to love you for your saving care of
me--and grow content to take you as a son.

PAUL.

Who knows--perhaps he will.

DIANE.

[_Sadly_.]

Ah, no! The more you do for me, the more his pride revolts, till now I
dare not tell him of our marriage.

PAUL.

Diane--listen. The time has come when you must choose between us. I
staked my life in saving yours, and his! He loves but little if he
hesitates to keep the precious life I saved unmarred by sorrow.

DIANE. Well, then, so be it! Have your will! But oh, seek first his
blessing for our love, before you tell him of our secret marriage.

PAUL.

My love for you will teach me tenderness for him. Go now and send him
here.

[_Kissing her_.]

Courage! All may yet be well.

[_Exit_ DIANE. PAUL _sits at desk wearily_.]

Hateful humiliation!--to stoop in pleading for that already mine! But
patience, Paul Kauvar; he is the father of the woman you adore.

DUKE.

[_Entering and advancing to_ PAUL.]

One word before we part, good friend. I thought to leave this house
without farewell, but I cannot be so cruel. I have learned that this
is no longer a safe retreat. I am forced to seek one safer.

PAUL.

And where will you find one, Monsieur?

DUKE. I shall best serve you by keeping that a secret.

PAUL.

And does your daughter go with you?

DUKE.

Could you think that I would leave her here?

PAUL.

Certainly, Monsieur. If to stay seemed less perilous than to go. Why
not let me replace you for awhile?

DUKE.

You guard my daughter here alone?

PAUL.

In my character of cousin to Diane Leblanc, gossip has already united
us by even a closer tie.

DUKE.

To my infinite annoyance, sir.

PAUL.

Monsieur le Duc, in times like these, Madame Kauvar would be far safer
than Mademoiselle de Beaumont.

DUKE.

[_With quiet hauteur_.]

There are some means of safety forbidden to my rank, sir.--Pardon me
if I must say that what you suggest is one of them.

PAUL.

What if I dared to love your daughter, to hope that you would grant me
the right to guard her as my wife?

DUKE.

Seriously?

PAUL.

Seriously!

DUKE.

[_Shrugging his shoulders_.]

This is another of the many insanities of the times.

PAUL.

[_Haughtily_.]

Suppose I had reason to believe that your daughter would consent?

DUKE.

[_Sternly_.]

One moment, Monsieur! Your first proposition involves but
madness,--your last im