The Duke His reproaches spring only from his modesty, mademoiselle. Albert is under the impression that Monsieur de Frescas can give him ground for anxiety! At his age passion is a fairy that makes trifles appear vast. But neither yourself nor your mother, mademoiselle, can attach any serious importance to the claims of a young man, whose title is problematical and who is so studiously silent about his family. The Duchesse de Montsorel (to the Duchesse de Christoval) And are you also ignorant of the place where he was born? The Duchesse de Christoval I am not intimate enough with him to ask for such information. The Duke There are three of us here who would be well pleased to have it. You alone, ladies, would be discreet, for discretion is a virtue the possession of which profits only those who require it in others. The Duchesse de Montsorel As for me, I do not believe that curiosity is always blameless. The Marquis Is mine then ill-timed? And may I not inquire of madame whether the Frescas of Aragon are extinct or not? The Duchesse de Christoval (to the duke) Both of us have known at Madrid the old commander, who was last of his line. The Duke He died, of course, without issue. Inez But there exists a branch of the family at Naples. The Marquis Surely you are aware, mademoiselle, that your cousins, the house of Medina-Coeli, have succeeded to it? The Duchesse de Christoval You are right; there are no De Frescas in existence. The Duchesse de Montsorel Well! Well! If this young man has neither title nor family, he can be no dangerous rival to Albert. I do not know why you should be interested in him. The Duke But there are a great many ladies interested in him. Inez I begin to see your meaning-- The Marquis Indeed! Inez Yes, this young man is not, perhaps, all he wishes to appear; but he is intelligent, well educated, his sentiments are noble, he shows us the most chivalric respect, he speaks ill of no one; evidently, he is acting the gentleman, and exaggerates his role. The Duke I believe he also exaggerates the amount of his fortune; but it is difficult at Paris to maintain that pretension for any length of time. The Duchesse de Montsorel (to the Duchesse de Christoval) I am told that you mean to give a series of brilliant entertainments? The Marquis Does Monsieur de Frescas speak Spanish? Inez Just as well as we do. The Duke Say no more, Albert; did you not hear that Monsieur de Frescas is a highly accomplished young man? The Duchesse de Christoval He is really a very agreeable man, but if your doubts were well founded, I confess, my dear duke, I should be very sorry to receive any further visits from him. The Duchesse de Montsorel (to the Duchesse de Christoval) You look as fresh to-day as you did yesterday; I really admire the way you stand the dissipations of society. The Duchesse de Christoval (aside to Inez) My child, do not mention Monsieur de Frescas again. The subject annoys Madame de Montsorel.