Cod. (Affecting to revive.)—Considerably better.
Mrs. Cod. I don’t wonder at your fainting, my only surprize is that you can breathe at all, in such an atmosphere; there’s not a breath of air permitted to enter the room. Phew! I’m stifled; excuse me a moment, my friends, I wish to speak to Coddle alone.—(DISMAL and his wife are going.)—No, no—don’t leave the room.
Cod. (Aside.)—What can she be going to say?
Mrs. Cod. Samuel!
Cod. My love!
Mrs. Cod. Surely your agitation, and your sudden faintness cannot arise from any apprehension?
Cod. Of what?
Mrs. Cod. That this elderly lady, in black, is——
Cod. No, no, no—oh, dear! no, no.
Mrs. Cod. You anticipate me—not what?