ACT II. Scene: Same as Act I. Time: A short time later.
Lackey:
I'm going to find out if one can see, madam.
Arabella:
Eh! My child—tell me a bit, I beg you, Cadwell—is he here?
Lackey:
I don't know. I don't believe so. Shall I ring, madam?
Arabella: Yes, ring. (Lackey pulls a bell cord) (Aside) Where can Cadwell be? His conduct doesn't satisfy me any more. He has the gift of tasting everything he finds agreeable the very moment he finds it. And the lack of promptness he shows to see me ruins the pleasure I got from the watch he sent me this morning.
(Enter Jenny)
Jenny: (to Lackey)
Well! Who the devil made you ring so loud?
Lackey: (exiting)
One asks for madam.
Arabella: (to Jenny)
What's Laura doing?
Jenny: She hasn't slept for the whole night. She's just been drowsing for a whole hour. If you wish I will go tell her—
Arabella: (interrupting)
No, Jenny, I will wait till she wakes.
Jenny:
Or till Cadwell returns?
Arabella:
Why Cadwell?
Jenny:
To keep you company while waiting for Laura.
Arabella:
I've nothing to do with Cadwell.
Jenny: And now, madam, pardon me for speaking so freely, there's a rumor about that you don't hate him—
Arabella:
Me?
Jenny:
All the world says that he loves you, at least.
Arabella: All the world has lied, Jenny. It is true that certain understandings between people do result in passions. I hold myself no more guilty of loving him than of having inspired love. Really, when you hear such foolishness— But who can take pleasure in spreading rumors like that? Cadwell himself hasn't any part in it?
Jenny: Why, madam,—what stops you? What makes you angry today is the glory of most women. And the pleasure of being told they are loved leads some to being very loving.
Arabella: I don't know those people, Jenny, and Cadwell would be of all men the one about whom I would least have it said.
Jenny:
They say he's the Don Juan of London.
Arabella:
Not mine.
Jenny:
Still he has wit.
Arabella:
I find him somewhat silly—and the most annoying personality.
Jenny: (interrupting her)
He's well built.
Arabella:
What difference? I cannot stand him.
Jenny:
As for writing, nobody writes better.
Arabella: What do you say? It's true that I haven't seen his letters, but then as to his manners, I believe he's incapable of doing anything good.
Jenny:
Ah—I know of so many difficulties that cannot be arranged.
Arabella:
Eh! Who Jenny?
Jenny:
What interest do you have in it?
Arabella:
I have some reasons for wishing to know it.
Jenny:
I have some, perhaps, for not telling you.
Arabella:
I beg you.
Jenny:
What do you care?
Arabella: I would like to know who the unfortunate woman is who clings to him so mal apropos.
(Enter Lackey)
Lackey:
Selina asks to see you, madam.
Jenny: (to Arabella) Hold—here exactly is one of the unfortunate women. (going to Laura's room)
(Exit Lackey and exit Jenny) (Enter Selina)
Selina:
You here all alone, madam?
Arabella:
As you see, madam.
Selina:
Where is Laura, madam?
Arabella:
I am waiting for her to wake up, madam.
Selina:
I must do the same, while I wait for my carriage to be sent over.
Arabella:
I have mine below—of which you may freely dispose.
Selina:
Could I do better than to be with you, madam?
Arabella:
I know people you would prefer easily enough.
Selina:
There's at least something I could tell you.
Arabella: It's a little thing when one is instructed to the contrary. (Noticing the clasp on Selina) But what do I see?
Selina:
What do you see, madam?
Arabella:
I admire your pin. The diamonds are very nice. They're well set.
Selina:
You find it beautiful, madam? I am delighted that it is to your taste.
Arabella:
You've had it for some time, madam?
Selina:
A very long time, madam, but I rarely wear it.
Arabella: (aside) Am I deceived? (looking at the pin) With your permission, madam. No, madam, it is not so long as you say.
Selina:
I tell you truly, madam.
Arabella:
I know what I say, madam.
Selina:
And I, madam, know when your questions begin to tire me.
Arabella:
But please, tell me how you got it.
Selina:
I don't have to give you an account of it.
Arabella:
Where did you buy it?
Selina:
Let's end this if you please—
Arabella:
It must have cost you a lot.
Selina: (noticing on Arabella the watch she sent to Cadwell)
It cost me, madam, it cost me—more than you paid for your watch.
Arabella: What balderdash are you giving me, madam? What has my watch got to do with the pin I spoke of?
Selina: Madam, let's not enter further into an aggravating explanation. In these affairs the best way is to let things pass in silence. They are most unfortunate when discovered. In this adventure, at least, if we lose our lover, we at least get our jewelry back. I am going to return your pin—or I will keep it if you want to keep my watch.
