Sir P. (R. of her) Mrs. Selwyn, you are a woman of strong nerves, and you can bear a shock.
Bea. I think so.
Sir P. Well, I’m going to give you one—I’ve found it!
Bea. What?
Sir P. The serpent.
Bea. The serpent?
Sir P. Which Mr. Selwyn said did not exist, but the existence of which I suspected from the first.
Bea. A serpent in Ravenhurst?
Sir P. And a remarkably fine specimen, it turns out to be. Your husband is being poisoned. (Beatrice taken off her guard, reels, and sinks on sofa) I can quite understand your emotion.
Bea. Poisoned?