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 Duchesse de Montsorel) I leave my happiness in your charge. The Duchesse 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 Duchesse de Montsorel (to the Duchesse de Christoval) You were very severe. The Duchesse 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 Duchesse de Christoval) He might easily be taken for a prince in disguise. The Marquis Is he not rather a nobody disguised as a prince? The Duchesse de Montsorel Your father will tell you that such disguises are difficult to assume. Inez (to the marquis) A nobody sir? We women can be attracted by one who is above us, never by him who is our inferior. The Duchesse 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 Duchesse de Christoval (to the Duchesse 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 Duchesse de Montsorel To-morrow, then. (Exit the duke with the Duchesse de Christoval and her daughter, followed by the Duchesse de Montsorel.) SCENE TWELFTH. The Marquis and the Duke. The Marquis The appearance of this adventurer, father, seems to throw both you and my mother into a state of the most violent excitement; it would almost seem as if not only was the marriage of your son jeopardized, but your very existence menaced. The duchess and her daughter went off in high dudgeon-- The Duke What could have brought them here in the very midst of our discussion? The Marquis And you also are interested in this fellow Raoul? The Duke Are not you? Your fortune, your name, your future and your marriage, all that is more to you than life, is now at stake! The Marquis If all these things are dependent upon this young man, I will immediately demand satisfaction from him. The Duke What! A duel? If you had the wretched luck to kill him, the success of your suite would be hopeless. The Marquis What then is to be done? The Duke Do like the politicians; wait! The Marquis If you are in danger, father, do you think I can remain quiet? The Duke Leave the burden to me; it would crush you. The Marquis Ah! but you will speak, father, you will tell me-- The Duke Nothing! For we should both of us have too much to blush for.