
THE SLAVES OF SOCIETY
SCENE I A MOTHER’S CARES
SCENE II THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE
SCENE III THE SLAVE OF ALDERMAN DOBBIN
SCENE IV THE NOTORIOUS BELLE YORKE
SCENE V A PERSON OF IMPORTANCE
SCENE VI WHAT PEOPLE SAID
SCENE VII A QUESTION OF CHEMISTRY
SCENE VIII CINDERELLA
SCENE IX AND THE PRINCE
In this sparkling turn-of-the‑century comedy, a fashionable marchioness laments that even the most privileged are “slaves of society,” while the ornate drawing‑rooms of Berkeley Square become a stage for witty repartee and subtle rebellion. Joined by the enigmatic Mr. Despresso—whose polished manners hide a mischievous streak—the two navigate a world of glittering parties, whispered intrigues, and the ever‑present pressure to conform to genteel expectations.
Through a series of lively scenes—from a mother’s caring concerns to a sudden bout of chemistry and a mischievous misfortune for society—the play skewers the rituals of the British elite with sharp humor and affectionate satire. Listeners will be drawn into the elegant absurdities of high‑society life, where every polished gesture masks a yearning for genuine freedom, and where even a simple muffin can spark a philosophical debate about cages of gold.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (206K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
United States: Harper & Brothers, 1900.
Credits
D A Alexander, David E. Brown, Access Services at Purdue University Library, West Lafayette, Indiana, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2022-03-11
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1863–1926
A restless, wide-ranging literary figure, he moved between poetry, fiction, law, politics, and teaching. Best remembered today for his early modernist connections, he also brought a sharp, independent mind to debates about nationalism, religion, and society.
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