Mrs. V. B. (much agitated). What do you hope to prove?
Mr. S. That when you went through the form of marriage with the late Captain Van Brugh you knew that his first wife was still alive.
Mrs. V. B. (wildly). No, no, no! Mr. Smailey, it is bad enough, but not so bad as that. Oh, Mr. Smailey, dismiss that fearful thought from your mind, and I will tell you the truth I came here to tell. It’s a bitter, bitter truth, but not so bad as you would make it out to be.
Mr. S. What is the truth? (Sternly.)
Mrs. V. B. I—I—when I met Captain Van Brugh—I was very young, and my mother was dead—and— (Bursts into tears and sobs wildly, laying her head on the table.)
Mr. S. What is the truth?
Mrs. V. B. Oh, man, man, can’t you read it in these tears? Is there not shame enough in my face, that you want it in shameful words. Read what you see before you, and as you are a man with a heart, keep my secret; oh, keep my unhappy secret!
Mr. S. What! am I to understand that you never even went through the form of marriage with Captain Van Brugh?
Mrs. V. B. (under her breath). Never!