All for a Husband

Summary

In a labyrinthine display of domestic engineering, Celeste Hardin endeavors to tether her perennially unattached brother, Henry, to the matrimonial anchor of Henrietta Downs, a collegiate compatriot she deems the quintessential spouse. This meddling, however, ignites a counter-conspiracy; Henry and Henrietta, having unmasked the artifice, orchestrate a theatrical retaliation. Henrietta adopts the persona of Myra Haynes, a fugitive from an asylum, whose histrionic 'devotion' to Henry is designed to shatter Celeste’s matchmaking delusions. The farce transcends mere prankishness when the genuine Myra Haynes—unstable and unpredictable—manifests at a pivotal political gathering where Henry is launching his mayoral candidacy. Amidst the rhetorical flourishes of his campaign, the real Myra, gripped by a delusional recognition, identifies Henry as her long-lost paramour. What follows is a cascading series of identity errors and social ruptures that blur the line between calculated performance and authentic psychosis, all set against the backdrop of early 20th-century civic ambition.

Synopsis

Celeste Hardin wants to set up her brother Henry, a confirmed bachelor, with her college friend Henrietta Downs, believing that she wold be a good wife for him. Henry and Henrietta discover Celeste's scheme and decide to play a trick on her--Henrietta will pose as Myra Haynes, an escaped lunatic and pretend to be in love with Henry. However, the real Myra Haynes attends a political rally, at which Henry declares his intention to run for mayor, and she becomes convinced that he is her long-lost lover, also named Henry. Complications ensue.