Arabella: No, madam, I don't wish to keep anything that would give me the least reminder of the greatest villain in the world.
Selina: (giving the pin)
Here, madam, is your pin.
Arabella: (giving the watch)
And here's your watch.
(Enter Jenny)
Jenny:
What swap are you making? I want to see it.
Selina: It's nothing, Jenny. (to Arabella) Goodbye, madam, I am going to take your carriage.
Arabella:
Don't keep it.
Selina:
I am not going far.
Jenny:
Madam is coming here.
Selina:
I just remembered something pressing.
(Exit Selina)
Arabella:
Your mistress is coming you say?
Jenny:
I hear her.
Arabella:
I intend to avenge myself on the perfidy of Cadwell right away.
(Exit Jenny) (Enter Laura)
Laura:
Madam, I am in despair for having made you wait so long.
Arabella:
I've come to tell you something which will surprise you the most.
Laura:
Don't delay, madam, for I'm already impatient about—
Arabella: (interrupting her)
No, madam, if you please this will be in front of Cadwell.
Laura:
What role does he have to play in what you have to tell me?
Arabella: I intend to reveal to you what is in the heart of a man you esteem a little too much.
Laura: (pointing to the door to Cadwell's apartment)
Madam, there's the door to his apartment. (calling) Jenny, Jenny.
(Enter Jenny)
Jenny:
Madam?
Laura:
Tell Cadwell that madam (pointing to Arabella) wishes to speak to him.
Jenny:
Cadwell. He left, more than an hour ago, madam.
Laura: Fine! (Jenny exits) (to Arabella) I am not to know then, madam, what it is that is so important for me to learn?
Arabella: Abuse me. No, madam, I repeat to you, Cadwell doesn't deserve any consideration from a person like you.
Laura: You appear to me to be sufficiently well instructed, madam, and the manner in which you speak, will begin to displease me if you continue to hide from me the reason—
Arabella: Well, madam, learn to your shame and mine that Cadwell is deceiving us both; that he is the most villainous of men, and that having been disabused of his lies myself, I believe I ought to bring you out of your error.
Laura: You oblige me much, madam, although a trifle late. You will permit me to say without getting angry that you would easily console me in my error if you were still in yours.
Arabella: Cadwell easily made me believe all that he wished, madam. There are explanations between us, him, you and me that—
Laura: (interrupting her) Ah, madam, such explanations between three people are usually irritating. Avoid them, and give me without them all the proofs that you can of his infidelity.
Arabella:
You are going to see all of Cadwell, madam.
Laura: (aside)
Ah—inconsistent man—
(Enter Bendish)
Bendish: (aside, staying at a distance)
They're talking about my master.
Arabella:
I will render you certain.
Laura: (aside)
Faithless!
Bendish:
That's him.
Arabella: (pulling out a letter from her purse and presenting it to
Laura)
Here, madam. Read!
Laura: (aside)
Traitor! Infidel!
Bendish:
Oh, surely that's him. I recognize the epithets. Let's hear.
Arabella:
This is the only letter of the thirty or so he wrote me that I have
kept. One of my women imprudently took the others from my drawer.
Happily I had this one about my person. It will suffice.
Bendish:
I believe we'll have to move a little sooner than we thought.
(Laura takes the letter and reads it to herself)
Arabella: (after Laura has finished the letter)
Well? What do you say to that, madam?
Laura:
Alas, madam, what can I say? I can say nothing.
Arabella:
You take this affair with plenty of moderation.
Laura:
Rumor is helpful.
Bendish: (aside)
Please God we may be rid of that rumor.
Arabella:
Adieu, madam.
Laura:
Madam, I bid you good day.
Arabella:
Aren't you going to give me back my letter?
Laura:
Please leave it here with me.
Arabella:
These sorts of things are not good in the hands of interested parties.
Laura:
It won't leave my hands.
Arabella: Goodbye then, madam. (Seeing Laura is going to escort her out and preventing it) Madam, where are you going?
Laura:
Madam, I leave you. It's just as well, I am in no condition.
Arabella: (interrupting her)
Go back in then.
(Exit Arabella)
Bendish: (aside) I can see it plainly. Our good fortune is going to cause us to flee to the country. Just heaven!
Laura: (perceiving Bendish)
Ah, Bendish, where is your master?
Bendish:
I believe he went to do something.
Laura: Go tell him to come to me as soon as possible. As soon as possible, do you understand? Tell him that I have something to say to him of the utmost importance, that he come at once. Bring him with you. Do you understand clearly?
Bendish:
Yes, madam, I understand too well—and I haven't understood anything.
