DUKE.

[Starts haughtily, then turns to DIANE.]

Come, child!  Tis time that we were gone.

DIANE.

[Crossing and extending her hand to PAUL.]

Farewell!

PAUL.

[Taking her hand, speaks aside to her.]

Remember, love and trust.

DIANE.

Forever!

[PAUL kisses her hand.  She comes slowly to her father, keeping her eyes in anguish on PAUL.

[The DUKE leads her toward the folding doors which are suddenly thrown open, disclosing a platoon of GUARDS.  DIANE shrieks, the DUKE starts back, PAUL turns in horror.  TABOOZE advances into the room.

TABOOZE.

In the name of the Republic, I arrest Honore Albert Maxime, heretofore Duc de Beaumont.

DIANE.

[Clasping the DUKE.]

Father!

PAUL.

[Sternly.]

What does this mean?—­Whose name is on that warrant?

TABOOZE.

[With surprise.]

Why, your own, Citizen.

[PAUL recoils, stunned.

DUKE.

What!  Betrayed by you?

DIANE.

No, no!  It is not true!

[Snatching the paper, looking, then with a cry.]

Great heaven!—­It is!—­His name and hand!

[She sinks down in despair.

PAUL.

[Passionately, to the DUKE.]

I betray you!—­I, Paul Kauvar.—­Tis false!

[To DIANE.]

You at least will not believe this lie.

DUKE.

[Interposing.]

Silence!  Better death to her than the pollution of another word from you!

PAUL.

But my God!—­You do not know.—­She is—­

DIANE.

[Starting up wildly.]

Stop!—­I forbid you to say more!

CURTAIN.

ACT II.

SCENE. Interior of the Prison of the Republic.  A room with cells.—­Entrance to outer corridor.  Table with chairs near it.—­As curtain rises, howls of a Mob are heard outside.

POTIN.