You promised, if I saved your father, and you were free, you'd be my wife.--I have done my part, you must do yours. DIANE. [_Passionately, to_ GOUROC.] Now I understand your joy when you read of the beheadal of the man who took my father's place!--You knew he was my husband. GOUROC. I did. DIANE. You planned his death to free and force me to this marriage. GOUROC. I did not learn that you were his wife till he was going to the guillotine.--Then he told me all, confiding you to my care. I promised him I'd shield you from all peril.--I but keep my word with him, in asking you to keep your word with me. DIANE. So you would wed the widow of a Sans Culotte? GOUROC. Your husband was my friend; I knew and honoured him. DIANE. Ah, you believe, then, that Potin lied when he declared he got the warrant for the Duke's arrest from Paul Kauvar? GOUROC. I now believe that your husband was the victim of a trick. DIANE. Then swear--before those who have heard the dead defamed--swear that you believe my husband was innocent of infamy. GOUROC. [_With deep sincerity_.] As I hope for mercy from my God, I believe that Paul Kauvar was guiltless of dishonour. DIANE. [_Impressed with his sincerity_.] Then his widow swears to keep her word with you. [_She extends her hand to_ GOUROC. LA HOGUE _crosses, up steps, to_ GUARDS, _and directs them silently to exit.--They about-face, and go out_. GOUROC. [_Aside, triumphantly kissing_ DIANE'S _hand_.] At last! [_Howls of execration outside_.] What is that? LA ROCHE. The mob howling at some captured rebels. [_Enter_ ORDERLY, _who presents paper_.] [_Reading paper_, LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN _speaks to_ ORDERLY.] Conduct the prisoner here. [_Exit_ ORDERLY.] [_Turning to_ DIANE.] Cousin, I must ask you to retire. We have secret business to transact. DUKE. [_Giving_ DIANE _his arm_.] We will await you in my daughter's room. [_To_ GOUROC.] Marquis, we can complete the plans for your marriage and escape to England. [_Exeunt_ DIANE, DUKE, JEAN, DENISE _and_ GOUROC. GOUROC. [_Aside, as he goes out_.] Now I know that I shall triumph! LA ROCHE. [_To_ LA HOGUE.] When and where were these prisoners secured? LA HOGUE. At dawn this morning, in the centre of the Faubourg. They fought like fiends! Their leader is a veritable lion.--Though overcome by numbers, he don't seem conquered in the least!--Hang my hide! I cannot help but like him! [_Howls renewed outside_. ORDERLY. [_Entering_.] The prisoner is here, General. LA ROCHE. Bring him in. [ORDERLY _beckons.--Yells outside_. GUARDS _enter and form on terrace behind entrance.--Enter_ PRISONER, _who strides haughtily in_.] [_To_ ORDERLY.] Retire and guard the doors. [ORDERLY _right-faces_.--GUARD _goes of with_ ORDERLY.] [_Politely to_ PRISONER.] I see, sir, you're an officer. PRISONER. Yes.--Captain of Volunteers in the ranks of the Republic. LA ROCHE. To what corps do you belong? PRISONER.