Laura: Go then, quickly. Stay! I am going to write a word. That will hurry him more. I will do it in an instant.
(Exit Laura)
Bendish: Ah, this blow will leave us lost without resources. May the plague choke coquettes, coquettery and those who invented it. We are taken in a snare.
(Enter Cadwell)
Bendish:
Ah, sir.
Cadwell:
What's the matter with him?
Bendish:
You are lost.
Cadwell:
Really?
Bendish: Sir, Arabella, that cursed Arabella with arguments I don't understand —(hesitating to continue)
Cadwell:
Well?
Bendish:
She has given the letter you wrote her to Laura.
Cadwell:
Well?
Bendish:
Well? What more do you want? Don't you understand what followed?
Cadwell:
Well?
Bendish:
You're dreaming, I swear, with your "Well?"
Cadwell:
Well?
Bendish: Well! Well! Well! Oh! And bad for you by all the devils in hell. Say something. At once.
Cadwell:
Wait here. I am going—
Bendish: (interrupting him)
She told me to look for you—
Cadwell:
Never mind, I'm going—I wish Arabella was dead.
Bendish:
Ha—how ugly she is now, right sir?
Cadwell:
We must—
Bendish: (interrupting him)
Here's Laura.
(Enter Laura)
Laura: (to Bendish without seeing Cadwell) Wait, Bendish, carry this to Cadwell. (seeing Cadwell) Ah, you here, sir. I am delighted to find you so apropos.
Cadwell:
Eh, madam! Did you think I was out again?
Laura:
I though you were here—but henceforth—
Cadwell:
Today is not the day for you to make resolutions.
Laura: Heaven grant I had never seen it. Monster whom I looked on with horror.
Cadwell:
I can tell from these epithets those who have been inspiring you.
Laura:
And you can see from the effects the reward which is your due.
Cadwell: I know that I should thank you for the indifference you have shown me for some time.
Laura: Don't arrogate to yourself the scorn I intend to bear you for the rest of my life.
Cadwell:
You taught me yesterday that I must learn to expect it.
Laura: Infidel! I have never passed a day without giving you some proof of my affection.
Cadwell: Real affections, madam, that respond so ill to the urgings of my letter without any explanation. But let's not speak of that.
Laura:
What letter, perfidious one. What do you mean to say?
Cadwell:
Oh let's stop talking. Spare me such names.
Laura: No, no. I mean for you to explain yourself. I can justify myself very easily and I will have some pleasure in doing so after the blackest, most cowardly— Continue once more. What letter do you wish to speak to me of?
Cadwell: Oh, madam, what's the use of it? The letter Bendish gave you yesterday.
Laura:
To me?
Cadwell:
To you, madam.
Laura:
I received a letter.
Cadwell:
Uh, you yourself, madam.
Laura:
Which Bendish brought?
Cadwell:
He himself.
Laura:
That's not true.
Cadwell:
Bendish?
Bendish:
Sir?
Cadwell:
Didn't I write a letter yesterday?
Bendish:
Yes, sir.
Cadwell:
Didn't I tell you to take it to London?
Bendish:
That's true.
Cadwell:
To whom did you take it?
Bendish:
To whom?
Cadwell:
Yes, idiot! To whom? Wasn't it madam?
Bendish:
Yes, sir.
Cadwell:
Didn't you come express?
Bendish:
I remain in agreement.
Cadwell:
Didn't you enter this lodging to give it to her?
Bendish:
That's certain.
Cadwell:
Well-what did you do with it, you ass. Answer.
Bendish:
Sir.
Cadwell: (interrupting him)
You lost it, right?
Bendish:
Sir, when I came to madam's room to put it in her hands— (hesitating)
Cadwell:
Well?
Bendish:
I couldn't find it.
Cadwell: Ah, fool! (to Laura) Madam, I beg your pardon. (to Bendish, pretending to menace him) I don't know what prevents me— (to Laura) I am in despair to have accused you so unjustly as I have done. (to Bendish) Find the letter, rogue! Was someone in the room?
Bendish:
There were a lot of people, sir.
Cadwell: My letter will be lost! This is awful! In it I begged you to spend some time in the country with me and my aunt. And whoever has found it has used it to shred our relationship.— But please, madam, while I am unable to disguise the cause of my chagrin—explain to me what has aroused you so seriously against me.
Laura: Oh, your dodge is very adroit, I admit. And I might be silly enough to believe you if your letter could agree with what you tell me. I have the letter. It is in my hands. I won't tell you how I got it. But let's see if you can explain away all the scorn it expresses for me.
Cadwell:
Scorn for you?
