The Lucky Man Part 17

Slice: If you like, but--

Cadwell: (interrupting Slice) Sir, in that case, I prefer not to know what you have to tell me.

Slice: As you prefer it thus, sir. In short, a widow lady of the finest quality--

Bendish: (aside) I can breathe again. For this we have courage.

Slice: A lady of quality, I tell you wishes to meet you in an hour.

Cadwell: Who is she?

Slice: Far from telling you her name, sir, you will not speak to her except on certain conditions--which perhaps you will not accept.

Cadwell: We must see.

Slice: Will you permit yourself to be blindfolded while I take you to her?

Also, permit your hands to be tied?

Cadwell: Why all these precautions?

Slice: Sir, she wishes it so. You have too much wit, sir, not to see as well as I, that she intends to know the state of your heart before discovering herself to you. I say too much perhaps, and overstay my commission.

Cadwell: Are you something to her?

Slice: Sir, I have nothing to say to you about that.

Cadwell: I know who it is.

Slice: Perhaps.

Cadwell: Is she a brunette?

Slice: She could be.

Cadwell: Large green eyes?

Slice: Getting closer.

Cadwell: Mouth neither large nor small?

Slice: I say no more.

Cadwell: Pretty hand?

Slice: I won't reply.

Cadwell: Admirable teeth? The nose-- Come, come, my boy, I know who she is. (to Bendish) Bendish, she's the one at the ball. Yes, it's she for sure.

(to Slice) Yes, my boy, I will go. Yes, I will go, I tell you. Oho, there my friend, admit to me that I have discovered her. Doesn't she lodge near the a.r.s.enal? Eh? If you please? Oh, I will go on my word.

I've figured her out, right?

Slice: (hesitating to respond) Sir . . .

Cadwell: Oh, you are stupid, my poor heart, I am more clever than you. In what direction? At what time? You haven't said.

Slice: In an hour. From wherever you wish.

Cadwell: In the Palace Courtyard, in half an hour.

Slice: No, that's too soon.

Cadwell: Well, in an hour.

Slice: That's fine.

(Exit Slice)

Cadwell: It's Lady Julia--without a doubt.

Bendish: Oh, I believe it. But didn't you promise to have supper with Laura?

Cadwell: I will return. That doesn't worry me. What worries me is what I will do here for another hour. (looking at his watch) It's not yet-- For me, I cannot remain here a minute longer. I have to do something.

Bendish: The time you employ doing nothing is the time you employ the least badly.

Cadwell: And you--you never are more witty than when I tell you to shut up.

(Making Bendish examine his face) Tell me--how do I look? This jerkin appears to me to have a short waist. What do you think?

Bendish: Effectively,--I don't know. Yes, you're right.

Cadwell: Give me another.

Bendish: Which one?

Cadwell: Whichever you please. Bring me the one I wore yesterday.

Bendish: Fie!

Cadwell: Why?

Bendish: It won't go well with you. Keep this one.

Cadwell: I don't like it.

Bendish: The other one makes your shoulders too large.

Cadwell: Never mind.

Bendish: When you want something, you want it.