[Agitatedly.] Yes, yes, by all means, Charles; the card-table, as usual. [To Sir William.] A rubber will comfort you, soothe you——
[Charles carries the candlesticks to the card-table, Sir William and Miss Gower seat themselves upon a couch, she with her arm through his affectionately. Clara and De Foenix get behind the screen; their scared faces are seen occasionally over the top of it. Charles brings the card-table, opens it and arranges it, placing four chairs, which he collects from different parts of the room, round the table. Rose and Arthur talk in rapid undertones.]
Rose.
Infamous! infamous!
Arthur.
Be calm, Rose, dear, be calm!
Rose.
Tyrannical! diabolical! I cannot endure it.
[She throws herself into a chair. He stands behind her, apprehensively, endeavoring to calm her.]