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.