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There is boisterous and ardent applause when Lady Blanche concludes her speech.
After a pause, Lady Blanche is on the verge of continuation, only to be interrupted by one very loud and embarrassingly mistimed anonymous clap at the end.
There is an awkward silence.
She seems to think the better of it, and moves on.
You see a very prim and demure young woman approach Lady Blanche, a little hesitantly, and whisper quietly in her ear.
From the angle where you alone are standing, you see Lady Blanche appear to become a little agitated, and as she turns away from the expectant audience, you think you hear her hiss almost imperceptibly
-...why here? Why now? I thought I told you to tell him: no meetings in public...
The young woman is apologetic and somewhat flustered, but says nothing.
Recovering her composure, Lady Blanche turns back to the audience:
-Now all those of you who were intent upon attending the seance should be aware that it has of course been suppressed, in the interests of public decency. I am given to understand by my assistant, Miss Millicent Tittlerumpe, that certain members of the audience were attempting to pose some very lurid questions, concerning the romantic proclivities of the deceased. Consequently we have agreed with Madame Cora Colman Blackwood that her services in the East Wing library will no longer be required. That will be all for today. And please remember to make your donations on the way out!
For some moments after, the audience appears to be too astonished to even respond, though some mutters and groans inevitably follow.
You see Lady Blanche swiftly heading towards the West Wing of the Institute - the workhouse, that houses the destitute, dragging along her hapless assistant Millicent in tow, whilst a few disappointed members of the public appear to be drifting towards the East Wing Library, perhaps hoping to catch a glimpse of the clairvoyant and Theosophist Madame Cora Colman Blackwood, before she departs.
