Wanda.  Eighteen month.

Keith.  Does anyone about here know you are his wife?

Wanda.  No.  I came here to live a bad life.  Nobody know me.  I am quite alone.

Keith.  They’ve discovered who he was—­you know that?

Wanda.  No; I have not dared to go out.

Keith:  Well, they have; and they’ll look for anyone connected with him, of course.

Wanda.  He never let people think I was married to him.  I don’t know if I was—­really.  We went to an office and signed our names; but he was a wicked man.  He treated many, I think, like me.

Keith.  Did my brother ever see him before?

Wanda.  Never!  And that man first went for him.

Keith.  Yes.  I saw the mark.  Have you a servant?

Wanda.  No.  A woman come at nine in the morning for an hour.

Keith.  Does she know Larry?

Wanda.  No.  He is always gone.

Keith.  Friends—­acquaintances?

Wanda.  No; I am verree quiet.  Since I know your brother, I see no one, sare.

Keith. [Sharply] Do you mean that?

Wanda.  Oh, yes!  I love him.  Nobody come here but him for a long time now.

Keith.  How long?

Wanda.  Five month.

Keith.  So you have not been out since——?

     [Wanda shakes her head.]

What have you been doing?

Wanda. [Simply] Crying. [Pressing her hands to her breast] He is in danger because of me.  I am so afraid for him.

Keith. [Checking her emotion] Look at me.

     [She looks at him.]

If the worst comes, and this man is traced to you, can you trust yourself not to give Larry away?

Wanda. [Rising and pointing to the fire] Look!  I have burned all the things he have given me—­even his picture.  Now I have nothing from him.

Keith. [Who has risen too] Good!  One more question.  Do the police know you—­because—­of your life?

     [She looks at him intently, and shakes her, head.]

You know where Larry lives?

Wanda.  Yes.

Keith.  You mustn’t go there, and he mustn’t come to you.

     [She bows her head; then, suddenly comes close to him.]

Wanda.  Please do not take him from me altogether.  I will be so careful.  I will not do anything to hurt him.  But if I cannot see him sometimes, I shall die.  Please do not take him from me.

     [She catches his hand and presses it desperately between her
     own.]

Keith.  Leave that to me.  I’m going to do all I can.

Wanda. [Looking up into his face] But you will be kind?

     Suddenly she bends and kisses his hand.  Keith draws his hand
     away, and she recoils a little humbly, looking up at him again. 
     Suddenly she stands rigid, listening.