He read, in absolute silence, the two men watching him; Mr.Jacobs with a cheerful countenance, Derrick with an anxious regard; then presently, Mr.Clendon looked up.

Now his face was working, his eyes were moist as he breathed, "My God!" and there was remorse, as well as a kind of solemn joy in the cry.
"You do not guess the truth contained in these papers ?" he asked, in a very low voice, as his gaze met Derrick's.
"No, sir," said Derrick.
Mr.Clendon turned his eyes to Mr.Jacobs, but Derrick felt that the old man was addressing him.
"The lady who writes this letter, Mr.Jacobs, the Donna Elvira of whom you have spoken, is--my wife.

We have been separated for years.

The cause?
Nothing that can cast a shadow of dishonour on her.

I was wandering in South America when I met her; we fell in love, were married in haste.