Jenny: Go. Become him if you can.

(Exit Worthy)

Olivia: But Jenny, the more I think of what my brother just said, the less likely I think it.

Jenny: I don't understand it any better than you. Cadwell was very gay when he left. Laura wasn't sad. There's a misunderstanding somewhere or Cadwell has played a tick of his specialty.

Olivia: What could he have said against such strong proof?

Jenny: My word, I don't know. What should I say to you? He opens his big eyes, he sighs, he threatens, he weeps, he falls to his knees, he walks about with long strides, breaks a chair, tears a ruffle, bites his nails, tears his hair, and in the end, he's right.

Olivia: Nice manners to justify oneself!

Jenny: If I hadn't seen him play the same role with her a thousand times, I wouldn't know what to say. He made me cry in the beginning, but now I am cured.-- But you, madam, who speak as if you wish to help your brother, who can do it better than you? For I'm not blind. I've noticed for a long time that Cadwell watches you, and because I see that you respond well enough to all his tricks, I believe that you are not lacking in what it takes to prevail on his pa.s.sion and undeceive Laura.

Olivia: You have good eyes, Jenny. Well, since you have observed it, I am going to make you my confidant. It's something I've thought of for some time, but it's the last remedy I wish to employ because I find it the most shameful.

Jenny: Bah, madam, it is not shameful to punish a rascal.

Olivia: Besides, I'm afraid he will distrust me.

Jenny: Indeed! Him! He wouldn't distrust you if you told him you hated him.

He is so sure of his own worth that he thinks people are forced to love him just by looking at him.--I hear someone. Perhaps it's him.

He'll fall in any trap you set for him.

Olivia: He's more clever than you can imagine.

Jenny: If he didn't do foolish things he wouldn't need all his trickery. It's for you to embroil him so well that nothing he can do will be enough to get him out of it.

Olivia: Let me do it.

(Exit Jenny) (Then enter Cadwell)

Cadwell: (with pretended embarra.s.sment) I don't know what I ought to do, madam.

Olivia: You must read your own thoughts and take counsel.

Cadwell: Ought I to stay, madam, and expose myself to the greatest peril I have run in my life?

Olivia: This enigma is very difficult to solve. But I do not see what peril you run in remaining here.

Cadwell: Ah, madam, how badly my eyes serve me! That my sighs are so badly explained. What? All my actions have not made themselves understood?

Olivia: I have only noticed in you that you are prodigiously at ease with the whole world.

Cadwell: Ah, madam! If I haven't kept honest appearances for the others, much different are the ones I've had for you. You owe me a complete account of them. I have done it only to better hide my love.

Olivia: Ah, Cadwell, are you thinking carefully of what you are saying to me?

Cadwell: Yes, madam, I have thought of it. I know all that I risk. I know that I lose Laura forever if you abuse the sincere declaration I am making to you. But I know that I cannot live and hide my feelings for you.

Olivia: I've seen too much of you to believe you are sincere.

Cadwell: Eh! What do my feelings say to you, madam, who cannot be convinced by the strongest pa.s.sion that ever was experienced?

Olivia: Don't you swear that all the time to Laura?

Cadwell: Judge by the continual reproaches I receive from her.

Olivia: But you deceive her then?

Cadwell: Why, madam, don't you know how things are done? Don't you know that an uncle ordered me to attach myself to her, and that her great wealth put this project in his head. I was not then engaged elsewhere. I consented to all he wished. But I saw you, madam, and love made me neglect a very considerable fortune.

Olivia: Ah, Cadwell. I don't know if all you tell me is true. But I am sure I wish at least--

Cadwell: (interrupting her and falling on his knees) Ah, madam! Permit me, I beg you, to throw myself at your feet. I conjure you in the name of the most lively tenderness of a pa.s.sion which will never end to put me to the strongest test you can invent.

Do you want Laura's letters? I abandon them to you. Do you want me never to see her again? I consent. Do you want me to smash her portrait before your eyes? I will do it. There's nothing I won't sacrifice. Command it!

Olivia: I wish that you had never spoken.

Cadwell: Had I offered you my first vows! I would still be faithful.

Olivia: But Cadwell, what are you asking from me?

Cadwell: That you love me, that you think it, and that you tell me--endlessly.

Olivia: You will betray me.

Cadwell: No, madam, never.

Olivia: Put it in writing.

Cadwell: In my blood if necessary.

Olivia: You no longer love Laura? You will live eternally for me? You promise me this and your hand is ready to sign the declaration?

Cadwell: Right now. Command me!

Olivia: Don't forget then, Cadwell, to put in all that confirms your oaths.

Cadwell: I am going to bring it to you, madam, while you in turn will give me proofs of your affection.

Olivia: You will be content.

Cadwell: That's enough.

Olivia: I will wait for you.