by F. Anstey
4. Mrs Maitland
Age about 55. A comfort pleasant placid well-bred looking woman.
5. Hugh Dallas
Age about 26. Tall, dark, goodlooking. Cleanshaven. A man who is fond of sport & country life generally, but has wider interests & tastes.
6. Stella’s Father
Age about 50. A typical Country Squire. Handsome, with dark hair beginning to turn grey.
6. Stella’s Stepmother
Age about 40. Goodlooking & not unkindly, though her manner to Stella shows that there is no real affection or sympathy between them.
[109]
7. The Medical Superintendent
Middle-aged, grave & kindly.
8. The Rector
Age about 60. Portly, & dignified, with an expression generally benignant but capable of great sternness.
9. A Coachman
Elderly, fond of his horses & the dog, devoted to Evelyn.
10. A Chauffeur
11. A Station-master
12. A Porter
13. Small child at girls’ school.
14. Mrs. Chichester, the Schoolmistress. Age 55. Greyhaired, stately-looking, but sympathetic.
also
Butler, maids & other servants when the situation requires them.
Guests at Country Garden Party, & Wedding.
People in Congregation at Village Church.
School-girls.
[110]
Leader4
Stella Maberly has been found guilty of murder, but reprieved on the ground of insanity. After some years’ confinement as a criminal lunatic, feeling herself about to die, she tells the Medical Superintendent how & why she became a murderess.
Fade into
(1)
Scene A bedroom in a Criminal Lunatic Asylum.
Action Stella, still young & with traces of great beauty, though her hair is patched shows streaks of grey here & there, is sitting up in bed, supported by pillows, speaking earnestly but without any excitement in her manner to the Medical Superintendent. At the opening he is listening sympathetically, but rather to humour her than because he expects a story of any coherence or interest. {But at each stage of the story when this scene recurs, his manner is that of a man who is becoming more and more impressed & convinced against his own reason.}
Fade into
Leader
“Some years after my Mother died, my Father married again. My stepmother was not unkind, but had no real affection for me. I was happy at School, for there I found the best & sweetest friend became the intimate friend of the best & sweetest girl I have ever known—Evelyn Heseltine.”
Return to (1). As Stella continues, Fade out & into
(2)
Scene The Garden of a Girls’ School. In front, a bench under shady trees. At back, a court where four girls are playing tennis. Others looking on.
Action Stella & Evelyn Heseltine are sitting together on the bench. They are in summer frocks & wear straw hats with the same school ribbon as all the others. [111] Their apparent age is about 18 & they wear their hair tied in a bow at the back, as schoolgirls do. Evelyn is fair, extremely lovely, with a gentle & innocent expression, but not insipidly good. Stella is dark, handsome & spirited. A small girl comes up with some question. Stella, annoyed at being interrupted, orders the child away imperiously. Evelyn smiles, remonstrates, calls the child back & listens patiently to what she has to say. The child runs off, after kissing Evelyn impulsively. Stella looks angry jealous & sulky. Evelyn coaxes her out of her ill-temp ill-humour, & makes her laugh at herself for having been so foolish.
Fade into
Leader
“Evelyn left School before I did. Her heart was not strong, & she was ordered to go abroad. At first we wrote to one another frequently, then less often—till at last we lost touch altogether. I had been living at home for about two years, when one day my father stepmother told me that my Father had lost most of his money through the failure of a bank.”
Fade into
(3)
Scene The Morning-Room of a Country-house.
Action A middle-aged placid-looking woman is speaking very seriously to Stella, who is listening with repressed emotion, & finally seems to have come to a sudden decision.
Fade into
Leader
“I decided that I would not remain a useless burden at home, but go out into the world & earn my own living. So I wrote to my old schoolmistress.”
Fade into
(4)
Scene A bedroom with writing-table at foot of bed or by window.
Action Stella at table writing letter.
Cut in portion of letter
“So, if, dear Mrs. Chichester, you happen to know of anyone who wants a governess or companion, it would be very kind of you to recommend me.”
