Pauline [aside.] This man must have some mercy--his heart cannot be marble. [Aloud.] Oh, sir, be just--be generous! Seize a noble triumph--a great revenge! Save the father, and spare the child. Beau. [aside.] joy--joy alike to my hatred and my passion! The haughty Pauline is at last my suppliant. [Aloud.] You ask from me what I have not the sublime virtue to grant--a virtue reserved only for the gardener's son! I cannot forego my hopes in the moment of their fulfilment! I adhere to the contract--your father's ruin or your hand. Pauline. Then all is over. Sir, I have decided. [The clock strikes one. Enter DAMAS and MELNOTTE. Damas. Your servant, cousin Deschappelles. Let me introduce Colonel Morier. Mme. Deschap. [curtsying very low]. What, the celebrated hero? This is, indeed, an honor! [MELNOTTE bows, and remains in the background. Damas [to Pauline]. My little cousin, I congratulate you. What, no smile--no blush? You are going to be divorced from poor Melnotte, and marry this rich gentleman. You ought to be excessively happy! Pauline. Happy! Damas. Why, how pale you are, child!--Poor Pauline! Hist--confide in me! Do they force you to this? Pauline. No! Damas. You act with your own free consent? Pauline. My own consent--yes. Damas. Then you are the most--I will not say what you are. Pauline. You think ill of me--be it so--yet if you knew all-- Damas. There is some mystery--speak out, Pauline. Pauline [suddenly]. Oh, perhaps you can save me! you are our relation--our friend. My father is on the verge of bankruptcy--this day he requires a large sum to meet demands that cannot be denied; that sum Beauseant will advance--this hand the condition of the barter. Save me if you have the means--save me! You will be repaid above! Damas. aside. I recant--Women are not so bad after all! [Aloud.] Humph, child! I cannot help you--I am too poor. Pauline. The last plank to which I clung is shivered. Damas. Hold--you see my friend Morier: Melnotte is his most intimate friend--fought in the same fields--slept in the same tent. Have you any message to send to Melnotte? any word to soften this blow? Pauline. He knows Melnotte--he will see him--he will bear to him my last farewell--[approaches MELNOTTE] He has a stern air--he turns away from me--he despises me!--Sir one word I beseech you. Mel. Her voice again! How the old time comes o'er me! Damas [to Madame.] Don't interrupt them.--He is going to tell her what a rascal young Melnotte is; he knows him well, I promise you. Mme. Deschap. So considerate in you, cousin Damas! [DAMAS approaches DESCHAPPELLES; converses apart with hint in dumb show--DESCHAPPELLES shows him a paper, which he inspects and takes. Pauline. Thrice have I sought to speak; my courage fails me.-- Sir, is it true that you have known--nay, are The friend of--Melnotte. Mel. Lady, yes!-- Myself And misery know the man!