The Enchanted April
THE ENCHANTED APRIL by ELIZABETH VON ARNIM It began in a Woman's Club in London on a February afternoon--an uncomfortable club, and a miserable afternoon--when Mrs. Wilkins, who had come down from Hampstead to shop and had lunched at her club, took up The Times from the table in the smoking-room, and running her listless eye down the Agony Column saw this: To Those Who Appreciate Wistaria and Sunshine. Small mediaeval Italian Castle on the shores of the Mediterranean to be Let furnished for the month of April. Necessary servants remain. Z, Box 1000, The Times.
ALLMERS. [Looks steadily at her, and says in a low voice.] I am
often almost afraid of you, Rita.
RITA. [Gloomily.] I am often afraid of myself. And for that very
reason you must not awake the evil in me.
ALLMERS. Why, good Heavens, do I do that?
RITA. Yes, you do--when you tear to shreds the holiest bonds
between us.
ALLMERS. [Urgently.] Think what you're saying, Rita. It is your own
child--our only child, that you are speaking of.
RITA. The child is only half mine. [With another outburst.] But you
shall be mine alone! You shall be wholly mine! That I have a right
to demand of you!
ALLMERS. [Shrugging his shoulders.] Oh, my dear Rita, it is of no
use demanding anything. Everything must be freely given.
RITA. [Looks anxiously at him.] And that you cannot do henceforth?
ALLMERS. No, I cannot. I must divide myself between Eyolf and you.
THE ENCHANTED APRIL by ELIZABETH VON ARNIM It began in a Woman's Club in London on a February afternoon--an uncomfortable club, and a miserable afternoon--when Mrs. Wilkins, who had come down from Hampstead to shop and had lunched at her club, took up The Times from the table in the smoking-room, and running her listless eye down the Agony Column saw this: To Those Who Appreciate Wistaria and Sunshine. Small mediaeval Italian Castle on the shores of the Mediterranean to be Let furnished for the month of April. Necessary servants remain. Z, Box 1000, The Times.