[112]
Fade into
Leader
“Soon after Mrs. Chichester received my letter, she had a visit from Evelyn Heseltine, who was now recovered. Evelyn told her of her wish to find a companion of her own age, & Mrs. Chichester supported me.”
Fade into
(5)
Scene Mrs. Chichester’s Study at the School.
Action Mrs. Chichester, an elderly dignified handsome woman, is at her writing bureau when Evelyn Heseltine is announced. Evelyn comes in, charmingly dressed in a costume which shows that she has come in a motor-car. Mrs. C. receives her with affection. They sit down and talk. Mrs. C. produces a letter, which she shows to Evelyn, who expresses enthusiastic delight.
Fade into
Leader
“And so it was all arranged. Evelyn met me at the station, & even before she spoke, I knew she loved me as dearly as ever.”
Fade into
(6)
Scene A Country railway platform.
Action Evelyn waiting for train. Train arrives. Stella gets out of carriage, comes towards Evelyn a little hesitatingly & doubtfully. Evelyn embraces her affectionately warmly. Stella is touched & grateful. Looks admiringly at Evelyn, as if congratulating her on recovering her health & strength so completely. Evelyn laughingly declares that she is perfectly well now. She gives directions to a porter who is putting Stella’s trunk on a barrow, & she & Stella go off, talking with gaiety & animation, delighted to be renewing the old friendship.
Fade into
(7)
Scene A Country road in Summer.
Action Stella & Evelyn are in a motor-car, talking & laughing. Stella looking intensely happy & thankful.
Fade into
[113]
(8)
Scene Before the porch of a small but charming old Tudor house.
Action The Car drives up. Stella and Evelyn get out. Evelyn takes her into the house.
Fade into
(9)
Scene A pretty bedroom, with a long low latticed window, chintz curtains, a Sheraton dressing-table, on which stands a vase of roses. Comfortable chintz-covered couch, writing-table, armchair &c. {View of garden, with whiplash fountain on lawn, old cedar with circular seat round trunk, through open windows, if this can be done. If not, suggestion in backing to window, of lawn & garden & trees.}
Action Evelyn brings Stella into the room, intimates that she is to consider the house her home for the future, kisses her affectionately & goes out. Stella sinks into chair, looking after Evelyn with an expression of intense gratitude & devotion affection.
Fade into
Leader
“Evelyn introduced me to her aunt, Mrs. Maitland, who acted as her chaperon.”
Fade into
(10)
Scene A pleasant old-fashioned drawing-room with window opening on lawn. Tea-table laid.
Action Evelyn presents Stella to Mrs. Maitland, a comfortable kindly-looking widow of about 50, who receives her with friendly sympathy. Stella is still somewhat shy, but gradually reassured, and made to feel at home.
Fade into
Leader
“For some weeks I was perfectly hap
py. Evelyn and I were constantly together.”
Fade into
(11)
Scene A Common.
Action Evelyn & Stella are walking together, with a handsome collie [114] in attendance. Evelyn caresses the dog, which is violently devoted to her. {n.b. This should be clearly shown, as it is of importance to the sequel.}
Fade into
(12)
Scene Downs, from which there is a wide view.
Action Evelyn & Stella canter up on horseback, & stop to enjoy the scenery. The Collie is with them.
(13)
Scene The lawn of a Country-house.
Action There is a Garden-party. Guests in country clothes or tennis flannels. Evelyn appears with Stella, is effusively welcomed by hostess, introduces Stella to various people, all of whom are friendly & some cordial. Stella responds, but her manner is slightly cold and reserved.
Fade into
(14)
Scene Outside a cottage.
Action Evelyn & Stella arrive in motor. Evelyn gets out, takes basket from car, & goes up path to cottage. She invites Stella to come with her, but Stella laughingly shakes her head & remains in the car.
Fade into
(15)
Scene Bedroom in cottage.
