Summary
In the twilight of a six-year union, Neil Sumner and his wife, Ruth, discover an irreconcilable chasm, precipitating a separation that casts their young daughter, Cynthia, into Ruth’s care. Unbeknownst to Ruth, her profligate brother, Dick Harcourt, entrusted with the stewardship of her inherited fortune, systematically liquidates it through reckless indulgence. His spiraling fiscal ruin culminates in a substantial loss to Neil — his estranged brother-in-law — triggering a desperate act of self-annihilation. This tragic event, however, is misconstrued by Ruth, who, in a profound misdirection of grief and anger, imputes culpability to Neil, initiating acrimonious divorce proceedings. While Neil navigates the superficiality of New York’s 'fast set,' Ruth retreats to London with Cynthia. A posthumous letter from Dick, addressed to the family lawyer, Mr. Fellowes, finally unveils the devastating truth of Ruth’s pauperization. Neil, upon learning of this betrayal from his friend Fellowes, silently assumes the mantle of her financial guardian, meticulously ensuring the continued payment of dividends on assets Ruth believes are still hers. Upon their return to New York, societal gossip, fueled by Neil’s association with Mrs. Palmer, further poisons Ruth’s perception, leading her to contemplate another flight to London. Months later, a chance encounter in London reunites Neil and Fellowes, who, ever the orchestrator of reconciliation, engineers a confrontation at Ruth’s abode. As they discretely discuss the intricate details of restoring Ruth’s lost patrimony without revealing Neil’s long-standing benevolence, Ruth inadvertently overhears their conversation. The dramatic reveal is punctuated by Cynthia’s joyous entrance, her innocent announcement of impending nuptials, and her subsequent presentation of her fiancé. In this tender familial tableau, Neil’s heartfelt plea for their marital restoration, initially met with Ruth’s enduring resentment, is ultimately swayed by Cynthia’s profound affection for both her parents, weaving a tapestry of forgiveness and renewed hope.
Synopsis
Neil Sumner and his wife, Ruth, at the end of six years of married life, find that they are not suited to each other, and separate, the wife taking their small daughter, Cynthia. Dick Harcourt. Ruth's brother, a ne'er do well, who by the will of their father was the executor of her privately owned estate, squanders it in riotous living, and reaching the end of his resources, after losing quite a large sum of money to Neil Sumner, his brother-in-low, commits suicide. This brings an end to the married life of Ruth and Neil. She blames Neil for Dick's untimely end, and proceeds to get a divorce. Neil tails in with a part of the so-called "fast set" in New York. During this period, Ruth has lived in London with Cynthia. Ruth determines to return to America. When Ruth's brother Dick committed suicide, he left a letter, addressed to the family lawyer, telling him that he had dissipated Ruth's entire fortune. The lawyer, who is a friend of Neil's tells him of this circumstance, and asks him what the outcome will be for Ruth. Neil generously offers to continue paying the dividends on all the stocks Ruth still supposes she owns, knowing nothing of the defalcation of her brother. Ruth and Cynthia arrive in New York, and that same night Betsy, Neil's sister, who is very fond of Ruth, asks her if she will allow Cynthia to go with her to pay a short call to her father. Ruth consents, much to Cynthia's delight, and they arrive at Neil's house in the middle of a hilarious party, attended by some of his sporting friends. Neil decides to open his Port Washington home for the first time since Ruth has departed with the baby. Coming back from the race one day, some of Neil's sporting friends meet Cynthia on the street, and some of them, knowing who she is, invite her to go with them to the Red Lion Inn for some refreshment. She, in her innocence, accepts. Neil, happening to pass the Red Lion, sees the party coming out. He takes her in his car with Mrs. Palmer, a lady whose name has been coupled with his in gossip, and takes her home. Ruth, reading in the town topics that same day some of the gossip connecting Neil with Mrs. Palmer's name, the lady he was riding with, decides that the only safe way is to get Cynthia and return to London. Several months later Neil finds himself in London, where he also meets the family lawyer, Mr. Fellowes. Fellowes, who all these years has been trying to effect a reconciliation between Ruth and Neil, hits upon the happy idea of taking Neil to Ruth's home, determined there to tell Ruth that Neil, all these years, has been supporting her. While they are discussing the ways and means of fixing Ruth's fortune so that she may never know, she overhears their conversation. Cynthia, hearing her daddy's voice, rushes into the room and embraces him frantically, telling him that she is to be married the next day, and that she will go and bring her fiancé for his approval. She does so, and when she enters with him, Neil has just finished making an unsuccessful plea to Ruth for the restoration of their happiness, and it is the sweet love of the young girl for both her mother and father that brings this beautiful play to a happy ending.
