Cadwell: (looking at his watch) What time is it? What the devil! Four o'clock. Sophia is waiting for me on the river. Bendish: Sir! Cadwell: Shut up! Bendish: (aside) Ah--what a man! (aloud) Shall I go with you? Cadwell: (taking a few steps towards leaving) No. (Returning) I forgot. (pulling a letter from his pocket and giving it to Bendish) Take this letter to the Duchess of Devonshire. Bendish: The Duchess of Devonshire. It's fifteen months since you last saw her. Cadwell: Go, I tell you. Bendish: (aside) What a devilish imagination. Ah, she sold land eight days ago. (aloud) I'm going. But where will I find you? Cadwell: At Charlotte's where I must be precisely at five o'clock, don't you know? Don't wait, for I won't be long. (Exit Cadwell) Bendish: Go, go, we are ordered. And by God all is not going to end as it should. Cursed be the first little she-monkey that gave him his reputation. Really, what's so marvelous about him? Don't I have eyes, a nose, a body like him? It's chance that does everything? Just make a little stir and you will succeed in all things. The Duchess is amorous of so and so. She passes for a connoisseur. All the gallant ladies want to know if she's right. All try to please her. One by a veritable infatuation, another by jealousy, another by avenging a lover who had left her, to reawaken the ardors of a languishing lover--all to follow the fashion. For it's fashion in this as in all else. But let's go wait on her. For if I only need to deceive six persons for the remainder of the day, I'll be off quite cheaply. CURTAIN ACT III. The same, a short time later. Worthy: Sister, I've seen Victor as you advised me. I was careful to tell him of Laura's attachment to Cadwell. Doubtless he's informed of what's happening and I didn't think it would be honest for me to further agitate a man who seemed to be in despair. Besides, this is a bad way to earn the heart of a lady we esteem. But, sister, I believe chance has done for us all that we could hope. In short, Arabella, whom I just met, assured me that she has disabused Laura--that she had just put in her hands a letter from Cadwell-- Olivia: A letter written by Cadwell to Arabella? Worthy: Yes, I tell you. Jenny: Ah, madam, how relieved I am! We are going to see the master and the valet greatly abashed. This puppy Cadwell with his impertinent airs, and this rogue of a Bendish, who's starting to be like him. But listen, don't be fooled. Do what is necessary to finish things. If you give them time to repair the damage-- Olivia: Ah, I don't know what to believe. Laura has a very cowardly heart-- Jenny: My God, Laura loves him! Laura is credulous and Cadwell is a very loveable villain. You must dare all. Take her in a fit of passion or you will obtain nothing. As for me, I have taken the trouble to strengthen what you've told her, but I haven't noticed any change in the way she looks. Worthy: She's choking back her resentment. I have it from Arabella.