passports.

(Exit Saint-Charles.)

SCENE FIFTEENTH.
The same persons, the Duchesse de Christoval, Inez and Mademoiselle de
Vaudrey.

Mademoiselle de Vaudrey
Here they are!

The Duchesse de Christoval
My daughter, madame, has received a letter from Monsieur Raoul, in
which this noble young man declares that he would rather give up Inez,
than deceive us; he has related his whole life's history. He is to
fight a duel with your son to-morrow, and as Inez is the involuntary
cause of this duel we are come to prevent it; for it is now entirely
without ground or reason.

The Duchesse de Montsorel
There will be no duel, madame.

Inez
He will live then!

The Duchesse de Montsorel
And you shall marry the Marquis de Montsorel, my child.

SCENE SIXTEENTH.
The same persons, Raoul and Lafouraille. (The last named does not
tarry.)

Raoul (to Vautrin)
What! Would you imprison me to prevent my fighting a duel?

The Duke
With your brother?

Raoul
My brother?

The Duke
Yes.

The Duchesse de Montsorel
You are, then, really my child! (She embrace Raoul.) Ladies, this is
Fernand de Montsorel, my son, the--

The Duke (taking Raoul by the hand, and interrupting his wife)
The eldest son, who was carried off from us in childhood. Albert is
now no more than Comte de Montsorel.

Raoul
For three days I have been in a dream! You, my mother! You, sir--

The Duke
Your father--yes!

Raoul
Among the very people who asked me to name my family--

Vautrin
Your family has been found.

Raoul
And--are you still to have a place in my life?

Vautrin (to the Duchesse de Montsorel)
What shall I say to you? (to Raoul) Remember, my lord marquis, that I
have, in advance, absolved you from all charge of ingratitude. (To the
duchess) The child will forget me; will the mother also?

The Duchesse de Montsorel
Never.

The Duke
But what are the misfortunes that plunged you into so dark an abyss?

Vautrin
Can any one explain misfortune?

The Duchesse de Montsorel
Dear husband, is it not in your power to obtain his pardon?

The Duke
The sentences under which he has served are irreversible.

Vautrin
That word reconciles me to you, it is a statesman's word. Your grace
should explain that transportation is the last expedient to which you
can resort in overcoming us.

Raoul
Monsieur--

Vautrin
You are wrong; I am not even monsieur at present.

Inez
I think I understand that you are an outlaw, that my friend owes y