Action Cottager’s wife is ill in bed. Evelyn comes in, cheers her up, & leaves parcels &c. with cottager’s daughter, & goes out.
Fade into
[115]
Leader
“I thought that this peaceful life would continue, that nothing & no one could ever come between Evelyn & me. But one afternoon Hugh Dallas rode over to see her.”
Fade into
(16)
Scene A Garden-lawn. Evelyn, Stella & Mrs. Maitland are sitting under a fine cedar-tree. Evelyn is in a hammock, Stella & Mrs. Maitland in wicker chairs. Stella is reading aloud, Mrs. Maitland doing some embroidery. A maid comes out of the house, followed by Hugh Dallas in riding dress. Evelyn gets out of the hammock & goes towards him. They meet as old friends who are glad to see one another again. Evelyn talks eagerly to him, while they stand at some distance from Stella & Mrs. Maitland, who whispers confidentially in Stella’s ear. Stella’s expression indicates jealousy & prejudice against Dallas.
Fade into
Leader
“Evelyn & Hugh Dallas, I was told, had met abroad, & Mrs. Maitland hinted that they were on terms of more than ordinary friendship. If so, it was strange that Evelyn who, I thought, told me everything, had never mentioned his name … And now I must see myself gradually supplanted!”
Fade into
(17)
Scene (continued)
Action Evelyn comes forward with Dallas, who greets Mrs. Maitland. Evelyn introduces him to Stella, who is cold & distant to him. He makes efforts to overcome this, but at length she turns from him as if bored beyond endurance, & strolls away. He looks at Evelyn with an air of asking what he has done to offend this disdainful young woman. Evelyn seems to be making excuses for Stella. Dallas sits down, but from time to time his eyes wander in the direction Stella has taken.
Fade into
[116]
Leader
“Hugh Dallas came over almost daily after that, & each time we met I loved him more deeply. But I let him think that I disliked him, for I knew too well that it was Evelyn he cared for—not me.”
Fade into
(18)
Scene A walk between flowerbeds.
Action Dallas & Evelyn are strolling together, & talking intimately. Behind is Stella, with a basket & a pair of garden scissors; she lingers, snipping off dead roses &c. Dallas apparently suggests to Evelyn that they should wait for her. She comes up. He makes some friendly remark to her with a smile, & offers to relieve her of the basket. She declines with icy indifference & passes on. He looks pained & puzzled by her evident hostility. Evelyn seems to be assuring him that it is merely Stella’s manner, & that she will relent in time. But Evelyn herself looks distressed & anxious.
Fade into
(19)
Scene A summer-house.
Action Stella has flung herself down on seat, sobbing with shame & despair. Presently she sits up, as if she had just resolved on some action.
Fade into
Leader
“Why, I thought, should I go on enduring a misery which I might escape whenever I chose? If I could only find some painless way of ending my life!”
Fade into
(20)
Scene A library.
Action Stella has taken down a volume from a shelf & is turning over the pages. Suddenly she stops at a passage which she reads attentively.
Cut in close-up of extract “Chloral is a hypnotic which should only be used as with the greatest caution in procuring sleep cases of sleeplessness, [117] and never where there is any reason to suspect weakness of the heart. Fatal accidents from its indiscriminate use are far from uncommon.”
Action (continued) Stella closes the book & puts it back with an air of having made up her mind.
Fade into
(21)
Scene The Marketplace of a small country town.
Action Motorcar stops before a grocer’s or saddler’s. Evelyn & Stella get out of the car. Evelyn seems to expect that Stella will come into the shop with her, but she declines, intimating that she has a purchase to make elsewhere. Evelyn, again hurt by Stella’s altered manner, lets her go, & enters the shop alone.
Fade into
(22)
Scene Exterior of Chemist’s shop. Name over shop. D. Wilson.
Action Stella approaches & goes in.
Fade into
(23)
Scene Interior of shop. An elderly & fatherly Chemist is behind the counter.
