E.]

I betray you!--I, Paul Kauvar.--Tis false!

[_To_ DIANE.]

You at least will not believe this lie.

DUKE.

[_Interposing_.]

Silence! Better death to her than the pollution of another word from
you!

PAUL.

But my God!--You do not know.--She is--

DIANE.

[_Starting up wildly_.]

Stop!--I forbid you to say more!

CURTAIN.

ACT II.

SCENE. _Interior of the Prison of the Republic. A room with
cells.--Entrance to outer corridor. Table with chairs near it.--As
curtain rises, howls of a Mob are heard outside_.

POTIN.

[_Entering in the midst of the howls, then clapping his hands to his
ears_.]

Oh, that I were deaf! Then I'd escape the shriek of my wife, and the
roar of this cursed tribunal condemning poor devils to death.

[_Renewed howls_.]

Aye, that's right! Howl on, hyenas! I could howl, too, yesterday, as
well as the worst of ye. But I can't now; no, not since the arrest
of the poor old Duke. There he lies, in yonder cell, and here am I
quartered as a witness against him--and that villain Gouroc has done
all this!

[_Enter_ GOUROC _quietly in the background_.]

Curse him! He rules me with a rod of red-hot iron! I wish I had him
here now! By the gods! I'd take courage for once; I'd tackle him with
my tongue--like my wife. I'd say--

GOUROC.

[_Advancing coolly_.]

Well, Citizen,--you'd say--?

POTIN.

[_Aside, startled_.]

The devil take you!

GOUROC.

What would you say?

POTIN.

Nothing!--anything!--everything!

GOUROC.

That's lucky!--I have much for you to say before the day is done. The
trial of the Duke will soon begin. When asked who gave you the order
for the Duke's arrest, you must swear that it was Paul Kauvar who did
so.

POTIN.

Why, Lord help me! 'Twas you who gave me the order, and forced me to
carry it, too.

GOUROC.

Possibly; but, in spite of that, my name must not be mentioned in the
affair, to any one, do you hear?

POTIN.

Alas, I do!

GOUROC.

And will swear as I command?

POTIN.

[_With sudden resolution_.]

Never!

GOUROC.

Do you care to save your head?

POTIN.

Of course! What could I do without it?

GOUROC.

If you refuse to attest as I have dictated, I will declare you guilty
of treason in trying to conceal the presence of the Duke in Paris.
Such a declaration from me is sure perdition to you. How say you now:
will you swear?

POTIN.

[_Wilting_.]

I will sw