Alma. With one man I had gone too far to withdraw easily. I was obliged to write to him. It was rather a long letter. When I had written the first sheet I put it in my desk and went on with the next. In the middle of it I was called away on some household matter, and when I returned that second sheet was gone.
Sir H. Your husband——
Alma. Had gone also.
Sir H. Strange! Very strange! Can you remember what you wrote on it?
Alma. Nothing he was entitled to resent. But from that day to this I haven’t heard of him. I left Melbourne.
Sir H. Melbourne?
Alma. I was determined to start life afresh and put an end to old associations. I even went so far as to announce my death.
Sir H. You advertised your death?
Alma. It was a wicked thing to do, but I did it. I took the name of Blake, and went on the stage.
Sir H. This is much more than strange. If you could find your husband——