ne war than the piercing tenderness of a woman's tongue!

[_Starting to run of, he begins to sing--to the tune of the
Marseillaise chorus:_]

To leave--to leave my wife!--

NANETTE.

[_Rushing in and stopping him_.]

Hold, Citizen Potin!

POTIN.

[_Wilting_.]

Oh, Republic, I am lost!

NANETTE.

Dodolphe--you're up to mischief! Speak out--what's up?

POTIN.

Patience, gentle lamb!

NANETTE.

Don't lamb me, sir!

[_Twisting him round_.]

What's this mean?

[_Tapping him_.]

Porpoise!

[_Pulling breeches from under his coat_.]

Culottes!

[_Pulling cap from his breast_.]

Ye gods, what's this?

[_Pulling hose from his pockets_.]

By heaven! A woman's hose!

[_Shaking hose in his face_.]

What does this mean?

POTIN.

Nothing, precious love! This is my uniform;--I have recruited for
Vendee.

NANETTE.

You--a soldier?

POTIN.

[_Posing_.]

Yes: The safety of France demands it. I go to preserve the Republic!
France beckons--while Victory extends her arms, panting to embrace my
noble form!

NANETTE.

Embrace ye?

[_Putting his head under her arm_.]

Let Victory try it if she dare!

TURNKEY.

[_Entering with_ GUARD.]

Citizen Potin, you are wanted as a witness.

POTIN.

Caught!--From the frying-pan into the fire!

NANETTE.

We shall meet again, my dear.

POTIN.

Don't remind me now; I'm sick enough already.

[_Enter_ PAUL KAUVAR. POTIN _starts at sight of him, and speaks to
the_ GUARD.]

I'm ready; show the way.

PAUL.

[_To_ POTIN.]

Stop!--Thank heaven I have found you! Tell me, who ordered the Duke's
arrest?

POTIN.

[_Sullenly_.]

What I know of, that I'll tell only to the Court.

[_Exit_.

PAUL.

[_Turning to_ NANETTE, _who is going_.]

Nanette, one word.

NANETTE.

What word can an honest woman speak that you would care to hear?

PAUL.

Justice!--I want that word, and all it signifies.

[_Mob howls outside_.

NANETTE.

Listen! Go to them--they'll give you justice, aye, and glory, for you
betrayed the innocent--to glut their appetite for blood.

PAUL.

That's a lie--a vile, infamous, monstrous lie!

NANETTE.

Is it a lie that you signed the warrant for the Duke's arrest?

PAUL.

My name was forged.

NANETTE.

I know your hand too well to be deceived. I've seen the warrant; it
bears your name, and written by yourself.

PAUL.

Then it was obtained by some st