pursue it--[Pauses again.]
Shall I at such dark villainy connive!--
Are there no means to 'scape the tongue of calumny,
But by imbibing her infectious breath,
And blasting innocence with sland'rous falsehood?
Chang'd howsoe'er I be, yet my soul shudders
Ev'n at the thought of an unjust revenge--
I ne'er could reconcile it to myself.

MARIA. Again I say, your own defence demands it.
It is the sole resource you have to save you.

Mrs. ANDREWS. I am myself the cause of all these miseries. [Aside.]
I see great difficulties in this matter.

MARIA. I, not any--do you but write this letter;
The rest be mine--but soft!--my master's voice--

Mrs. ANDREWS. What shall I do? I would not meet him now.

MARIA. You must not, till our purpose is effected.
Be not distress'd--I'll urge a fit excuse.
So, to your chamber, and prepare the letter,
No patience can submit to such indignities. [Goes off.]

Mrs. ANDREWS. I dread the very thoughts of this--and yet--
To rest beneath so vile an accusation--
It cannot--must not be--I should be false,
And to myself unjust--and then, revenge
Upon this slanderer--I'm much perplex'd. [Goes off.]