The Lucky Man | Page 8

he shows to see me ruins the pleasure I got
from the watch he sent me this morning.
(Enter Jenny)
Jenny: (to Lackey) Well! Who the devil made you ring so loud?
Lackey: (exiting) One asks for madam.
Arabella: (to Jenny) What's Laura doing?
Jenny: She hasn't slept for the whole night. She's just been drowsing for
a whole hour. If you wish I will go tell her--
Arabella: (interrupting) No, Jenny, I will wait till she wakes.
Jenny: Or till Cadwell returns?
Arabella: Why Cadwell?
Jenny: To keep you company while waiting for Laura.
Arabella: I've nothing to do with Cadwell.
Jenny: And now, madam, pardon me for speaking so freely, there's a
rumor about that you don't hate him--
Arabella: Me?
Jenny: All the world says that he loves you, at least.
Arabella: All the world has lied, Jenny. It is true that certain
understandings between people do result in passions. I hold myself no
more guilty of loving him than of having inspired love. Really, when

you hear such foolishness-- But who can take pleasure in spreading
rumors like that? Cadwell himself hasn't any part in it?
Jenny: Why, madam,--what stops you? What makes you angry today is
the glory of most women. And the pleasure of being told they are loved
leads some to being very loving.
Arabella: I don't know those people, Jenny, and Cadwell would be of
all men the one about whom I would least have it said.
Jenny: They say he's the Don Juan of London.
Arabella: Not mine.
Jenny: Still he has wit.
Arabella: I find him somewhat silly--and the most annoying
personality.
Jenny: (interrupting her) He's well built.
Arabella: What difference? I cannot stand him.
Jenny: As for writing, nobody writes better.
Arabella: What do you say? It's true that I haven't seen his letters, but
then as to his manners, I believe he's incapable of doing anything good.
Jenny: Ah--I know of so many difficulties that cannot be arranged.
Arabella: Eh! Who Jenny?
Jenny: What interest do you have in it?
Arabella: I have some reasons for wishing to know it.
Jenny: I have some, perhaps, for not telling you.
Arabella: I beg you.
Jenny: What do you care?
Arabella: I would like to know who the unfortunate woman is who
clings to him so mal apropos.
(Enter Lackey)
Lackey: Selina asks to see you, madam.
Jenny: (to Arabella) Hold--here exactly is one of the unfortunate
women. (going to Laura's room)
(Exit Lackey and exit Jenny) (Enter Selina)
Selina: You here all alone, madam?
Arabella: As you see, madam.
Selina: Where is Laura, madam?
Arabella: I am waiting for her to wake up, madam.
Selina: I must do the same, while I wait for my carriage to be sent over.
Arabella: I have mine below--of which you may freely dispose.

Selina: Could I do better than to be with you, madam?
Arabella: I know people you would prefer easily enough.
Selina: There's at least something I could tell you.
Arabella: It's a little thing when one is instructed to the contrary.
(Noticing the clasp on Selina) But what do I see?
Selina: What do you see, madam?
Arabella: I admire your pin. The diamonds are very nice. They're well
set.
Selina: You find it beautiful, madam? I am delighted that it is to your
taste.
Arabella: You've had it for some time, madam?
Selina: A very long time, madam, but I rarely wear it.
Arabella: (aside) Am I deceived? (looking at the pin) With your
permission, madam. No, madam, it is not so long as you say.
Selina: I tell you truly, madam.
Arabella: I know what I say, madam.
Selina: And I, madam, know when your questions begin to tire me.
Arabella: But please, tell me how you got it.
Selina: I don't have to give you an account of it.
Arabella: Where did you buy it?
Selina: Let's end this if you please--
Arabella: It must have cost you a lot.
Selina: (noticing on Arabella the watch she sent to Cadwell) It cost me,
madam, it cost me--more than you paid for your watch.
Arabella: What balderdash are you giving me, madam? What has my
watch got to do with the pin I spoke of?
Selina: Madam, let's not enter further into an aggravating explanation.
In these affairs the best way is to let things pass in silence. They are
most unfortunate when discovered. In this adventure, at least, if we lose
our lover, we at least get our jewelry back. I am going to return your
pin--or I will keep it if you want to keep my watch.
Arabella: No, madam, I don't wish to keep anything that would give me
the least reminder of the greatest villain in the world.
Selina: (giving the pin) Here, madam, is