PERSONS OF THE PLAY

Stephen more, Member of Parliament
Katherine, his wife
Olive, their little daughter
the Dean of stour, Katherine’s uncle
general sir John Julian, her father
Captain Hubert Julian, her brother
Helen, his wife
Edward Mendip, editor of “The Parthenon”
Alan steel, More’s secretary
James home, architect |
Charles Shelder, Solicitor |A deputation of More’s
Mark wace, bookseller |constituents
William Banning, manufacturer |
Nurse Wreford
Wreford (her son), Hubert’s orderly
his sweetheart
the footman Henry
A doorkeeper
some black-coated gentlemen
A Student
A girl

A mob

Act I. The dining-room of More’s town house, evening.

Act II.  The same, morning.

Act III.  Scene I. An alley at the back of a suburban theatre. 
          Scene II.  Katherine’s bedroom.

Act IV.  The dining-room of More’s house, late afternoon.

Aftermath.  The corner of a square, at dawn.

Between acts I and II some days elapse. 
Between acts II and III three months. 
Between act III scene I and act III scene II no time. 
Between acts III and IV a few hours. 
Between acts IV and aftermath an indefinite period.

ACT I

It is half-past nine of a July evening.  In a dining-room lighted by sconces, and apparelled in wall-paper, carpet, and curtains of deep vivid blue, the large French windows between two columns are open on to a wide terrace, beyond which are seen trees in darkness, and distant shapes of lighted houses.  On one side is a bay window, over which curtains are partly drawn.  Opposite to this window is a door leading into the hall.  At an oval rosewood table, set with silver, flowers, fruit, and wine, six people are seated after dinner.  Back to the bay window is Stephen more, the host, a man of forty, with a fine-cut face, a rather charming smile, and the eyes of an idealist; to his right, sir, John Julian, an old soldier, with thin brown features, and grey moustaches; to sir JOHN’s right, his brother, the Dean of stour, a tall, dark, ascetic-looking Churchman:  to his right Katherine is leaning forward, her elbows on the table, and her chin on her hands, staring across at her husband; to her right sits Edward