(Exit Cadwell) (Then, enter Jenny)

Jenny: Well, madam?

Olivia: Everything's going fine. And my brother--what's he doing?

Jenny: (seeing Laura enter with Worthy) Nothing much, madam.-- Here he is.

(Enter Worthy and Laura)

Worthy: What, madam! Nothing can dissuade you!

Laura: Stop, Worthy. I know more about all that than you. It's as I told you.

Worthy: The letter that Arabella gave to Laura--was a letter written to Laura.

Laura: (to Olivia) That's the way it is.

Worthy: (to Olivia) Arabella for inexplicable reasons takes the opportunity of using the letter to injure Cadwell.

Olivia: Well, brother, the matter is doubtful. Laura loves Cadwell, she takes his side. What do you find extraordinary in that?

Laura: The thing is not doubtful, madam. There are circ.u.mstances which a.s.sure me it is true.

Olivia: (to Worthy) Madam's right. Show her he has deceived her so that Cadwell cannot deny it, then--

Laura: (interrupting) Oh, I tell you if you can bring that about I will never see him again in my life.

Worthy: But, madam, what more is necessary?

Olivia: Oh, brother! How silly you are. (taking him to a nearby room) Come into this room, I want to talk to you.

Worthy: But--

Olivia: (interrupting him) I want to talk to you, I tell you. Follow me.

(Exit Olivia and Worthy)

Laura: Ah, I've seen more than I want to see. They intend to hunt Cadwell out of my heart. They are taking measures to do it that will not succeed.

Jenny: For that they are wrong, madam. For me, at present I am on his side.

He tells you that he loves you--why not believe him? They suspect him wrongly. They say he deceives you--all the world believes it. What does it matter? You are the interested party--he made you listen to what he pleased, that's all. Must he render an account of his actions to others?

Laura: My G.o.d, Jenny, I understand that language. But be advised that I am not a dupe. I have eyes like others--in an affair that was n.o.body's business but mine.

Jenny: I am speaking seriously, madam. That young fellow loves you terribly.

(Exit Jenny, then enter Cadwell)

Cadwell: Stay, madam--here--

Laura: (interrupting him) What have you there? What do you intend to do with that letter?

Cadwell: I am come to bring it to you, madam.

Laura: May I see it?

Cadwell: If you will bear with me. I must tell you the reasons that brought me to write it.

Laura: I am listening to you.

Cadwell: You must help me in this business.

Laura: Speak quickly then.

Cadwell: Madam, I can no longer stand all the nasty things said about us. I know that Olivia is part of it. I have decided to stop them, and I have found the way by pretending to make love to her.

Laura: What?

Cadwell: Listen, madam. Here's the best part. From the first interview, I have so well advanced that we are come to terms.

Laura: What are you saying?

Cadwell: Hear the rest, I beg you. She has exacted a promise from me that I will never love anyone other than herself. And she has even engaged that I must put in that I never loved you.

Laura: You were able to write it?

Cadwell: Pardon me for doing so. All appeared permissible to me to avenge you.

Laura: And what can a.s.sure me that this pretence doesn't hide a truth?

Cadwell: Everything, madam. And especially the care I have taken not to put this paper in her hands until you have seen it.

Laura: Ah, Cadwell, I will never be able to accept such a pretence.

Cadwell: Ah, madam, I beg you. Now I have the letter to Olivia in my hands.

Laura: Show me this paper.

Cadwell: Madam, I hear Olivia. Contain yourself, I beg you.

Laura: It will be hard.

Cadwell: It must be done.

(Enter Olivia)

Laura: Where have you come from, madam?

Olivia: I've just come from a conversation with my brother which concerns you.