Ted. (crosses to Fred Smailey). You infernal villain! You unutterably mean and sneaking villain! (Seizing him.)
Mrs. V. B. Edward! Edward!
Ted. Don’t stop me, or I shall kill him. Look there, you miserable hound (pointing to Eve), look there! Do you see the work that your infernal heart has done? Why, you miserable cur, she loved you! You trembling hypocrite, she loved you! Eve loved you—loved you! Look at her, man, and if your devil’s heart don’t beat the harder for the sight, it hasn’t a beat left in it!
Mrs. V. B. Dr. Athelney, pray, pray stop him.
Dr. A. Stop him? No, certainly not. I’m too fond of plain truth, and I hear it too seldom to stop it when I do hear it. Go on with your remarks, my boy, if you’ve any thing else to say.
Enter Smailey, followed by Fitz Partington, l.
Mr. S. When your son has quite finished shaking my son, perhaps you will kindly devote a little attention to me.
Fred. Edward, I sincerely hope you may live to apologize for this. (Offers to shake hands; Ted refuses.)
Dr. A. Mr. Smailey, I must tell you that your presence here is an act of audacity for which I was not prepared.
Mr. S. I fear that the surprise of my appearance here is but the first of a series of surprises in store for you.