Warden. If you're not careful, I'll ram your insinuations down your throat.

Sterling. [Jeers.] "Insinuations?" I've caught you! I make no "insinuations." I tell you both you're caught! You're my wife's lover, and she's your damned mis—

[Interrupted.

Warden. [Seizing Sterling by the throat.] Don't you finish!

Blanche. Sh!—for Heaven's sake! [To Warden.] Let him alone; I'm not afraid of what he says.

[Warden leaves Sterling.

Sterling. No, you never were a liar, I'll give you credit for that,—so confess the truth—you're his—

[Interrupted.

Blanche. [Excited beyond her control.] Listen! And you shall have the truth if you want it! These years that he's been befriending me I never dreamed of loving him nor thought of his loving me. [Dick sneers.] Wait! No, not even the day my father was buried, when I learned outright you were dishonest!

Sterling. [Surprised.] What do you mean?