Inflamed to madness by the coquetry of the girl-widow , who neither granted nor quite withheld her favors , the three rivals began to interchange threatening glances . Still keeping hold of the fair prize , they grappled fiercely at one another 's throats . As they struggled to and fro the table was overturned and the vase dashed into a thousand fragments . The precious Water of Youth flowed in a bright stream across the floor , moistening the wings of a butterfly which , grown old in the decline of summer , had alighted there to die . The insect fluttered lightly through the chamber and settled on the snowy head of Dr. Heidegger . `` Come , come , gentlemen ! Come , Madam Wycherly ! '' exclaimed the doctor . `` I really must protest against this riot . '' They stood still and shivered , for it seemed as if gray Time were calling them back from their sunny youth far down into the chill and darksome vale of years . They looked at old Dr. Heidegger , who sat in his carved armchair holding the rose of half a century , which he had rescued from among the fragments of the shattered vase . At the motion of his hand the four rioters resumed their seats -- the more readily because their violent exertions had wearied them , youthful though they were . `` My poor Sylvia 's rose ! '' ejaculated Dr. Heidegger , holding it in the light of the sunset clouds . `` It appears to be fading again . '' And so it was . Even while the party were looking at it the flower continued to shrivel up , till it became as dry and fragile as when the doctor had first thrown it into the vase . He shook off the few drops of moisture which clung to its petals . `` I love it as well thus as in its dewy freshness , '' observed he , pressing the withered rose to his withered lips . While he spoke the butterfly fluttered down from the doctor 's snowy head and fell upon the floor .
His guests XXXXX again .
Inflamed appears grown looked observed overturned protest sat shivered struggled