s 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.

Vautrin
And I, have I not been for ten years his father? Raoul is my very
soul! Let me endure anguish, let men heap shame upon me; if he is
happy and crowned with honor, I shall see it and my life will once
more be bright.

The Duchess
I am overwhelmed. He loves like a mother.

Vautrin
The only tie that binds me to the world, to life, is this bright link,
purer than gold.

The Duchess
And--without stain?

Vautrin
Ah! People know themselves only in their virtues, and are austere for
others alone. But in myself I see but infamy--in him the heart of
honor. And yet was he found by me on the highroad from Toulon to
Marseilles, the route of the convict. He was twelve years old, without
bread, and in rags.

The Duchess
Bare-foot, it may be?

Vautrin
Yes. But beautiful, with curly hair--

The Duchess
It was thus you saw him?

Vautrin
Poor angel, he was crying. I took him with me.

The Duchess
And you brought him up?

Vautrin
I stole the means to do so.

The Duchess
I should, perhaps, myself have done the like.

Vautrin
I did more!

The Duchess
He must have suffered much.

Vautrin
Never! I concealed from him the means I took to make his life happy
and easy. I would not let him even suspect them--it would have
blighted him. You may ennoble him by parchments, I have made him noble
in heart.

The Duchess
And he was my son!

Vautrin
Yes, a son full of nobility, of winning grace, of high instincts; he
needed but to have the way made clear to him.

The Duchess (wringing the hand of Vautrin)
You mu