of
course he can claim a family. (Whispers to the Duchesse de Montsorel)
He has a mother. (Perceiving Saint-Charles) What! You here, chevalier,
and with the duchess?

Saint-Charles (taking the duke aside)
Your grace will approve of what I have done. (Aloud) You have been at
the palace and I thought it necessary to warn the duchess of the
danger which threatens her only son, the marquis; he is likely to be
murdered.

The Duke
Murdered!

Saint-Charles
But your grace will listen to my advice--

The Duke
Come into my study, my friend, and let us at once take steps to avert
this catastrophe.

Saint-Charles (exchanging a look of intelligence with the duchess)
I have strange things to tell your grace. (Aside) I am certainly going
to take the duke's part.

SCENE TENTH.
The Duchess, Mademoiselle de Vaudrey and Vautrin.

Mademoiselle de Vaudrey
If Raoul is your son, how vile is the company he keeps.

The Duchess
An angel would purify hell itself.

(Vautrin half opens with caution a French casement that leads to the
garden, where he has been listening to the preceding conversation.)

Vautrin (aside)
I know all. Two brothers cannot fight a duel. Ah, here is my duchess!
(Aloud) Ladies!

Mademoiselle de Vaudrey
A man! Help! Help!

The Duchess
It is he!

Vautrin (to the duchess)
Silence! Women can do nothing but cry out. (To Mademoiselle de
Vaudrey) Mademoiselle de Vaudrey, run to the chamber of the marquis.
Two infamous murderers are there; be quick, before they cut out his
throat. But let the wretches be seized without making a disturbance.
(To the duchess) Stay where you are, madame.

The Duchess
Go, dear aunt; have no fear for me.

Vautrin (aside)
My rascals will be vastly surprised. What will they think? This is the
way I bring down judgment upon them.

(A noise is heard.)

SCENE ELEVENTH.
The Duchess and Vautrin.

The Duchess
The whole house is in commotion! What will be said, when it is known
that I am here?

Vautrin
Let us hope that the foundling will be saved.

The Duchess
But you are known here, and the duke is with--

Vautrin
The Chevalier de Saint-Charles. I am imperturbed; you will defend me.

The Duchess
I?

Vautrin
Yes, you. Or you will never again see your son, Fernand de Montsorel.

The Duchess
Raoul is undoubtedly my son then?

Vautrin
He is--I hold in my possession complete proofs of your innocence, and
--your son.

The Duchess
You! You shall not leave me