The d.u.c.h.ess (to the company) I command you to leave me alone with this man.

Vautrin What is it, chevalier?

Saint-Charles You are a puzzle to me, baron.

Vautrin (whispering to the d.u.c.h.ess) You behold in this man the murderer of the viscount whom you loved so well.

The d.u.c.h.ess He the murderer?

Vautrin (to the d.u.c.h.ess) Let him be closely watched, or he will slip through your fingers like money.

The d.u.c.h.ess Joseph!

Vautrin (to Joseph) What happened upstairs?

Joseph His lordship the marquis drew his sword, and being attacked from the rear, defended himself, and was twice slightly wounded. His grace the duke is with him now.

The d.u.c.h.ess (to her aunt) Return to Albert's room, I implore you. (To Joseph, pointing out Saint-Charles) I shall hold you responsible for this man's detention.

Vautrin (to Joseph) So shall I.

Saint-Charles (to Vautrin) I see the situation, you have got ahead of me.

Vautrin I bear no malice towards you, my dear fellow.

Saint-Charles (to Joseph) Take me before the duke.

(Exeunt.)

SCENE THIRTEENTH.

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

Vautrin (aside) He has a father, an ancestral family, a mother. What a climax! In whom shall I henceforth find an interest? Whom shall I be able to love?

After ten years of paternity, the loss is irreparable.

The d.u.c.h.ess (approaching Vautrin) What is it?

Vautrin What is it? It is, that I can never give back to you your son, madame; it is, that I do not feel brave enough to survive his separation from me, nor his contempt for me. The loss of such as Raoul is irretrievable! My life has been bound up in his.

The d.u.c.h.ess But could he feel affection for you, you a criminal whom one could at any moment give up--

Vautrin To justice do you mean? I thought you would have been more tender. But you do not, I perceive, see the abyss in which I am dragging you, your son and the duke, and which all descend in company.

The d.u.c.h.ess Oh! What have you made of my poor child?

Vautrin A man of honor.

The d.u.c.h.ess And he loves you?

Vautrin He loves me still.

The d.u.c.h.ess But has that wretch spoken the truth in revealing what you are and whence you come?

Vautrin Yes, madame.

The d.u.c.h.ess And have you taken care of my son?

Vautrin Your son, our son--yes--have you not perceived that he is as pure as an angel?

The d.u.c.h.ess Ah, may you receive a blessing for what you have done! May the world pardon you! Oh G.o.d! (she kneels) The voice of a mother must reach Thee, forgive, forgive this man. (She looks at Vautrin.) My tears shall bathe his hands! Oh! grant that he may repent! (Turning to Vautrin) You belong to me; I will change you! But people are deceived, you are no criminal, and, whatever you are, all mothers will give you their absolution!

Vautrin Come, it is time to restore her son to her.

The d.u.c.h.ess Did you still harbor the horrible thought of refusing him to his mother? But I have waited for him for two and twenty years.

Vautrin And I, have I not been for ten years his father? Raoul is my very soul! Let me endure anguish, let men heap shame upon me; if he is happy and crowned with honor, I shall see it and my life will once more be bright.

The d.u.c.h.ess I am overwhelmed. He loves like a mother.

Vautrin The only tie that binds me to the world, to life, is this bright link, purer than gold.

The d.u.c.h.ess And--without stain?

Vautrin Ah! People know themselves only in their virtues, and are austere for others alone. But in myself I see but infamy--in him the heart of honor. And yet was he found by me on the highroad from Toulon to Ma.r.s.eilles, the route of the convict. He was twelve years old, without bread, and in rags.

The d.u.c.h.ess Bare-foot, it may be?

Vautrin Yes. But beautiful, with curly hair--

The d.u.c.h.ess It was thus you saw him?

Vautrin Poor angel, he was crying. I took him with me.

The d.u.c.h.ess And you brought him up?

Vautrin I stole the means to do so.

The d.u.c.h.ess I should, perhaps, myself have done the like.

Vautrin I did more!

The d.u.c.h.ess He must have suffered much.

Vautrin Never! I concealed from him the means I took to make his life happy and easy. I would not let him even suspect them--it would have blighted him. You may enn.o.ble him by parchments, I have made him n.o.ble in heart.

The d.u.c.h.ess And he was my son!