Desperation (1916)

Katherine Crichton marries the scientist, John Staffurth. She has plenty of time to kill, and welcomes the visits of the friend of her girlhood, Richard Furness. John is busy and is glad for the young man to "amuse" her, and is distressed when Furness is called abroad. Katherine knows her continued friendship is scarcely wise. She corresponds with him, however. A slight injury brings about serious developments. Specialists tell her husband the worst is to be feared and that she has only two years to live. John determines that she shall never know the truth. But Katherine does know, for she has been suspicious and has listened at the door. She resents John's lack of faith in her and will not let him know she has overheard the verdict. At times she is driven almost mad by the knowledge which she is bearing alone. She has no idea her husband, who seems to be absorbed in his own interests, is working in search of a cure for her. So when Furness returns from abroad she gives herself up to the pleasure of his company. She does not, however, like the idea that her letters have been kept, and Furness promises to give them back if she will go to the opera with him. At a crucial moment in Furness' flat, Katherine draws back. But fate interposes and arranges that John shall have his door barred against his wife. Contrasting Furness' adoration with her husband's indifference, Katherine hastily writes a letter of surrender. On the morrow when John, tardily enlightened, is forcing Furness to give up the letters, Katherine is hearing from her doctor that her husband has discovered a cure for her and that there is a lifetime of health before her. When John comes in, radiant over the good news, his wife shrinks from him. She has no thought but for the letters. When she finds that the packet is complete, that the last one has not been opened, she is overwhelmed with emotion. She gives the letter to John, but he tears it to pieces unread and holds out his arms to his wife.