ONE OF OUR GIRLS

Bronson Howardsfour-act comedy opened at the Lyceum Theatre on 10 November 1885 for 200 performances. Critics found the play to be inferior to Howard's previousYoung Mrs. Winthrop(1882), and he was also accused of plagiarizing plot devices from Victorien Sardou'sLes Pattes de mouche, although he claimed to have no knowledge of Sardou's work. However, a bright cast, includingE. H. Sothernand Helen Dauvray, brought Howard's slight comedy to life. It centers on Kate Shipley, whose French mother was cut off from her family fortune for marrying Kate's American father. In France, Kate befriends her cousin, Julie Fonblanque, who is in a similar situation. Her parents wish her to marry the Comte de Crebillon, but she prefers Henri Saint-Hilaire. Kate goes with Julie to a secret rendevous with Henri, but when the Comte finds out about it, Kate tries to convince him that it was she meeting Henri, not Julie. A duel ensues and Henri is wounded. Julie's parents relent.