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<![CDATA[ in mercy aid King Louis' men!
LA ROCHE _and_ DENISE. [_Together_.]
Amen!
LA ROCHE.
[_To_ LA HOGUE.]
Await the Count upon the terrace, and take him to my private room. But
no roughness to the Colonel--try to be charming for a change.
LA HOGUE.
Bah! Leave charmers to women,--only fighters win at war!
[_Exit_.
LA ROCHE.
[_To_ DENISE.]
How long since you have heard from Jean Litais?
DENISE.
Not since he, my lover, went to Paris to aid the Duc de Beaumont to
escape.
LA ROCHE.
This fiendish reign of terror has prevented me from hearing of the
Duke till now.
DENISE.
And you have heard--?
LA ROCHE.
The worst of news! Among some papers captured in a skirmish, I found
this journal, [_Producing paper_.] printed at Paris some three months
ago. It contains a list of those beheaded the preceding day.--See this
name I've underlined.
DENISE.
[_Reading_.]
"The Duc de Beaumont."
_Enter a MAN from panel in wall up stage_.
LA ROCHE.
Guillotined at night, upon the tenth of last October.
DENISE.
My God! If Jean has failed to save the Duke, he must be dead himself!
THE MAN.
[_Advancing_.]
Not yet!
LA ROCHE.
[_Turning quickly_.]
Who's this?
DENISE.
It's Jean!--
[_Rushing into his arms_.]
My Jean returned!
LA ROCHE.
Litais!--Is it really you?
JEAN.
Every bit of me, my lord.
DENISE.
Thank heaven!
LA ROCHE.
How did you pass the guard?
JEAN.
Faith, I know every corner of the old chateau. No guard could bar
my way while I'd such news to bring! The Duke and his daughter are
here--in the park.
LA ROCHE.
Alive and safe--?
JEAN.
As you are!--Grant me a guard to bring them through our lines.
LA ROCHE.
[_Strikes a bell_.]
[_Enter_ ORDERLY, _who salutes_.]
See that Monsieur and his friends have safe passage through our lines.
ORDERLY _crosses stage and stands at door_.
JEAN.
In an instant we'll return.--Come, Denise; you shall see your old
master once again.
DENISE.
And never let you leave my side while I have life to love you.
[_Exeunt_ DENISE, JEAN _and_ ORDERLY, _who salutes_ GUARD _before
departing. Tumult in distance_.]
LA HOGUE.
[_Entering_.]
The Count is here and anxious for the fight.
[LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN, _listening, pays no attention_. LA HOGUE _speaks
impatiently_.]
Do you hear?
LA ROCHE.
Yes, I hear a tumult yonder!]]>
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