Raoul This exaggerated eulogy, with which I cannot agree, would be ironical unless it had been p.r.o.nounced by you; but I am compelled to acknowledge the courtesy with which you desire to set me at my ease, (looking at the marquis, who turns his back on him), in a house where I might well think myself unwelcome.

The Duke On the contrary, you have come just at the right moment, we were just speaking of your family and of the aged Commander de Frescas whom madame and myself were once well acquainted with.

Raoul I am highly honored by the interest you take in me; but such an honor is generally enjoyed at the cost of some slight gossip.

The Duke People can only gossip about those whom they know well.

The d.u.c.h.esse de Christoval And we would like to have the right of gossiping about you.

Raoul It is my interest to keep myself in your good graces.

The d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel I know one way of doing so.

Raoul What is that?

The d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel Remain the same mysterious personage you are at present.

The Marquis (rejoining them, newspaper in hand) Here is a strange thing, ladies; one of those foreigners who claim to be n.o.blemen has been caught cheating at play at the field marshal's house.

Inez Is that the great piece of news in which you have been absorbed?

Raoul In these times, everyone seems to be a foreigner.

The Marquis It is not altogether the piece of news that set me thinking, but I was struck by the incredible readiness with which people receive at their houses those about whose antecedents they know positively nothing.

The d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel (aside) Is he to be insulted in my house?

Raoul If people distrust those whom they do not know, aren't they sometimes likely, at very short notice, to know rather too much about them?

The Duke Albert, how can this news of yours interest us? Do we ever receive any one without first learning what his family is?

Raoul His grace the duke knows my family.

The Duke It is sufficient for me that you are found at Madame de Montsorel's house. We know what we owe to you too well to forget what you owe to us. The name De Frescas commands respect, and you represent it worthily.

The d.u.c.h.esse de Christoval (to Raoul) Will you immediately announce who you are, if not for your own sake, at least out of consideration for your friends?

Raoul I shall be extremely distressed if my presence here should occasion the slightest discussion; but as certain hints are as galling as the most direct charges, I suggest that we end this conversation, which is as unworthy of you, as it is of me. Her grace the d.u.c.h.ess did not, I am sure, invite me here to be cross-examined. I recognize in no one the right to ask a reason for the silence which I have decided to maintain.

The Marquis And you leave us the right to interpret it?

Raoul If I claim liberty of action, it is not for the purpose of refusing the same to you.

The Duke (to Raoul) You are a n.o.ble young man, you show the natural distinction which marks the gentleman; do not be offended at the curiosity of the world; it is our only safeguard. Your sword cannot impose silence upon all idle talkers, and the world, while it treats becoming modesty with generosity, has no pity for ungrounded pretensions--

Raoul Sir!

The d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel (whispering anxiously to Raoul) Not a word about your childhood; leave Paris, and let me alone know where you are--hidden! Your whole future depends on this.

The Duke I really wish to be your friend, in spite of the fact that you are the rival of my son. Give your confidence to a man who has that of his king. How can you be descended from the house of De Frescas, which is extinct?

Raoul (to the duke) Your grace is too powerful to fail of proteges, and I am not so weak as to need a protector.

The d.u.c.h.esse de Christoval Sir, I am sure you will understand a mother's feeling that it would be unwise for her to receive many visits from you at the Christoval house.

Inez (to Raoul) A word would save us, and you keep silence; I perceive that there is something dearer to you than I am.

Raoul Inez, I could hear anything excepting these reproaches. (Aside) O Vautrin! Why did you impose absolute silence upon me. (He bows farewell to the ladies. To the d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel) I leave my happiness in your charge.

The d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel Do what I order; I will answer for the rest.

Raoul (to the marquis) I am at your service, sir.

The Marquis Good-bye Monsieur Raoul.

Raoul De Frescas, if you please.

The Marquis De Frescas, then!

(Exit Raoul.)

SCENE ELEVENTH.

The same persons, except Raoul.

The d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel (to the d.u.c.h.esse de Christoval) You were very severe.

The d.u.c.h.esse de Christoval You may not be aware, madame, that for the last three months this young man has danced attendance on my daughter wherever she went, and that his admission into society was brought about a little incautiously.

The Duke (to the d.u.c.h.esse de Christoval) He might easily be taken for a prince in disguise.

The Marquis Is he not rather a n.o.body disguised as a prince?

The d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel Your father will tell you that such disguises are difficult to a.s.sume.

Inez (to the marquis) A n.o.body sir? We women can be attracted by one who is above us, never by him who is our inferior.

The d.u.c.h.esse de Christoval What are you talking about, Inez?

Inez It is of no consequence, mother! Either this young man is crazed or these people are ungenerous.

The d.u.c.h.esse de Christoval (to the d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel) I can plainly see, madame, that any explanation is impossible, especially in the presence of the duke; but my honor is at stake, and I shall expect you to explain.

The d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel To-morrow, then.

(Exit the duke with the d.u.c.h.esse de Christoval and her daughter, followed by the d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel.)