Austin. Yes! that is due to Ruth. Whatever you may feel about me, you have no right to insult her!
Jinny. Oh, there's more to the letter!
Austin. Jinny, don't you see what you're doing?
Jinny. Yes, I'm getting at the truth at last! [Reads.] "My heart aches for the blow you must have this evening! The man who loves you—"
Austin. You shan't read any more; you're mad now!
[Tearing the letter away from her.
Jinny. I don't need the letter, the words are burning in here! [Pressing her hands to her forehead.] "The man who loves you isn't bad, only weak. However, I feel once we can shake off the burden of this present marriage"—oh! you—you brute to say that!—"you will never have cause to complain of him again! So far I have been able to keep Jinny in perfect ignorance, but I feel the blow must fall upon her now—"
[Interrupted.
Austin. Shall I tell you the truth?
Jinny. You don't have to; I've found it out for myself!