Under cover—— [A roll of thunder.] Oh!
[Wringing her hands.] They are my friends! is it a rule that I am never to see a friend, that I mayn't even give a friend shelter in a violent storm? [To Charles.] Are you the only one up?
Charles.
I b'lieve so, miss. Any'ow the wimming-servants is quite h'under my control.
Rose.
Then tell my friends to be deathly quiet, and to creep—to tip-toe— [The rain strikes the window again. She picks up the lantern which Charles has deposited upon the floor, and gives it to him.]
Make haste! I'll draw the curtains—[He hurries out. She goes from window to window, dropping the curtains, talking to herself excitedly as she does so.] My friends! my own friends! ah! I'm not to sneeze in this house! nor to sing! or breathe, next! wretches! oh, my! wretches! [Blowing out the candles and removing the candlesticks to the table, singing, under her breath, wildly.] "Ever of thee I'm fondly dreaming——" [Mimicking Sir William again.] "What are ye upon the floor for, my dear? Have we no cheers? do we lack cheers here, Trafalgar——?" [Charles returns.]
Charles.
[To those who follow him.] Hush! [To Rose.] I
discovered 'em clustered in the doorway——