Can it be mutiny--revolt?

[_Enter_ SECOND ORDERLY. _He presents paper to_ LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN,
_who reads it aloud_.]

"Have captured Jacobin soldiers. The peasants demand their lives.
Shall I surrender them or hold them at your pleasure? La Val--Captain
of King's Guards."

[_To_ LA HOGUE _eagerly_.]

We may obtain information from these fellows. See La Val at once,
command him to guard his prisoners with his life, and send them here
to me.

LA HOGUE.

But the Count is awaiting orders for to-night's attack.

LA ROCHE.

[_Going_.]

While you see La Val, I'll see the Count.

[_Exit_.

LA HOGUE.

[_To_ ORDERLY.]

To Captain La Val!

[_Exit quickly with_ ORDERLY.

SENTINEL.

[_Outside_.]

Who goes there?

JEAN.

[_Outside_.]

A friend!

SENTINEL.

[_Outside_.]

Advance with countersign.

ORDERLY _advances, salutes the_ SENTINEL, _whispers in his ear, then
steps back against balustrade of terrace as characters enter.--When
characters are on,_ ORDERLY _salutes_ SENTINEL, _who returns salute_.
ORDERLY _goes out_. SENTINEL _about faces and disappears_.

_Enter_ JEAN, DENISE, GOUROC, NANETTE, DUKE, AND DIANE.

JEAN.

[_To the_ DUKE.]

You're safe at last, Monsieur, among your friends.

DIANE.

[_Grasping_ JEAN'S _hand_.]

Thanks to your devotion.

DENISE.

[_To the_ DUKE.]

I will announce your coming to the General.

[_Exit_.

NANETTE.

[_To_ DIANE.]

Here, child, be seated, and taste comfort once again.

[DIANE _sits near the fire; the_ DUKE _and_ GOUROC _at table_.]

Now try to smile a bit.

DIANE.

I have forgotten how.

[_Calling_.]

Jean!

JEAN.

[_Crossing to_ DIANE.]

Yes, Madame?

DIANE.

Hush! Do not let my father hear you call me Madame.

[_Converses aside with_ JEAN.

GOUROC.

[_Taking a newspaper from table_.]

Strange!--a Paris journal, dated the day after our escape.

DUKE.

[_Taking the paper_.]

There may be some notice of our flight.

[_Reads_.

JEAN.

[_To_ DIANE.]

Will you never confess your marriage to Kauvar?

DIANE.

Never!--Unless he finds us with evidence of innocence none can
question.

JEAN.

He will! We can trust the wit of his deep love for that.

DIANE.

So you believe him innocent?

JEAN.

As innocent as my own sweetheart, dear Denise.

[DIANE _weeps_.]

What--tears, Madame?

DIANE.

Tears of triumph--that your heart echoes mine! Ah, Jean, w