sail?

Princess. We are sailing at nine o'clock.

Detective. Does this trunk go on board?

Princess. (Relieved) Yes, I want it to go on a special wagon.

Detective. All right, Porter. Go ahead. (Exit Porter with trunk. To the Police who are supposed to be off r.) Come in.

CURTAIN

ACT II

Scene: An elegantly furnished stateroom on the S.S. Aquitania.

At Rise is empty, shuffling and murmuring of crowd on deck. "All visitors ashore!" heard in distance.

Door l., leading to promenade deck outside; door r. leading to another room; windows or portholes in rear looking out; closet down r. Lights full up, amber and white.

Trunk that was carried off stage in first act discovered stage c., wrong side up. Markings that were put on it first act are now upside down. Trunk on end. When curtain rises up trunk begins to rock back and forth as though something inside was trying to turn it over. When probable laugh has died away, door l. opens. Stateroom Steward is showing Princess and Nita in.

Steward. (Opening door l. and standing aside to allow Princess and Nita to enter. Princess enters first and trunk upside down immediately catches her eye. When Princess well in room, enter Nita, who stumbles over raised sill. Solicitously) Oh, I'm sorry! Did you hurt yourself? (Steward lays bags and satchels on seat, back to audience.) Rather inconvenient, those doors, till you get used to them, but necessary to keep out the water in rough weather.

Princess. (l., paying very little attention to Steward, only anxious to get rid of him and Nita so she may turn trunk over.) You don't anticipate a bad passage, Steward?

Steward. (r., fussing about) Rather uncertain at this season, but your location is good, Madam, and you'll find she's as steady as a church.

Princess. (Looking around as Steward arranges things fussily) This is very pleasant. (Nita arranges bags and grips on window seat.)

Steward. Quite the best suite on board, Madam. Here is the clothes press, and the other rooms are off there. (Opening door l. and closing it again.) If you want anything—(Points l.)—there is the telephone. (Notices trunk in middle of room for first time. Takes hold.) I'll place your trunk—— (Starts to move trunk and drags it to side.)

Princess. (Quickly stopping him) Never mind now, Steward. You can place it later. (Steward releases trunk, but does not set it down.) You might turn it right side up.

Steward. (Noticing labels) Oh, I'm sorry! (Turns trunk. Princess sighs.) I hope the contents are not upset, madam.

Princess. I hope not.

Steward. Anything more, Madam?

Princess. (Anxious to get him out of room) Not now, thank you, Steward. How soon do we sail?

Steward. Very soon now. (Voices off calling, "All ashore!" four times; voice approaches and dies away.) They're already calling "All ashore," Madam. (Exit and closes door.)

Nita. (l.c.) Your Highness has the key to this trunk?

Princess. (c.) Yes—yes—you may—leave this trunk as it is, Nita, till later. (Crosses to r.) Go to your room and get settled; then unpack the other trunks. I'll call you when I want you.

Nita. (Going toward door r.) Yes, your Highness. (When r., near door, stops suddenly and timidly says) Will your Highness pardon me if I am mistaken in thinking I recognize the Duke, your exalted cousin, among the passengers?

Princess. (Without showing Nita that she is startled, but audience sees it) My cousin, impossible. He is at Madrid.

Nita. (In excellent servant style, yet knowing she is right) Yes, your Highness. (Nita bows and exits r., closing door.)

Princess. (Quickly fumbles with keys—selects right one, inserts in lock, unlocks and opens lid. Just as lid up) Are you all right, Mr. Jarvis? (Knock at door as Princess starts to raise lid.) Wait—— (Shuts down lid again. Knock repeated. Princess crosses and opens door l., disclosing Duke. Exclaims in dismay) Carlos——

Duke. (Raising hat—standing in open door) Fair cousin—if I but knew you were as pleased as surprised at seeing me. (During speech he has entered; takes Princess' hand and carries it to lips and kisses it.)

Princess. Why did you leave Spain?

Duke. (Shuts door) First say you are glad to see me.

Princess. Why are you here?

Duke. (r.c.) Are you not glad to see me?

Princess. (l.c.) Why, of course, Carlos, I—I'm always glad to see you. But why have you come to America?

Duke. Who could bring me to America but you?

Princess. How did you find me?

Duke. It wasn't easy. Spain had no attraction for me after you left, and I followed. Is not that true devotion? (Two long whistles. Princess gets up confusedly as though she would not listen and goes to window back.)

Princess. (Up to window c.) Oh, come! We are starting! Let's go out on deck—I want one last look at America.

Duke. Thank you, cousin, I can do very well without it.

Princess. Oh, Carlos, don't be absurd! Please. (Whistle.) We'll be gone in ten