The Adventure of Lady Ursula

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. 1898 Excerpt: ...--I choose the weapons, Lady Ursula! ACT III Ten p.m. Lord Hassenden's lodgings in London, near St. James' Palace. A door up R. L.C. a table set with dessert and decanters. Hassenden sits at bead, on bis R. Dent, L. Castleton. Clifford, Devereux and Ward round the table. 'Tbey are drinking. Hassenden is in full uniform. Dent in private dress. "The rest in undress or mess uniform. As curtain rises, Hassenden gets up. Hassenden. RAY, gentlemen, don't disturb yourselves. The evening is young, and although duty calls me away, I should grieve to spoil your entertainment. Dent half rises. No, I insist. Presses him back into his seat. Dent. But how long is your guard? Hassenden. Till twelve o'clock. Ward. By gad, we'll wait for you. Won't we, Castleton? Castleton. With all my heart--if his cellar holds out against our attack. Clifford. We'll make a breach in its walls! Hassenden. No, no, you mustn't wait--I shan't be returning. I have ordered my horse to be ready for me at the door of the guard-room, and I shall ride direct to Edgware. Devereux. To Edgware? Clifford. To-night? Hassenden. Without disrespect to you, friends, I have reasons for wishing to return home at once. Devereux. The usual reason, Hassenden? Dent. We can guess it, eh? A lady? They laugh. Hassenden. Yes, a lady--the lady whom I hope soon to present to you as Lady Hassenden. Clifford. Oh, your pardon, your pardon! Hassenden. She is our guest now. Dent. You're well excused, then, and we mustn't press you to rejoin us. Hassenden. And, as you know, Castleton, I have a special reason for wishing to see her as soon as possible to-morrow. Goes down, R.,to fetch his hat which lies on a small table. Castleton. I know, Frank, I know. Rises and follows him down, leaving the rest drinking and talking. ...

Genre: Literary Fiction