The Due de Beaumont has been discovered, and is about to be condemned. For reasons of my own, I wish to save his life. There is but one way. You, who are destined to die soon, must be disguised as the Duke, answer to his name, and go to the scaffold in his stead. Consent to do this--and you shall place in your sister's hands 10,000 francs in gold. MARDOCHE. What! That Jacobin of Jacobins, Gouroc, asks a cobbler to save a Duke--? GOUROC. Why not? The Republic is poor, the Duke is rich. He has been condemned for our glory. But if his secret escape will bring us gold, why not crown the Republic with riches as well as fame? Is not this Patriotism? MARDOCHE. Yes, Patriotism to-day! Yesterday and to-morrow--Jesuitism. GOUROC. Well, your answer. Will you save the Duke? MARDOCHE. [_After a pause_.] I will. GOUROC. Good! In your cell you'll find everything for your disguise. MARDOCHE. [_As howls are heard outside_.] Listen.--That is the voice of fraternity shrieking for fratricide! GOUROC. By heaven! No cobbler talks as you do!--Who are you? What are you? MARDOCHE. A victim--to present madness! An atonement--for past wrongs! A pledge for future progress!--The Abbé de St. Simon. GOUROC. Ha! As I suspected. [SOLDIERS _are heard approaching_.] Take care!--Hurry to your cell; they are coming for the Duke. MARDOCHE. And my sister--? GOUROC. You shall have the money at your parting. MARDOCHE. Thus my death will bring her more than all the years I might have lived to love her. [_Exit_. OFFICER. [_Entering, followed by_ GUARDS, _and presenting paper to_ GOUROC.] An order for the person of Duc de Beaumont. GOUROC. [_Looking at order_.] Correct.--There is his cell. OFFICER. [_Reading from paper at the door of_ DUKE'S _cell_.] Honoré Albert Maxime, heretofore Duc de Beaumont, you are called for trial for your life. In the name of the law, stand forth! _The_ DUKE _appears with_ DIANE _clinging to him, followed by_ NANETTE. DUKE. I am ready. [_The_ GUARDS _surround him_. OFFICER. [_To_ DIANE.] Young woman, free your father; he must follow me alone. DIANE. If he is guilty, then I am guilty. I have shared his prison; I claim the right to share his scaffold. OFFICER. You are not called, and cannot go with him. DUKE. Courage, child! Remember who you are, and scorn to show these miscreants what you feel. [_Putting her gently from his breast_.] We shall meet again.-- [_Turning to_ OFFICER.] Lead on, sir. [_The_ GUARDS _go off with the_ DUKE.--DIANE _falls into a chair near table, overcome_. NANETTE _approaches her;_ GOUROC _waves her back_. GOUROC. [_Pointing to cell_.] Wait there, till you're wanted. [NANETTE _goes out sullenly_. GOUROC _draws near to_ DIANE.] At last I'm free to crave your pardon for the part I'm forced to play in these dark days of tragedy.--Say you'll forgive me. DIANE.