Mor. Anastasia! I beg of you do not re-open the old wound. Revive not the bitter memories of the past, which still have power to renew the agony of a father’s woful loss. [Turns away.]
Anas. Forgive me, brother! I did not wish to make you feel sad. I’m too sympathetic—I’m—I’m—[She sits and cries affectedly.]
Mor. There, there! Don’t let us have a scene. John is about ready to start for the post-office. If you have any letters to send, you will please have them ready. I will go and seek my little torment, Alice. [Exit D. R. F.]
Anas. [Takes letter from pocket and reads it.] Ah, how he loves the child! Should anything happen to Alice, it would kill him. [Addresses letter.] George Washington Dollerclutch, Esq. There, you brave man! I’m so afraid his lion courage will make him too venturesome. History will be full of his great deeds of bravery and valor. But I must hasten, or I shall be too late. [Exit D. L. 2 E.]
Enter Hilda, D. R. 3 E. She goes to chair R. of table.
Hil. How cruel is fate! The friend on whom I had based my hopes to help me sustain an honorable recognition before the world is debarred, by the cruel requirements of war, from clearing my name of the stain and reproach heaped upon it by a designing and depraved villain.
Enter Adrienne, D. R. 3 E.
Adri. What! brooding again, Hilda? Come, cheer up! Put a firm trust in the Almighty, and He will help you out of your great trouble.
Hil. I do! [Rises.] But, oh! it seems so long to wait!
Adri. Alas, yes! We are apt to question sometimes, if He has deserted us. But, rest assured, Hilda, He is all mercy and justice, and will, in His good time, bring the balm of peace and joy to the suffering heart.