Stars twinkle in the skies like golden rowels.
Here are the steeds, and we're to ride to France!
Embrace me, friend!

PROKESCH.

Emotion strangles me.

THE DUKE.

Brother!

PROKESCH.

My Lord!

THE DUKE.

Ah, hush!--The saddle-girth!--
Oh, it's delicious to escape on horseback
Through such a night, in dancing-pumps!

PROKESCH.

[_To_ MARMONT, _pointing to the Conspirators._]

Those youths--
Why have they come?

MARMONT.

Why, that the world may know
They also were conspirators!

THE DUKE.

A whip!

A CONSPIRATOR.

[_Introducing himself to the_ DUKE.]

The Viscount of Otranto--

THE DUKE.

Fouche's son!

FLAMBEAU.

[_To the_ DUKE.]

No matter now.

[_Arranging the horse._]

The stirrup long?

THE DUKE.

No; short.

SECOND CONSPIRATOR.

[_Bending low to the_ DUKE.]

Goubeaux, the Countess Camerata's agent.
Your humble servant Goubeaux--

THE DUKE.

Very well.

GOUBEAUX.

[_Bowing once more._]

The Countess's chief agent.

THIRD CONSPIRATOR.

[_Advancing eagerly._]

Pionnet--
I'm Pionnet. I represent King Joseph;
On his behalf I brought the subsidies.

THE DUKE.

[_To_ FLAMBEAU, _busy with the horse._]

Only the snaffle--

FOURTH CONSPIRATOR.

I arranged the guides
And relays, and at yonder village, Sire,
Disguises--Morchain.

FLAMBEAU.

All right, Whatsyourname.

FOURTH CONSPIRATOR.

Morchain!

FIFTH CONSPIRATOR.

I got the passports. Thankless task!
See how the seals are forged! Guibert.

ALL.

[_Each mentioning his name._]

Goubeaux--
Morchain--Otranto--Pionnet--

FLAMBEAU.

We know.

ONE OF THE CONSPIRATORS.

Your Father had a memory for names.

SIXTH CONSPIRATOR.

[_Hurrying up._]

Borowski, Sire! It was my glorious task
To hire the uniform the Countess wears!

THE DUKE.

Enough! Enough! I shall remember all,
And best of all the one who has not spoken!
Your name?

[_The man spoken to turns, and the_ DUKE _recognises
the_ ATTACHE.]

What! _You_ here!

THE ATTACHE.