You See I Am No Ghost / Marian Tells of the Engagement / Sir Percival Glyde Arrives / Fosco’s Arrival

Lyrics

Scene: "The Second Coming of Anne Catherick" (Graveyard in the half-light. The woman appears.) [WOMAN] Walter Hartright I remember you [HARTRIGHT] Are you of this world? Have I imagined you? (She touches him) [WOMAN] You see I am no ghost before you I am flesh and blood Believe your eyes Kind sir My name is Anne Anne Catherick And believe my words I tell no lies Limmeridge was my home in childhood Though I didn't live here long Locked away while still a girl Although I did nothing wrong Imprisoned in a dark asylum By a man of guile and treachery The truth will see the light, I vow it Though he thinks that he can silence me! I told you that I have a secret One I cannot share with you I must find the one I seek To spare her what I've been through! I'll tell you of my cruel tormentor When I think of him, I'm filled with shame I'll tell you who he is this instant If you swear you won't forget his name [HARTRIGHT] (nodding fervently) I swear! [ANNE] Sir Percival Glyde Sir Percival Glyde [HARTRIGHT] Sir Percival Glyde (Suddenly there is the sound of an owl overhead. Anne takes fright and exits) [HARTRIGHT] No please—wait! (But she is gone. Hartright gathers himself after the shock of her story and leaves, too) Scene: "Marian Tells of the Engagement" (The formal gardens, Limmeridge House. Morning. An autumnal feel. The first leaves dropping from the trees. A servant escorts Hartright to Marian. Hartright enters) [MARIAN] Mr. Hartright There's a very private matter We must speak of right away- [HARTRIGHT] Pray it isn't serious? [MARIAN] This is hard for me to say In the days before you came here You were out of money Out of spirits then? [HARTRIGHT] I was down, but rarely out of spirits You'd have found me in a Holborn drinking den! [MARIAN] Then it's safe to say You value your position [HARTRIGHT] More than anything at all! [MARIAN] Since we both were children Laura sometimes sleepwalks I would wake and find her On the stair Unaware of how she got there More than her half-sister I am her whole family And I must protect her [HARTRIGHT] What reason do you tell me this? [MARIAN] I know, sir, what your secret is [HARTRIGHT] I have no secrets here! [MARIAN] My sister is engaged! To a man of sterling character A titled man of property A man her father chose [HARTRIGHT] What? [MARIAN] It was my duty to tell you this [HARTRIGHT] (shocked) Then... Laura will marry another! [MARIAN] You must crush all feelings for her. There can be no hope of an attachment, no hope of any future... I'm sorry if this hurts you [HARTRIGHT] Are you sorry, Miss Halcombe? [MARIAN] What do you mean? [HARTRIGHT] (pointedly at her) Perhaps I'm not the only one with secrets? Feelings that I'd rather hide? [MARIAN] You are most unkind You should go. You've said enough. I'm doing this to help you, to save you from yourself! (He stops to go, stops, turns) [HARTRIGHT] I'd like to know his name [MARIAN] His name is not your business [HARTRIGHT] (impassioned) Please Let me know his name [MARIAN] His name is Glyde Sir Percival Glyde Scene: "Sir Percival Glyde Arrives" (The next day. Mr. Fairlie's study. Laura and Marian wait with their uncle. A servant announces Sir Percival Glyde's arrival) [SERVANT] Sir Percival Glyde (Glyde is a handsome, aristocratic, elegant man in his early to middle thirties. His manner is easy and charming) [GLYDE] With all my heart I'm glad to be here [MR. FAIRLIE] Sir Percival Glyde Here in this house! You're always welcome [GLYDE] (to Fairlie) The picture of health! I've never seen you look so well, sir [MR. FAIRLIE] Is he talking to me? [GLYDE] You're such a hale and a hearty fellow [MARIAN] You, sir, it's true, are a tonic It does us good to see you [GLYDE] Thank you, my friend And me, you But Laura, my dear Second to none You're the one I miss most It's perfectly clear With all my heart I need you Which brings me to my purpose Why must we wait til spring? [LAURA] What? [GLYDE] Let's have a Christmas wedding And the joy that it would bring us! (to Laura) My home and heart are ready So now it's up to you (A pause) [LAURA] It was my father's dying wish And I will do as I have promised to [GLYDE] In all of this world There's not a man as thrilled as I am Or lucky as I Not on this Earth is a man more joyful [MARIAN AND MR. FAIRLIE] Sir Percival Glyde, good luck to you And your bride [GLYDE] My dearest friend, Count Fosco Shall act as our best man You'll see he has no better When you meet tonight And there's no better plan [MARIAN] Sir Percival Glyde [GLYDE] (to Marian) You from this day shall be my sister [MARIAN] With pleasure and pride [GLYDE] And we shall see that our home Is your home [MR. FAIRLIE] There's nothing to decide My niece will marry Glyde A Christmas wedding Is where we're heading And Marian will go To live with them, no fear The instant she becomes his spouse They both will exit Limmeridge House Which will be quiet as a mouse At last I'll like it here! Scene: "Fosco Arrives" (Later the same day, Count Fosco arrives at Limmeridge House. He is a big bear of a man—in his fifties, with an Italian accent. He is impeccably dressed. His luggage includes various bird and animal cages. He pulls a mouse seemingly out of the air and addresses it) [FOSCO] Well, my friend, at last we have arrived It seems that I was born to be a house guest You might choose this moment to get out of sight For now they need not know they have a mouse guest (He kisses the mouse and then places it in his pocket. Marian arrives to greet him) [FOSCO] I am pleased to meet the blushing bride [MARIAN] Actually I'm just the blushing bridesmaid [FOSCO] Pardon me It's just that you're so beautiful Which is why I thought you might be Glyde's maid [MARIAN] There is no mistaking you're Count Fosco [FOSCO] I've a reputation that precedes me [MARIAN] I am Laura's sister, sent to welcome you [FOSCO] (kisses her hand) May I nibble on the hand that feeds me? [MARIAN] You may dine on any single thing you wish Though I'd wait for dinner—we are serving fish [FOSCO] There's no time to sate my many appetites [MARIAN] You might consider taking smaller bites [FOSCO] It's so very kind of you to have me here [MARIAN] You, sir, add some interest to the atmosphere [FOSCO] I detect a fire beneath your prim veneer (A dinner bell rings) [MARIAN] I regret there's not more time to tarry [FOSCO] But I presume that we'll resume this thrust and parry (He smiles at her, winks. She shows him in. Servants arrive and remove his luggage) Scene: "The Evening That Goes Wrong" (After dinner the same evening. The drawing room. Laura is playing the piano, with Sir Percival Glyde sitting close to her. Marian, Mr. Fairlie, Fosco and Walter Hartright are looking on. Hartright sits on his own in a corner of the room. Laura finishes playing and there is enthusiastic applause led by Fosco) [FOSCO] Mmm! Bravissima, my dear! You play like an angel [LAURA] I play only moderately well [FOSCO] My dear, don't hide your light. If you have talents, you must flaunt them! [MARIAN] Pray sir, what are your talents? Perhaps I could persuade you to come out from under your bushel?