I

    Alexander sat down in his office and tried to get some work done but his mind was far away. If only he had gone with Eliza and the children on vacation upstate, he wouldn't be the burnt out wreck hunched over his desk that he was now. But he knew that if he had gone with them, the massive piles of work left at home would have prevented him from enjoying himself. Perhaps he would be damned if he had and damned if he hadn't.

II.

    He had written to Eliza to see if she had made it safely to her father's house. A few days passed and he heard nothing from her. It shouldn't take more than a day or so for a letter to get upstate and another day or so for a reply to reach him. He knew Eliza was probably tired and busy from the trip and looking after the children but it wouldn't take much of her time to write a quick message to him, saying that she and the children had made it upstate safely. The only problem he had with Eliza was that she never answered his letters quickly enough.

I.I.I

    Alexander didn't want to believe it. It must all be malicious gossip spread by his enemies who would love to humiliate him by making people believe that his wife was unfaithful. He would believe Eliza over a spiteful loudmouth trying to blacken her name. Eliza deserved this trust. But there usually was no smoke without a fire. He had no idea since he hadn't received any letters from her in a while. Why wasn't she replying to his letters? Was she off with some other man?

I.V.

    Eliza came through the door followed by the children, who rushed over to Alexander and hugged him. She removed her hat, wrap, and gloves and put them on the side table before turning over to Alexander and smiling at him.

"What, no kiss for me?" she said.

Alexander came over and gave her a cold kiss on the cheek.

"Is that all?"

"Eliza," he responded, "Can we speak in private, upstairs?"

"Certainly, my love."

She gave him one of her sweetest smiles and followed him upstairs.

V.

    "What were you thinking, Eliza," he demanded of her.

"I was thinking that this wronged spouse routine is rich coming from you," she replied, "After that whole affair with that Reynolds woman."

"How many times do I have to say it: she was nothing to me, just a cheap distraction and I will always hate myself for getting myself mixed up with that harlot."

"Well she may have been just a distraction for you but I love Joseph, more than I ever loved you."

"I don't believe that. What could you possibly see in that dull prig?"

"How does it feel, Alexander... to know you just weren't good enough? To know you are replaceable?

"Mark my words, Eliza, I will make that scoundrel pay."

V.I

    Mr. Ackerman, Sir, Alexander began to write, "I do not write this to avenge my own honor but that of my most virtuous wife, a woman I cherish and respect with all my heart, which you have cruelly tarnished. If you have any pretense to being a gentleman, you will answer for your affront to this good lady.

Your obedient servant,

A. Ham.