That cannot be!

DUKE.

[Going.]

I say it shall!

DIANE.

[Startled.]

Where are you going?

DUKE.

To seek the priest!  Delay is dangerous!  You wed to-day and sail to-night for England.

DIANE.

No, no!  Have pity!  I have no right to marry.

DUKE.

[In horror.]

No right?

DIANE.

[Falling at his feet.]

I am a wife already.

DUKE.

His wife?—­You, my flesh and blood, a traitor’s wife!—­Oh God!  What have I done to merit such a blow as this?

DIANE.

Father,—­forgive!  Hear me!

DUKE.

[Flinging her off, rushes to the door.]

Henri, Marquis—­here!  All of you!

[Enter LA HOGUE, LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN, GOUROC, JEAN and DENISE.]

[To LA ROCHE.]

Call your guards!  Drag this woman away!  Fling her to these rebel dogs—­for she is one of them!

GOUROC.

What has she done?

DUKE.

Deceived a father’s love!  Become the mate of my betrayer.

[Turning on DIANE.]

Degraded remnant of my race!—­Go!  Back to your own, wife of a Sans
Culotte!

GOUROC.

[Stepping between them.]

Stay!  There must be some mistake!

DUKE.

No!  She has confessed that she’s the wife of Paul Kauvar.

GOUROC.

That cannot be, for Paul Kauvar is dead.

DUKE.

Dead?  How do you know that?

GOUROC.

Because he, disguised, took your place on the guillotine.

DIANE.

[Rising.]

My God!

DUKE.

What!  I owe my life to him?

GOUROC.

He died to atone his treachery to you.

DIANE.

Traitors do not die to save their victims!  His life was noble!  His death sublime!