HAVERILL. Constance, my dear, I've been all over the place looking for you. I thought you were in your room. But--by the way, Kerchival, this is your handkerchief; your initials are on it. [KERCHIVAL _turns and stares at him a second_. MRS. HAVERILL _starts slightly and turns front_. HAVERILL _glances quickly from one to the other, then extends his hands toward_ KERCHIVAL, _with the handkerchief_. KERCHIVAL _takes it_. MRS. HAVERILL _drops into chair_. KERCHIVAL. Thank you. [_He exits with a quick glance back._ HAVERILL _looks at_ MRS. HAVERILL, _who sits nervously looking away. He then glances after_ KERCHIVAL. _A cloud comes over his face, and he stands a second in thought. Then, with a movement as if brushing away a passing suspicion, he smiles pleasantly and approaches_ MRS. HAVERILL; _leans over her_. HAVERILL. My fair Desdemona! [_Smiling_.] I found Cassio's handkerchief in your room. Have you a kiss for me? [_She looks up; he raises her chin with a finger and kisses her_.] That's the way I shall smother you. MRS. HAVERILL. [_Rising and dropping her head upon his breast_.] Husband! HAVERILL. But what is this they have been telling me? MRS. HAVERILL. What have they said to you? HAVERILL. There was something wrong with you in the early part of the evening; you are trembling and excited, my girl! MRS. HAVERILL. It was nothing, John; I--I--was ill, for a few moments, but I am well now. HAVERILL. You said nothing about it to me. MRS. HAVERILL. Do not give it another thought. HAVERILL. Was there anything besides your health involved in the affair? There was. [_Aside_.] How came this handkerchief in her room? MRS. HAVERILL. My husband! I do not want to say anything more--at--at present--about what happened to-night. There has never been a shadow between us--will you not trust me? HAVERILL. Shadow! You stand in a bright light of your own, my wife; it shines upon my whole life--there can be no shadow there. Tell me as much or as little as you like, and in your own time. I am sure you will conceal nothing from me that I ought to know. I trust my honour and my happiness to you, absolutely. MRS. HAVERILL. They will both be safe, John, in my keeping. But there is something else that I wish to speak with you about; something very near to your heart--your son! HAVERILL. My son! MRS. HAVERILL. He is in Charleston. HAVERILL. And not--in prison? To me he is nowhere. I am childless. MRS. HAVERILL. I hope to see him to-day; may I not take him some kind word from you? HAVERILL. My lawyers in New York had instructions to provide him with whatever he needed. MRS. HAVERILL. They have done so, and he wants for nothing; he asks for nothing, except that I will seek out the poor young wife--only a girl herself--whom he is obliged to desert, in New York. HAVERILL. His marriage was a piece of reckless folly, but I forgave him that.