Can a fellow forget that?

Vautrin
Had you not on one occasion sold your master to him? That's common
enough.

Lafouraille
On one occasion? I sold him three times over.

Vautrin
That was better. And what business was the steward then engaged in?

Lafouraille
I was going to tell you. I was footman at eighteen with the De
Langeacs--

Vautrin
I thought it was in the Duc de Montsorel's house.

Lafouraille
No; the duke, fortunately, has only twice set eyes on me, and has, I
hope, forgotten me.

Vautrin
Did you rob him?

Lafouraille
Well, to some small extent.

Vautrin
Why do you want him to forget you?

Lafouraille
Because, after seeing him again, yesterday, at the embassy, I should
then feel safe.

Vautrin
And it is the same man?

Lafouraille
We are both older by twenty-five years, and that is the only
difference.

Vautrin
Tell me all about him. I knew I had heard you mention his name. Go on.

Lafouraille
The Vicomte de Langeac, one of my masters, and this Duc de Montsorel
were like peas in the same pod. When I was forced to choose between
the nobles and the people, I did not hesitate; from a mere footman, I
became a citizen, and citizen Philip Boulard was an earnest worker. I
had enthusiasm, and acquired influence in the faubourg.

Vautrin
And so you have been a politician, have you?

Lafouraille
Not for long. I did a pretty thing, and that ruined me.

Vautrin
Aha! My boy, pretty things are like pretty women--better light shy of
them; they often bring trouble. What was this pretty thing?

Lafouraille
I'll tell you. In the scrimmage of the Tenth of August, the duke
confided to my care the Vicomte de Langeac; I disguised and hid him, I
gave him food at the risk of my popularity and my life. The duke had
greatly encouraged me by such trifles as a thousand gold pieces, and
that Blondet had the infamy to offer me a bigger pile to give up our
young master.

Vautrin
Did you give him up?

Lafouraille
Immediately. He was jugged in the Abbaye, and I became the happy
possessor of sixty good thousands of francs in gold, in real gold.

Vautrin
And what has this to do with the Duc de Montsorel?

Lafouraille
Wait a little. When the days of September came, my conduct seemed to
me slightly reprehensible; and to quiet my conscience, I determined to
propose to the duke, who was leaving the country that I should rescue
his friend.

Vautrin
Did your remorse prove a good investment?

Lafoura