"The Duke does not know what is going on."
"What is the matter, my dear D'Arbel?" said the Duke, taking a seat in the chair the old man handed to him.
"The door of our hotel has been broken open in the King's name, and is now in possession of the police. The chief has placed all the household under surveillance and is about to come hither."
"What means this?" said the Duke. "Why is my house thus invaded?"
"Ah, my God!" said Marie, trembling, "what do these people want?"
"What do they want?" said the Vicomte, completely beside himself. "They want vengeance on me."
"To arrest you! For heaven's sake, sir, tell me what you have been doing."
"What you censured so violently just now. Father, I have sought to overturn a government of which my opinions do not approve. I am now to experience the penalty of having failed. In such matters success makes great men, and failure criminals."
"Criminal or not, they shall not take away my son. I will defend him."
"Brother, brother," cried Marie, wildly, and embracing the Vicomte.