Politeness [graphic]

"A bedroom scene. A lean and elderly man stands just within the open door (left), holding a lighted candle, and bowing hat in hand to one of the occupants of the bed, who sits up, doffing his nightcap with equal ceremony. The woman is defined by the bed-clothes; she lies on her face clutching the pillow. The visitor wears slippers with un gartered stockings and breeches open at the knee; in his pocket is a book 'Chesterfields Letters'. He says: "I am sorry Sir to intrude in this abrupt manner,-- but do you know Sir you are in bed with my Wife?" The other answers: "Sir, I beg you ten thousand pardons! let me request you will be seated, and she shall be at your service in the course of half an hour!" The men gaze at each other, warily intent, hostility predominant in the husband, alarm in his rival."--British Museum online catalogue, description of an earlier state