Gift For Living Well

Fosco: No, no, no! Well, if you insist.

Fosco: I am a man

Of medicine

No opera star,

(with passion) My voice is thin

Though I play cards

And violin

At none of these do I excel.

The talent that

I have in spades

Is one for fun

And escapades

A gift for living well

Attracted to the lively arts

Breaking bread, breaking hearts.

(He looks at Marian)

Making love, when love has me spellbound.

(He takes some wine from a servant, fills his glass)

Italian food

The wines of France

I never walk when I can dance

(A small pirouhette for the ladies)

A gift for living well

A one man band

I sing the lead

Alwasy self-accompanied

(He plays a few chords on the piano)

I concede probably I'm hellbound

A bon vivant

As you can see

A lust for life as big as me!

A gift for living well.

Fosco: But enough about me! Raise your glasses

(Fosco raises his glass to the bride and groom)

Fosco: Sir Percival Glyde!

All: (raising their glasses) Oh what a joyous occasion this is!

Sir Percival Glyde!

Fosco: Dolce vita to you and your Mrs.!

Glyde: This is the moment I've longed for.

Marian: Everything's for the best now.

Mr. Fairlie: I'll have an empty nest now.

All: And here's to the bride!

Cheers for the life they will lead from now...

(Hartright suddenly interrupts the toast - addresses Sir Percival Glyde)

Hartright: Please let me speak

And forgive my interruption

Please hear me out

On a very pressing matter

One that concerns a girl

Her name is Anne, Anne Cath'rick

She says you've done her wrong

Have you an explanation?

Mr. Fairlie: What impertinence! Mr. Hartright, know your place sir!

Glyde: No, no, Mr. Fairlie, I am glad that he asked this. Please, please.

I am happy to clear up the matter of Anne Catherick...

Glyde: Her tale is truly sorrowful

And some would say a tragedy

Her story breaks my heart

I don't know where to start

Her mother was in my employ

(to Mr. Fairlie) Your brother recommended her

Recall, she worked here too?

Mr. Fairlie: Catherick? I'm not sure that I do.

Glyde: Anne was so sweet as an infant

She used to laugh all the time

She sparkled like the sun

Such a pretty one

Yet she grew up so unhappy

Sullen and angry and sad

She was a troubled child

Acting strange and wild

She once attacked her mother

When she was just sixteen

A fury with no pause

No one knew the cause

To help her grieving mother

And rescue Anne herself

I undertook her care

I tried to see her through

It was the Christian thing to do

When no physician could treat her

I found a haven that would

A trusted private place

To embrace her case

Anne thinks of me as her captor

When I am truly her friend

For all her care I pay

Still she runs away.

(Fosco who appears moved by the story shakes Glyde by the hand)

Fosco: I'm touched by your compassion

Your kindness knows no bounds.

Glyde: I've done the best I can

I've done my best for Anne.

(Once again Hartright speaks up)

Hartright: She spoke sir of a secret

A secret she would tell.

Glyde: Her world has come to be utter fantasy

But her safe return

Is my great concern

And I am grateful for

Your help.

Laura: Poor Anne.

Her story saddens me.

Marian: Yet it explains the mystery.

Fosco: Had it not been for Glyde

I'm sure she would have died.

Mr. Fairlie: No more please!

Neither Anne Catherick nor her silly mother are any of your business, sir.

And once more, my nerves are quite shot.

Fosco: Then a shot of brandy is what I prescribe, Signor!

Mr. Fairlie: Yes, let us retire at once to my study, gentlemen.

(Glyde, Fosco, and Mr. Fairlie leave. Glyde bows his thanks again to Hartright)

Glyde: Thank you, sir.

(Hartright is left with the two women)

Hartright: I don't believe him

Can't you see he's clearly lying

As for your uncle

It's the truth that he's denying.

Marian: Sir, you must leave at once.

You must go right away.

Laura: But, Marian-

Marian: What reason has he to lie?

How can you hope to stay here?

Laura: Please Marian-

Marian: Laura our future is settled

Soon you'll be Lady Glyde

You'll have a perfect life

As that fine man's wife

He is a man of compassion

Look how he helped that poor girl

He has integrity

He's all a man should be!

(Laura looks to Hartright)

Hartright: I clearly don't belong here

Your sister is quite right

I leave for London now!

(Laura runs out, upset)

Hartright: (to Marian) Are you happy now?

(He exits. Marian left alone crumples, begins to cry)

Marian: I close my eyes and I still see his face.

(She exits)

The Tryst

(Hartright is there with his bags and easel, departing.

Laura enters in haste, wearing a white nightdress)

Laura: Tell me this isn't happening. Tell me I'm walking in my sleep.

Hartright: I'm sorry.

Laura: I believe my heart

It believes in you

Laura and Hartright: Ev'ry part of ev'ry thought leads me straight to you.

(She gives him the sketch that he gave to her in the drawing lesson)

Laura: Take this...something to remember me by.

(He leaves)