STERLING.  Drop my wife’s hand!

[They turn in great surprise.

BLANCHE.  Dick!

[Fright at his appearance is mingled with her surprise.

WARDEN. [At the same time as BLANCHE.] Sterling!

[They do not drop hands.

STERLING. [Coming nearer, very strong.] Drop my wife’s hand! [They do so quickly, not understanding yet.] So I’ve caught you!

WARDEN. [Angry.] Caught us!

STERLING.  Yes, I had my suspicions roused some time ago!

BLANCHE.  Of what?

STERLING. I could go to the devil—­what did you two care!  I could go to State’s Prison!  All the better—­out of your way!

WARDEN.  You’re speaking like a madman!

STERLING.  I went back to my house this morning; my wife was gone—­no message left where to!  But I questioned the servant.  She’d driven here!  Why?  Ha! [A bitter half laugh; he turns to BLANCHE.] You’ve come here once too often!

WARDEN. [Very strong.] Sterling!

STERLING. [To WARDEN, but ignoring his exclamation.] Then I went to your house. They knew where you’d gone!  You ought to train your servants better! Both here!

WARDEN.  If you’re not careful, I’ll ram your insinuations down your throat.

STERLING. [Jeers.] “Insinuations?” I’ve caught you!  I make no “insinuations.”  I tell you both you’re caught! You’re my wife’s lover, and she’s your damned mis—­

[Interrupted.

WARDEN. [Seizing STERLING by the throat.] Don’t you finish!

BLANCHE.  Sh!—­for Heaven’s sake! [To WARDEN.] Let him alone; I’m not afraid of what he says.

[WARDEN leaves STERLING.

STERLING.  No, you never were a liar, I’ll give you credit for that,—­so confess the truth—­you’re his—­

[Interrupted.

BLANCHE. [Excited beyond her control.] Listen!  And you shall have the truth if you want it!  These years that he’s been befriending me I never dreamed of loving him nor thought of his loving me. [DICK sneers.] Wait! No, not even the day my father was buried, when I learned outright you were dishonest!

STERLING. [Surprised.] What do you mean?

BLANCHE.  What I say—­I learned it then from a paper of my father’s.  I shouldn’t have kept my knowledge to myself—­I see that now; but I did, for your sake, not for love of you—­the love went for good that day.  But here, a moment ago, I realized for the first time that my old friend did love me, love me with an ideal devotion the noblest woman in the world might be proud of!  I didn’t tell him then I loved him, but now I take this chance, I take it GLADLY before you!—­forced by you! I tell him now, what perhaps he has already guessed, I love him with all my heart—­I love him!  I LOVE HIM!