[A Laodicean by Thomas Hardy]@TWC D-Link bookA Laodicean BOOK THE THIRD 82/134
For although she was to be wooed hard, there was just as much love-making among the remaining personages; while, as Somerset had understood the play, there could occur no flingings of her person upon her lover's neck, or agonized downfalls upon the stage, in her whole performance, as there were in the parts chosen by Mrs.Camperton, the major's wife, and some of the other ladies. 'Why do you play at all!' he murmured. 'What a question! How could I refuse for such an excellent purpose? They say that my taking a part will be worth a hundred pounds to the charity.
My father always supported the hospital, which is quite undenominational; and he said I was to do the same.' 'Do you think the peculiar means you have adopted for supporting it entered into his view ?' inquired Somerset, regarding her with critical dryness.
'For my part I don't.' 'It is an interesting way,' she returned persuasively, though apparently in a state of mental equipoise on the point raised by his question.
'And I shall not play the Princess, as I said, to any other than that quiet young man.
Now I assure you of this, so don't be angry and absurd! Besides, the King doesn't marry me at the end of the play, as in Shakespeare's other comedies.
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