E.

Well, sir, we are waiting.

POTIN.

[_Desperately_.]

I received it--[_Pointing at_ PAUL.] from him.

[PAUL _recoils with horror_. DIANE, _with cry of agony, hides her face
upon her father's breast_.

PAUL.

[_Crossing to_ POTIN.]

Potin, look at me.--On your word hangs the honour of your old and
steadfast friend! Look in my eyes, and, in the name of your own
salvation, speak nothing but the truth.

DUKE.

[_Sternly_.]

'Tis useless to intimidate the witness. He will not prove himself
a perjurer, and condemn himself to death, even to please so dear a
friend as you.

PAUL.

My God!--There is some wicked plot!

DUKE.

Yes--and you're the plotter.

[PAUL _falls prostrate into chair near table. Supporting_ DIANE _to
the door of his cell, the_ DUKE _pauses and speaks_.]

Paul Kauvar, we shall never meet again.--Remember my last
words.--Beggars, thieves, assassins may escape perdition; but neither
here, nor hereafter, is there any hope for Judas.

[_Exit, supporting_ DIANE.

[NANETTE _follows the_ DUKE _off_. POTIN _goes into the opposite
cell_. GOUROC _crosses to_ PAUL.

GOUROC.

How's this, old Comrade? I thought you were antique in the mastery of
your emotions.--A man of iron--firm as flint!

PAUL.

Agony is fire that melts the mettle of the hardest man.

GOUROC.

But why should you--a Jacobin--care for this old Duke?

PAUL.

I loved his daughter--she became my wife.

GOUROC.

[_Starting_.]

What! Diane de Beaumont is your wife?

PAUL.

Yes--has been my wife in secret--for six months.

GOUROC.

[_Aside_.]

So I have a double task! To save her--and kill her husband.

[_Aloud_.]

The same old story, Comrade, and as usual a woman mars the plot! You
were a patriot, till love enmeshed you in his magic web; then you
became the weakest of mankind--a husband. I am sorry, very sorry; but
Paul--my friend--if I can serve you now, I beg of you command me.

PAUL.

Yes, you can serve me. You have been my friend--be more!

GOUROC.

Your sorrow seems so deep, I swear I think I'd serve it--even at the
cost of conscience! Speak then, without fear.

PAUL.

Help me to save the father of my wife!--See! This key opens yonder
door; to-night, at any moment, you may hear three knocks.--That signal
will be given by a man who will conduct you safely out of France.

GOUROC.

A man that you can trust?

PAUL.

To the death.--I saved his life.