.--Give me your word that you will not lift your sword against
the King, till you're exchanged, and you're paroled and free.

PAUL.

Free with honour, to see my wife once more?

LA ROCHE.

Yes!

PAUL.

Oh, generous foe! Next to my country, my life belongs to you.

LA ROCHE.

I have your word?

PAUL.

[_Raising his hand_.]

You have.

LA ROCHE.

Captain Kauvar, you are paroled.

PAUL.

And my wife?

LA ROCHE.

[_Going_.]

Shall come to you at once.

[_Exit_.

PAUL.

Great heavens!--I'm going mad with joy!

[_Turning to_ LA HOGUE.]

Colonel, I must explode or die!

[_He embraces_ LA HOGUE.

LA HOGUE.

[_Submitting with gusto_.]

Damme! Embraced by a Sans Culotte! I like it, too!

_Artillery is heard in the distance_.

PAUL.

[_Looking off_.]

By heavens!--The Republicans are sweeping down from Granville!

[_To_ LA HOGUE.]

Colonel, see! My comrades have attacked you under cover of the town I
burned.

[_Crash of artillery again_.

LA HOGUE.

Damnation!

_Enter_ LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN.

ORDERLY.

[_Rushing in_.]

General, the enemy are upon us!

LA ROCHE.

[_Excitedly to_ LA HOGUE.]

Quick!--To arms!--We must rouse and lead our men!

PAUL.

But Diane--my wife?

LA ROCHE.

Gone!--to England.

[_Handing a paper_.]

Read, and remember, whatever be my fate, you are on parole.

[_He rushes off with_ LA HOGUE.

_The crash of firearms increases_.

PAUL.

[_Reading_.]

"Dear Henri:--The town is burning, my daughter in peril. I see
Diane embarked for England, and join you on the field.--Duc de
Beaumont."--Gone!--No! I will find her, and fly with her myself.

[_Noise of battle outside_.--PAUL _is about to go, but stops_.]

No, no! My God!--She's lost to me again! I cannot go to seek her, for
I'm a prisoner on parole!

[_He falls prostrate on the stairs_.

CURTAIN.

ACT V.

SCENE. _Same as Act IV--one hour later. Noise of battle in
distance_.--PAUL _discovered looking on and listening in
excitement.--Noise increases and sounds nearer_.

PAUL.

[_Triumphantly_.]

Ah!--The enemy weakens!--gives way!--falls back!--The Royalists
fly!--The Republic wins!--Progress triumphs!

[_The noise of battle grows louder, but the cries of triumph from
Republicans decrease, then die away_.--PAUL _checks his joy and speaks
in changed tones_.]

And I--I have no part in this glorious play--because I'm on parole.