Vautrin Well, I will explain to you. You are in love with Inez de Christoval, Princesse d'Arjos in her own right, daughter of a duke banished by King Ferdinand--an Andalusian who loves you and pleases me, not as a woman, but as a ravishing money-box, whose eyes are the finest in the world, whose dowry is captivating, and who is the most delightful piece of cash, graceful and elegant as some black corvette with white sails which convoys the long-expected galleons of America, and yields all the joys of life, exactly like the Fortune which is painted over the entrance of the lottery agencies. I approve of you here. You did wrong to fall in love, love will involve you in a thousand follies --but I understand. Raoul Do not score me with such frightful sarcasms. Vautrin See how quickly he feels his ardor damped, and his hat wreathed in crepe! Raoul Yes. For it is impossible for the child flung by accident into the bosom of a fisher family at Alghero to become Prince of Arjos, while to lose Inez is for me to die of grief. Vautrin An income of twelve thousand francs, the title of prince, grandeur, and amassed wealth are not things to be contemplated with melancholy. Raoul If you love me, why do you mock me thus in the hour of my despair? Vautrin And what is the cause of your despair? Raoul The duke and the marquis have insulted me, in their own house, in her presence, and I have seen then all my hopes extinguished. The door of the Christoval mansion is closed upon me. I do not know why the Duchesse de Montsorel made me come and see her. For the last few days she has manifested an interest in me which I do not understand. Vautrin And what brought you to the house of your rival? Raoul It seems you know all about it. Vautrin Yes, and many other things besides. Is it true you desire Inez de Christoval? Then you can get over this present despondency. Raoul You are trifling with me. Vautrin Look here, Raoul! The Christovals have shut their doors upon you. Well--to-morrow you shall be the accepted lover of the princess, and the Montsorels shall be turned away, Montsorels though they be. Raoul The sight of my distress has crazed you. Vautrin What reason have you ever had for doubting my word? Did I not give you an Arabian horse, to drive mad with envy the foreign and native dandies of the Bois de Boulogne? Who paid your gambling debts? Who made provision for your excesses? Who gave you boots, you who once went barefoot? Raoul You, my friend, my father, my family! Vautrin Many, many thanks. In those words is a recompense for all my sacrifices. But, alas! when once you become rich, a grandee of Spain, a part of the great world, you will forget me; a change of atmosphere brings a change of ideas; you will despise me, and--you will be right in doing so. Raoul Do I see before me a genie, a spirit materialized from the Arabian Nights? I question my own existence. But, my friend, my protector, I have no family.