Vautrin A young man of refinement, elegance and wit, and twenty-three years of age?
The Duchess
Gifted with manners which are never acquired, but innate.
Vautrin Romantic to the point of desiring to be loved for his own sake, in spite of his immense fortune; he wishes that passion should prevail in marriage—an absurdity! The young Amoagos, for it is he, madame.
The Duchess
But the name of Raoul is not—
Vautrin
Mexican—you are right. It was given to him by his mother, a
Frenchwoman, an emigree, a De Granville, who came from St. Domingo.
Is the reckless fellow favored by her?
The Duchess
Preferred to all the rest.
Vautrin Well, open this letter, and read it, madame; and you will see that I have received full authority from Amoagos and Christoval to conclude this marriage.
The Duchess
Oh, let me call in Inez, sir. (Exit.)
SCENE FOURTH.
Vautrin (alone) The major-domo is on my side, the genuine deeds, if he comes upon them, will be handed to me. Raoul is too proud to return to this house; besides that, he has promised me to wait. I am thus master of the situation; Raoul, when once he is a prince, will not lack ancestors; Mexico and I will see to that.