_Rose._
To make the Vice Chancellor happy! I won't try! I will not! he's a
fiend, a vampire-!
_Arthur._
Oh, hush!
_Rose._
[_Snatching up Sir William's snuff-box, which he has left upon the
table._] His snuff-box! I wish I could poison his snuff, as Lucrezia
Borgia would have done. She would have removed him within two hours of
my arrival--I mean, her arrival. [_Opening the snuff-box and mimicing
Sir William._] And here he sits and lectures me, and dictates to me!
to Miss Trelawny! "I venture to put a question to my grandson, Miss
Trelawny!" Ha, ha! [_Talcing a pinch of snuffy thoughtlessly but
vigorously._] "Yah--h--h--h! pish! Have we no cheers? do we lack cheers
here, Trafalgar?" [_Suddenly._] Oh!
_Arthur._
What have you done?
_Rose._
[_In suspense, replacing the snuff-box._] The snuff---!
_Arthur._
_Rose._ dear!
_Rose._
[_Putting her handkerchief to her nose, and rising._] Ah-----!
[_Charles, having prepared the card-table, and arranged the candlesticks
upon it, has withdrawn. Miss Gower and Sir William now rise._]
_Miss Gower._
The table is prepared, William. Arthur, I assume you would prefer to sit
and contemplate Rose----?
_Arthur._
Thank you, aunt.
[_Rose sneezes violently, and is led away, helplessly, by Arthur._]
_Miss Gower._
[_To Rose._] Oh, my dear child! [_Looking round._] Where are Frederick
and Clara?
[_Appearing from behind the screen, shamefacedly._] Here.
[_The intending players cut the pack and seat themselves. Sir William
sits facing Captain de Foenix, Miss Gower on the right of the table, and
Clara on the left._]
_Arthur._
[_While this is going on, to Rose._] Are you in pain, dearest? Rose!
_Rose._
Agony!
_Arthur._