. Now, at last I can talk to someone. Thomas—there’s something wrong.

ROYDE. Wrong?

AUDREY. Something’s changed about this place. Ever since I arrived I’ve felt there was something not quite right. Don’t you feel there’s something different? No—how can you, you’ve only just come. The only person who doesn’t seem to feel it is Nevile.

ROYDE. Damn Nevile!

AUDREY. You don’t like him?

ROYDE. (With intensity.) I hate his guts—always have. (He quickly recovers himself.) Sorry.

AUDREY. I—didn’t know . . .

ROYDE. Lots of things one—doesn’t know—about people.

AUDREY. (Thoughtfully.) Yes—lots of things.

ROYDE. Gather there’s a spot of bother. What made you come here at the same time as Nevile and his new wife? Did you have to agree?

AUDREY. (Rising and standingL. of the armchairL. C.) Yes. Oh, I know you can’t understand . . .

ROYDE. (Moving toR. of the armchairL. C.) But I do understand. I know all about it. (Audrey looks doubtfully at Royde.) I know exactly what you’ve been through—(With meaning.) But it’s all past, Audrey, it’s over. You must forget the past and think of the future. (Nevile enters by the French windows and moves up R. of the chaise.)

NEVILE. Hullo, Audrey, where have you been all the morning? (Audrey moves toR. of the easy chair downL. Royde moves above the coffee table.)

AUDREY. I haven’t been anywhere particular.

NEVILE. I couldn’t find you anywhere. What about coming down to the beach for a swim before lunch?

AUDREY. (Crossing to the coffee table.) No, I don’t think so. (She looks among the magazines on the table. Royde moves on to the rostrum.) Have you seen this week’s London Illustrated News?

NEVILE. (Moving toR. of Audrey.) No. Come on—the water will be really warm today.