Tom monologue (Act 2) — The Silver Shield: An Original Comedy in Three Acts

In Melbourne. At first the sight of the old name brought back old memories, and I forgave her. I got out the few remnants the past leaves to men--the few pale letters and the faded photograph that grows a little dimmer every day--when my eyes fell on that last note I found upon her desk. I huddled up the scraps and went my way. I took up art as a profession--changed my name in deference to my family, who look on art as a mild form of felony--and time went on. I pulled the old things out again, and found that I could look at them unmoved. I even thought of marrying again, when, as I stood talking to you that last day at Sir Humphrey's, there flashed on me a figure and a face so like my wife's, it was like seeing _her._ And with the sight of her came back the love. (_crosses to C._)