But where are you going?

Vautrin
You are very curious.

SCENE FIFTH.

Joseph (alone)
There, he is disposed of for the moment, his two fellows likewise; I
hold them, and, as I don't want to have anything to do with the
affair, I am going--

SCENE SIXTH
Joseph, a footman; and afterwards Saint-Charles.

The footman
Monsieur Joseph, some one is asking for you.

Joseph
At this hour?

Saint-Charles
It is I.

Joseph (to the footman)
You may go.

Saint-Charles
His grace the duke cannot come home until after the king's retirement
for the night. The duchess is on her way home. I wish to speak to her
privately and wait for her here.

Joseph
Here?

Saint-Charles
Here.

Joseph (aside)
O my God! And Jacques--

Saint-Charles
If it inconveniences you--

Joseph
Not in the least.

Saint-Charles
Tell me the truth, you are expecting some one?

Joseph
I am expecting the duchess.

Saint-Charles
And not Jacques Collin?

Joseph
Oh! don't talk to me about that man, you make me shudder.

Saint-Charles
Collin is mixed up with some business that might bring him here. You
must have seen him lately. I have no time to pump you, and I have no
need to bribe, but you must choose between him and me, and pretty
quickly, too.

Joseph
What do you require of me?

Saint-Charles
To tell me everything that takes place here.

Joseph
Well, the latest thing is the duel of the marquis; he fights to-morrow
with Monsieur de Frescas.

Saint-Charles
What next?

Joseph
I see her grace the duchess has just returned.

SCENE SEVENTH.

Saint-Charles (alone)
What a timid beast he is! This duel is a capital excuse for speaking
with the duchess. The duke did not understand me, he saw in me nothing
but a tool, to be taken up and dropped at pleasure. Did he not, by
imposing silence upon me towards his wife, betray his suspicion that I
was dangerous to him? The patrimony of the strong is the faculty of
utilizing the faults of a neighbor. I have already devoured several
patrimonies, and my appetite is still good.

SCENE EIGHTH.
Saint-Charles, the Duchesse de Montsorel and Mademoiselle de Vaudrey.

(Saint-Charles disappears till the two ladies have passed, and remains
at the back, while they come to the front of the stage.)

Mademoiselle de Vaudrey
You are quite worn out.

The Duchesse de Montsorel (sinking into an armchair)
Yes; I am dead! In despair--

Saint-Charles (coming forward)
Madame the duchess.