Beau. [aside.] Damas! that is unfortunate;--if the Italian campaign should have filled his pockets, he may seek to baffle me in the moment of my victory. [Aloud]. Your servant, general,--for such, I think, is your new distinction! Just arrived in Lyons? Damas. Not an hour ago. Well, how go on the Deschappelles? Have they forgiven you in that affair of young Melnotte? You had some hand in that notable device,--eh? Beau. Why, less than you think for! The fellow imposed upon me. I have set it all right now. What has become of him? He could not have joined the army, after all. There is no such name in the books. Damas. I know nothing about Melnotte. As you say, I never heard the name in the Grand Army. Beau. Hem!--You are not married, general? Damas. Do I look like a married man, sir?--No, thank Heaven! My profession is to make widows, not wives. Beau. You must have gained much booty in Italy! Pauline will be your heiress--eh? Damas. Booty! Not I! Heiress to what? Two trunks and a portmanteau,-- four horses,--three swords, two suits of regimentals, and six pair of white leather inexpressibles! A pretty fortune for a young lady! Beau. [aside.] Then all is safe! [Aloud]. Ha! ha! Is that really all your capital, General Damas? Why, I thought Italy had been a second Mexico to you soldiers. Damas. All a toss-up, sir. I was not one of the lucky ones! My friend Morier, indeed, saved something handsome. But our commander-in-chief took care of him, and Morier is a thrifty, economical dog,--not like the rest of us soldiers, who spend our money as carelessly as if it were our blood. Beau. Well, it is no matter! I do not want fortune with Pauline. And you must know, General Damas, that your fair cousin has at length consented to reward my long and ardent attachment. Damas. You!--the devil! Why, she is already married! There is no divorce! Beau. True; but this very day she is formally to authorize the necessary proceedings, this very day she is to sign the contract that is to make her mine within one week from the day on which her present illegal marriage is annulled. Damas. You tell me wonders!--Wonders! No; I believe anything of women! Beau. I must wish you good morning. [As he is going, enter DESCHAPPELLES. M. Deschap. Oh, Beauseant! well met. Let us come to the notary at once. Damas [to Deschap.]. Why, cousin! M. Deschap. Damas, welcome to Lyons. Pray call on us; my wife will be delighted to see you. Damas. Your wife be-blessed for her condescension! But [taking him aside] what do I hear? Is it possible that your daughter has consented to a divorce?--that she will marry Monsieur Beauseant? M. Deschap. Certainly. What have you to say against it? A gentleman of birth, fortune, character. We are not so proud as we were; even my wife has had enough of nobility and princes! Damas. But Pauline loved that young man so tenderly! M. Deschap. [taking snuff]. That was two years and a half ago. Damas. Very true. Poor Melnotte!