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No. 23: DUET (Margaret & Sir Despard)

"I once was a very abandoned person"

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Enter Despard and Margaret. They are both dressed in sober black of formal cut, and present a strong contrast to their appearance in Act I.

Despard.
I once was a very abandoned person –
Margaret.
Making the most of evil chances.
Despard.
Nobody could conceive a worse 'un –
Margaret.
Even in all the old romances.
Despard.
I blush for my wild extravagances, But be so kind To bear in mind,
Margaret.
We were the victims of circumstances!
Dance.
That is one of our blameless dances.

	Margaret.
	I was once an exceedingly odd young lady –
	Despard.
	Suffering much from spleen and vapours.
	Margaret.
	Clergymen thought my conduct shady –
	Despard.
	She didn't spend much upon linen-drapers.
	Margaret.
	It certainly entertained the gapers. My ways were strange Beyond all range –
	Despard.
	Paragraphs got into all the papers.
	Dance.
	We only cut respectable capers

Despard.
I've given up all my wild proceedings.
Margaret.
My taste for a wandering life is waning.
Despard.
Now I'm a dab at penny readings.
Margaret.
They are not remarkably entertaining.
Despard.
A moderate livelihood we're gaining.
Margaret.
In fact we rule A National School.
Despard.
The duties are dull, but I'm not complaining.
Dance.
This sort of thing takes a deal of training!

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