FROME. Did that surprise you, or not?     

       RUTH. What, sir?     

       FROME. That he had money to give you.     

       Ring. Yes, because on the morning when my husband nearly killed me my friend cried because he hadn't the money to get me away. He told me afterwards he'd come into a windfall.     

       FROME. And when did you last see him?     

       RUTH. The day he was taken away, sir. It was the day we were to have started.     

       FROME. Oh, yes, the morning of the arrest. Well, did you see him at all between the Friday and that morning? [RUTH nods] What was his manner then?     

       RUTH. Dumb—like—sometimes he didn't seem able to say a word.     

       FROME. As if something unusual had happened to him?     

       RUTH. Yes.     

       FROME. Painful, or pleasant, or what?     

       RUTH. Like a fate hanging over him.     

       FROME. [Hesitating] Tell me, did you love the prisoner very much?     

       RUTH. [Bowing her head] Yes.     

       FROME. And had he a very great affection for you?     

       RUTH. [Looking at FALDER] Yes, sir.     

       FROME. Now, ma'am, do you or do you not think that your danger and unhappiness would seriously affect his balance, his control over his actions?     

       RUTH. Yes.     

       FROME. His reason, even?     

       RUTH. For a moment like, I think it would.     

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