MRS. HAVERILL. It was nothing, John; I—I—was ill, for a few moments, but I am well now.
HAVERILL. You said nothing about it to me.
MRS. HAVERILL. Do not give it another thought.
HAVERILL. Was there anything besides your health involved in the affair? There was. [Aside.] How came this handkerchief in her room?
MRS. HAVERILL. My husband! I do not want to say anything more—at—at present—about what happened to-night. There has never been a shadow between us—will you not trust me?
HAVERILL. Shadow! You stand in a bright light of your own, my wife; it shines upon my whole life—there can be no shadow there. Tell me as much or as little as you like, and in your own time. I am sure you will conceal nothing from me that I ought to know. I trust my honour and my happiness to you, absolutely.
MRS. HAVERILL. They will both be safe, John, in my keeping. But there is something else that I wish to speak with you about; something very near to your heart—your son!
HAVERILL. My son!
MRS. HAVERILL. He is in Charleston.
HAVERILL. And not—in prison? To me he is nowhere. I am childless.