DENISE. [_Reading_.] "The Duc de Beaumont." _Enter a MAN from panel in wall up stage_. LA ROCHE. Guillotined at night, upon the tenth of last October. DENISE. My God! If Jean has failed to save the Duke, he must be dead himself! THE MAN. [_Advancing_.] Not yet! LA ROCHE. [_Turning quickly_.] Who's this? DENISE. It's Jean!-- [_Rushing into his arms_.] My Jean returned! LA ROCHE. Litais!--Is it really you? JEAN. Every bit of me, my lord. DENISE. Thank heaven! LA ROCHE. How did you pass the guard? JEAN. Faith, I know every corner of the old chateau. No guard could bar my way while I'd such news to bring! The Duke and his daughter are here--in the park. LA ROCHE. Alive and safe--? JEAN. As you are!--Grant me a guard to bring them through our lines. LA ROCHE. [_Strikes a bell_.] [_Enter_ ORDERLY, _who salutes_.] See that Monsieur and his friends have safe passage through our lines. ORDERLY _crosses stage and stands at door_. JEAN. In an instant we'll return.--Come, Denise; you shall see your old master once again. DENISE. And never let you leave my side while I have life to love you. [_Exeunt_ DENISE, JEAN _and_ ORDERLY, _who salutes_ GUARD _before departing. Tumult in distance_.] LA HOGUE. [_Entering_.] The Count is here and anxious for the fight. [LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN, _listening, pays no attention_. LA HOGUE _speaks impatiently_.] Do you hear? LA ROCHE. Yes, I hear a tumult yonder! Can it be mutiny--revolt? [_Enter_ SECOND ORDERLY. _He presents paper to_ LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN, _who reads it aloud_.] "Have captured Jacobin soldiers. The peasants demand their lives. Shall I surrender them or hold them at your pleasure? La Val--Captain of King's Guards." [_To_ LA HOGUE _eagerly_.] We may obtain information from these fellows. See La Val at once, command him to guard his prisoners with his life, and send them here to me. LA HOGUE. But the Count is awaiting orders for to-night's attack. LA ROCHE. [_Going_.] While you see La Val, I'll see the Count. [_Exit_. LA HOGUE. [_To_ ORDERLY.] To Captain La Val! [_Exit quickly with_ ORDERLY. SENTINEL. [_Outside_.] Who goes there? JEAN. [_Outside_.] A friend! SENTINEL. [_Outside_.] Advance with countersign. ORDERLY _advances, salutes the_ SENTINEL, _whispers in his ear, then steps back against balustrade of terrace as characters enter.--When characters are on,_ ORDERLY _salutes_ SENTINEL, _who returns salute_. ORDERLY _goes out_. SENTINEL _about faces and disappears_. _Enter_ JEAN, DENISE, GOUROC, NANETTE, DUKE, AND DIANE. JEAN. [_To the_ DUKE.] You're safe at last, Monsieur, among your friends. DIANE. [_Grasping_ JEAN'S _hand_.] Thanks to your devotion. DENISE. [_To the_ DUKE.] I will announce your coming to the General. [_Exit_. NANETTE. [_To_ DIANE.] Here, child, be seated, and taste comfort once again. [DIANE _sits near the fire; the_ DUKE _and_ GOUROC _at table_.] Now try to smile a bit. DIANE.