am
captured in your place, mislead your pursuers while you escape.

LA ROCHE.

For you to assist me is treason to your cause.

PAUL.

Ingratitude is treason to my God!--I owe you more than life; let men
call this what they will; I have a divine right to pay my debt.

LA ROCHE.

I refuse to let you do a deed that may bring dishonour on your head.

PAUL.

Then I refuse to owe my life to you.--Accept my assistance, or

[_Drawing pistol from the belt of_ LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN.] with my own
hand I'll shoot the prisoner you paroled.

LA HOGUE.

[_Grasping_ PAUL'S _arm_.]

Stop! This can be arranged.

PAUL.

How?

LA HOGUE.

You are a prisoner on parole.--The General is as good as captured
now.--Let him release you from your word, then his escape will only be
an exchange of prisoners.

PAUL.

Will you consent to this?

LA ROCHE.

No, I cannot. The exchange would not be fair to the side you serve. I
am a General; you, but a Captain.

LA HOGUE.

But we have the other prisoners, the comrades of the Captain; we can
shoot them all at once, or exchange them if we choose for you.

PAUL.

Free them--and I but make a fair exchange in helping you to get away.

[_Shouts outside_.

[_Cheers_.

JEAN.

My God! The crowd rush on this way.

DENISE.

[_Kneeling to_ LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN.]

In Mercy's name--!

LA HOGUE.

The King's cause dies with you!--You are bound to live for him!

LA ROCHE.

[_Stripping off his coat_.]

Enough--I consent.

DENISE.

Thank God!

PAUL _and_ LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN _exchange uniforms_.

LA ROCHE.

By heavens! I never thought to wear this colour on my back! I do it
for King Louis' sake.

PAUL.

And I wear this in honour of the King of Kings, who is our common
Father.

LA ROCHE.

My saviour!

PAUL.

Nay, your brother!

PAUL _and_ LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN _look in each other's eyes a moment,
then part in silence_. JEAN _and_ DENISE _cross to panel in wall_. LA
ROCHEJACQUELEIN _crosses and turns_.

LA ROCHE.

[_Saluting_ PAUL.]

Long live the King!

PAUL.

[_Saluting_ LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN.]

Long live the Republic!

LA HOGUE.

[_As_ LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN _goes out,_.]

Your comrades are there.

[_Pointing_.]

This key will set them free.

PAUL.

[_Taking_ LA HOGUE'S _hand_.]

Our lives are yours!--Farewell!

LA HOGUE.

Damme! I never thought I'd live to love a Sans Culotte!

[_As_ LA