_Sir William._
[_Leaping to his feet, in a frenzy._] Bah!
_Miss Gower._
Oh, they seem so out of place!
_Sir William._
[_Flourishing his stick--to the group down L. _] Begone! a set of
garish, dissolute gypsies! begone!
[_Gadd, Avonia, Colpoys, and Wrench gather, the men hastily putting on
their coats, etc._]
_Avonia._
Where's my umbrella?
_Gadd._
A hand with my coat here!
_Colpoys._
'Pon my soul! London artists----!
_Avonia._
We don't want to remain where we're not heartily welcome, I can assure
everybody.
_Sir William._
Open windows! let in the air!
_Avonia._
[_To Rose, who is standing above the wreck of the card-table._]
Good-bye, my dear----
_Rose._
No, no, 'Vonia. Oh, don't leave me behind you!
_Arthur._
Rose.
_Rose._
Oh, I'm very sorry, Arthur. [_To Sir William._] Indeed, I am very sorry,
Sir William. But you are right--gypsies--gypsies! [_To Arthur._] Yes,
Arthur, if you were a gypsy, as I am, as these friends o' mine are, we
might be happy together. But I've seen enough of your life, my dear boy,
to know that I'm no wife for you. I should only be wretched, and would
make you wretched; and the end, when it arrived, as it very soon would,
would be much as it is to-night-!
_Arthur._
[_Distractedly._] You'll let me see you, talk to you, to-morrow, Rose?
_Rose._
No, never!
_Sir William._
[_Sharply._] You mean that?
_Rose._
[_Facing him._] Oh, don't be afraid. I give you my word.
_Sir William._
[_Gripping her hand._] Thank ye. Thank ye.
_Tom._
[_Quietly to Arthur._] Mr. Gower, come and see me to morrow----- [_He
moves away to the door._]
_Rose._
[_Turning to Avonia, Gadd, and Colpoys._] I'm ready----
_Miss Gower._
[_Coming from behind the screen to the back of the couch._] Not
to-night, child! not to-night! where will you go?
_Avonia._
[_Holding Rose._] To her old quarters in Brydon Crescent. Send her
things after her, if you please.
_Miss Gower._
And then----?
_Rose._
Then back to the "Wells" again, Miss Gower! back to the "Wells"----!