Mme. Deschap. What do I hear?--Come away, or never see my face again. M. Deschap. Pauline, we never betrayed you!--do you forsake us for him? Pauline. [going back to her father]. Oh no--but you will forgive him too; we will live together--he shall be your son. M. Deschap. Never! Cling to him and forsake your parents! His home shall be yours--his fortune yours--his fate yours: the wealth I have acquired by honest industry shall never enrich the dishonest man. Pauline. And you would have a wife enjoy luxury while a husband toils! Claude, take me; thou canst not give me wealth, titles, station--but thou canst give me a true heart I will work for thee, tend thee, bear with thee, and never, never shall these lips reproach thee for the past. Damas. I'll be hanged if I am not going to blubber! Mel. This is the heaviest blow of all!--What a heart I have wronged!-- Do not fear me, sir; I am not all hardened--I will not rob her of a holier love than mine. Pauline!--angel of love and mercy!--your memory shall lead me back to virtue!--The husband of a being so beautiful in her noble and sublime tenderness may be poor--may be low born;--(there is no guilt in the decrees of providence!)--but he should be one who can look thee in the face without a blush,--to whom thy love does not bring remorse,--who can fold thee to his heart, and say,--"Here there is no deceit!" I am not that man! Damas. [aside to MELNOTTE]. Thou art a noble fellow, notwithstanding; and wouldst make an excellent soldier. Serve in my regiment. I have had a letter from the Directory--our young general takes the command of the army in Italy,--I am to join him at Marseilles, I will depart this day, if thou wilt go with me. Mel. It is the favor I would have asked thee, if I dared. Place me wherever a foe is most dreaded,--wherever France most needs a life! Damas. There shall not be a forlorn hope without thee! Mel. There is my hand!--mother, your blessing. I shall see you again,--a better man than a prince,--a man who has bought the right to high thoughts by brave deeds. And thou!--thou! so wildly worshipped, so guiltily betrayed, all is not yet lost!--for thy memory, at least, must be mine till death! If I live, the name of him thou hast once loved shall not rest dishonored;--if I fall, amidst the carnage and the roar of battle, my soul will fly back to thee, and love shall share with death my last sigh!--More--more would I speak to thee!--to pray!--to bless! But no; When I am less unworthy I will utter it to Heaven!--I cannot trust myself to [turning to DESCHAPPELLES] Your pardon, sir; they are my last words Farewell! [Exit. Damas. I will go after him.--France will thank me for this. Pauline [starting from her father's arms]. Claude!--Claude!--my husband! M. Deschap. You have a father still! ACT V. Two years and a half from the date of Act IV. SCENE I. The Streets of Lyons. Enter First, Second, and Third Officers.