All (surrounding Vautrin)
Would you abandon us, Vautrin?
Lafouraille
Vautrin! Our friend.
Philosopher
Mighty Vautrin!
Fil-de-Soie
Our old companion, deal with us as you will.
Vautrin Yes, and I can deal with you as I will. When I think what trouble you make, in your trinket-stealing, I feel inclined to send you back to the place I took you from. You are either above or below the level of society, dregs or foam; but I desire to make you enter into society. People used to hoot you as you went by. I wish them to bow to you; you were once the basest of mankind, I wish you to be more than honest men.
Philosopher
Is there such a class?
Buteux
There are those who are nothing at all.
Vautrin There are those who decide upon the honesty of others. You will never be honest burgesses, you must belong either to the wretched or the rich; you must therefore master one-half of the world! Take a bath of gold, and you will come forth from it virtuous!
Fil-de-Soie
To think, that, when I have need of nothing, I shall be a good prince!
Vautrin Of course. And you, Lafouraille, you can become Count of Saint Helena; and what would you like to be, Buteux?