Arabella: (interrupting her) Go back in then. (Exit Arabella) Bendish: (aside) I can see it plainly. Our good fortune is going to cause us to flee to the country. Just heaven! Laura: (perceiving Bendish) Ah, Bendish, where is your master? Bendish: I believe he went to do something. Laura: Go tell him to come to me as soon as possible. As soon as possible, do you understand? Tell him that I have something to say to him of the utmost importance, that he come at once. Bring him with you. Do you understand clearly? Bendish: Yes, madam, I understand too well--and I haven't understood anything. Laura: Go then, quickly. Stay! I am going to write a word. That will hurry him more. I will do it in an instant. (Exit Laura) Bendish: Ah, this blow will leave us lost without resources. May the plague choke coquettes, coquettery and those who invented it. We are taken in a snare. (Enter Cadwell) Bendish: Ah, sir. Cadwell: What's the matter with him? Bendish: You are lost. Cadwell: Really? Bendish: Sir, Arabella, that cursed Arabella with arguments I don't understand --(hesitating to continue) Cadwell: Well? Bendish: She has given the letter you wrote her to Laura. Cadwell: Well? Bendish: Well? What more do you want? Don't you understand what followed? Cadwell: Well? Bendish: You're dreaming, I swear, with your "Well?" Cadwell: Well? Bendish: Well! Well! Well! Oh! And bad for you by all the devils in hell. Say something. At once. Cadwell: Wait here. I am going-- Bendish: (interrupting him) She told me to look for you-- Cadwell: Never mind, I'm going--I wish Arabella was dead. Bendish: Ha--how ugly she is now, right sir? Cadwell: We must-- Bendish: (interrupting him) Here's Laura. (Enter Laura) Laura: (to Bendish without seeing Cadwell) Wait, Bendish, carry this to Cadwell. (seeing Cadwell) Ah, you here, sir. I am delighted to find you so apropos. 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 passed 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.