_It is a pleasant room, tastefully furnished. On the left a recessed fireplace, in which are ferns; on the mantelpiece are some large blue and white beakers and vases. On the right a bay-window and window-seat. The windows are wide open, showing window-boxes filled with scarlet geraniums and marguerites, and a quiet street with detached houses. At the back, on the right, is a door opening on the hall. To the left of this door are sliding-doors shutting off the PROFESSOR'S _study. In front of these sliding-doors is a long high backed sofa, completely covered in chintz, the flounce of which touches the floor. At the rising of the curtain these doors are closed. Behind them are curtains. Near the fireplace are an armchair and a small table. Against the wall, below the fireplace, is a cabinet. Between the sliding-doors and the door to the hall is another cabinet with door, which, when opened, shows shelves filled with ancient pottery. Above the bay-window is a bureau. Below it are a sofa and a small table._ _As the curtain rises MRS. FUTVOYE _is seen seated in chair by the fireplace, trying to do some embroidery, though her thoughts are evidently elsewhere. From behind the sliding-doors proceed sounds as of some animal kicking and plunging._ SYLVIA'S voice is then heard crying_: "Father, please don't!" [_A succession of dull thuds as of battering hoofs._] "Oh, _do_ take care!" MRS. FUTVOYE. [_Lays down her work, rises, goes to the sliding-doors, and knocks._] Anthony! _Don't_ go on like that, for goodness' sake! You _must_ try and control yourself! Just _think_, if the _servants_ heard you! [_JESSIE, a neat parlour-maid in morning costume, pink print, cap, and apron, enters from hall; MRS. FUTVOYE hurriedly leaves the sofa by the sliding-doors, goes back to her chair, and takes up her work with an elaborate assumption of perfect calm._] What is it, Jessie? I haven't rung. JESSIE. I know, madam. But there's such a noise in the master's study I was afraid something had happened.