But I had never seen you in so deep a swoon before.
Do not tell me so, please! I must have caused you a great deal of trouble, my good girl.
Marwood herself seemed moved by your danger. In spite of all I could do she would not leave the room, until you had opened your eyes a little and I could give you the medicine.
After all I must consider it fortunate that I swooned. For who knows what more I should have had to hear from her! She certainly can hardly have followed me into my room without a purpose! You cannot imagine how terrified I was. The dreadful dream I had last night recurred to me suddenly, and I fled, like an insane woman who does not know why and whither she flies. But Mellefont does not come. Ah!
Nothing, Betty! A pain! Not one pain, a thousand burning pains in one! But do not be uneasy; it is over now!
That is well, Norton! But where did you find him?
A stranger had enticed him beyond the town gate, where he said a gentleman waited for him, to speak with him about matters of the greatest importance. After taking him from place to place for a long time, the swindler slunk away from him. It will be bad for him if he lets himself be caught; Mellefont is furious.
I could not think about the way. Enough! He knows what anxiety his imprudence has again caused you.
Why may Mellefont never be in the wrong? Come in, sir; love has already excused you.
Ah, Sara! If this love of yours were not----
Then I should certainly be the unhappier of the two. If nothing more vexatious has happened to you in your absence than to me, I am happy.
I have not deserved to be so kindly received.
Let my weakness be my excuse, that I do not receive you more tenderly. If only for your sake, I would that I was well again.
Ha! Marwood! this treachery too! The scoundrel who led me with a mysterious air from one street to another can assuredly have been a messenger of her only! See, dearest Sara, she employed this artifice to get me away from you. A clumsy artifice certainly, but just from its very clumsiness, I was far from taking it for one. She shall have her reward for this treachery! Quick, Norton, go to her lodgings; do not lose sight of her, and detain her until I come!
What for, Mellefont? I intercede for Marwood.