dispel from his mind, one by one, his exalted ideas of life; to render him suspicious and tricky as--an old bill-broker, while all the while he knew not who I was. And at this moment love has broken down the whole scaffolding. He should have been great; now, he can only be happy. I shall therefore retire to live in a corner at the height of his prosperity; his happiness will have been my work. For two days I have been asking myself whether it would not be better that the Princesse d'Arjos should die of some ailment--say brain fever. It's singular how many plans a woman can upset! SCENE FIFTH. Vautrin and Lafouraille. Vautrin What is the matter? Cannot I be alone one moment? Did I call? Lafouraille We are likely to feel the claws of justice scratch our shoulders. Vautrin What new blunder have you committed? Lafouraille The fact is little Nini has admitted a well-dressed gentleman who asks to see you. Buteux is whistling the air, _There's No Place Like Home_, so it must be a sleuth. Vautrin Nothing of the kind, I know who it is; tell him to wait. Everybody in arms! Vautrin must then vanish; I will be the Baron de Vieux-Chene. Speak in a German account, fool him well, until I can play the master stroke. (Exit.) SCENE SIXTH. Lafouraille and Saint-Charles. Lafouraille (speaking with a German accent) M. de Frescas is not at home, sir, and his steward, the Baron de Vieux-Chene, is engaged with an architect, who is to build a grand house for my master. Saint-Charles I beg your pardon, my dear sir, you said-- Lafouraille I said Baron de Vieux-Chene. Saint-Charles Baron! Lafouraille Yes! Yes! Saint-Charles He is a baron? Lafouraille Baron de Vieux-Chene. Saint-Charles You are a German. Lafouraille Not I! Not I! I am an Alsatian, a very different thing. Saint-Charles (aside) This man has certainly an accent too decidedly German to be a Parisian. Lafouraille (aside) I know this man well. Here's a go! Saint-Charles If the baron is busy, I will wait. Lafouraille (aside) Ah! Blondet, my beauty, you can disguise your face, but not your voice; if you get out of our clutches now, you will be a wonder. (Aloud) What shall I tell the baron brings you here? (He makes as if to go out.) Saint-Charles Stay a moment, my friend; you speak German, I speak French, we may misunderstand one another. (Puts a purse into his hand.) There can be no mistake with this for an interpreter. Lafouraille No, sir. Saint-Charles That is merely on account. Lafouraille (aside) Yes, on account of my eighty thousand francs. (Aloud) And do you wish me to shadow my master? Saint-Charles No, my friend, I merely ask for some information, which cannot compromise you. Lafouraille In good German we call that spying. Saint-Charles But no--that is not it--it is-- Lafouraille To shadow him. And what shall I say to his lordship the baron? Saint-Charles Announce the Chevalier de Saint-Charles.