Soph. O no, father! that won't be! for God's sake don't take on so violently!
Sea. (still pacing up and down, followed by Soph.) I am a bankrupt and a beggar!—disgrace, and ridicule, and contempt!—Ideot, ideot, ideot! O worse than ideot!
Soph. Dear father!
(The children run and take hold of Sophia, as she follows him.)
Sea. Come not near me—come not near me, children—I have made beggars of you all!
Soph. But we will come near you, my dear father, and love you and bless you too, whatever you have done. Ay, and if we are beggars, we will beg with you, and beg for you cheerfully.
Sea. Oh, oh, oh! This is more than I can bear!
(Throws himself into a chair, quite overcome, whilst the children stand gazing on him, and Sophia hangs over him affectionately.)
(Enter Lady Sarah.)
Lady S. What are you doing here, children?—What is all this for?—What is the matter with you, Sir Anthony?—No answer at all!—What letter is this? (picks up the letter which Seabright had dropt in his agitation, and reads it; then breaking out violently.) O, I told you it would come to this!—I counsel'd you—I warn'd you—I beseech'd you. O Sir Anthony! Sir Anthony! what devil tempted you to such madness as this?
Soph. Oh, madam, do not upbraid him! See how he is!
