ANE.

[_Aside_.]

What can this mean? He could not ask this if he knew the truth.

[_Aloud_.]

Father, I do not understand.--What shall I say?

DUKE.

What your heart prompts, child.

[_Turning away_.]

Nay, do not hesitate; I will not influence your choice even with a
look.

DIANE.

If I shrink from danger, if I stay here, what becomes of you?

DUKE.

I go alone.

DIANE.

Alone to meet your peril?--Then, by the bond of a daughter's duty, my
place is at my father's side.

[PAUL _staggers. The_ DUKE _retires quietly to desk_. DIANE _speaks
aside to_ PAUL.]

Remember he is old, with none but me to comfort his last days.

PAUL.

[_With stern self-control_.]

Monsieur, the double pass for George Leblanc and Diane his daughter
has been fairly won.

[_Hands the pass to the_ DUKE, _bows coldly, and leaves the room
without a look at_ DIANE, _who falls into a chair and hides her face_.

DUKE.

[_Looking suspiciously at_ DIANE.]

Could there be warrant for his strange presumption? If so, this
separation is none too soon.

[_Enter_ GOUROC.]

Ah, Marquis, congratulate us. We are now released from all need of
burdening even you.--See! Here is a pass which opens the doors of our
prison. We fly to-night to Vendee, where we hope you may soon rejoin
us, and our cousin Rochejacquelein.

GOUROC.

[_Aside_.]

The devil!--

[_Aloud_.]

You are fortunate, Duke. Alas that I cannot go with you!

DUKE.

Well, come, Diane; time flies. We must prepare for our escape.

[_Going with_ DIANE.]

Au revoir, Marquis.

GOUROC.

Au revoir, Monsieur le Duc, and bon voyage, Mademoiselle de Beaumont.

[_Exeunt the_ DUKE _and_ DIANE. GOUROC _changes to a fierce and
hurried manner_.]

Ah!--Not so fast, dear Duke! You're not out of France yet. This sudden
flight destroys all my plans. Again this girl, the heiress of ten
millions, will get beyond my reach.--No!--death, dishonour--nothing
shall snatch her from me now!--Aye, but how to prevent it?

[_Reflecting_.]

The Duke has not many years to live, and in these ticklish times old
men's days are easily shortened. He dead, his daughter's at my mercy.

[_With sudden triumph_.]

I have it!--I see the way to place her wholly in my grip!--A brilliant
move and easy to execute!--Kauvar knows nothing of my rank!

[_Rings bell, goes to desk and begins to look at papers_.]

Yes, these are what I need to guarantee my triumph!

[_Enter_ PO