Well, I will confess to you, that I have anticipated this difficulty, and considered how to spare you it. As soon as I learned your address, I informed her old father privately of it. He was beside himself with joy, and wanted to start directly. I wonder he has not yet arrived. MELLEFONT. What do you say? MARWOOD. Just await his arrival quietly, and do not let the girl notice anything. I myself will not detain you any longer. Go to her again; she might grow suspicious. But I trust that I shall see you again to-day. MELLEFONT. Oh, Marwood! With what feelings did I come to you, and with what must I leave you! A kiss, my dear Bella. ARABELLA. That was for you, now one for me! But come back again soon, do! (_Exit_ Mellefont). Scene V. Marwood, Arabella, Hannah. MARWOOD (_drawing a deep breath_). Victory, Hannah! but a hard victory! Give me a chair, I feel quite exhausted (_sitting down_). He surrendered only just in time, if he had hesitated another moment, I should have shown him quite a different Marwood. HANNAH. Ah, Madam, what a woman you are! I should like to Bee the man who could resist you. MARWOOD. He has resisted me already too long. And assuredly, assuredly, I will not forgive him that he almost let me go down on my knees to him. ARABELLA. No, no! You must forgive him everything. He is so good, so good---- MARWOOD. Be silent, little silly! HANNAH. I do not know on what side you did not attack him! But nothing, I think, touched him more, than the disinterestedness with which you offered to return all his presents to him. MARWOOD. I believe so too. Ha! ha! ha! (_contemptuously_). HANNAH. Why do you laugh, Madam? You really risked a great deal, if you were not in earnest about it. Suppose he had taken you at your word? MARWOOD. Oh, nonsense, one knows with whom one has to deal. HANNAH. I quite admit that! But you too, my pretty Bella, did your part excellently, excellently! ARABELLA. How so? Could I do it, then, any other way? I had not seen him for such a long time. I hope you are not angry, Madam, that I love him so? I love you as much as him, just as much. MARWOOD. Very well, I will pardon you this time that you do not love me better than him. ARABELLA (_sobbing_). This time? MARWOOD. Why, you are crying actually? What is it about?