What torture!--to be here; with heart aflame, and limbs all free; to see the fight, and yet be bound to idleness by an oath, as much a prisoner as though in fetters at the bottom of a cell! [_Changing his whole manner_.] And Diane--where is she? But now within my reach--almost in my arms--naught between us but a promise, a mere breath--that breath as strong as adamantine walls to part us! JEAN. [_Entering, sees_ PAUL _and cries out_.] Kauvar! PAUL. [_Turning, starts_.] Jean Litais! JEAN. You, alive? PAUL. My wife!--Where is she? JEAN. Don't ask me! PAUL. You promised to save her. JEAN. I did.--But for the burning of the Faubourg, and the attack of the rebels, she would be alive and safe. PAUL. And now--? JEAN. She's lost!--She, with her father and the Marquis, fell into an ambush--were fired on from every side-- PAUL. Killed! And I am her assassin! JEAN. You? PAUL. Yes! I planned the burning of the Faubourg, placed the mines that blew it up, and opened a way for our attack.--In serving my country, I have killed my wife! JEAN. You are a soldier, then,--one of the blues? PAUL. Yes--and captured there at dawn. [_Points at the Faubourg_. JEAN. And not shot? PAUL. No--paroled!--paroled!--paroled! JEAN. Impossible! The watchword on both sides is "No mercy." PAUL. La Rochejacquelein spared my life, that I might once more see my wife.--Useless generosity, for she had gone to meet her death! JEAN. But he--the General--was merciful, magnanimous to you? PAUL. He was. I owe him an eternal debt. JEAN. Are you willing to pay your debt? PAUL. With my life! JEAN. His army is routed. He will be captured--shot like a dog, unless he's saved. PAUL. He must be saved. JEAN. There's a secret passage from this castle to the glen. If I could put his pursuers off his track, he would escape. PAUL. Bring the General here and leave the rest to me. JEAN. You will aid him? PAUL. I will.--Be quick; we're wasting time. [JEAN _crosses to door and beckons; enter_ LA HOGUE, LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN _and_ DENISE. PAUL. [_Putting off his coat and crossing_.] General, off with your coat! LA ROCHE. What does this mean? PAUL. You were merciful to me--'tis my turn now! We exchange uniforms; I am captured in your place, mislead your pursuers while you escape. LA ROCHE. For you to assist me is treason to your cause. PAUL. Ingratitude is treason to my God!--I owe you more than life; let men call this what they will; I have a divine right to pay my debt. LA ROCHE. I refuse to let you do a deed that may bring dishonour on your head. PAUL. Then I refuse to owe my life to you.--Accept my assistance, or [_Drawing pistol from the belt of_ LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN.] with my own hand I'll shoot the prisoner you paroled. LA HOGUE. [_Grasping_ PAUL'S _arm_.] Stop! This can be arranged. PAUL. How? LA HOGUE.