ou a
vast debt, and cannot discharge it. Beyond the sea, I have extensive
lands, which require a man's energy for their right administration;
you shall go and exercise there your talents, and become--

Vautrin
Rich, under a new name? Child, can you not realize that in this world
there are pitiless necessities? Yes, I could acquire a fortune, but
who will give me the opportunity? (To the duke) The king could at your
grace's intercession grant me a pardon, but who then would take my
hand in his?

Raoul
I would!

Vautrin
Ah! It was this I waited for before taking leave. You now have a
mother. Farewell!

SCENE SEVENTEENTH.
The same persons, a police officer, guards and servants.

(The window casements are flung open; and an officer enters; at the
back of the stage are gendarmes.)

The officer (to the duke)
In the name of the king, of the law, I arrest Jacques Collin,
convicted of having broken--

(All persons present fling themselves between the armed force and
Jacques, in order to give him opportunity for escaping.)

The Duke
Gentlemen, I take upon myself--

Vautrin
In your grace's house the justice of the king must have free course.
The matter lies between these gentlemen and me. (To the officer) I
will follow you. (To the duchess) It was Joseph who brought the
police; he is one of us; discharge him.

Raoul
Are we separated forever?

Vautrin
You will marry very shortly. Within a year, on a day of christening,
scan carefully the faces of the poor at the church door; one will be
there who wishes to be certain of your happiness. Till then, adieu.
(To the officer) It is time for us to be moving.

Final Curtain.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Vautrin, by Honore de Balzac

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