RICHARD.
Mrs. Anderson: this visit is very kind of you. And how are you after last night? I had to leave you before you recovered; but I sent word to Essie to go and look after you. Did she understand the message?
JUDITH.
(breathless and urgent). Oh, don’t think of me: I haven’t come here to talk about myself. Are they going to—to— (meaning “to hang you”)?
RICHARD.
(whimsically). At noon, punctually. At least, that was when they disposed of Uncle Peter. (She shudders.) Is your husband safe? Is he on the wing?
JUDITH.
He is no longer my husband.
RICHARD.
(opening his eyes wide). Eh!
JUDITH.
I disobeyed you. I told him everything. I expected him to come here and save you. I wanted him to come here and save you. He ran away instead.
RICHARD.
Well, that’s what I meant him to do. What good would his staying have done? They’d only have hanged us both.
JUDITH.
(with reproachful earnestness). Richard Dudgeon: on your honour, what would you have done in his place?
RICHARD.
Exactly what he has done, of course.
JUDITH.
Oh, why will you not be simple with me—honest and straightforward? If you are so selfish as that, why did you let them take you last night?