BUNNY. That’s right! Miss Phœbe, as you have undertaken the refreshment department, I presume, I need not remind you that the cakes are totally incapable of handing themselves about; neither can the negus ladle itself out.
PHŒBE. (aside) I must speak to poor Triptolemus. (aloud) I’ll just shut the window first.
BUNNY. Nonsense! I’ll do that. (rain) Holloa! it’s pouring with rain. (closes the shutters and bolts them) There! Now then! (he offers his arm to ARABELLA—the CAPTAIN gives his to CAROLINE—exeunt—PHŒBE following, and still looking anxiously at the window as she goes out)
PHŒBE. Oh! how I should enjoy myself, if I wasn’t so uneasy about my poor, dear Triptolemus! (rain heard) Oh, dear! oh, dear! he’ll be drownded! I’m sure he will.
(Exit door in flat—scene draws and discovers)
[SCENE FOURTH.]—Drawing Rooms; loud double knocks, bells, &c., as scene opens; an apartment, with large folding doors in C., thrown open, and shewing a corridor beyond, lighted with a candelabra or two attached to the wall, and supposed to lead to the ball room at R.; the apartment itself consists of a high window, with hanging curtains at R. 2 E.; before and close to the window is a table, covered with pastry, cakes, decanters, wine glasses, &c.; at L. are two small doors close to each other; chairs, sofas, &c.; a card table in centre of stage; two other card tables near wings, R. and L.
At rising of curtain, CAROLINE is seen in the corridor at back, receiving the GUESTS, who pass across towards C.; she accompanies them; JONATHAN is standing before the sideboard, loading a large tray with cakes and glasses of negus; he is dressed in an old-fashioned long-tailed brown coat, a pair of blue plush breeches, white stockings, and ankle boots, very high shirt collars above his ears; as he fills the tray, he occasionally eats a cake and drinks a glass of negus—Enter BUNNY (with a light flaxen wig) at C., followed by PHŒBE, carrying cloaks, shawls, hats, &c., &c.
BUNNY. Now, Phœbe, take those articles of apparel into my study—make haste. (PHŒBE goes to one of the two small doors at back, L.) Not there; don’t you know that little door leads to the back staircase?
PHŒBE. Yes, sir, I forgot—I— (aside) I don’t know what I’m about! (enters at door, L.)