The Winged Beetle

177 ACT I GRANDFATHER sunk in melancholy in his arm-chair ; MRS. OSSORY red and weeping ; OSSORY (a British heavy father) grief-stricken ; EUPHEMIA sobbing at the table ; CARR and DELHOMME cold and hot respectively in their expression of sympathy. MR. TODD is at the door, his cloak on, his hat in his hand. OSSORY. It is kind of you to have so come far to break the sad news, my dear sir. I hope that we shall see you again soon under—under—under happier circumstances. [TODD bows very low to the company as if deeply sympathising ; but turning his face to the audience, smiles as if at some secret jest. The actor should study hard to make this smile sig- nificant of the whole character, as revealed in the complete play ; for TODD does not develop through, but is explained by, the plot. TODD goes out ; OSSORY follows, and returns in a minute. There is no sound in the room but that of EUPHEMIA’S sobs. OSSORY [returning, throws himself into a chair near the door]. Dear me ! dear me ! Poor, poor Henry ! DELHOMME. In the very flower of his life. ...