The Duchesse de Christoval Pray do not exaggerate the importance of a civility, which I look upon as a pleasure.
The Marquis
You are seriously afraid, madame, I perceive, of encouraging my hopes?
Did I not suffer sufficiently yesterday? The princess did not notice
me, even by a look.
Inez I didn't expect the pleasure of meeting you again so soon, sir. I thought you were on duty; I am glad to have an opportunity of explaining that I never saw you till the moment I left the ball-room, and this lady (pointing to the Duchesse de Montsorel) must be the excuse of my inattention.
The Marquis You have two excuses, mademoiselle, and I thank you for mentioning only one—my mother.
The Duke His reproaches spring only from his modesty, mademoiselle. Albert is under the impression that Monsieur de Frescas can give him ground for anxiety! At his age passion is a fairy that makes trifles appear vast. But neither yourself nor your mother, mademoiselle, can attach any serious importance to the claims of a young man, whose title is problematical and who is so studiously silent about his family.
The Duchesse de Montsorel (to the Duchesse de Christoval)
And are you also ignorant of the place where he was born?
The Duchesse de Christoval
I am not intimate enough with him to ask for such information.
The Duke There are three of us here who would be well pleased to have it. You alone, ladies, would be discreet, for discretion is a virtue the possession of which profits only those who require it in others.
The Duchesse de Montsorel
As for me, I do not believe that curiosity is always blameless.
The Marquis
Is mine then ill-timed? And may I not inquire of madame whether the
Frescas of Aragon are extinct or not?