Bendish: I don't intend to say a word. (to Laura) Do you treat all lucky men the way I was treated?
Laura:
It is only a traitor who deserves it, a liar like your master.
Bendish:
I will have my revenge.
Jenny: (low to Laura, leading in Cadwell)
Madam, here he is.
Laura:
Everybody retire.
(All go to their places. Jenny and Bendish beside each other. Enter
Cadwell blindfolded.)
Laura: (to Cadwell in a disguised voice) Here's an adventure that resembles those in a novel. Sir, I believe you won't find the precautions I have taken bad. Your reputation is bad enough as regards women so that I cannot see you otherwise. Nature, which perhaps has not protected me very well, engages me to know the state of your heart before disclosing mine. Some attentions paid to me persuade me that I am pretty, that I have wit, that I am always done justice. I've never found it in me to make a man unfaithful to his beloved. Even when my vanity flatters me to the point of making me believe I could, the goodness of my heart dissuades me from doing it. My pleasures do not augment from the shame of others. Nor does a false one cease to be false. Speak then sincerely, if you can. Are you free?
Cadwell: You will judge my sincerity by the confession you are about to hear. I don't have a free heart, madam. I don't wish to deceive you: I'm in love and I have been for a long time. You see at least that my behaviour gives the lie to the reputation ascribed to me.
Worthy: (low to Olivia)
He recognizes her.
Olivia:
Shut up.