Prosper's troupe. Bravo, Prosper! This is a real success.

DUKE. What is it? Is the playing still going on here, while outside ...
but don't you know what manner of things are taking place outside? I
have seen Delaunay's head carried past on a pole. Nay, why do you look
at me like that? (Steps down.) Henri--

FRANCOIS. Guard yourself from Henri.

[Henri rushes like a madman on the Duke and plunges a dagger into
his neck.]

COMMISSAIRE (stands up). This goes too far!

ALL. He bleeds.

ROLLIN. A murder has been done here.

SEVERINE. The Duke is dying.

MARQUIS. I am distracted, dear Severine, to think that today of all
days I should have brought you to this place.

SEVERINE. Why not? (In a strained tone.) It is a wonderful success. One
does not see a real duke really murdered every day.

ROLLIN. I cannot grasp it yet.

COMMISSAIRE. Silence! Let no one leave the place!

GRASSET. What does he want?

[Illustration: GEORG BRANDES]

_Permission Albert Langen, Munich_
From Olaf Gulbransson's "Famous Contemporaries"

COMMISSAIRE. I arrest this man in the name of the law.

GRASSET (laughs). It is we who make the laws, you blockheads! Out with
the rabble! He who kills a duke is a friend of the people. Vive la
Liberte!

ALBIN (draws his sword). Make way! Follow me, my friends! [Leocadie
rushes in over the steps.]

VOICES. His wife!

LEOCADIE. Let me in here. I want my husband! (She comes to the front,
sees, and shrieks out.) Who has done this? Henri! [HENRI looks at her.]

LEOCADIE. Why have you done this?

HENRI. Why?

LEOCADIE. I know why. Because of me. Nay, nay, say not 'twas because of
me. Never in all my life have I been worth that.

GRASSET (begins a speech). Citizens of Paris, we will celebrate our
victory. Chance has led us on our way through the streets of Paris to
this amiable host. It could not have fitted in more prettily. Nowhere
can the cry "Vive la Liberte!" ring sweeter than over the corpse of a
duke.

VOICES. Vive la Liberte! Vive la Liberte!

FRANCOIS. I think we might go. The people have gone mad. Let us go.

ALBIN. Shall we leave the corpse here?

SEVERINE. Vive la Liberte! Vive la Liberte!

MARQUIS. Are you mad?

CITIZENS _and_ ACTORS. Vive la Liberte! Vive la Liberte!

SEVERINE (leading the nobles to the exit). Rollin, wait you tonight
outside my window. I will throw the key down like t'other night. We
will pass a pretty hour--I feel quite pleasurably exci