SARA. But in such a way!---- NORTON. I could not think about the way. Enough! He knows what anxiety his imprudence has again caused you. SARA. Not so, Norton; I have caused it myself. NORTON. Why may Mellefont never be in the wrong? Come in, sir; love has already excused you. Scene III. Mellefont, Norton, Sara, Betty. MELLEFONT. Ah, Sara! If this love of yours were not---- SARA. Then I should certainly be the unhappier of the two. If nothing more vexatious has happened to you in your absence than to me, I am happy. MELLEFONT. I have not deserved to be so kindly received. SARA. Let my weakness be my excuse, that I do not receive you more tenderly. If only for your sake, I would that I was well again. MELLEFONT. Ha! Marwood! this treachery too! The scoundrel who led me with a mysterious air from one street to another can assuredly have been a messenger of her only! See, dearest Sara, she employed this artifice to get me away from you. A clumsy artifice certainly, but just from its very clumsiness, I was far from taking it for one. She shall have her reward for this treachery! Quick, Norton, go to her lodgings; do not lose sight of her, and detain her until I come! SARA. What for, Mellefont? I intercede for Marwood. MELLEFONT. Go! (_Exit_ Norton.) Scene IV. Sara, Mellefont, Betty. SARA. Pray let the wearied enemy who has ventured the last fruitless assault retire in peace! Without Marwood I should be ignorant of much---- MELLEFONT. Much? What is the "much?" SARA. What you would not have told me, Mellefont! You start! Well, I will forget it again, since you do not wish me to know it. MELLEFONT. I hope that you will not believe any ill of me which has no better foundation than the jealousy of an angry slanderer. SARA. More of this another time! But why do you not tell me first of all about the danger in which your precious life was placed? I, Mellefont, I should have been the one who had sharpened the sword, with which Marwood had stabbed you. MELLEFONT.