Laura: Yes, cruel man—and in all it's spite. (pulls out the letter) Listen. "I am in the country for the last two days and without Laura. The complaisance that I am obliged to show a sick aunt makes me stay in a strange solitude. Couldn't you try to render my condition supportable. If you do not take it on yourself, Laura and the whole world together cannot help me. I will never love and never adore anyone but you in my life. Adieu."
Bendish: We shall see that someone counterfeited his signature. What will he say?
Cadwell: Ah, I see now that no one poisoned you. I beg you, madam, give me the letter. (Laura hands it to him puzzled and he begins to read) "I am in the country for the last two days and I am without Laura! The complaisance that I am obliged to show a sick aunt makes me stay in a strange solitude. Couldn't you try to render my condition supportable? IF YOU DO NOT TAKE IT ON YOURSELF, LAURA—the whole world together cannot help me. I will never love and never adore anyone but you in my life. Adieu." (after having read the letter aloud) This letter is full of scorn for you?
Laura:
Oh, Cadwell, Cadwell, you have many enemies or I am very weak.
Cadwell: Still something remains hidden. Madam, I beg you to explain. Let me know who I ought to challenge or distrust.
Laura: No, Cadwell. Be content that I give no credence to the treason that I suspected of you.
Cadwell: Madam, I am the happiest man I the world today—but innocence is always recognized. Yet I fear that mine in the end will succumb to some new imposture.
Laura: Ah, Cadwell, can your interests be in better hands than mine? I am only too ingenious in finding reasons to excuse you and my suspicions only begin when I cannot find you innocent.
Cadwell: Yet, madam, what would have happened today, had I not by a miracle understood and brought the truth to your eyes? I would have lost forever a heart that my fidelity ought to have preserved for me eternally. Can I be for a moment without mortal uncertainty in the future? Things pass through my head, each one more bizarre than the rest. I feel I'd rather not see you ever again in my life than to be so cruelly forsaken even once. Me—faithless to my dear Laura! Madam, if you don't assure me against all that can tempt you against me; if you don't promise to shut the mouths of those who slander me before you—you will see me die of despair.
Laura:
You don't love anyone but me, Cadwell?
Cadwell:
I hate all that is not you.
Laura:
Ah, Cadwell! Don't deceive me!
Cadwell:
Why would I do that, madam?
Laura: How do I know? To pile conquest on conquest—to satisfy a ridiculous vanity that all men pride themselves on these days. Such easy things don't do you honor, Cadwell.
Cadwell:
Ah, madam, I prefer to die.
Laura:
What are you doing today?
Cadwell:
Madam, my brother has asked me to visit him.
Laura:
Are you going?
Cadwell:
Soon, madam.
Laura:
When will I see you again?
Cadwell:
The very soonest I can.
Laura:
Adieu, Cadwell. Think of me.
Cadwell:
I am occupied by nothing but you.
(Exit Laura)
Bendish:
Well, sir, I'm learning as you see.
Cadwell:
You did wonders.
Bendish: Frankly sir, if you hadn't been seconded our ship would have come aground. Truly, the trouble that you had in this adventure—I'm not sorry it happened for I don't doubt that after such a hot alarm you'll take care not to make another such mistake.
Cadwell: (looking at his watch) What time is it? What the devil! Four o'clock. Sophia is waiting for me on the river.
Bendish:
Sir!
Cadwell:
Shut up!
Bendish: (aside)
Ah—what a man! (aloud) Shall I go with you?
Cadwell: (taking a few steps towards leaving) No. (Returning) I forgot. (pulling a letter from his pocket and giving it to Bendish) Take this letter to the Duchess of Devonshire.
Bendish:
The Duchess of Devonshire. It's fifteen months since you last saw her.
Cadwell:
Go, I tell you.
Bendish: (aside)
What a devilish imagination. Ah, she sold land eight days ago. (aloud)
I'm going. But where will I find you?
Cadwell: At Charlotte's where I must be precisely at five o'clock, don't you know? Don't wait, for I won't be long.
(Exit Cadwell)
Bendish: Go, go, we are ordered. And by God all is not going to end as it should. Cursed be the first little she-monkey that gave him his reputation. Really, what's so marvelous about him? Don't I have eyes, a nose, a body like him? It's chance that does everything? Just make a little stir and you will succeed in all things. The Duchess is amorous of so and so. She passes for a connoisseur. All the gallant ladies want to know if she's right. All try to please her. One by a veritable infatuation, another by jealousy, another by avenging a lover who had left her, to reawaken the ardors of a languishing lover—all to follow the fashion. For it's fashion in this as in all else. But let's go wait on her. For if I only need to deceive six persons for the remainder of the day, I'll be off quite cheaply.