I am astonished. You surely will not insist on such a trivial pretext? O Mellefont, Mellefont! had I not made for myself an inviolable law, never to doubt the sincerity of your love, this circumstance might----But too much of this already, it might seem as if I had been doubting it even now. MELLEFONT. The first moment of your doubt would be the last moment of my life! Alas, Sara, what have I done, that you should remind me even of the possibility of it? It is true the confessions, which I have made to you without fear, of my early excesses cannot do me honour, but they should at least awaken confidence. A coquettish Marwood held me in her meshes, because I felt for her that which is so often taken for love which it so rarely is. I should still bear her shameful fetters, had not Heaven, which perhaps did not think my heart quite unworthy to bum with better flames, taken pity on me. To see you, dearest Sara, was to forget all Marwoods! But how dearly have you paid for taking me out of such hands! I had grown too familiar with vice, and you know it too little---- SARA. Let us think no more of it. Scene VIII. Norton, Mellefont, Sara. MELLEFONT. What do you want? NORTON. While I was standing before the house, a servant gave me this letter. It is directed to you, sir! MELLEFONT. To me? Who knows my name here? (_looking at the letter_). Good heavens! SARA. You are startled. MELLEFONT. But without cause, Sara, as I now perceive. I was mistaken in the handwriting. SARA. May the contents be as agreeable to you as you can wish. MELLEFONT. I suspect that they will be of very little importance. SARA. One is less constrained when one is alone, so allow me to retire to my room again. MELLEFONT. You entertain suspicions, then, about it? SARA. Not at all, Mellefont. MELLEFONT (_going with her to the back of the stage_). I shall be with you in a moment, dearest Sara. Scene IX. Mellefont, Norton. MELLEFONT (_still looking at the letter_). Just Heaven! NORTON. Woe to you, if it is only just! MELLEFONT.