[_Starting to run of, he begins to sing--to the tune of the Marseillaise chorus:_] To leave--to leave my wife!-- NANETTE. [_Rushing in and stopping him_.] Hold, Citizen Potin! POTIN. [_Wilting_.] Oh, Republic, I am lost! NANETTE. Dodolphe--you're up to mischief! Speak out--what's up? POTIN. Patience, gentle lamb! NANETTE. Don't lamb me, sir! [_Twisting him round_.] What's this mean? [_Tapping him_.] Porpoise! [_Pulling breeches from under his coat_.] Culottes! [_Pulling cap from his breast_.] Ye gods, what's this? [_Pulling hose from his pockets_.] By heaven! A woman's hose! [_Shaking hose in his face_.] What does this mean? POTIN. Nothing, precious love! This is my uniform;--I have recruited for Vendée. NANETTE. You--a soldier? POTIN. [_Posing_.] Yes: The safety of France demands it. I go to preserve the Republic! France beckons--while Victory extends her arms, panting to embrace my noble form! NANETTE. Embrace ye? [_Putting his head under her arm_.] Let Victory try it if she dare! TURNKEY. [_Entering with_ GUARD.] Citizen Potin, you are wanted as a witness. POTIN. Caught!--From the frying-pan into the fire! NANETTE. We shall meet again, my dear. POTIN. Don't remind me now; I'm sick enough already. [_Enter_ PAUL KAUVAR. POTIN _starts at sight of him, and speaks to the_ GUARD.] I'm ready; show the way. PAUL. [_To_ POTIN.] Stop!--Thank heaven I have found you! Tell me, who ordered the Duke's arrest? POTIN. [_Sullenly_.] What I know of, that I'll tell only to the Court. [_Exit_. PAUL. [_Turning to_ NANETTE, _who is going_.] Nanette, one word. NANETTE. What word can an honest woman speak that you would care to hear? PAUL. Justice!--I want that word, and all it signifies. [_Mob howls outside_. NANETTE. Listen! Go to them--they'll give you justice, aye, and glory, for you betrayed the innocent--to glut their appetite for blood. PAUL. That's a lie--a vile, infamous, monstrous lie! NANETTE. Is it a lie that you signed the warrant for the Duke's arrest? PAUL. My name was forged. NANETTE. I know your hand too well to be deceived. I've seen the warrant; it bears your name, and written by yourself. PAUL. Then it was obtained by some strange trick! I've tried to learn the truth, but no one will tell me who took the warrant to the office of the Guard. NANETTE. I wish I could believe you. PAUL. [_Forcing her to face him_.] And so you shall!--Do I look like the vilest of mankind? NANETTE. No; in looks you're lucky! PAUL. Would any man conspire to kill the wife he adores? NANETTE. Why ask that? PAUL. Because Diane de Beaumont is my wife. NANETTE. Your wife? PAUL. Yes! For me to betray her father would be to break her heart! Pain to her is the anguish of the damned to me! Can you not see that I am--I must be innocent? NANETTE.