Laura: (to Cadwell in a disguised voice) Here's an adventure that resembles those in a novel. Sir, I believe you won't find the precautions I have taken bad. Your reputation is bad enough as regards women so that I cannot see you otherwise. Nature, which perhaps has not protected me very well, engages me to know the state of your heart before disclosing mine. Some attentions paid to me persuade me that I am pretty, that I have wit, that I am always done justice. I've never found it in me to make a man unfaithful to his beloved. Even when my vanity flatters me to the point of making me believe I could, the goodness of my heart dissuades me from doing it. My pleasures do not augment from the shame of others. Nor does a false one cease to be false. Speak then sincerely, if you can. Are you free? Cadwell: You will judge my sincerity by the confession you are about to hear. I don't have a free heart, madam. I don't wish to deceive you: I'm in love and I have been for a long time. You see at least that my behaviour gives the lie to the reputation ascribed to me. Worthy: (low to Olivia) He recognizes her. Olivia: Shut up. Laura: You love, Cadwell? For a long time you say? Cadwell: Yes, I love, madam. And with a love that will end only with my life. Laura: But this so tender love--isn't it offended by the steps you are taking? Cadwell: I will have a hard time telling you what made me come here. Laura: Really, I don't know how to stop myself from praising you. If I cannot win you at least I have the pleasure of knowing you are not such as you have been painted. But Cadwell, can I obtain the bounty from you at the price of my tenderness? Cadwell: There's nothing I wouldn't do for you so long as it doesn't injure my passion. Worthy: (low to Selina) He recognizes her, I tell you. Selina: (low) Eh, shut up. Laura: (to Cadwell) I wouldn't want you to do such an extraordinary thing. I don't want to find you even indiscreet. But Cadwell, if I divine your mistress, I want you to admit it to me. Is it Arabella? Cadwell: Ah, madam, of whom are you talking to me? Laura: What makes you recoil so strongly? Has she no merit? Cadwell: Ah, madam, let's not discuss Arabella in detail. We will find so little of Nature, and so many things borrowed. Please, madam, let's not talk of it any more. There are some people that should never be spoken of. Arabella: (low to Selina and almost rising) I don't know how I can hold back. Selina: Wait till the end. Laura: (to Cadwell) There's a rumor all over the place that you love Selina. Cadwell: She's a 'adwoman. Bendish: (to Worthy) That pays her off. Laura: Oh, I have divined it. It's Olivia who lives with Laura. Cadwell: Oh, madam do you know her? Distrust her. She's got the most wicked disposition. Laura: Name her yourself then? Cadwell: Ah, madam, if you knew here as I do, you would easily pardon my insensibility to you. Laura: Is she witty?