Bravo!--But one moment! Do you know who did betray him? [POTIN _shakes his head mournfully_.] You do know! I can see by the wag of your head you know, and I mean to make you tell me!--But I can't stop now; I'm here to see Mam'selle Diane; where is she? POTIN. [_Pointing to cell_.] There--with her father. NANETTE. I'll be back soon, and then I'll give you a piece of my mind. POTIN. Give me peace if you like, dear, but keep the mind for yourself; you've none to spare. NANETTE. Woe to you when next we meet! [_She flounces out_. POTIN. Yes, it's woe to me whene'er we meet!--But now to fly; I've no time to lose; between my wife and Gouroc, I shall go cracked. So here's for liberty, and Vendée! [_Exit into his room_. _Enter_ GOUROC, _followed by_ GUARDS _escorting_ MARDOCHE. GOUROC. [_To_ GUARDS.] You may leave the prisoner with me. [_Exit_ GUARDS.] And so, Mardoche, you have been tried and condemned. MARDOCHE. Yes. Accused by beasts, tried by fools, and condemned by assassins. GOUROC. And of what were you accused? MARDOCHE. I was a quiet cobbler; I made shoes for Jacobins that pinched their toes, so I was accused of sympathy with aristocrats. GOUROC. Is this all the cry they raised against you? MARDOCHE. No. I was never heard to swear, so I was watched--and was seen upon my knees. As piety is poison to the Republic, I was accused of being a priest! I was searched, and these were found upon me. [_Showing a crucifix and rosary_.] This was enough. I was immediately condemned to die. GOUROC. A fine fool you were, to be caught with such baubles in your bosom. Had you forgotten old mother Dupaix? MARDOCHE. The old woman who never gossiped, wore clean linen, and kept four cats? GOUROC. The same--who was therefore accused of being a Duchess in disguise, and sent to the guillotine. MARDOCHE. Moral:--In this age of reason, death to him who prays! GOUROC. Or keeps four cats! But cheer up, Citizen; I have a crumb of comfort for you yet. In your cell someone is waiting impatiently to see you. MARDOCHE. Who? GOUROC. Your sister. MARDOCHE. Great heavens! Of what do they accuse her? GOUROC. Nothing. She is here by my care to bid you farewell.--Listen and understand.--You are going to die, and leave your sister in poverty amidst the perils of the Republic.--What would you be willing to do to provide her with an independence? MARDOCHE. I would do anything. I can do nothing. GOUROC. You are mistaken. If you choose, before you die, you can place in her hands 10,000 francs. MARDOCHE. How? GOUROC. By helping me to save another man's life. MARDOCHE. I do not understand. GOUROC.