The Lucky Man Part 23

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?

Cadwell: Yes, madam, she is that. But no part of heir wit is not fully grown.

It seems that hers only serves to discover it in others.

Laura: Why that's a pretty character indeed. She's beautiful without a doubt.

Cadwell: Ah, don't engage me to paint her portrait. I couldn't do it without offending you. And you, never having seen her, I cannot tell you how I find her the most adorable woman in the world.

Laura: (sighing) She ought to be content to appear so to your eyes.

Cadwell: (trying to take off his blindfold) Let's not pretend further and permit me the joy of seeing the only person with whom I wish to live.

Laura: (stopping him) Stop!

Cadwell: Eh, madam, what good are all these delays. I know you, I know who you are.

Laura: Wait. To whom do you think you are speaking?

Cadwell: To you, madam.

Laura: I am not Laura.

Cadwell: And it isn't to her that I address my vows. And I must tell you only the hope that it could be Lady Julia made me come here. If it isn't to her that I speak, I shall return without seeing you.

Laura: You don't love Laura any more?

Cadwell: No, madam, I never loved Laura.

Laura: You don't love me, liar! You dare to say that to my face! Eh! Why did you deceive me then? (tearing off his blindfold)

Bendish: This isn't funny unless accompanied by blows from a stick. That would be much more pleasant to me.

Arabella: Goodbye, Mr. Cadwell. I thank you for the kind sentiments you have for me.

Olivia: (to Cadwell) As for me, I am satisfied.

Selina: Adieu, Cadwell.

Jenny: (to Bendish) Adieu, Mr. Bendish.

Laura: (to Worthy) Mr. Worthy, will you take my hand?

Worthy: Will I indeed!

Laura: I give it to you. (to Cadwell) Adieu, false one. Don't ever see me again.

(Exit Laura, Worthy, Olivia, Arabella, Selina, Slice, and Jenny to Laura's apartment.

Bendish: Come, sir! Hadn't we better be on our way. We will soon be evicted.

Above all, let's change our names and the part of town we live in. We are denounced hereabouts like counterfeit money.

Cadwell: (aside, overwhelmed with astonishment and confusion) Just Heavens!

Bendish: It this would only teach him.

CURTAIN