ack he sprang! "A woman!"
"Defend yourself!" said I, "I should be laughed at,
For you are not the Chevalier d'Eon!"
"Defend yourself, I'm a Napoleon!"
Feeling my blade slip snake-like over his,
He lunges, and I make--

FLAMBEAU.

Our secret stroke!

THE COUNTESS.

One! Two!

FLAMBEAU.

That must have been a rough surprise!

THE COUNTESS.

'Twas a surprise from which he'll not recover.

THE DUKE.

Heavens! And the girl--!

THE COUNTESS.

What does she matter now?

THE DUKE.

But, did she come?

THE COUNTESS.

Well--No, then! When the door
Was broken open by a furious fist,
I was alone. She had not come.

THE DUKE.

That's well.

THE COUNTESS.

But servants came; and if I were arrested
All would be known too soon. I lost my head.
I stumbled out. I heard I know not whom
Sending to fetch the Prefect of Police;
And so I fled upon your saddle-horse.
I've killed it--I'm exhausted--

THE DUKE.

Look! She swoons!

THE COUNTESS.

After what I had done I hoped at least
To hear from witnesses that you were gone!

A CONSPIRATOR.

You were pursued--And in a moment--

THE DUKE.

Take care of her. Conceal her in the hut.

A CONSPIRATOR.

Yes.

THE COUNTESS.

Go!

THE DUKE.

But are you better?

THE COUNTESS.

Not yet gone?
For God's sake, go! Ah! could your Father see you
Waiting, enfeebled, tender, hesitating,
With what contempt he'd shrug his epaulettes!

THE DUKE.

Good-bye!

FLAMBEAU.

We're caught! Too late!

SEDLINZKY.

[_Entering with police officers; he advances to the_
COUNTESS, _whom he mistakes for the_ DUKE.]

Too late, my Lord.

THE COUNTESS.

[_Furiously, to the_ DUKE.]

Ah, Temporizer! Dreamer! Cold Idealist!

SEDLINZKY.

[_Who has turned to the person addressed by the_ COUNTESS
_and recognized the_ DUKE, _starts, and, addressing
him._]

Your Highness--

[_He turns to the_ COUNTESS.]

Your High--

[_To the_ DUKE.]

Your High--

FLAMBEAU.

He's puzzled!

SEDLINZKY.

So that's it!

FLAMBEAU.

You've been drinking. You see double.

SEDLINZKY.

Count Prokesch, I must ask yo