WARDEN. Only let me know what day. [_He goes out Left._ BLANCHE _sits by the table and opens the case. She looks first at a memoranda and reads what is on the outside._] A business memoranda. Lists of bonds. [_She opens and looks at the next paper only a second, and then closes it._] This, Mr. Mason will understand better than I. [_She puts it back in the pocket case. She finds a photograph in the case._] My picture!--[_She looks for others, but finds none._]--and _only_ mine! Oh, father!... [_She wipes away tears from her eyes so as to see the picture, which is an old one._] Father, I returned _your_ love. [_She reads on the back of photograph._] "Blanche, my darling daughter, at fourteen years of age!" That's mine! that's my own! [_And she puts the picture away separately. She takes up a small packet of very old love-letters tied with faded old pink tape._] Old letters from mother; they must be her love-letters. She shall have them,--they may soften her. [_She takes up a slip of paper and reads on the outside._] This is something for Mason, too. [_She puts it back in the case. She takes up a sealed envelope, blank._] Nothing on it, and sealed. [_She looks at it a moment, thinking._] Father, did you want this opened? If you didn't, why not have destroyed it? Ah! I needn't be afraid; _you_ had nothing to hide from the world. [_Tearing it open, she reads._] "I have discovered my son-in-law, Richard Sterling, in irregular business dealing. He is not honest. I will watch him as long as I live; but when you read this, Mason, keep your eye upon him for my daughter's sake. He has been warned by me--he may never trip again, and her happiness lies in ignorance." [_She starts, and looks about her to make sure she is alone. She then sits staring ahead for a few seconds; then she speaks._] My boy's father dishonest! Disgrace--he owned it--threatening _my_ boy! It mustn't come! It mustn't! _I'll_ watch now. [_She goes to the fireplace, tearing the paper as she crosses the room, she burns the letter; then she gathers up the other letters and the pocket case._] He must give me his word of honor over Richard's little bed to-night that he will do nothing to ever make the boy ashamed of bearing his father's name! [_She watches to see that every piece of the paper burns, as_ THE CURTAIN FALLS ACT II