The Duke Joseph, I am not at home excepting to one person. If he comes, you will show him up. I refer to Monsieur de Saint-Charles. Find out whether your mistress will see me. (Exit Joseph.) The awakening of a maternal instinct, which I thought had been utterly extinguished in her heart, amazes me beyond measure. The secret struggle in which she is engaged must at once be put a stop to. So long as Louise was resigned our life was not intolerable; but disputes like this would render it extremely disagreeable. I was able to control my wife so long as we were abroad, but in this country my only power over her lies in skillful handling, and a display of authority. I shall tell everything to the king. I shall submit myself to his dictation, and Madame de Montsorel must be compelled to submit. I must however bide my time. The detective, whom I am to employ, if he is clever, will soon find out the cause of this revolt; I shall see whether the duchess is merely deceived by a resemblance, or whether she has seen her son. For myself I must confess to having lost sight of him since my agents reported his disappearance twelve years ago. I was very much excited last night. I must be more discreet. If I keep quiet she will be put off her guard and reveal her secrets. Joseph (re-entering the room) Her grace the duchess has not yet rung for her maid. The Duke Very well. SCENE SECOND. The preceding and Felicite. (To explain his presence in his wife's room, the duke looks over articles lying on the table, and discovers a letter in a book.) The Duke (reading) "To Mademoiselle Inez de Christoval." (aside) Why should my wife have concealed a letter of such slight importance? She no doubt wrote it after our quarrel. Is it concerning Raoul? This letter must not go to the Christoval house. Felicite (looking for the letter in the book) Now, where is that letter of madame's? Can she have forgotten it? The Duke Aren't you looking for a letter? Felicite Yes, your grace. The Duke Isn't this it? Felicite The very one, your grace. The Duke It is astonishing that you should leave the very hour your mistress must need your services; she is getting up. Felicite Her grace the duchess has Therese; and besides I am going out by her orders. The Duke Very good. I did not wish to interfere with you. SCENE THIRD. The preceding, and Blondet, alias the Chevalier de Saint-Charles. (Joseph and Saint-Charles walk together from the centre door, and eye each other attentively.) Joseph (aside) The look of that man is very distasteful to me. (To the duke) The Chevalier de Saint-Charles. (The duke signs to Saint-Charles to approach, and examines his appearance.) Saint-Charles (giving him a letter, aside) Does he know my antecedents, or will he simply recognize me as Saint-Charles? The Duke My dear sir-- Saint-Charles I am to be merely Saint-Charles. The Duke You are recommended to me as a man whose ability, if it had fair scope, would be called genius.