this mean?

POTIN.

This is my wife; the wife of a soldier of the Republic, and so, sacred
to her country.

SOLDIERS.

Aye! Aye!

POTIN.

[_Pointing to_ GOUROC.]

Do what you like with him--for such cattle as he deserve to die!

[GOUROC _turns and glowers_.]

Glare! Who cares? I'm a soldier. 'Tis my turn now!--You shall pay
dearly for making me a perjurer!

[_To_ MOB.]

Citizens, this devil here forced me to swear falsely against a
patriot.

BOURDOTTE.

When was this?

POTIN.

Three months ago in Paris.--I was secretary to my Section.--This man
had a blank warrant signed by our president, Paul Kauvar.--He made me
fill it in with the name of the Duc de Beaumont--and, after, falsely
swear that Kauvar had ordered the arrest.

[_Cries of execration from the_ MOB.

DIANE.

Father! You hear? It is to him that we owe our agony!--One of your own
race.

POTIN.

Kauvar was his friend--this dog betrayed him!

NANETTE.

Yes, while he himself was all the time a Marquis in disguise.

PAUL.

He, my friend--a traitor!

CARRAC.

Death to the brigand!

MOB.

Death to him! To the river! Drown him!

[_They seize_ GOUROC.

GOUROC.

[_Breaking away from them_.]

Fiends--I defy you, and escape you!

[_Draws pistol, fires, and falls dead_.

BOURDOTTE.

[_Feeling_ GOUROC'S _breast_.]

Dead.--Dead as potted pork.

CARRAC.

And the people cheated of their just revenge!

CITIZENS _bear_ GOUROC'S _body off_.

BOURDOTTE.

Ah, look, we have still the old Aristo and his daughter!

MOB.

Aye!--Aye! Away with them! Away with them!

[_They rush on the_ DUKE _and_ DIANE.

PAUL.

My God! Will this hour never end?

CARRAC.

[_To the_ MOB.]

Here! Strip her! Drive her to her death!

[_The_ MOB _howls_.--DIANE _breaks from_ CARRAC.--_Bell tolls_.

PAUL.

[_With a cry of joy_.]

The hour strikes!--I'm free!

[CARRAC _seizes_ DIANE _again and drags her to the centre of the
stage.

Rushing from his concealed position_, PAUL _tears_ DIANE, _fainting,
from the arms of_ CARRAC, _whom he flings to the ground--warning back
the_ MOB, _who pause for a moment, staring in amazement_.

BOURDOTTE.

Ha--the brigand--kill him!--

MOB.

[_Advancing_.]

Kill him!--Kill him!

POTIN.

[_Aiming, with_ SOLDIERS.]

Halt!--He is our prisoner.

[_The_ MOB _recoil_.

PAUL.

[_Flinging off his coat and hat_.]

No! Not your prisoner! Y