Joseph (to the Duchesse de Montsorel) As Mademoiselle de Vaudrey is not in, and Monsieur de Frescas is here, will your grace see him?
The Duchesse de Christoval
Is Raoul here?
The Duke
So he has already found her out!
The Marquis (to his father)
My mother is deceiving us.
The Duchesse de Montsorel (to Joseph)
I am not at home.
The Duke If you have asked Monsieur de Frescas to come why do you begin by treating so great a personage with discourtesy? (To Joseph, despite a gesture of protest from the Duchesse de Montsorel) Show him in! (To the marquis) Try to be calm and sensible.
The Duchesse de Montsorel (aside)
In trying to help, I have hurt him, I fear.
Joseph
M. Raoul de Frescas.
Raoul (entering)
My eagerness to obey your commands will prove to you, Madame la
Duchesse, how proud I am of your notice, and how anxious to deserve
it.
The Duchesse de Montsorel I thank you, sir, for your promptitude. (Aside) But it may prove fatal to you.