Kitty: Oh! Aunty! You can't mean that! Pray don't say good-bye!
Lady Flo (dramatically): Yes, I mean "Good-bye"! (Brushes furiously past Sir William, and exit. Kitty makes movement to follow, but returns to Sir William and Jem.)
Sir W. (bitterly): Don't hold her back, Kitty.
Jem: You are mad!
Sir W.: Less mad than you, when an hour ago you told me you found life intolerable with Kitty.
Kitty (moved): He said that? Jem said that to you?
Jem: No, no! (Compunctious.)
Sir W.: Oh! It's an easy matter for two young people to kiss again with tears. 'Twill be a different matter between your aunt and me. Florence will have no chance, however much she may wish it. The time has come for me to put down my foot at last. (Exit, talking and gesticulating angrily.)
(After the exit of Sir William, Jem and Kitty look up slowly at one another. Their eyes meet. They turn away.)
Jem: (much embarrassed): Kitty!