Scene V.
MARWOOD (looking round).
Am I alone? Can I take breath again unobserved, and let the muscles of my face relax into their natural position? I must just for a moment be the true Marwood in all my features to be able again to bear the restraint of dissimulation! How I hate thee, base dissimulation! Not because I love sincerity, but because thou art the most pitiable refuge of powerless revenge. I certainly would not condescend to thee, if a tyrant would lend me his power or Heaven its thunderbolt.--Yet, if thou only servest my end! The beginning is promising, and Mellefont seems disposed to grow more confident. If my device succeeds and I can speak alone with his Sara; then-yes, then, it is still very uncertain whether it will be of any use to me. The truths about Mellefont will perhaps be no novelty to her; the calumnies she will perhaps not believe, and the threats, perhaps, despise. But yet she shall hear truths, calumnies and threats. It would be bad, if they did not leave any sting at all in her mind. Silence; they are coming. I am no longer Marwood, I am a worthless outcast, who tries by little artful tricks to turn aside her shame,--a bruised worm, which turns and fain would wound at least the heel of him who trod upon it.
Scene VI.
Sara, Mellefont, Marwood.
SARA.
I am happy, Madam, that my uneasiness on your account has been unnecessary.
MARWOOD.
I thank you! The attack was so insignificant that it need not have made you uneasy.
MELLEFONT.
Lady Solmes wishes to take leave of you, dearest Sara!
SARA.
So soon, Madam?
MARWOOD.
I cannot go soon enough for those who desire my presence in London.
MELLEFONT.
You surely are not going to leave to-day?
MARWOOD.
To-morrow morning, first thing.
MELLEFONT.
To-morrow morning, first thing? I thought to-day.
SARA.
Our acquaintance, Madam, commences hurriedly. I hope to be honoured with a more intimate intercourse with you at some future time.
MARWOOD.
I solicit your friendship, Miss Sampson.
MELLEFONT.
I pledge myself, dearest Sara, that this desire of Lady Solmes is sincere, although I must tell you beforehand that you will certainly not see each other again for a long time. Lady Solmes will very rarely be able to live where we are.
MARWOOD (aside).
How subtle!
SARA.
That is to deprive me of a very pleasant anticipation, Mellefont!
MARWOOD.
I shall be the greatest loser!
MELLEFONT.
But in reality, Madam, do you not start before tomorrow morning?
MARWOOD.
It may be sooner! (Aside.) No one comes.
MELLEFONT.
We do not wish to remain much longer here either. It will be well, will it not, Sara, to follow our answer without delay? Sir William cannot be displeased with our haste.