Jenny: (seeing Laura enter with Worthy) Nothing much, madam.-- Here he is. (Enter Worthy and Laura) Worthy: What, madam! Nothing can dissuade you! Laura: Stop, Worthy. I know more about all that than you. It's as I told you. Worthy: The letter that Arabella gave to Laura--was a letter written to Laura. Laura: (to Olivia) That's the way it is. Worthy: (to Olivia) Arabella for inexplicable reasons takes the opportunity of using the letter to injure Cadwell. Olivia: Well, brother, the matter is doubtful. Laura loves Cadwell, she takes his side. What do you find extraordinary in that? Laura: The thing is not doubtful, madam. There are circumstances which assure me it is true. Olivia: (to Worthy) Madam's right. Show her he has deceived her so that Cadwell cannot deny it, then-- Laura: (interrupting) Oh, I tell you if you can bring that about I will never see him again in my life. Worthy: But, madam, what more is necessary? Olivia: Oh, brother! How silly you are. (taking him to a nearby room) Come into this room, I want to talk to you. Worthy: But-- Olivia: (interrupting him) I want to talk to you, I tell you. Follow me. (Exit Olivia and Worthy) Laura: Ah, I've seen more than I want to see. They intend to hunt Cadwell out of my heart. They are taking measures to do it that will not succeed. Jenny: For that they are wrong, madam. For me, at present I am on his side. He tells you that he loves you--why not believe him? They suspect him wrongly. They say he deceives you--all the world believes it. What does it matter? You are the interested party--he made you listen to what he pleased, that's all. Must he render an account of his actions to others? Laura: My God, Jenny, I understand that language. But be advised that I am not a dupe. I have eyes like others--in an affair that was nobody's business but mine. Jenny: I am speaking seriously, madam. That young fellow loves you terribly. (Exit Jenny, then enter Cadwell) Cadwell: Stay, madam--here-- Laura: (interrupting him) What have you there? What do you intend to do with that letter? Cadwell: I am come to bring it to you, madam. Laura: May I see it? Cadwell: If you will bear with me. I must tell you the reasons that brought me to write it. Laura: I am listening to you. Cadwell: You must help me in this business. Laura: Speak quickly then. Cadwell: Madam, I can no longer stand all the nasty things said about us. I know that Olivia is part of it. I have decided to stop them, and I have found the way by pretending to make love to her. Laura: What? Cadwell: Listen, madam. Here's the best part. From the first interview, I have so well advanced that we are come to terms. Laura: What are you saying? Cadwell: Hear the rest, I beg you. She has exacted a promise from me that I will never love anyone other than herself. And she has even engaged that I must put in that I never loved you. Laura: You were able to write it?