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 pa.s.sed 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 a.s.s. 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?