Raoul (aside) Ah! Vautrin! I trust myself to you! (Aloud) Inez, you do not know how great is the impression your words make upon me; they give me power to bear the overwhelming rapture your presence causes--Come then, let us be happy! SCENE EIGHTH The same persons and the Marquis de Montsorel. The footman (announcing a visitor) Monsieur le Marquis de Montsorel. Raoul (aside) Ah! That name recalls me to myself. (To Inez) Whatever happens, Inez, do not judge my conduct until I have myself given an account of it, and believe at the present moment that I am carried along by an invincible fatality. Inez Raoul, I cannot understand you; but I shall trust you always. The Marquis (aside) Again this little gentleman here! (He salutes Inez.) I thought you were with your mother, mademoiselle, and I never dreamed my visit would be so inopportune. Be good enough to excuse me-- Inez I beg that you will not go; there is no one but ourselves here, for Monsieur Raoul has been accepted by my family. The Marquis Will Monsieur Raoul de Frescas, then, accept my congratulations? Raoul Your congratulations? I accept them (they shake hands) in the same spirit as that in which they are offered. Inez (to Raoul) Manage that he go away, and do you remain. (To the Marquis) My mother requires me for a few moments, and I will return with her. SCENE NINTH. The Marquis and Raoul; later, Vautrin. The Marquis Will you agree to a meeting without seconds--a fight to the death? Raoul Without seconds? The Marquis Do you realize that both of us cannot exist in the same world? Raoul Your family is a powerful one; your proposition exposes me, in case I am victorious, to their vengeance. Allow me to say that I do not want to exchange this house for a prison. (Vautrin appears.) I will fight to the death--but not without seconds. The Marquis Will those on your side stop the duel? Raoul Our mutual hatred is sufficient guarantee against that. Vautrin (aside) Well, now--we always commit some blunder in the moment of success! To the death! This child would gamble away his life as if it belonged to him. The Marquis Very well, monsieur; to-morrow at eight o'clock, we meet at the terrace of Saint-Germain, and drive from there to the forest. Vautrin (coming forward) You will not go. (To Raoul) A duel? Are the principals of equal rank? Is this gentleman, like you, the only son of a noble house? Would your father Don Inigo Juan Varago de los Amoagos de Cardaval las Frescas y Peral, allow you to do it, Raoul? The Marquis I have consented to fight with an unknown man, but the greatness of the house to which the gentleman belongs cannot nullify the agreement. Raoul (to the marquis) Nevertheless, it seems to me, monsieur, that we can treat each other with courtesy, and act like people who esteem each other too much to take the trouble to hate and to kill. The Marquis (looking at Vautrin) May I know the name of your friend? Vautrin By whom have I to honor to be referred to?