The Duke What, Raoul de Frescas?

Vautrin Fernand de Montsorel is on his way here. (To Saint-Charles) And what do you say about all this?

Saint-Charles You are a hero; let me be your servant.

Vautrin You are ambitious. Would you follow me?

Saint-Charles Anywhere.

Vautrin I can well believe it.

Saint-Charles Ah! what a master mind you obtain in me, and what a loss to the government!

Vautrin Go; and wait for me at the bureau of pa.s.sports.

(Exit Saint-Charles.)

SCENE FIFTEENTH.

The same persons, the d.u.c.h.esse de Christoval, Inez and Mademoiselle de Vaudrey.

Mademoiselle de Vaudrey Here they are!

The d.u.c.h.esse de Christoval My daughter, madame, has received a letter from Monsieur Raoul, in which this n.o.ble young man declares that he would rather give up Inez, than deceive us; he has related his whole life's history. He is to fight a duel with your son to-morrow, and as Inez is the involuntary cause of this duel we are come to prevent it; for it is now entirely without ground or reason.

The d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel There will be no duel, madame.

Inez He will live then!

The d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel And you shall marry the Marquis de Montsorel, my child.

SCENE SIXTEENTH.

The same persons, Raoul and Lafouraille. (The last named does not tarry.)

Raoul (to Vautrin) What! Would you imprison me to prevent my fighting a duel?

The Duke With your brother?

Raoul My brother?

The Duke Yes.

The d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel You are, then, really my child! (She embrace Raoul.) Ladies, this is Fernand de Montsorel, my son, the--

The Duke (taking Raoul by the hand, and interrupting his wife) The eldest son, who was carried off from us in childhood. Albert is now no more than Comte de Montsorel.

Raoul For three days I have been in a dream! You, my mother! You, sir--

The Duke Your father--yes!

Raoul Among the very people who asked me to name my family--

Vautrin Your family has been found.

Raoul And--are you still to have a place in my life?

Vautrin (to the d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel) What shall I say to you? (to Raoul) Remember, my lord marquis, that I have, in advance, absolved you from all charge of ingrat.i.tude. (To the d.u.c.h.ess) The child will forget me; will the mother also?

The d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel Never.

The Duke But what are the misfortunes that plunged you into so dark an abyss?

Vautrin Can any one explain misfortune?

The d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel Dear husband, is it not in your power to obtain his pardon?

The Duke The sentences under which he has served are irreversible.

Vautrin That word reconciles me to you, it is a statesman's word. Your grace should explain that transportation is the last expedient to which you can resort in overcoming us.

Raoul Monsieur--

Vautrin You are wrong; I am not even monsieur at present.

Inez I think I understand that you are an outlaw, that my friend owes you a vast debt, and cannot discharge it. Beyond the sea, I have extensive lands, which require a man's energy for their right administration; you shall go and exercise there your talents, and become--

Vautrin Rich, under a new name? Child, can you not realize that in this world there are pitiless necessities? Yes, I could acquire a fortune, but who will give me the opportunity? (To the duke) The king could at your grace's intercession grant me a pardon, but who then would take my hand in his?

Raoul I would!

Vautrin Ah! It was this I waited for before taking leave. You now have a mother. Farewell!

SCENE SEVENTEENTH.

The same persons, a police officer, guards and servants.

(The window cas.e.m.e.nts are flung open; and an officer enters; at the back of the stage are gendarmes.)

The officer (to the duke) In the name of the king, of the law, I arrest Jacques Collin, convicted of having broken--

(All persons present fling themselves between the armed force and Jacques, in order to give him opportunity for escaping.)

The Duke Gentlemen, I take upon myself--

Vautrin In your grace's house the justice of the king must have free course.

The matter lies between these gentlemen and me. (To the officer) I will follow you. (To the d.u.c.h.ess) It was Joseph who brought the police; he is one of us; discharge him.