Saint-Charles Yes, madame, a Mexican envoy has produced letters from Monsieur de Christoval, and doc.u.ments remarkably authentic. You have sent for a secretary of the Spanish legation, who has endorsed them: seals, stamps, authentications--ah! all are flawless.

The d.u.c.h.ess Yes, sir, the doc.u.ments are una.s.sailable.

Saint-Charles You are very much interested, madame, in their being proved forgeries, I presume?

The d.u.c.h.ess (to Mademoiselle de Vaudrey) Never has such torture as this wrung the heart of a mother!

Saint-Charles (aside) Whose side shall I take, husband's or wife's?

The d.u.c.h.ess Sir, any sum you may ask shall be yours, if you can prove to me that Monsieur Raoul de Frescas--

Saint-Charles Is a criminal?

The d.u.c.h.ess No, but a child--

Saint-Charles You mean your child, don't you?

The d.u.c.h.ess (forgetting herself) Yes, yes! Be my deliverer, and I will be your eternal protector. (To Mademoiselle de Vaudrey) Ah me! What have I said? (To Saint-Charles) Where is Raoul?

Saint-Charles He has disappeared, and this steward of his, who procured the forged deeds in Rue Oblin, and doubtless played the part of the Mexican envoy, is one of the most astute of criminals. (The d.u.c.h.ess starts.) Oh, you need not be alarmed; he is too clever to shed blood; but he is more formidable than those who shed it recklessly; and such a man is the guardian of Raoul.

The d.u.c.h.ess My whole fortune for his life!

Saint-Charles I am for you, madame. (Aside) I know all, and can choose which side I like.

SCENE NINTH.

The same persons, the Duc de Montsorel and a footman.

The Duke Ah, well you are getting your own way; there is talk of nothing else but the fortune and coming marriage of Monsieur de Frescas; but of course he can claim a family. (Whispers to the d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel) He has a mother. (Perceiving Saint-Charles) What! You here, chevalier, and with the d.u.c.h.ess?

Saint-Charles (taking the duke aside) Your grace will approve of what I have done. (Aloud) You have been at the palace and I thought it necessary to warn the d.u.c.h.ess of the danger which threatens her only son, the marquis; he is likely to be murdered.

The Duke Murdered!

Saint-Charles But your grace will listen to my advice--

The Duke Come into my study, my friend, and let us at once take steps to avert this catastrophe.

Saint-Charles (exchanging a look of intelligence with the d.u.c.h.ess) I have strange things to tell your grace. (Aside) I am certainly going to take the duke's part.

SCENE TENTH.

The d.u.c.h.ess, Mademoiselle de Vaudrey and Vautrin.

Mademoiselle de Vaudrey If Raoul is your son, how vile is the company he keeps.

The d.u.c.h.ess An angel would purify h.e.l.l itself.

(Vautrin half opens with caution a French cas.e.m.e.nt that leads to the garden, where he has been listening to the preceding conversation.)

Vautrin (aside) I know all. Two brothers cannot fight a duel. Ah, here is my d.u.c.h.ess!

(Aloud) Ladies!

Mademoiselle de Vaudrey A man! Help! Help!

The d.u.c.h.ess It is he!

Vautrin (to the d.u.c.h.ess) Silence! Women can do nothing but cry out. (To Mademoiselle de Vaudrey) Mademoiselle de Vaudrey, run to the chamber of the marquis.

Two infamous murderers are there; be quick, before they cut out his throat. But let the wretches be seized without making a disturbance.

(To the d.u.c.h.ess) Stay where you are, madame.

The d.u.c.h.ess Go, dear aunt; have no fear for me.

Vautrin (aside) My rascals will be vastly surprised. What will they think? This is the way I bring down judgment upon them.

(A noise is heard.)

SCENE ELEVENTH.

The d.u.c.h.ess and Vautrin.

The d.u.c.h.ess The whole house is in commotion! What will be said, when it is known that I am here?

Vautrin Let us hope that the foundling will be saved.

The d.u.c.h.ess But you are known here, and the duke is with--

Vautrin The Chevalier de Saint-Charles. I am imperturbed; you will defend me.

The d.u.c.h.ess I?

Vautrin Yes, you. Or you will never again see your son, Fernand de Montsorel.

The d.u.c.h.ess Raoul is undoubtedly my son then?

Vautrin He is--I hold in my possession complete proofs of your innocence, and --your son.

The d.u.c.h.ess You! You shall not leave me until--

SCENE TWELFTH.

The same persons and Mademoiselle de Vaudrey on one side of the stage, Saint-Charles on the other, and domestics.

Mademoiselle de Vaudrey Here he is! (To Vautrin) Begone! At once!

The d.u.c.h.ess (to Mademoiselle de Vaudrey) You are ruining everything.

Saint-Charles (to the servants) Behold their ringleader and accomplice! Whatever he may say, seize him!