ld drive me to
rend alive marquises and dukes; rage fills my heart; I should like to
fight twenty duels, and to die. Do you wish me to suffer any further
insults? No more secrets for me! Prometheus of hell, either finish
your work, or shatter it to pieces!

Vautrin
Who could fail to respond with a glow of sympathy to this burst of
youthful generosity? What flashes of courage blaze forth! It is
inspiring to see sentiment at its full tide! You must be the son of a
noble race. But, Raoul, let us come down to what I call plain reason.

Raoul
Ah! At last!

Vautrin
You ask me for an account of my guardianship. Here it is.

Raoul
But have I any right to ask this? Could I live without you?

Vautrin
Silence, you had nothing, I made you rich. You knew nothing, I have
given you a good education. Oh! I have not yet done all for you. A
father--all fathers give their life to their children, and as for me,
happiness is a debt which I owe you. But is this really the cause of
your gloom? There are here--in this casket (he points to a casket) a
portrait, and certain letters. Often while reading the letters you
sign as if--

Raoul
Then you know all--?

Vautrin
I know all.--Are you not touched to the heart?

Raoul
To the heart.

Vautrin
O fool! Love lives by treachery, friendship by confidence.--And you
--you must seek happiness in your own way.

Raoul
But have I the power? I will become a soldier, and--wherever the
cannot oars, I will win a glorious name, or die.

Vautrin
Indeed! Why should you? You talk nonsense.

Raoul
You are too old to possess the power of understanding me, and it is no
use trying to explain.

Vautrin
Well, I will explain to you. You are in love with Inez de Christoval,
Princesse d'Arjos in her own right, daughter of a duke banished by
King Ferdinand--an Andalusian who loves you and pleases me, not as a
woman, but as a ravishing money-box, whose eyes are the finest in the
world, whose dowry is captivating, and who is the most delightful
piece of cash, graceful and elegant as some black corvette with white
sails which convoys the long-expected galleons of America, and yields
all the joys of life, exactly like the Fortune which is painted over
the entrance of the lottery agencies. I approve of you here. You did
wrong to fall in love, love will involve you in a thousand follies
--but I understand.

Raoul
Do not score me with such frightful sarcasms.

Vautrin
See how quickly he feels his