Saint-Charles
Yes, madame.
The Duchess
And who, pray, may you be, sir?
Saint-Charles I am a private detective, whom his grace the duke distrusts, and I am hired for clearing up mysterious occurrences.
Mademoiselle de Vaudrey (to the duchess)
O Louise!
The Duchess (fixing her eyes on Saint-Charles)
And who has had the impertinence to send you to address me?
Saint-Charles A sense of your danger brings me here. I am paid to be your enemy. You can keep silence as well as I; prove that your protection is more advantageous to me than the hollow promises of the duke, and I can assure you the victory. But time presses, the duke will soon be here, and if he finds us together, the success of our undertaking would be endangered.
The Duchess (to Mademoiselle de Vaudrey) Ah! we may still hope! (To Saint-Charles) And what were you going to do at the house of Monsieur de Frescas?
Saint-Charles
That which, at present, I am doing at yours.
The Duchess
Silence, sir.
Saint-Charles Your grace has given me no answer; the duke has my word, and he is very powerful.