PRISONER.

I prefer to let it die with me.

LA HOGUE.

Hang it, sir!  Courage is glorious even in a rebel rascal like yourself.

LA ROCHE.

Some friend may be glad to know how fearlessly you met your fate.

PRISONER.

The only ears I’d care to reach would rather never hear my name again.

LA HOGUE.

But curse your stubbornness!  I want to know your name myself.  Can’t you be civil as well as brave?

PRISONER.

[Laughing.]

Well, then, to please your gentle highness, I must give it.  I am Captain on the Staff of General Kleber—­Captain Kauvar.

LA ROCHE and LA HOGUE.

[Starting.]

Kauvar?

PAUL.

Yes—­Captain Paul Kauvar.

LA ROCHE.

[Turning amazed to LA HOGUE.]

What do you think of this?

LA HOGUE.

That if I had a regiment of Paul Kauvar’s, I’d conquer Europe.

LA ROCHE.

My cousin’s husband was guillotined.  There’s some mistake.

[To GUARD.]

Leave the prisoner, and wait outside for orders.

PAUL.

[Stopping the GUARD.]

Stay!—­

[ORDERLY waits for further orders.]

[To LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN.]

General, I beg of you to spare me further waiting.—­Make an end of this.

LA ROCHE.

When I have questioned you again.

PAUL.

I shall refuse to answer further questions.

LA ROCHE.

I may find a way to break your silence.

PAUL.

I swear you cannot do it.

LA ROCHE.

[Motions GUARDS to go.]

[ORDERLY about-faces, goes on to terrace.  GUARDS then march off.]

We shall see!  You’ve given a name that’s not your own.

[PAUL starts, but remains silent.]

Paul Kauvar was guillotined the night of the ninth of May.

[PAUL turns, amazed but silent.]

He died to save my kinsman, the Duc de Beaumont.