[Outside.] William! [Rose opens the door; Miss Gower enters.] Oh, William, what has become of you? has anything dreadful happened?

Sir William.

Sit down, Trafalgar. This gentleman is about to read a comedy. A cheer! [Testily.] Are there no cheers here! [Rose brings a chair and places it for Miss Gower beside Sir William's chair.] Sit down.

Miss Gower.

[Sitting, bewildered.] William, is all this—quite——?

Sir William.

[Sitting.] Yes, Trafalgar, quite in place—quite in place——

[Imogen sits. Rose pulls the dress-basket round, as Colpoys and Gadd swagger in at the door, Colpoys smoking a pipe, Gadd a large cigar.]

Sir William.

[To Tom, referring to Gadd and Colpoys.] Friends of yours?