=Mrs. D.= I preferred bearing my sorrow and disgrace alone; besides I needed no assistance, for the dowry settled upon me by my father when he closed his doors upon me, was ample to support Nellie and myself.
=Graef.= Still, by our sympathy we might have alleviated your sufferings, which must have been intense.
=Mrs. D.= They were--words fail to describe them. If I had been anything but a loving faithful wife they would not have been so hard to bear. (_weeps_)
=Graef.= (_consolingly_) There, never mind. I hope there are brighter days in store for you. Are you aware that your father is in town?
=Mrs. D.= (_alarmed_) No. For mercy's sake don't let him see me. It would kill me in my present condition to meet his gaze now, after the fulfilment of his prophecy in regard to George.
=Graef.= I believe he never met your husband, did he?
=Mrs. D.= No, we were married away from home. But he _knew_ him by reputation, and warned me against him. None of my relatives ever met him. Where is my father?
=Graef.= At Auntie Thornton's. He came on to attend Helen's wedding. But have no fear of seeing him, you are safe here.
=Mrs. D.= (_looking around room_) But, George, what are you doing here? I thought you made Auntie's house your home.
=Graef.= (_confused_) Yes--I did once--but-- Some other time I'll tell you my story. It would only distress you to hear it now. Tell me more about your husband. Have you never met or heard anything about him since he left you?
=Graef.= (_surprised_) This evening! Why, what do you mean?
=Mrs. D.= That I both met him and heard him to-night!
=Graef.= Impossible! For I know every creature in this town.
=Mrs. D.= Perhaps you do not know him by his right name. If you know every creature in this town, tell me if you ever (_takes photograph from pocket and hands it to GRAEF_) met a man who resembled that? He is my husband.
=Graef.= (_takes photo; starts_) What! he your husband?
=Pete.= Massa George, yo' sartinly will hab to 'scuse me now, fo' I must be goin'. I hab a 'pintment wid Billy de Deacon's boy. I'se gwine to hab more fun wid him to-night dan a bushel basket would hold. (_walks toward the door, but stops when GEORGE speaks to him_)
=Graef.= Very well; don't forget _my_ appointment. But wait a moment. (_walks across to him and hands him photo._) Do you know who that is?