He was astonished at the violence of uproar that this provoked.

The tumult about the descending stairway rose to furious violence.

He became aware of crowded balconies, of men sliding along ropes, of men in trapeze-like seats hurling athwart the space.

He heard voices behind him, a number of people descending the steps through the archway; he suddenly perceived that his guardian Howard was back again and gripping his arm painfully, and shouting inaudibly in his ear.
He turned, and Howard's face was white.

"Come back," he heard.