Albert Don't trouble yourself. It's my business--and none of yours! Jenny Ah, you're right. Albert Look, you know that around here, one cannot take a step without falling into some ambush. The snares that surround my soul alarm me. I have a prize ewe lamb surrounded by care--but the ravishing wolves are prowling in hopes of carrying her off. I must protect her from their cruel fangs--and so as not to fear their cruel fury, I intend to close all parts of the sheep pen, to carefully surround my house with iron bars, and to let in only a few people--and that by day. I have need of your help at this juncture, so that the fencing will go as I intend. Jenny Who, me? Albert I don't wish this invention to appear to be the result of my precaution. Arabella would be alarmed--with reason, to see my care result in her being locked in--that might cause her to become cold to me. But, with clever girls, one must gild the pill adroitly, and make her understand that all that is being done is only to protect her--and that last night a number of bandits got into a nearby house and left only the walls standing. Jenny But, sir, do you think with this trick--and many others of the same type that you employ--do you believe that you will make her love you? Albert That's not your worry; suffice that I wish it. Jenny Go on, at your age, to wish to taste of marriage a second time. Crazier still, to be amorous of a fifteen year old, and yet crazier to plan to cage her up. I count three extravagances in this plan--likely to be funereal in its consequence--and the least of them leads straight to Bedlam. Albert I have excellent reasons for my conduct. Jenny Thanks to the effects of celestial bounty, I have my virtue intact. But, if I had a husband or a lover of your mind, they'd have horns all over their heads, by God! If you choose me to take on this trouble, I tell you plainly, your hope is vain. I don't intend to meddle in your cowardly plans. The case is too villainous, and I wash my hands of it. Albert Do you know that after having employed persuasion, I also know how to employ intimidation? Jenny Storm, swear, howl--go into a fit, you will only hear me repeat again, that a jealous man is a frightful thing--a thing one would cheerfully see buried a hundred feet underground. There is nothing more hideous-- not Satan, Lucifer, and the many other gentleman-inhabitants of hell. They are much more handsome, charming, love-killers--less cruel and less insupportable--than certain jealous creatures such as one sees about here. You understand me--I have spoken and I will retire. Goodbye. (Exit Jenny.) Albert All the world is busy here plotting to betray me. One would conclude they have no greater joy. Jenny's worth nothing, but from fear of worse, I'll keep her. I will not let what people say, or their criticism prevent me from accomplishing the plan my heart is bent on realizing. (Enter Scratch.)