lly telling me the truth?

_Clarkson_--I never lie, madam: I have too much business on my hands;
it would mix me up quite too much in my affairs.

_Catherine_--Then perhaps it is to Mrs. Clarkson that my husband has
intrusted that letter.

_Clarkson_--No. She would have mentioned it; for I told her that I had
received a line from the Duke, and was on my way to this house.

_Catherine_--Perhaps your wife did not tell you--all.

_Clarkson_--She has no earthly reason to conceal anything from me!

_Catherine_--True! I know very well that she is your wife only in
name; she told me as much when I was at her house yesterday.

_Clarkson_--Really! She must be very much pleased with you, for she
does not talk readily about her personal affairs.

_Catherine_--Unfortunately, it is quite otherwise as far as I am
concerned; she has not hidden from me the fact that she detests me,
and that she will do me all the injury she possibly can.

_Clarkson_--You? Injury? For what reason? Pray, what have you done to
her?

_Catherine_--Nothing! I have known her only two days. Nevertheless--

_Clarkson_--Nevertheless--

_Catherine_--What I was going to say is not my secret, sir, it is
hers, and she alone has the right to tell it to you. But as to this
letter that my husband has told my father he has sent to you--it is I
who wrote that letter. You may as well know, too, that it was
abstracted from my possession; and moreover, that with that letter any
one can indeed do me all the mischief with which your wife, Mrs.
Clarkson, has threatened me.

_Clarkson_ [_very gravely_]--Then we must know at once if my wife has
that letter. I will write her to come here immediately and join
us--that I have something very important to communicate to her--here.
Are you willing to have her come? [_He writes while he speaks._]

_Catherine_--Certainly.

_Clarkson_--Then we can have a general explanation. You may be sure,
madam, that I shall never lend my hand to anything that means harm to
you, or to any woman: I come from the country where we respect women.

_Catherine_ [_rings the bell, and says to a servant who answers
it_]--See that this letter is sent immediately. Be careful that it
does not go astray. It is not my letter. This gentleman has written
it. [_Exit servant._]

_Clarkson_--And now, madam, do you know why M. de Septmonts wishes to
have an interview with me?

_Catherine_--Yes, I can guess. It concerns me, perhaps; but I have no
ri