Action Stella comes in & asks for a particular drug. He seems to be asking her why she requires it, & she to be explaining that she suffers from sleeplessness. He tries to persuade her against taking any drug as a remedy, but, as she insists, he gives way, produces a book in which she has to write her name & address, which she does. He then shows her a small phial, with cork in kid cover.
Insert close-up of phial, a dark corrugated bottle, with printed label.
D. Wilson, Chemist. (printed)
Solution of Chloral. (in pen & ink)
3 to 6 drops to be taken in water.
Above this, another narrow label with the printed word ‘Poison.’
Action (continued)
The Chemist wraps up & seals the bottle, hands it to Stella, who pays & puts bottle in her hand-bag. Chemist warns her once more, as she goes out with a smiling assurance to him that she will be careful not to exceed the proper dose.
[118]
Fade into
Leader
“I meant to take the chloral that very night, but——”
(24)
Scene Stella’s Bedroom.
Action Stella, wearing a kimono, is standing beside her dressing-table. She has the packet containing the phial in her hand. She slowly tears off the paper, when she starts as though she has heard a knock at her door. She says ‘come in,’ & Mrs. Maitland enters. Mrs. Maitland has come to bring Stella a magazine or paper. She notices the bottle, which Stella has hastily put down on the table. Stella, taking up the bottle in such a way as to hide the word ‘Poison,’ laughingly reassures her. The stuff is perfectly harmless—she hasn’t been sleeping well lately, & has bought it in case she has another bad night. Mrs. Maitland appears satisfied, looks at directions, cautions Stella to be careful about the number of drops, kisses her, & goes out.
Fade into
Leader
“And then I felt that I could not die till I had seen Hugh again—I did not even know for certain that he & Evelyn were actually engaged. I would wait at least till I heard that.”
Fade into
Action (continued)
Stella puts the phial, unopened, in a drawer of her dressing-table.
Fade out & into
Leader
The Next Evening. Afte
r Dinner.
(25)
Scene In the Garden.
Action Stella, in foreground, is seated on circular bench under the cedar. On the lawn behind Evelyn is pacing up & down with Hugh Dallas; he seems to be pleading his cause earnestly. She listens, but her glances at Stella imply that Stella must decide. Stella meanwhile sits alone in suspense.—Evelyn & Dallas come to her. [119] She braces herself to hear news of their engagement. Evelyn leaves them together with a glance of encouragement to Hugh. He sits on bench by Stella’s side. She draws slightly away from him. He appeals to her. What has he done that she should treat him as an enemy? Cannot she bring herself to look on him as her friend? If not, she has only to say so & he will leave the place.
Fade into
Leader
“I said that Evelyn had no right to leave the decisions to me. She will be willing enough to marry you when I am gone. And I shall not care—do you understand that? It is nothing to me, so long as I never see you again!”
Action (continued)
He rises, seeming to understand at least that her dislike to him is unconquerable. Then he bows coldly & leaves her. She sits on, staring in front of her, leaning forward, her chin resting on her folded hands.
Fade into
Leader
“Yet, wretched as I was, I no longer thought of killing myself. I would go on living,—if only to prove that Evelyn’s scruples were insincere. It was some time before I went in, & then——”
Fade into
(26)
Scene The Drawing-room.
Action Evelyn is lying on a sofa, looking rather exhausted, but rises as Stella comes in through the French window. Stella is in a state of suppressed rage. Evelyn tries to induce her to think more kindly of Hugh. Stella declines to listen. Evelyn persists. Stella stops her ears. Evelyn catches her wrists, & draws her hands away, insisting on her explanation being heard. At this Stella wrenches [120] herself free with such violence that Evelyn staggers back & falls on the couch, lying there terrified while Stella stands over her blazing with anger. Then Stella signs to her to go before she has tempted her beyond all self-control. Evelyn rises unsteadily, looks imploringly at Stella, draws a long gasping sigh, puts her hand to her left side, & then, supporting herself on her way by chairs & couches, goes slowly out of the room. Stella stands, impenitent and stony, feeling that all is over between them.