Vautrin Yes, Frescas is the name of the second mine worked by Don Cardaval; but you will learn all that monsieur the duke owes to his host from the letters I have brought you. They are in my pocket-book. (Aside) They are much taken by my aged Amoagos. (Aloud) Allow me to send for one of my people. (He signs Inez to ring. To the duchess) Permit me to say a few words to him. (To the footman) Tell my negro--but no, you won't understand his frightful patois. Make signs to him to come here. The Duchess My child, leave the room for a moment. (Enter Lafouraille, made up as a negro, and carrying a large portmanteau.) Vautrin (to Lafouraille) Jigi roro flouri. Lafouraille Joro. Inez (to Vautrin) The confidence my father has reposed in you ensures you a warm welcome; but, general, you have won my gratitude by your promptness in allaying our anxieties. Vautrin Your gratitude! Ah, senorita, if we are to reckon accounts I should consider myself in debt to your illustrious father, after having the happiness to see you. Lafouraille Jo. Vautrin Caracas, y mouli joro, fistas, ip souri. Lafouraille Souri, joro. Vautrin (to the ladies) Ladies, here are your letters. (Aside to Lafouraille) Go round from the antechamber to the court, close your lips, open your ears; hands off, eye on the watch. Lafouraille Ja, mein herr. Vautrin (angrily) Souri joro, fistas. Lafouraille Joro. (whispering) There are the de Langeac papers. Vautrin I am not for the emancipation of the negroes! When there are no more of them, we shall have to do with whites. Inez (to her mother) Mother, allow me to go and read my father's letter. (To Vautrin) General-- (She bows.) Vautrin She is charming, may she be happy! (Exit Inez, accompanied to the door by her mother.) SCENE THIRD. The Duchess and Vautrin. Vautrin (aside) If Mexico saw herself represented in this way, the government would be capable of condemning me to embassades for life. (Aloud) Pray excuse me, madame. I have so many things to think about. The Duchess If absent-mindedness may be excused in any one, it is in a diplomat. Vautrin Yes, to civil diplomats, but I mean to remain a frank soldier. The success which I derive must be the result of candor. But now that we are alone, let us talk, for I have more than one delicate mission to discharge. The Duchess Have you any news which my daughter should not hear? Vautrin It may be so. Let me come to the point; the senorita is young and beautiful, she is rich and noble born; she probably has four times as many suitors as any other lady. Her hand is the object of rivalry. Well, her father has charged me to find whether she has singled out any one in particular. The Duchess With a frank man, general, I will be frank. Your question is so strange that I cannot answer it. Vautrin Take care, for we diplomats, in our fear of being deceived, always put the worst interpretation on silence. The Duchess Sir, you forget that we are talking of Inez de Christoval!