Blanket hornpipe, the

Ernest, a recent widower, sends May, his eldest daughter, to work as a maid for his old naval Commander, Henry Spritely. Handsome George Spritely, an only child, is used to having his own way. He wants May. No one ever says no to George. May?s unspoken love is for the gardener. He?s good. I?m May, I?m not. She is not good enough for him. George Spritely has seen to that. But that doesn?t stop her jealousy when Emily Babcock claims George for herself. But George dumps Emily to marry Susannah, a most suitable bride. Susannah trapped by an unwanted pregnancy and bad marriage, vows revenge. Susannah will not accept his debauched behaviour. She may have had to marry him, she didn?t intend to kill him, but meant only to punish him when he is bad.