SCENE NINTH. The Marquis and Raoul; later, Vautrin.
The Marquis
Will you agree to a meeting without seconds—a fight to the death?
Raoul
Without seconds?
The Marquis
Do you realize that both of us cannot exist in the same world?
Raoul Your family is a powerful one; your proposition exposes me, in case I am victorious, to their vengeance. Allow me to say that I do not want to exchange this house for a prison. (Vautrin appears.) I will fight to the death—but not without seconds.
The Marquis
Will those on your side stop the duel?
Raoul
Our mutual hatred is sufficient guarantee against that.
Vautrin (aside) Well, now—we always commit some blunder in the moment of success! To the death! This child would gamble away his life as if it belonged to him.
The Marquis Very well, monsieur; to-morrow at eight o'clock, we meet at the terrace of Saint-Germain, and drive from there to the forest.
Vautrin (coming forward)
You will not go. (To Raoul) A duel? Are the principals of equal rank?
Is this gentleman, like you, the only son of a noble house? Would your
father Don Inigo Juan Varago de los Amoagos de Cardaval las Frescas y
Peral, allow you to do it, Raoul?