[He goes out Left.
Sterling. That was funny; that was very funny! I wonder if it was accident, or if there's such a thing as fatality. [He goes to the fireplace and picks up the twisted envelope.] If not now—perhaps some other time—who knows? [He thrusts the envelope in his vest pocket, and takes up the papers again from the table to look over them.] I can't read these things! [Throwing them down.] The words mean nothing to me!
[There is the sound outside of a cork being drawn. Leonard enters with the champagne and a glass and places them beside Sterling.
Leonard. Shall I light the fire now, sir?
Sterling. No, never mind now.
Leonard. Yes, sir.
[He goes out Left.
[Sterling half fills the glass with champagne. He takes out the box of tablets and counts aloud.
Sterling. One, two, three, four—[He puts all in the glass, dropping them as he counts. He hesitates, then quickly drops in two more and drinks quickly. The glass is empty. He sits by the table thinking a moment, then lakes a piece of paper and makes ready his stylographic pen.] Let me see; can I make it seem accidental; it would be so much less bother and trouble for them! [He thinks a second, then writes.] "I have accidentally taken an overdose of my sleeping draught. I have tried to call some one, but it's no use. I ask only one thing, that you forget all my sins, wipe out their memory with my name. I want my boy to change his name, too." [He hesitates a moment, and then scratches that sentence heavily out.] No, I won't say that. [He waits a moment.] God in heaven, what wouldn't I give for one friendly word just now! Some one to sort of say good-by to me—take my hand—even a servant!
[He looks about him, showing signs of drowsiness. The door Right bursts open. Sterling quickly hides the letter in his inside pocket as Warden comes in.