A sudden thrill of excitement went through him when O'Rourke sat down.

The whole audience turned their faces from the platform towards the door at the far end of the hall, and Hyacinth, without knowing exactly what he expected, turned too.
There was a swaying visible among the crowd near the door, and almost immediately it became clear that someone was trying to force a way through the densely-packed people.

Curses were to be heard, and even cries from those who were being trodden on.

At last a way was made.
Augusta Goold, followed by Grealy, Halloran, and Mary O'Dwyer, came slowly up the hall towards the platform.

Those of the audience whose limbs had not been crushed or their feet mangled in preparation for her progress cheered her wildly.