Your sorrow seems so deep, I swear I think I'd serve it--even at the cost of conscience! Speak then, without fear. PAUL. Help me to save the father of my wife!--See! This key opens yonder door; to-night, at any moment, you may hear three knocks.--That signal will be given by a man who will conduct you safely out of France. GOUROC. A man that you can trust? PAUL. To the death.--I saved his life. GOUROC. But suppose the Duke is called before the signal comes!--I must go and find some man to take his place. GOUROC _starts to go_. PAUL'S _face lights with a sudden resolution_. PAUL. Stop! The man is found. GOUROC. Who is he? PAUL. The man they call a traitor--Paul Kauvar. GOUROC. [_Suppressing a smile of surprise_.] You? PAUL. Yes. When safely out of France, tell them of my fate. My death may convince them I loved too deeply to betray. [_A bell begins to toll_. A VOICE. [_In the distance_.] Hubert, Marquis de Ferrand,--Mardoche, alias the Abbé de St. Simon-- GOUROC. They're calling the condemned; there's not an instant to be lost. [_Crossing to cell_.] In this cell there hangs an old man's coat and wig, kept here to disguise the spies connected with the prison. Luckily they'll serve your purpose well. [_Opening cell door_.] Quick!--Get ready to answer when the Duke is called. PAUL. Tell my wife I died for love of her, and honour. [_Exit_. GOUROC. [_In exultation_.] Thank luck!--This man's death clears my path, and saves the money I meant to pay the Abbé. _Enter_ DIANE _and_ NANETTE. DIANE. Where is he? I must see him once again!--Paul! Paul! [_Starting at sight of_ GOUROC.] Who's there? GOUROC. Tis I! Here to save your father. THE VOICE. [_Outside_.] Comte de Vigny,--André de la Roche-- GOUROC. That's the last call of the condemned.--Your father's name stands next upon the roll. DIANE. Save him!--Save him! GOUROC. Obey me instantly, or all is lost; hide quickly in this cell! Trust to me and wait. DIANE. [_Going with_ NANETTE _into a cell_.] God deal with you as you now deal with me! [_Exit_. _Tramp of_ GUARDS _outside_. GOUROC. [_Crossing to cell and calling_.] Kauvar!--Be quick!--stand ready. By heaven!--A close shave! OFFICER _and_ GUARDS _enter_. OFFICER. [_Advancing_.] Honoré Albert Maxime, Duc de Beaumont, you are called to the guillotine. [PAUL _comes forth in silence_.] Fall in.--Forward, march! [_As the_ GUARDS _start with_ PAUL, DIANE _rushes in with a cry of agony_. DIANE. Father!--Father!--We have been deceived! [DIANE _rushes into_ PAUL'S _arms; he embraces her passionately_. GUARDS _force them apart and go out with_ PAUL.] [_Held back by_ GOUROC _and_ NANETTE, DIANE _shrieks_.] Father--father! DUKE. [_Entering_.] Diane!--What is it? DIANE. [_Turning in amazement and joy_.] What!--You are there? GOUROC. Yes, saved by me. DIANE. And he--? Who was he they dragged away? GOUROC.