Vautrin: A Drama in Five Acts Part 20

Raoul To tell the truth, madame, I do not know what right you have to interfere in personal matters of mine.

The d.u.c.h.esse de Christoval Madame, you were wise to send out of the room my daughter and the marquis.

Vautrin (to Raoul) What right? (To the d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel) You need not avow it, for we divine it. I can well understand, madame, the pain you feel at the prospect of this marriage, and am not therefore offended at your suspicions with regard to me, and the authentic doc.u.ments which I have brought to the d.u.c.h.esse de Christoval. (Aside) Now for the final stroke. (He takes her aside) Before becoming a Mexican I was a Spaniard, and I know the cause of your hatred for Albert. And as to the motive which brings you here, we will talk about that very soon at the house of your confessor.

The d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel You know?

Vautrin All. (Aside) She has some motive. (Aloud) Will you examine the doc.u.ments?

The d.u.c.h.esse de Christoval Well, my dear?

The d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel Be quick, and send for Inez. Examine the deeds carefully, I implore you. This is the request of a despairing mother.

The d.u.c.h.esse de Christoval A despairing mother!

The d.u.c.h.esse de Montsorel (to herself, looking at Raoul and Vautrin) How is it possible that this man should know my secret and have this hold upon my son?

The d.u.c.h.esse de Christoval Will you come, madame?

(Exeunt the two d.u.c.h.esses.)

SCENE TWELFTH.

Raoul, Vautrin and later Lafouraille.

Vautrin I thought our star was setting; but it is still in the ascendant.

Raoul Have I not been humbled sufficiently? I had nothing in the world but my honor, and that I gave into your keeping. Your power is infernal, I see that plainly. But from this very moment I withdraw from its influence. You are no longer in danger. Farewell.

Lafouraille (coming in while Raoul speaks) No one caught,--'twas lucky,--we had time! Ah, sir, Philosopher is below, all is lost! The house has been entered by the police.

Vautrin Disgusting! And no one has been taken?

Lafouraille We were too cute for that.

Vautrin Philosopher is below, as what?

Lafouraille As a footman.

Vautrin Good; let him get up behind my carriage. I want to give you my orders about locking up the Prince d'Arjos, who thinks he is going to fight a duel to-morrow.

Raoul I see that you are in danger. I will not leave you, and I desire to know--

Vautrin Nothing. Do not worry about your own security. I will look out for you, in spite of you.

Raoul Oh! I know what my future will be.

Vautrin I too know.

Lafouraille Come, things are getting hot.

Vautrin Nay, the fat is in the fire.

Lafouraille No time for sentiment, or dilly-dallying, they are on our track and are mounted.

Vautrin Let us be off then. (He takes Lafouraille aside) If the government should do us the honor to billet its gendarmes on us, our duty is to let them alone. All are at liberty to scatter; but let all be at Mother Giroflee's at midnight. Get off post haste, for I do not wish us to meet our Waterloo, and the Prussians are upon us. We must run for it.

Curtain to the Fourth Act.

ACT V.

SCENE FIRST.

(The scene is laid at the Montsorel house, in a room on the ground floor.)

Joseph (alone) The cursed white mark appears this evening on the wicket side of the garden. Things cannot go on long in this way; the devil only knows how it will end. I prefer seeing him there, however, rather than in the apartments; the garden is at least away from the house, and when the warning comes, one can walk out to meet him.

SCENE SECOND.

Joseph, Lafouraille and Buteux; later, Vautrin.

(The humming sound of a voice is heard for a moment.)

Joseph There it is, our national air, which I never hear without trembling.

(Enter Lafouraille) And who are you? (Lafouraille makes a sign) A new one coming?

Lafouraille No, an old one.

Joseph Oh, he whose mark is in the garden.

Lafouraille Can he be waiting here? He intended to be here. (Buteux appears.)

Joseph Why, there will be three of you.

Lafouraille (pointing to Joseph) There will be four of us.

Joseph And what do you come to do at this hour? Do you want to s.n.a.t.c.h up everything here?

Lafouraille He takes us for thieves!

Buteux We prove that we can be, when we are down in our luck; but we never say so.

Lafouraille That is, we make money, like other people.

Joseph But his grace the duke is going--