The season terminated on August 8, and the theatre re-opened on October 11, from which time the popularity of Mr. Pinero's play continued as great as ever. But, after 197 performances, Mrs. John Wood decided to withdraw "The Cabinet Minister" on February 14, 1891, in the very zenith of its success, while a further long run was still to be reasonably expected. This play has not yet been seen in the provinces, but Mr. Augustin Daly has arranged to produce it, with his famous company, at his theatre in New York early in the present month.
RIGHT HON. SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY, G.C.M.G., M.P., _Secretary of State for the * * * Department_
VALENTINE WHITE, _Lady Twombley's nephew_
HON. MRS. GAYLUSTRE, _trading as Mauricette et Cie., 17a Plunkett Street, Mayfair_
The scene is a conservatory built and decorated in Moorish style, in the house of the RT. HON. SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY, M.P., Chesterfield Gardens, London. A fountain is playing, and tall palms lend their simple elegance to the elaborate Algerian magnificence of the place. The drawing-rooms are just beyond the curtained entrances. It is a May afternoon.
BROOKE TWOMBLEY, a good-looking but insipid young man of about two-and-twenty, faultlessly dressed for the afternoon, enters, and sits dejectedly, turning over some papers.
I've done it. Such an afternoon's work--what! [Reading.] "Schedule of the Debts of Mr. Brooke Twombley. [Turning over sheet after sheet.] Tradesmen. Betting Transactions. Baccarat. Miscellaneous Amusements. Sundries. Extras."
[PROBYN, a servant in powder and livery, is crossing the conservatory, when he sees BROOKE.]
[Slipping the schedule into his pocket.] Eh!
I didn't know you were in, sir. Her ladyship told me to give you this, Mr. Brooke--quietly.
[He hands BROOKE a letter which he has taken from his pocket.]
[Glancing at the envelope.] The Mater. Thank you. [A little cough is heard. He looks toward the drawing-room.] Is anyone there?
She told Phipps, Miss Imogen's maid, sir, that she was anxious to see the effect of her ladyship's and Miss Imogen's gowns when they get back from the Drawing-Room.
Beg your pardon, Mr. Brooke, but we've always understood that when Mrs. Gaylustre calls in the morning she's a dressmaker, and when she calls in the afternoon she's a lady.