The Duchess Excuses? Nonsense! Albert, I am only too happy to see you here; it is a pleasant surprise; you are come to kiss your mother before going to the palace--that is all. Ah! if ever a mother found it in her heart to doubt her son, this eager affection, which I have not been accustomed to, would dispel all such fear, and I thank you for it, Albert. At last we understand each other. The Marquis I am glad to hear you say that, mother; if I have seemed lacking in my duty to you, it is not that I forget, but that I feared to annoy you. The Duchess (seeing the duke) What! Your grace here also!--you really seem to share your son's cordiality,--my rising this morning is actually a fete. The Duke And you will find it so every day. The Duchess (to the duke) Ah! I understand-- (To the marquis) Good-bye! The king is strict about the punctuality of his red-coated guards, and I should be sorry to cause you to be reprimanded. The Duke Why do you send him off? Inez will soon be here. The Duchess I do not think so, I have just written to her. SCENE EIGHTH. The same persons and Joseph. Joseph (announcing a visitor) Their graces the Duchesse de Christoval and the Princess d'Arjos. The Duchess (aside) How excessively awkward! The Duke (to his son) Do not go; leave all to me. They are trifling with us. SCENE NINTH. The same persons, the Duchesse de Christoval and the Princesse d'Arjos. The Duchesse de Montsorel Ah! madame, it is extremely kind of you thus to anticipate my visit to you. The Duchesse de Christoval I come in this way that there may be no formality between us. The Duchesse de Montsorel (to Inez) Have you read my letter? Inez One of your maids has just handed it to me. The Duchesse de Montsorel (aside) It is evident that Raoul is also coming. The Duke (to the Duchesse de Christoval, whom he leads to a seat) I hope we see in this informal visit the beginning of a family intimacy? The Duchesse de Christoval Pray do not exaggerate the importance of a civility, which I look upon as a pleasure. The Marquis You are seriously afraid, madame, I perceive, of encouraging my hopes? Did I not suffer sufficiently yesterday? The princess did not notice me, even by a look. Inez I didn't expect the pleasure of meeting you again so soon, sir. I thought you were on duty; I am glad to have an opportunity of explaining that I never saw you till the moment I left the ball-room, and this lady (pointing to the Duchesse de Montsorel) must be the excuse of my inattention. The Marquis You have two excuses, mademoiselle, and I thank you for mentioning only one--my mother.