Spellbound by Sibella by Paul McNulty
ACT ONE
SCENE 1
The Bach minuet in G major plays in the Drawing Room of Sir Harry
Lynch-Blosse of Balla House, Co Mayo, Ireland on 1 May 1776.
The Back surround features a centered Fireplace flanked on either side
by a Candle sconce and a Window with dark drapes pulled back.
The Upstage right corner features a large Table carrying a hand Bell,
a Pitcher of ale, a silver Salver, The Gentleman's Magazine and The
Freeman's Journal.
The Down-stage right corner features an Entrance to the Library while
a smaller Table, down-stage left, carries Liquor and Glasses.
Two Armchairs stand in the middle of the room.
HARRY enters Upstage left. He wears a red Jacket, white Cravat, yellow
Waistcoat and tight cream Breeches over brown Shoes. He pours a glass
of Ale and fetches a copy of The Gentlemen's Magazine.
The BUTLER enters. He wears a dark Jacket, white Cravat and Shirt,
dark Breeches and black Shoes.
BUTLER: Miss Sibella Cottle of Ashbrook.
SIBELLA enters, Upstage left. She wears a green Riding habit and black
Boots. Her curly red Hair is tied-back under a black Hat.
HARRY rises, almost spilling his Drink, before laying it down on the
small Table. His magazine falls to the ground.
HARRY: What a surprise, Miss Cottle. I wasn't expecting you. Please
take a seat.
SIBELLA: I had to see you, Harry.
HARRY: You rode here alone? Where is your Mama?
SIBELLA: She's in Spain.
HARRY: Of course she is.
He kisses her hand.
HARRY: You look wonderful. To what do I owe the honor?
SIBELLA: I have something to tell you.
HARRY: Is something wrong?
SIBELLA: I hope not.
HARRY: What is it then?
SIBELLA: I'm not feeling well.
He pours a glass of Ale and hands it to her.
HARRY: Now, whatever is the matter?
She lays her drink down.
SIBELLA: I feel hot and faint!
She turns away, raising her hand to her mouth.
He proffers his Handkerchief.
HARRY: Are you all right, my dear?
SIBELLA: I've never felt so sick in my life.
HARRY: But why? An infection of some sort?
He paces.
HARRY: You're not-
SIBELLA: Have you forgotten after the Spring Ball?
HARRY: Good Lord, of course not. What a night that was. We danced by
the moonlight. was in high mood by the time I knocked on your door.
SIBELLA: I should have sent you away but you plied me with port.
We danced and then
HARRY: You were so beautiful and alluring I could not resist / the
temptation.
SIBELLA: And then you took away my virtue!
HARRY: Are you sure you're
SIBELLA: I've spoken to the midwife. All the signs are there.
She paces.
SIBELLA: You promised to marry me. Are you reneging / on your
HARRY: Of course not! I love you with all my heart. I'm sorry I
didn't keep in touch.
SIBELLA: You were too busy with your 20,000 acres. You failed to visit
since that night of passion. You didn't even answer my note at Easter. You must do
something before it's too late. My situation is desperate.
HARRY: Please calm down. Let's talk about it.
He pauses.
HARRY: I need a brandy.
SIBELLA: So do I.
He pours two brandies.
SIBELLA: To think that I'm carrying your baby? It could be your heir.
She sips.
SIBELLA: You must write my foster-father I'm only nineteen. You
need his permission
to marry. You must write him now, this very moment.
HARRY: H'm. Yes, of course, my dear heart.
He walks to the big table, dips a quill into the ink bottle and speaks
as he writes.
HARRY: Dear Doctor Moore ... I humbly beg your permission to seek
the hand of your beautiful daughter, Miss Cottle.
SIBELLA: Keep going.
HARRY: Should you agree to my request I swear I shall honour and
cherish her as my
wife until the day I die ...
SIBELLA: I love you, Harry with all my heart.
She kisses him on the cheek, removes a fireside candle and applies it
to the wax held by him.
She watches the red drops falling on to the fold of the letter.
HARRY blows over the seal and embosses it.
SIBELLA: Please address it to Dr. Robert Moore, care of Mr. George
Moore, Alicante, Spain.
HARRY: As you wish now it's ready to go.
He places the letter on the silver Salver.
SIBELLA: I'm so excited. We must set the date.
HARRY: Of course after a period of mourning for my late
father-
SIBELLA: I understand but my situation is far more pressing.
I'll be showing by then. My maid suspects already.
HARRY: Are you really sure it's mine?
SIBELLA: How dare you.
She bangs the table with her Glass.
SIBELLA: Of course it's yours.
HARRY: I had to ask. Please forgive me.
He paces.
HARRY: Once Doctor Moore agrees, we shall marry.
SIBELLA: Of course he'll agree. Mama will be delighted. I must
order a new gown. What allowance shall I have?
HARRY: Allowance?
SIBELLA: We could marry in Suffolk in your mother's home. How
many guests a hundred, two hundred?
She raises her hands, Pirouettes and faces Downstage.
SIBELLA: Then, I would become Lady Sibella! Lady Sibella
Lynch-Blosse!
He grimaces behind Sibella.
HARRY: Lady Lynch-Blosse, my dearest.
SIBELLA: Of course, my darling. I have so much to learn oh, my!
She stumbles and falls.
HARRY rushes to raise her. He wraps his arm around her until she
recovers.
SIBELLA: What happened?
HARRY: You fainted.
SIBELLA: I should go home now.
HARRY: No! You must stay until you're better. I'll send a note to
Ashbrook.
SIBELLA: Thank you, Harry. I better send for my wardrobe. I won't
need much because my
stays are so tight.
