Cadwell: Pardon me for doing so. All appeared permissible to me to avenge you. Laura: And what can assure me that this pretence doesn't hide a truth? Cadwell: Everything, madam. And especially the care I have taken not to put this paper in her hands until you have seen it. Laura: Ah, Cadwell, I will never be able to accept such a pretence. Cadwell: Ah, madam, I beg you. Now I have the letter to Olivia in my hands. Laura: Show me this paper. Cadwell: Madam, I hear Olivia. Contain yourself, I beg you. Laura: It will be hard. Cadwell: It must be done. (Enter Olivia) Laura: Where have you come from, madam? Olivia: I've just come from a conversation with my brother which concerns you. Cadwell: (giving Olivia his letter) Madam, here's more than you asked me for. (Olivia takes the letter, reads it, and hands it to Laura) Madam, what are you doing? Olivia: Cadwell: do not be surprised if, after having deceived so many times, you are deceived in your turn. I never loved you and I have not the least jealousy--but I could no longer suffer you to trick a person who does not deserve your trickery. Besides, my brother's interest engaged me to all this. I am going to disclose your perfidy. But in the future profit from this mischance. You have wit, mix in a little sincerity, and someday I hope you will thank me for the advice I have given you. (to Laura) Read, madam. Laura: (reading the letter to herself in a low voice) Cadwell. Olivia: (After Laura has finished reading) Well, what do you say to that? Laura: That I am delighted, madam, to know your good faith, and to be persuaded that you didn't wish to betray me. Olivia: You will continue to see Cadwell? Laura: Yes, madam. Olivia: You will continue to love him? Laura: More than I have ever done in my life. Olivia: Then I must never see you again! (Exit Olivia) Laura: Cadwell, I must leave. (in a tone marked with rage) I cannot leave her much longer in her error. (Exit Laura) Cadwell: What do you make of that? Laura doesn't appear to me much disabused. The uncertainty she was in when leaving me, her eyes which couldn't keep back some tears--all these things bode me no good. My shock at first, would have betrayed me without a doubt. What does it matter? Well, so much the worse for her. I take every precaution possible to spare her chagrin. If she must chagrin herself, I consent. The trick I'm using is not true, but it's possibly true or so it appears to me, and she ought always to give me consideration for the trouble I take to try to deceive her. (Enter Worthy) Worthy: Ah, my dear Cadwell, I am delighted. Cadwell: Eh! What for, Worthy? Worthy: By what they just told me. Cadwell: Eh! What have they just told you? Worthy: That you love my sister. Cadwell: It's true. Worthy: Oh, fine! I've come to assure you that nothing can prevent you from being happy together. Cadwell: Eh, how?