The Lucky Man | Page 9

between three people are usually irritating. Avoid them, and give me without them all the proofs that you can of his infidelity.
Arabella: You are going to see all of Cadwell, madam.
Laura: (aside) Ah--inconsistent man--
(Enter Bendish)
Bendish: (aside, staying at a distance) They're talking about my master.
Arabella: I will render you certain.
Laura: (aside) Faithless!
Bendish: That's him.
Arabella: (pulling out a letter from her purse and presenting it to Laura) Here, madam. Read!
Laura: (aside) Traitor! Infidel!
Bendish: Oh, surely that's him. I recognize the epithets. Let's hear.
Arabella: This is the only letter of the thirty or so he wrote me that I have kept. One of my women imprudently took the others from my drawer. Happily I had this one about my person. It will suffice.
Bendish: I believe we'll have to move a little sooner than we thought.
(Laura takes the letter and reads it to herself)
Arabella: (after Laura has finished the letter) Well? What do you say to that, madam?
Laura: Alas, madam, what can I say? I can say nothing.
Arabella: You take this affair with plenty of moderation.
Laura: Rumor is helpful.
Bendish: (aside) Please God we may be rid of that rumor.
Arabella: Adieu, madam.
Laura: Madam, I bid you good day.
Arabella: Aren't you going to give me back my letter?
Laura: Please leave it here with me.
Arabella: These sorts of things are not good in the hands of interested parties.
Laura: It won't leave my hands.
Arabella: Goodbye then, madam. (Seeing Laura is going to escort her out and preventing it) Madam, where are you going?
Laura: Madam, I leave you. It's just as well, I am in no condition.
Arabella: (interrupting her) Go back in then.
(Exit Arabella)
Bendish: (aside) I can see it plainly. Our good fortune is going to cause us to flee to the country. Just heaven!
Laura: (perceiving Bendish) Ah, Bendish, where is your master?
Bendish: I believe he went to do something.
Laura: Go tell him to come to me as soon as possible. As soon as possible, do you understand? Tell him that I have something to say to him of the utmost importance, that he come at once. Bring him with you. Do you understand clearly?
Bendish: Yes, madam, I understand too well--and I haven't understood anything.
Laura: Go then, quickly. Stay! I am going to write a word. That will hurry him more. I will do it in an instant.
(Exit Laura)
Bendish: Ah, this blow will leave us lost without resources. May the plague choke coquettes, coquettery and those who invented it. We are taken in a snare.
(Enter Cadwell)
Bendish: Ah, sir.
Cadwell: What's the matter with him?
Bendish: You are lost.
Cadwell: Really?
Bendish: Sir, Arabella, that cursed Arabella with arguments I don't understand --(hesitating to continue)
Cadwell: Well?
Bendish: She has given the letter you wrote her to Laura.
Cadwell: Well?
Bendish: Well? What more do you want? Don't you understand what followed?
Cadwell: Well?
Bendish: You're dreaming, I swear, with your "Well?"
Cadwell: Well?
Bendish: Well! Well! Well! Oh! And bad for you by all the devils in hell. Say something. At once.
Cadwell: Wait here. I am going--
Bendish: (interrupting him) She told me to look for you--
Cadwell: Never mind, I'm going--I wish Arabella was dead.
Bendish: Ha--how ugly she is now, right sir?
Cadwell: We must--
Bendish: (interrupting him) Here's Laura.
(Enter Laura)
Laura: (to Bendish without seeing Cadwell) Wait, Bendish, carry this to Cadwell. (seeing Cadwell) Ah, you here, sir. I am delighted to find you so apropos.
Cadwell: Eh, madam! Did you think I was out again?
Laura: I though you were here--but henceforth--
Cadwell: Today is not the day for you to make resolutions.
Laura: Heaven grant I had never seen it. Monster whom I looked on with horror.
Cadwell: I can tell from these epithets those who have been inspiring you.
Laura: And you can see from the effects the reward which is your due.
Cadwell: I know that I should thank you for the indifference you have shown me for some time.
Laura: Don't arrogate to yourself the scorn I intend to bear you for the rest of my life.
Cadwell: You taught me yesterday that I must learn to expect it.
Laura: Infidel! I have never passed a day without giving you some proof of my affection.
Cadwell: Real affections, madam, that respond so ill to the urgings of my letter without any explanation. But let's not speak of that.
Laura: What letter, perfidious one. What do you mean to say?
Cadwell: Oh let's stop talking. Spare me such names.
Laura: No, no. I mean for you to explain yourself. I can justify myself very easily and I will have some pleasure in doing so after the blackest, most cowardly-- Continue once more. What letter do you wish to speak to me of?
Cadwell: Oh, madam, what's the use of it? The letter Bendish gave you yesterday.
Laura: To me?
Cadwell: To you, madam.
Laura: I received a letter.
Cadwell: Uh, you yourself, madam.
Laura: Which Bendish brought?
Cadwell: He himself.
Laura: That's not true.
Cadwell: Bendish?
Bendish: Sir?
Cadwell: Didn't I write a letter yesterday?
Bendish: Yes, sir.
Cadwell: Didn't I tell you to take it