Cadwell: Ah, I see now that no one poisoned you. I beg you, madam, give me the letter. (Laura hands it to him puzzled and he begins to read) "I am in the country for the last two days and I am without Laura! The complaisance that I am obliged to show a sick aunt makes me stay in a strange solitude. Couldn't you try to render my condition supportable? IF YOU DO NOT TAKE IT ON YOURSELF, LAURA--the whole world together cannot help me. I will never love and never adore anyone but you in my life. Adieu." (after having read the letter aloud) This letter is full of scorn for you? Laura: Oh, Cadwell, Cadwell, you have many enemies or I am very weak. Cadwell: Still something remains hidden. Madam, I beg you to explain. Let me know who I ought to challenge or distrust. Laura: No, Cadwell. Be content that I give no credence to the treason that I suspected of you. Cadwell: Madam, I am the happiest man I the world today--but innocence is always recognized. Yet I fear that mine in the end will succumb to some new imposture. Laura: Ah, Cadwell, can your interests be in better hands than mine? I am only too ingenious in finding reasons to excuse you and my suspicions only begin when I cannot find you innocent. Cadwell: Yet, madam, what would have happened today, had I not by a miracle understood and brought the truth to your eyes? I would have lost forever a heart that my fidelity ought to have preserved for me eternally. Can I be for a moment without mortal uncertainty in the future? Things pass through my head, each one more bizarre than the rest. I feel I'd rather not see you ever again in my life than to be so cruelly forsaken even once. Me--faithless to my dear Laura! Madam, if you don't assure me against all that can tempt you against me; if you don't promise to shut the mouths of those who slander me before you--you will see me die of despair. Laura: You don't love anyone but me, Cadwell? Cadwell: I hate all that is not you. Laura: Ah, Cadwell! Don't deceive me! Cadwell: Why would I do that, madam? Laura: How do I know? To pile conquest on conquest--to satisfy a ridiculous vanity that all men pride themselves on these days. Such easy things don't do you honor, Cadwell. Cadwell: Ah, madam, I prefer to die. Laura: What are you doing today? Cadwell: Madam, my brother has asked me to visit him. Laura: Are you going? Cadwell: Soon, madam. Laura: When will I see you again? Cadwell: The very soonest I can. Laura: Adieu, Cadwell. Think of me. Cadwell: I am occupied by nothing but you. (Exit Laura) Bendish: Well, sir, I'm learning as you see. Cadwell: You did wonders. Bendish: Frankly sir, if you hadn't been seconded our ship would have come aground. Truly, the trouble that you had in this adventure--I'm not sorry it happened for I don't doubt that after such a hot alarm you'll take care not to make another such mistake.