Editing The Missing Arm (section)

=== Scene 1 ===
Time: some months after the events of Act 1, Scene 3


Place: the castle of Lord Ellingham. ERVYNE paces about in the room, looking impatient and worried. He is dressed in his aristocratic clothes, with a sword dangling at his side.					

ERVYNE (Glances offstage.) Oh, look at those woodcutters. To think that I was once among them, young Ervyne...oh those days. They were good, in their way. They were days in which I could look a man in the eye...I could look Mildred in the eye...and speak the truth! I was happier in those days! I was Ervyne—I was the poor, despised, miserable Ervyne, but I was Ervyne. Those were the best days of my life. (Sighs.) Oh—how horrible it would be, if for one moment the villagers suspected—if they knew! If...Mildred knew...But I have already lied, and there is nothing I can do further. I am trapped... (Enter a MAID.) What do you want?					

MAID. Excuse me, Lord Ellingham, but there’s a man who wants to speak to you. ERVYNE. What sort of man?					

MAID. A poor man, sir. He come from afar. He won’t give his name, but he insists on seeing you.					

ERVYNE. I—I suppose you may bring him in. By the way, where’s my wife? MAID. Lady Ellingham is visiting the village for a few days.

ERVYNE. I see. Well, bring him in.

MAID. Yes, sir.

(She exits, then returns with RICHMOND before leaving. ERVYNE is startled.) RICHMOND. (Smiles and bows.) Sir? Ah, things have changed a good deal, a good deal. ERVYNE. What—what are you doing here?


RICHMOND. I told you, long ago, when you and I were chopping wood together—remember? I was going to the house of a distant great-aunt, who lived very far away. I was going to get my inheritance, remember?


ERVYNE. And—					

RICHMOND. Well, it didn’t happen. There was a lot of bickering among all these relatives, and I’ve been there all these months, trying to get my fair share of money. But it was split up, and taken, and divided again, until I had barely enough money to buy a horse and leave the area. I decided I should see how home was, and if it was all right for me to come back.					

ERVYNE. Oh?					

RICHMOND. And then I come here yesterday, and what do I hear but Ervyne, Ervyne, Ervyne? All this talk (he smiles) of a young man who fought off some thieves with his bare hands and saved the king!				

ERVYNE. (Pales.) I—I—					

RICHMOND. Oh, yes! It was a fine story! You told the king about it, you told them all! Ha! Now you’re a high lord with lots of money, and property! What an excellent story, sir! Trouble is—it’s not true, is it?					

ERVYNE. It—

RICHMOND. Oh, how the people will be horrified! To think that the viscount—their own brave Ervyne—lied to them all! Oh! Oh!					

ERVYNE. Silence!					

RICHMOND. And the king—what will he think of this? He bestowed these titles on a liar? Oh, he’ll be angry. Shouldn’t wonder if he’ll order imprisonment, eh?					

ERVYNE. How dare you! The people listen to me. They respect me. So does the king!		

RICHMOND. But I, sir, know the truth. They know me. If someone tells me your story, I can say, “Ah, I’ve been away for so long. I didn’t know this lie spread. Why, I cut his arm.” They’ll say, “What? You lie.” Then I’ll tell them the story—I know you, Ervyne, you ambitious knave. I’ll tell the story, and we’ll see who the people believe when I’m done with you! (Smiles.) I would love to see that Mildred’s face when she finds who her hero really is!					

ERVYNE (In horror.) Please! Please! Do not—do not shame me this way!					

RICHMOND. (Leans back.) Well, we could reach an agreement of some sort.			

ERVYNE. Like what?				

RICHMOND. Money. I didn’t get it from my distant great-aunt, but I’ll get it from you, or it will all be known!					

ERVYNE. How much? I’ll pay you right now. 

RICHMOND. Oh no, sir. Not one round sum. An income.					

ERVYNE. Tell me how much, and I’ll pay you every month. Quickly! And speak lower so that the servants don’t hear. (RICHMOND walks up to ERVYNE and whispers in his ear. ERVYNE looks horrified.) I haven’t got that much.					

RICHMOND. You’ll pay it, or I’ll tell.					

ERVYNE. I can’t pay it!					

RICHMOND. Well then, I must leave.					

(He turns away with a smile. Suddenly ERVYNE leaps after him and draws his sword in anger.)					

ERVYNE. No, you shall not! (Slays RICHMOND. Glances about the room and calls for SERVANTS.)					

(Enter two SERVANTS.)					

FIRST SERVANT. What—oh, sir!					

ERVYNE. My guest Richmond was a violent man, and coming to high words with me, attempted to strike me. And I slew him. Take his body away.					

FIRST SERVANT. Yes, sir.					

(They carry out the body of RICHMOND.) (Curtain.)