Vautrin | Page 2

good of
you!
Mademoiselle de Vaudrey What is the matter, Louise? This is the first
time in the twelve years of our mutual mourning, that I have seen you
cheerful. Knowing you as I do, it makes me alarmed.
The Duchess I cannot help showing my unhappiness, and you, who
have shared all my sorrows, alone can understand my rapture at the
faintest gleam of hope.
Mademoiselle de Vaudrey Have you come upon any traces of your lost
son?
The Duchess He is found!
Mademoiselle de Vaudrey Impossible! When you find out your error it
will add to your anguish.
The Duchess A child who is dead has but a tomb in the heart of his
mother; but the child who has been stolen, is still living in that heart,
dear aunt.
Mademoiselle de Vaudrey Suppose you were overheard!
The Duchess I should not care. I am setting out on a new life, and I feel
strong enough to resist even the tyranny of De Montsorel.
Mademoiselle de Vaudrey After twenty-two years of mourning, what
possible occurrence can give you ground for hope?
The Duchess I have much more than hope! After the king's reception, I
went to the Spanish ambassador's, where I was introduced to Madame
de Christoval. There I saw a young man who resembled me, and had
my voice. Do you see what I mean? If I came home late it was because
I remained spellbound in the room, and could not leave until he had
gone.
Mademoiselle de Vaudrey Yet what slight warrant you had for your
elation!
The Duchess Is not a revelation such as that more than sufficient

warrant for the rapture of a mother's heart? At the sight of that young
stranger a flame seemed to dart before my yes; his glance gave me new
life; I felt happy once more. If he were not my son, my feelings would
be quite unaccountable.
Mademoiselle de Vaudrey You must have betrayed yourself!
The Duchess Yes, perhaps I did! People doubtless noticed us; but I was
carried away by an uncontrollable impulse; I saw no one but him, I
wished to hear him talk, and he talked with me, and told me his age. He
is twenty-three, the same age as Fernand!
Mademoiselle de Vaudrey And was the duke present?
The Duchess Could I give a thought to my husband? I listened only to
this young man, who was talking with Inez. I believe they are in love
with each other.
Mademoiselle de Vaudrey Inez, who is engaged to your son, the
marquis? And do you think the warm reception given by her to his
son's rival could escape the duke's notice?
The Duchess Of course not, and I quite see the dangers to which
Fernand is exposed. But I must not detain you longer; I could talk to
you about him till morning. You shall see him. I have told him to come
at the hour the duke goes to the king's, and then we will question him
about his childhood.
Mademoiselle de Vaudrey For goodness' sake, calm yourself; you will
never be able to sleep this night. And send Felicite to bed, she is not
accustomed to these late hours. (She rings the bell.)
Felicite (entering the room) His grace the duke has come in with his
lordship the marquis.
The Duchess I have already told you, Felicite, never to inform me of
his grace's movements. (Exit Felicite.)
Mademoiselle de Vaudrey I should hate to rob you of an illusion which
causes you such happiness; but when I see the height of expectation to
which you have soared, I fear a terrible fall for you. The soul, like the
body, is bruised by a fall from an excessive height, and you must
excuse my saying that I tremble for you.
The Duchess While you fear the effect of despair for me, I fear that of
overwhelming joy.
Mademoiselle de Vaudrey (watching the duchess go out) If she should
be deceived, she might lose her senses.

The Duchess (re-entering the room) Fernand, dear aunt, calls himself
Raoul de Frescas. (Exit.)
SCENE SECOND.
Mademoiselle de Vaudrey (alone) She does not see that the recovery of
her son would be a miracle. All mothers believe in miracles. We must
keep watch over her. A look, a word might ruin her, for if she is right,
if God restores her son to her, she is on the brink of a catastrophe more
frightful even than the deception she had been practicing. Does she
think she can dissemble under the eyes of women?
SCENE THIRD. Mademoiselle de Vaudrey and Felicite.
Mademoiselle de Vaudrey Already here?
Felicite Her grace the duchess dismissed me early.
Mademoiselle de Vaudrey Has my niece given you no orders for the
morning?
Felicite None, madame.
Mademoiselle