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LAURA
[I have escaped, I'm sure. I saw Colonel Selby approach our house. I have taken shelter here and Colonel Sellers will protect me if he dare to follow me.] I thought I should find Clay here. Where can he have gone?
(Sees letter on table.)
What's this? A letter?
(Does not read it, but looks at frank.)
This is Senator Dilworthy's [stamp], so it is from him. Thank heaven I can see my way out of this place at last. Everyone looks upon me with suspicion. Clay pities me. Pities me ! Why, what have I done? I married a villain, married him secretly, persuaded of a necessity by his lies and blinded by my boundless trust in him. I made him my idol and he trampled me in the dust. The world smiles on him and looks questioningly on me. If it knew all it would cast me out to die in the streets, with its fine sense of justice. But my secret is safe in Clay's hands. No license is required in Missouri in order to marry, so there's no record of that kind to betray me. Justices of the peace keep no records and the justice who married us is dead . The world is open to me so long as I continue to deceive it. There must be a place for a woman like me, a woman with beauty in her face and a demon in her heart. For two months he has not come near me. He abandons me—but I'll forget him.
(Enter COLONEL SELBY. She starts, but
recovers her unconcern [and moves away
as SELBY starts to embrace her.)Oh, Colonel Selby, it that you? I did not recognize you at first.
SELBY
Am I so greatly changed, Laura?
LAURA
(Looking at him sharply.)You are changed, I think. You are older. There is more silver in your hair than when I last saw you.
SELBY
When you last saw me? Scarcely two months ago!
LAURA
Is it two months?
(Sarcastically.)
I did not think it was so long.
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