JOY. [Wincing; then with sudden passion.] I defy you—I defy you! [She rushes from their sight.]
MRS. GWYN. [With a movement of distress.] Oh!
LEVER. [Turning to MRS. GWYN with a protecting gesture.] Never mind, dear! It'll be—it'll be all right!
[But the expression of his face is not the expression of his words.]
The curtain falls.
ACT III
It is evening; a full yellow moon is shining through the branches of the hollow tree. The Chinese lanterns are alight. There is dancing in the house; the music sounds now loud, now soft. MISS BEECH is sitting on the rustic seat in a black bunchy evening dress, whose inconspicuous opening is inlaid with white. She slowly fans herself. DICK comes from the house in evening dress. He does not see Miss BEECH.
DICK. Curse! [A short silence.] Curse!
MISS BEECH. Poor young man!