my son's safety? Indeed--but you had better look after your own son.
Albert is a guarantee for the life of Fernand. If you keep watch on my
proceedings, I shall set a watch on yours; if you rely upon the police
of the realm, I have resources of my own, and the assistance of God.
If you deal a blow at Fernand, beware of what may happen to Albert. A
blow for a blow!--That is final.

The Duke
You are in our own house, madame. I forgot myself. Pray pardon me. I
was wrong.

The Duchess
You are more a gentleman than your son; when he flies into a rage he
begs no one's pardon, not he!

The Duke (aside)
Has her resignation up to this time been nothing but a pretence? Has
she been waiting for the present opportunity to speak? Women who are
guided by the advice of bigots travel underground, like volcanic
fires, and only reveal themselves when they break out. She knows my
secret, I have _lost sight of her son_, and my defeat is imminent.
(Exit.)

SCENE TENTH.
Mademoiselle de Vaudrey and the Duchess.

Mademoiselle de Vaudrey
Louise, you love the child you have never seen, and hate him who is
before your eyes. Ah! you must tell the reason of your hatred for
Albert, if you would retain my esteem and my affection.

The Duchess
Not a word on that subject.

Mademoiselle de Vaudrey
The calm way in which your husband remarks your aversion for your son
is astonishing.

The Duchess
He is accustomed to it.

Mademoiselle de Vaudrey
Yet you could never show yourself a bad mother, could you?

The Duchess
A bad mother? No. (She reflects.) I cannot make up my mind to forfeit
your affection. (She draws her aunt to her side.) Albert is not my
son.

Mademoiselle de Vaudrey
Can a stranger have usurped the place, the name, the title, the
property of the real child?

The Duchess
No, not a stranger, but his son. After the fatal night on which
Fernand was carried off from me, an eternal separation between the
duke and myself took place. The wife in me was as cruelly outraged as
the mother. But still I purchased from him peace of mind.

Mademoiselle de Vaudrey
I do not understand your meaning.

The Duchess
I allowed the duke to present this Albert, child of a Spanish
courtesan, as if he were mine. The duke desired an heir. Amid the
confusion wrought in Spain by the French Revolution the trick escaped
notice. Are you surprised that my blood boils at the sight of this
strange woman's child occupying the place of the lawful h