Albert
You have cured these diseases before?
Scratch Me? Have I cured them? Ah, truly, so I believe. There's a bit of magic in my art. With three words, that I was taught by a Jew in Arabia, I cured a child in the Congo, a kid who really had quite a case of vertigo. I leave it to doctors to practice their science on diseases which pain the body. The object of my specialty is more noble. It cures all ills which attack the mind. I wish you were to become manic now—atrabalious, mad, even hypochondriacal. So as to have the pleasure of rendering you as wise as I am by tomorrow—and healthy in body, too.
Albert
Sir, I am obliged to you for such great zeal.
Scratch
Without wasting time, let's go to the beautiful patient.
Albert (stopping him) No, sir, if you please, there's no need. I am going to take the trouble to bring her to you.
(Exit Albert.)
Worthy Everything's going well. Fortune interests herself in our cause. In your absence Arabella, by means of a beautiful ruse, has figured out how to extract these hundred crowns from Albert.
Scratch (amazed)
How'd she do that?
Worthy You'll learn everything in time. Now, we must find a way to save Arabella, and be off, without losing a moment. We'll only be able to separate her from this wretch for a single instant. Albert won't leave her, and even follows her about, so we don't know what to do.
Scratch Rely on me. I'll manage it! You have wit, I am not stupid—and the pretended patient understands the merest hint.