(FOX's house in St. James is shown; first the exterior, then the interior. FOX and MRS. ARMISTEAD sleep soundly in the former's bedchamber when SHERIDAN rushes in. He frantically tries to wake FOX up, which takes a few seconds since he is a heavy sleeper. MRS. ARMISTEAD inevitably wakes up as well.)
SHERIDAN
(Shaking him)
Charles, Charles!
FOX
(Disgruntled)
Hm...what?
SHERIDAN
For Christ's sake, Charles, wake up!
FOX
I told you I wasn't having my toilette today, you fool!
SHERIDAN
'Tis the Prince of Wales—he stabbed himself last night!
FOX
(More alert, grave)
You're bluffing.
SHERIDAN
I just caught word of it this morning; they say he stabbed himself in the breast with a sword and bled out a great deal. We must go to Carlton immediately.
FOX
Is he alive?
SHERIDAN
Well, yes, but...
FOX
Then why are you in such haste, for God's sake? We can visit him this afternoon, or tomorrow, or never.
SHERIDAN
Because Mrs. Fitzherbert visited Carlton last night and was convinced to marry him once he recovered!
(Fully awake, FOX bolts upright in shock. Cut to Scene IX.)