Laura: No, no, Jenny. Don't misunderstand. It's more than a day since I distrusted Cadwell. But can one separate so easily? Olivia: Listen, madam, for myself, I will say no more. An error which pleases --contents us; a different state would seem harsh. I don't wish to poison your life's peace. Laura: No, no, madam, let's finish it. It's time. I cannot remain for the rest of my life in the condition I am in. And I am tired of complaining. Jenny: Ah, that's better. Here's a woman. Courage, madam. Laura: I believe he's with Charlotte. Shall I send for him? Jenny: To what good? They are not going to tell you anything, and you will merely increase their happiness. Laura: Then do what you wish. Jenny: I will do only what I said. (Seeing Captain Slice appear) Here's Captain Slice. This is the man I spoke to you about. (Enter Slice) Laura: Jenny has told you what must be done? Slice: Don't worry about anything, madam. Jenny: Have you some strong friends with you? Slice: I've got all I need. Jenny: Don't mess up, at least. Slice: Not my intention. Olivia: (aside) In truth, it makes me sad. (to Laura) Madam, yet once more-- Don't push this any further. You will be unhappy. Laura: No, madam, I tell you I am dying of it. Jenny: (hearing someone) I hear someone on the little landing. Retire. Perhaps it's Cadwell. Oh, quickly. He mustn't see Captain Slice. (Exit Laura, Olivia, and Slice) (After a moment enter Bendish) Bendish: Jenny, have you seen my master? Jenny: Bah! Silly, you know where he is better than I do. Bendish: No, may the Devil take me! Jenny: I just heard his porters. Bendish: It's true but I was using them. Jenny: But why in a chaise? Were you ill? Bendish: Me? No. I wanted to make them earn their wages. I lost my master at the Opera. I don't know what has become of him. I believe one of his friends brought him home. Jenny: Ah, I hear him. Assuredly it is he. Goodbye. Bendish: Goodbye, my Princess. (exit Jenny) Pretty language. That's what you get from service--always learning something. My princess, my pretty lady, my little angel, my queen, my petite. Killing words like these and a few sighs, and behold, no more is needed to turn the heads of several ladies of my acquaintance. (Enter Cadwell) Cadwell: (laughing) Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Bendish: What's making you laugh so? Cadwell: (still laughing) Ah, ah, ha, ha. Bendish: Tell me what it is, so I can laugh, too. Cadwell: I was at the Opera as you know. Bendish: Indeed, you were there. What the devil do you want? You were in the pit, on the stage, in the balcony--there wasn't a place there you didn't get into. Cadwell: Didn't you see me in one of the wings? Bendish: Indeed, I saw you there, and I saw it when the house began to hiss you. They didn't hiss you like they do bad actors. If you persist, you will start a fashion of being hissed by spectators, fools, obviously. What the devil contortions were you making first on one foot, then the other?