HARRY: I should talk to grandmamma. You could be her companion until
you're better.
He rings the bell.
BUTLER: You rang, Sir.
HARRY: Please arrange a room for Miss Cottle who will visit for a few
days. Tell Lady Lynch I shall explain later.
The butler returns The Gentlemen's Magazine to the big Table and
departs with the silver Salver.
SIBELLA: I'm beginning to feel at home here already.
She inspects the furnishings.
SIBELLA: This room needs attention the colors here are so dark.
HARRY: Nobody ever complained before.
She fingers the drapes.
SIBELLA: I'll select some lighter shades as for the portrait in
the hallway.
HARRY: You must not speak ill of my grandfather.
SIBELLA: Now that you're a baronet, we must commission a portrait
of you.
HARRY: Oh! That would be nice.
SIBELLA: In the meantime, I must conceal my situation to allow
Doctor Moore time to reply.
HARRY: If your situation becomes known before he replies
SIBELLA: What would you do, Harry? What would you do?
HARRY: I-I w-would stand by you no matter what. You must tell your
maid and midwife not to gossip. This will remain our little secret until
the time is right.
A Knock is heard.
BUTLER: The Honorable James Cuffe.
SIBELLA scampers into the Library Down-stage right.
BLACKOUT
ACT ONE SCENE 2
CUFFE enters Upstage left. He wears a dark Jacket, white Cravat, blue
Waistcoat, beige Breeches, black Shoes and a black Hat.
HARRY shakes his hand.
HARRY: Welcome, James.
CUFFE: Thank you, Harry, my boy.
HARRY: Some breakfast?
CUFFE: Just ale, please.
He points to the unfinished glass of brandy.
CUFFE: You've had company?
HARRY: An unexpected visitor.
CUFFE sniffs the air.
CUFFE: Of the female variety. I'm not surprised. you're one of
the most eligible bachelors in Mayo.
HARRY: H'm. If you say so.
He hands a glass of Ale to Cuffe.
CUFFE: Have you anyone in mind? A handsome man of your wealth you
could / have the
HARRY: I'm I'm n-not ready for marriage yet. But you didn't
come here to discuss that
with me?
CUFFE: Quite so.
CUFFE paces.
CUFFE: Strangely enough, the matter may have some relevance at a
later stage.
HARRY: You're speaking in riddles. What exactly is on your mind?
CUFFE: Good man! You come straight to the point. Brace yourself!
HARRY: Bad news?
CUFFE: Au contraire. An opportunity has arisen suited to a man of
your youthful energy and distinguished provenance.
HARRY: Can you translate that into simple English?
CUFFE chuckles.
CUFFE: A sense of humor will not go astray either. With an election
looming early next
month, there's an opening in the Borough of Tuam.
HARRY: I'm flattered but I'm / too young.
CUFFE: Nonsense! Twenty-five is the perfect age to enter politics, a
young man's game.
HARRY: But I know nothing of politics.
CUFFE: That's the point. you spend the first seven years learning
your trade like your illustrious ancestors.
HARRY: Surely, the Tuam freeholders would never vote for a man from
Mayo?
CUFFE: Except that Lord Altamont and I control the Borough of Tuam.
HARRY: How?
CUFFE: We know how the system works.
HARRY: By exchanging favors?
CUFFE: With whatever is necessary. you must not worry of such
trifles. All you have to do is allow your name go forward.
HARRY: I'm honored by the invitation. It would be nice to have a
base in Dublin. But I would have to think about it.
CUFFE: Good man but don't leave it too long. You're not the
only gentleman under consideration.
HARRY: H'm.
HARRY paces.
HARRY: So what's happening in parliament? What role would I play?
CUFFE: We need some young blood to replace the doddery old fools. You
know what's good and right. I'll tell Altamont you're giving the matter
serious consideration.
Harry: So be it a little brandy?
CUFFE: Why not!
HARRY: Is there something else?
CUFFE: Indeed there is in a way, it's none of my business. But
your late father asked me to discuss it with you. Your previous guest brought it
to mind.
CUFFE sips.
CUFFE: I'm speaking of marriage!
HARRY: Don't tell me you're a matchmaker now?
CUFFE laughs.
CUFFE: No just a friendly voice.
HARRY: When I choose the lady of my dreams, I shall ask her to marry
me with or without your approval.
CUFFE: The lady who has just been with you?
HARRY: None of your business.
CUFFE: I only mention it in case you fall in love with the wrong
girl. It's not unusual for young men to confuse romantic love with marriage.
Maybe we should leave it there for today.
HARRY: No! Just spit it out.
CUFFE: All right if you wish to make progress in parliament, you
would need a political wife -
HARRY chuckles.
HARRY: I've never heard of such a creature.
CUFFE: I'm talking about a well-connected lady bearing a
substantial dowry. She should be beautiful, articulate and well-educated.
CUFFE pauses.
CUFFE: But now I must dash to Westport. Altamont awaits me. We shall
talk again.
CUFFE departs.
HARRY sinks back into his chair.
SIBELLA enters.
SIBELLA: What did Cuffe want?
HARRY: He has offered me a safe seat in Tuam / provided I
SIBELLA: That's great news provided what?
HARRY: Provided I marry a well-connected lady bearing a substantial
dowry.
SIBELLA: I'm very well connected to the Moores of Mayo not to
mention Sir Thomas More.
HARRY: And the dowry?
SIBELLA: Doctor Moore would never let me down. And no man in Mayo is
richer than his brother, George.
HARRY: Unless Cuffe and Altamont have someone else in mind.
[end of extract]