[_To_ OLIVE.] Mrs. Allingham——! [_To_ CLAUDE.] Claude, keep by me. My legs are all of a tremble. Where is my daughter, Mrs. Fraser? Take me to her. I am very ill indeed; I fancy this affair has affected my heart—— JOHN. Pray sit down for a moment. MRS. EMPTAGE. [_Sitting down._] We used to be friends, Mr. Allingham—great friends; now I wonder you can look me in the face. [_Panting._] I have heard everything from Claude. I am ashamed—I must say it—I am ashamed of you and your wife. [OLIVE _makes a movement, as if to go_; JOHN _detains her_. JOHN. [_To_ OLIVE.] No, no; I don’t think we’ll run away and hide any more. [_Turning to_ MRS. EMPTAGE.] But I hope that Mrs. Emptage will be kind enough to apply to me, alone, any harsh expressions she may care to make use of—— SIR FLETCHER _enters_. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [_Advancing._] Ah, Muriel——! MRS. EMPTAGE. [_Rising, throwing her arms round_ SIR FLETCHER’S _neck_.] Oh, Fletcher, Fletcher! I’ve hardly closed my eyes all night! CLAUDE. May I ask what has gone on during my absence? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. During _your_ absence——! MRS. EMPTAGE. Is Alec here? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Yes, the family gathering is complete. MRS. EMPTAGE. Does Theo return to Lennox Gardens? Has an arrangement of any sort been come to? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. None that I know of. I seem to be powerless. MRS. CLOYS _and_ FRASER _enter_. CLAUDE. [_Meeting them._] ’Ullo, aunt! ’ullo, Fraser! [MRS. EMPTAGE _totters to_ MRS. CLOYS. CLAUDE _retires_. JOHN _walks away to the fireplace_. OLIVE _is now seated upon the settee_. MRS. EMPTAGE. [_Embracing_ MRS. CLOYS.] Oh, Harriet, I am very poorly; I don’t think I have had two hours’ rest all night. [_Going to_ FRASER _and kissing him_.] Alec, you will prove a generous, good fellow—of that I am sure. Poor Theo has behaved very indiscreetly. I really believe my heart has been upset by it all—— MRS. CLOYS. I have something important to say, Muriel. Pray sit down and be quiet. MRS. EMPTAGE. [_In a flutter._] I know, I know. Unless I can be kept quiet it will be very serious for me. [_In her agitation, she is about to sit upon the settee beside_ OLIVE.] Oh, dear, what am I doing! [_Moving away, she stops, pointing to the library._] Great heavens! was that the room——? MRS. CLOYS.