The Duchess (to the company) I command you to leave me alone with this man. Vautrin What is it, chevalier? Saint-Charles You are a puzzle to me, baron. Vautrin (whispering to the duchess) You behold in this man the murderer of the viscount whom you loved so well. The Duchess He the murderer? Vautrin (to the duchess) Let him be closely watched, or he will slip through your fingers like money. The Duchess Joseph! Vautrin (to Joseph) What happened upstairs? Joseph His lordship the marquis drew his sword, and being attacked from the rear, defended himself, and was twice slightly wounded. His grace the duke is with him now. The Duchess (to her aunt) Return to Albert's room, I implore you. (To Joseph, pointing out Saint-Charles) I shall hold you responsible for this man's detention. Vautrin (to Joseph) So shall I. Saint-Charles (to Vautrin) I see the situation, you have got ahead of me. Vautrin I bear no malice towards you, my dear fellow. Saint-Charles (to Joseph) Take me before the duke. (Exeunt.) SCENE THIRTEENTH. Vautrin and the Duchess. Vautrin (aside) He has a father, an ancestral family, a mother. What a climax! In whom shall I henceforth find an interest? Whom shall I be able to love? After ten years of paternity, the loss is irreparable. The Duchess (approaching Vautrin) What is it? Vautrin What is it? It is, that I can never give back to you your son, madame; it is, that I do not feel brave enough to survive his separation from me, nor his contempt for me. The loss of such as Raoul is irretrievable! My life has been bound up in his. The Duchess But could he feel affection for you, you a criminal whom one could at any moment give up-- Vautrin To justice do you mean? I thought you would have been more tender. But you do not, I perceive, see the abyss in which I am dragging you, your son and the duke, and which all descend in company. The Duchess Oh! What have you made of my poor child? Vautrin A man of honor. The Duchess And he loves you? Vautrin He loves me still. The Duchess But has that wretch spoken the truth in revealing what you are and whence you come? Vautrin Yes, madame. The Duchess And have you taken care of my son? Vautrin Your son, our son--yes--have you not perceived that he is as pure as an angel? The Duchess Ah, may you receive a blessing for what you have done! May the world pardon you! Oh God! (she kneels) The voice of a mother must reach Thee, forgive, forgive this man. (She looks at Vautrin.) My tears shall bathe his hands! Oh! grant that he may repent! (Turning to Vautrin) You belong to me; I will change you! But people are deceived, you are no criminal, and, whatever you are, all mothers will give you their absolution! Vautrin Come, it is time to restore her son to her. The Duchess Did you still harbor the horrible thought of refusing him to his mother? But I have waited for him for two and twenty years.