
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 literary outsider, this British poet, lawyer, and political activist moved through Irish nationalism, Welsh politics, colonial service, and early modernist poetry. His work appeared in Ezra Pound’s 1914 Imagist anthology, and his life was every bit as unusual as his writing.
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