[FANNY _enters_.] FANNY. [_Subdued and pale._] I came to see if you wanted anything, sir. BASIL. [_Looking up at her slowly, his voice is dull and hoarse._] No. FANNY. Shall I open the windows, Sir? It's a beautiful morning. BASIL. No, I'm cold. Make up the fire. FANNY. Wouldn't you like a cup of tea? You ought to 'ave something after not going to bed all night. BASIL. I don't want anything.... Don't worry, there's a good woman. [FANNY _puts coals on the fire, while BASIL listlessly watches her_. BASIL. How long is it since you sent the telegrams? FANNY. I took them the moment the office was opened. BASIL. What's the time? FANNY. Well, sir, it must be 'alf-past nine by now. BASIL. Good Heavens, how slowly the hours go. I thought the night would never end.... Oh, God, what shall I do? FANNY. I'll make you a strong cup of tea. If you don't 'ave something to pull you together--I don't know what'll 'appen to you. BASIL. Yes, make it quickly, I'm thirsty.... And I'm so cold. [_A ring at the front door is heard._ BASIL. [_Jumping up._] There's some one at the door, Fanny. Hurry up. [_She goes out, and he follows her to the door of the room._ BASIL. Fanny, don't let any one up beside Mr. Halliwell. Say I can see no one. [_He waits for a moment, anxiously._] Is that you, John? JOHN. [_Outside._] Yes. BASIL. [_To himself._] Thank God! [JOHN _comes in_. BASIL. I thought you were never coming. I begged you to come at once. JOHN. I started immediately I got your wire. BASIL. It seems hours since the girl went to the post-office. JOHN. What's the matter? BASIL. [_Hoarsely._] Don't you know? I thought I had said it in my telegram. JOHN. You simply wired that you were in great trouble. BASIL. I suppose I thought you'd see it in the papers. JOHN. What on earth d'you mean? I've not seen a paper. Where's your wife? BASIL. [_After a pause, almost in a whisper._] She's dead. JOHN. [_Thunderstruck._] Good God! BASIL. [_Impatiently._] Don't look at me like that. Isn't it plain enough? Don't you understand? JOHN. But she was all right yesterday. BASIL. [_Dully._] Yes. She was all right yesterday. JOHN. For goodness sake tell me what you mean, Basil. BASIL. She's dead.... And she was all right yesterday. [JOHN _does not understand. He is greatly distressed, and does not know what to say._ BASIL. I killed her--as surely as if I'd strangled her with my own hands. JOHN. What d'you mean? She's not really dead! BASIL. [_In agony._] She threw herself into the river last night. JOHN. How awful! BASIL. Haven't you got something more to say than how awful? I feel as if I were going mad. JOHN. But I can't understand! Why did she do it? BASIL. Oh--yesterday we had an awful row ... before you came. JOHN. I know. BASIL.