Vautrin: A Drama in Five Acts. Honore de Balzac

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      The Duke Why, my dear sir, the power you seem to exercise is something terrible and wonderful.

      Saint-Charles

      You gave me absolute authority in the matter, and I used it well.

      The Duke

      And what if you had abused it?

      Saint-Charles

      That would have been impossible, for such a course would ruin me.

      The Duke How is it that men endowed with such faculties are found employing them in so lowly a sphere?

      Saint-Charles Everything is against our rising above it; we protect our protectors, we learn too many honorable secrets, and are kept in ignorance of too many shameful ones to be liked by people, and render such important services to others that they can only shake off the obligation by speaking ill of us. People think that things are only words with us; refinement is thus mere silliness, honor a sham, and acts of treachery mere diplomacy. We are the confidants of many who yet leave us much to guess at. Our programme consists in thinking and acting, finding out the past from the present, ordering and arranging the future in the pettiest details, as I am about to – and, in short, in doing a hundred things that might strike dismay to a man of no mean ability. When once our end is gained, words become things once more, and people begin to suspect that possibly we are infamous scoundrels.

      The Duke There may be some justice in all this, but I do not suppose you expect to change the opinion of the world, or even mine?

      Saint-Charles I should be a great fool if I did. I don't care about changing another man's opinion; what I do want to change is my own position.

      The Duke

      According to you that would be very easy, wouldn't it?

      Saint-Charles Why not, your grace? Let some one set me to play the spy over cabinets, instead of raking up the secrets of private families. Instead of dogging the footsteps of shady characters, let them put me in charge of the craftiest diplomats. Instead of pandering to the vilest passions, let me serve the government. I should be delighted to play a modest part in a great movement. And what a devoted servant your grace would have in me!

      The Duke I am really sorry to employ such talents as yours in so petty an affair, my friend, but it will give me an opportunity of testing, and then we'll see.

      Saint-Charles (aside)

      Ah – We shall see? That means, all has already been seen.

      The Duke

      I wish to see my son married —

      Saint-Charles

      To Mademoiselle Inez de Christoval, Princesse d'Arjos – a good match!

      Her father made the mistake of entering Joseph Bonaparte's service, and was banished by King Ferdinand. He probably took part in the

      Mexican revolution.

      The Duke Madame de Christoval and her daughter have made the acquaintance of a certain adventurer, named —

      Saint-Charles

      Raoul de Frescas.

      The Duke

      Is there nothing I can tell you that you do not know?

      Saint-Charles

      If your grace desires it, I will know nothing.

      The Duke On the contrary, I should like you to speak out, so that I may know what secrets you will permit us to keep.

      Saint-Charles Let us make one stipulation; whenever my frankness displeases your grace, call me chevalier, and I will sink once more into my humble role of paid detective.

      The Duke

      Go on, my friend. (Aside) These people are very amusing.

      Saint-Charles M. de Frescas will not be an adventurer so long as he lives in the style of a man who has an income of a hundred thousand francs.

      The Duke

      Whoever he is you must pierce through the mystery which surrounds him.

      Saint-Charles Your grace requires a very difficult thing. We are obliged to use circumspection in dealing with foreigners. They are our masters; they have turned Paris upside down.

      The Duke

      That's the trouble!

      Saint-Charles

      Does your grace belong to the opposition?

      The Duke I should like to have brought back the king without his following – that is my position.

      Saint-Charles The departure of the king resulted from the disorganization of the magnificent Asiatic police created by Bonaparte. An effort is being made nowadays to form a police of respectable people, a procedure which disbands the old police. Hemmed in by the military police of the invasion, we dare not arrest any one, for fear we might lay hands on some prince on his way to keep an assignation, or some margrave who had dined too well. But for your grace a man will attempt the impossible. Has this young man any vices? Does he play?

      The Duke

      Yes, in a social way.

      Saint-Charles

      Does he cheat?

      The Duke

      Chevalier!

      Saint-Charles

      This young man must be very rich.

      The Duke

      Inquire for yourself.

      Saint-Charles I ask pardon of your grace; but people without passions cannot know much. Would you have the goodness to tell me whether this young man is sincerely attached to Mademoiselle de Christoval?

      The Duke

      What! That princess! That heiress! You alarm me, my friend.

      Saint-Charles Has not your grace told me that he is a young man? Now, pretended love is more perfect than genuine love; that is the reason why so many women are deceived! Undoubtedly he has thrown over many mistresses, and heart-free, tongue-free, you know —

      The Duke Take care! Your mission is peculiar, and you had best not meddle with the women; an indiscretion on your part may forfeit my good will, for all that relates to Monsieur Frescas must go no further than you and myself. I demand absolute secrecy, both from those you employ, and those who employ you. In fact, you will be a ruined man, if Madame de Montsorel has any suspicion of your designs.

      Saint-Charles Is Madame de Montsorel then interested in this young man? I must keep an eye on her, for this girl is her chambermaid.

      The Duke Chevalier de Saint-Charles, to order you to do this would be unworthy of me, and to ask for such an order is quite unworthy of you.

      Saint-Charles Your grace and I perfectly understand each other. But what is to be the СКАЧАТЬ