The Lucky Man | Page 6

Open.
Bendish: (after having opened the door) It's from Selina.
(Enter Selina's Lackey)
Lackey: Sir, I've brought a letter and a watch.
Cadwell: I know what it is. Here give her this. (giving the Lackey the
clasp)
(Exit Lackey)
Bendish: He pipes with the flute and tunes with the drum.
Cadwell: You seem quite astonished?
Bendish: Me? No. I find this the best thing in the world. To love her
today and betray her tomorrow. To take from one to give to the other.
False confidences, slander, letters, sacrifices, flatteries, scandal--mere
nothings! I am ready for everything. We won't be rich in the end but
we'll have a good laugh, right sir?

Cadwell: Ah, I'm delighted to see you reasonable.
Bendish: Oh, sir, when a devil and a hermit live together, either the
devil becomes a hermit or the hermit becomes a devil, I am absolutely
convinced. Well, let's see who the unfortunate lady will be whose
reputation you will ruin by some new perfidy? I can clearly see that
your feelings are reserved for the Marquise.
Cadwell: Which one?
Bendish: Why the one you long ago swore to be faithful to.
Cadwell: No. I no longer love her.
Bendish: Your flames are not more vehement for this good lady to
whom I carried your portrait that same day?
Cadwell: Ah, fie! I cannot suffer her. She paints!
Bendish: And the other one--her best friend?
Cadwell: She has no wit.
Bendish: And the lawyer's widow?
Cadwell: She isn't rich.
Bendish: And her sister?
Cadwell: She cannot stand the odor of tobacco.
Bendish: The odor of tobacco? My God! Of all these ladies there isn't
one over whom you haven't troubled my head. "Ah, Bendish, tell me
she's totally charming. I will love her all my life. I will suffer a
thousand deaths rather than even think of changing--" I hear you, I look
at her, I examine her, I conclude you are right. The next day, I am a
fool. She lacks a delicate heart. Her manners are rude; she loves you
too much; she is jealous, or too indifferent; she cannot stand the odor of
tobacco. You always find some fault in them to justify YOUR
inconstancy.
Cadwell: What do you care?
Bendish: Huh? What do I care? You don't consider the false oaths I've
taken time and again.
Cadwell: Why do you do that?
Bendish: To reestablish your tottering reputation.
Cadwell: Who placed it in your care?
Bendish: Oh! Oh! This isn't bad. Who made it my duty, you say?
Cadwell: Yes?
Bendish: My honor?
Cadwell: The honor of Bendish?

Bendish: Assuredly. You wouldn't have me confirm your reputation as
the most rascally, the most vain, the most faithless, the least amorous
man in the world would you?
Cadwell: It wouldn't please me at all.
Bendish: Eh! What would you have me reply to such accusations? For
you're seeing only the rough draft of the portrait they paint of you these
days. What would you have me say?
Cadwell: Nothing. Be quiet--and begin now.
Bendish: Oh, sir, he who says nothing admits and I do not want anyone
in the world to believe that I know your character, and besides, I plan to
improve my business and yours, for you see everyone thinks of his own
self interest. I need only be silent in response to the hundred questions
put to me. "My poor Bendish," said one. "Here's a finger ring. I beg you
tell me what your master's up to. What time does he come in? What's
he like when he doesn't see me? Does he think of me? Does he speak to
you of me? Is he restless, happy, sad, gay, melancholy, at ease, taciturn,
giddy, chagrined, joking, wise, crazy?" What the devil do I know--a
hundred thousand other things of a like nature.
Cadwell: Well--what do you reply to all this?
Bendish: According to the ring.
Cadwell: Ah! I know quite well that with you my honor and yours
march quite separately--according to your interest.-- Let's change the
subject. Do you know what?
Bendish: What?
Cadwell: I believe I'm in love.
Bendish: What! In love? Love in good faith?
Cadwell: Yes, I tell you, in love.
Bendish: But are you talking seriously?
Cadwell: Must I give myself to the Devil for you to believe me?
Bendish: And Laura?
Cadwell: Oh! Laura, Laura! She's not aware of it.
Bendish: Better for you. But tell me--how long will it last?
Cadwell: You ask me too much. As if one could respond to that?
Bendish: Do I know her?
Cadwell: You know her.
Bendish: You must have loved her for only a short time--for I've never
heard you speak of her.

Cadwell: Uh--a little while.
Bendish: Is she pretty? Good! Plague on the fool for asking it. You will
tell me