Arabella (singing) All night long, A mean old tomcat Sits watching me on the sly. Oh, he's crazy. Couldn't he just Be made to break his neck?

Worthy In spite of her illness, Scratch--what a--!

Scratch I love her more this way than another who is quite sane.

Arabella (singing) Couldn't he just Be made to break his neck? (speaking) You're in the same line of work? Musicians, listen: I am as you, a musician. Vain, very spoiled--but I work for very little money. A child of do, re, me, fa,--and so on. I'm irritated. From one part of the world to the other, they speak of my talent. In a certain duo which I find excellent--'cause it's mine. I wish you'd both tell me frankly what you think of it.

Albert (alarmed) Ah, my dear Jenny! She's lost her reason.

Jenny Who knows better than I? Didn't I tell you so, didn't I tell you that?

(Arabella sings a little prelude.)

Scratch I like that, sir. Her madness is a little racy.

Albert (concerned) Her eyes are troubled, and her face is haggard.

Arabella (presenting her hand to Albert, then roughly pulling it away, while letting Worthy kiss the other) I love artists! Touch it! Touch it! The tune you will hear is in A minor. It's my favorite. Music is lively, bizarre, petulant, and very enjoyable. The movement is light, new, quick and forceful. It sent me looking, a few days ago to soothe the melancholy humor of a man confined to bed with paralysis for whom I sang a certain dance. Three wise doctors came to his house, the nurse, the patient, and an old apothecary who came to exercise his grave ministry without respect for his profession took me by the hand and danced till dawn.

Scratch (having conceived the idea for Worthy to grab Arabella's hand and dance off with her) Behold a faculty to dance in the round and exit this street all in step. That'd be nice, sir.

Worthy What, wretch, you can laugh, seeing her in this frightful disorder?

Arabella Wait, soft--my musical demon disturbs me, seizes me; I dithyramb. The hairs on my head stand up in horror. Don't bother the God that puts me in this fury. I feel that my excitement will reveal itself in tones. (tossing about and spitting in Albert's face) Pouah! I had a deity in my throat, or rather in the duo which is in question. You will see excitement best--and passion. I succeed better in the one and the other. Here's your part--and you, yours. (giving a paper with music to Albert and a letter to Worthy, then tosses about and prepares to sing)

Scratch Let's stand back a bit. I'm afraid of the gods.

Jenny We'll soon be having a fine chivaree.

Albert Arabella, my child, your error is extreme. I am Squire Albert, who cherishes you, who loves you--

Arabella My God, you're going to sing!

Albert Oh, very well. I will sing, and if it's your wish, I will dance, too.

Worthy (opening his paper) A letter, Scratch.

Scratch Ah heaven, what an adventure. The music maestro learns the scale.

Arabella There, mark your time--to take part, you start there. Quickly, come on--one, two, three. (beating time on Albert's head and stamping her feet angrily) Go, go, barbaric musician. Ignorant by nature. Leave off baaing. What raucous frog in the midst of his weedy pond gave you your first singing lesson? Do you give a concert or are you braying or croaking?

Albert I told you already, with no intent to annoy, I do not have the honor to be a musician.

Arabella Why then, stupid know-nothing, do you come to interrupt a concert when your very presence causes a bad turn of events and discord? Did one ever see a donkey try to play clarinet and mix his songs with those of the tender nightingale? Never did a black crow of ill omen trouble the strains of an agreeable warbler--and never in the woods did a sinister owl sing in concert. You are nothing but a sot and never will be anything else in your whole life.

Scratch My master will sing his part nicely. I am his guarantee.

Arabella >From this night forth, he must demonstrate his knowledge in a serenade. He must make song, quick, lively, and tender--which will carry me off!

Jenny (to Scratch) Do you understand?

Scratch I begin to understand. It's what they call a fugue.

Arabella Right.

Scratch A fugue--in music is a powerful morsel which costs a lot. (aside) We don't have much--

Arabella We will take care of that. Let nothing else concern you.

Worthy You will see I am a good performer. And I know how to sing like an open book.

Arabella (leaving, singing) An old tomcat--

Albert Jenny, follow her--see if it is possible to find some remedy for this terrible misfortune.

Jenny My poor mistress! Ah, my heart is so overcome. I believe that I am going to become mad, too.

(Arabella exits, followed by Jenny and Albert.)

Worthy (standing aside, opening the letter) They've gone in. Let's read. "You will be surprised by the part I am taking, but the slavery in which I find myself becomes harder each day, and I believe it permits me to dare anything. You, on your part, try to deliver me from the tyranny of a man I hate as much as I love you." What do you say, I beg you, about all you've seen of this madness?

Scratch I admire the resources of feminine wit when it is ignited by the imp of love.

Worthy Scratch, this night, without more delay, we must devise some brilliant scheme which will allow us to free her from such a hard yoke.

Scratch You intend to carry her off?

Worthy That would be the quickest and safest way.

Scratch Agreed. But, doing you a good turn, I fear that--

Worthy What do you fear?

Scratch Justice. The law.

Worthy We've got to marry her.

Scratch That's understood. You will be married, and I will be hanged.

Worthy I've got an idea for a plan--you know Lovelace?

Scratch Certainly.

Worthy We can take refuge with such a friend. His country house is not far off. It's with Lovelace, that I intend to choose an exile in leaving these parts. There, braving the scorn and rage of the jealous would-be husband--we will prepare, in this place, and we will manage to marry, and make love--