_Daughter._--And thus my father dies and one as dear. 'Tis joy to suffer with them, though I perish. I feel assured thou canst not triumph long-- And I adjure thee by the Heaven thou hast scorn'd, Whose lingering fires are not yet launch'd against thee, And by the Earth thou cumberest, which hath not Yet opened to entomb thee living, come, Meet me, and mine, and thy ten thousand victims, Before God's judgment seat, ere two days pass. (_the guards take her out_.) _Robes._--She must have thought in sooth I was a Christian. SCENE II. TALLIEN'S HOUSE. _Tallien with a letter in his hand._ In prison!--In his power!--to die to-morrow! My body trembles and my senses reel. This is a just and fearful retribution-- Would it were on my head alone! Oh Heaven, Spare but this angel woman and her father, And let me die--or might my life be pardon'd, The criminal excess to which these times Have hurried my rash hand and wilful heart, I will atone to outrag'd human nature, To her and to my country. Wretched France! Once the fair home of music and of mirth, So torn, so harrassed by these factions now, That even the wise and good of other lands Cannot believe a patriot breathes in this! And she complains that I am grown a craven! My acts of late may justify the thought, But let to-morrow show how much I fear him. (_A Servant enters_.) _Servant._--The Minister of Police---- _Tallien._--Attend him hither-- Fouché--perhaps to sound me; let him try-- I yet may baffle him, and one more fatal---- (_Fouché enters_.) _Fouché._--So you are in the scales with Robespierre, And which do you expect will kick the beam? _Tallien._--Why should you think that I will stake my power, Friends, interest, and life, in useless efforts To thwart the destined ruler of the land? _Fouché._--Yourself have told me so. I did but mean That he had risk'd his power and party strength Against your life. You mean to strike at his. Your faltering voice and startled looks betray The secret of your heart, though sooth to say, I knew it all before. _Tallien._--You see too far, And are for once wise over much, Monsieur; I never sought to oppose your great colleague, But would conciliate him if I might. _Fouché._ (_sternly_.) And do you hope to throw dust in my eyes? What means this note from Madame de Cabarus Now in your bosom--sent to you this morning-- And this your answer? (_producing a billet_.) Have I fathom'd you? The mystic writing on the palace wall Scar'd not Belshazzar more than this does you. (_Tallien goes to the door_.) Nay, never call your men or make those signals, I have foreseen the worst that you can do. _Tallien._--Chief of Police, while you are in this house Your life is in my hands--when you are gone, Mine is in yours. Now tell me why you came?