Kauvar was his friend—­this dog betrayed him!

NANETTE.

Yes, while he himself was all the time a Marquis in disguise.

PAUL.

He, my friend—­a traitor!

CARRAC.

Death to the brigand!

MOB.

Death to him!  To the river!  Drown him!

[They seize GOUROC.

GOUROC.

[Breaking away from them.]

Fiends—­I defy you, and escape you!

[Draws pistol, fires, and falls dead.

BOURDOTTE.

[Feeling GOUROC’S breast.]

Dead.—­Dead as potted pork.

CARRAC.

And the people cheated of their just revenge!

CITIZENS bear GOUROC’S body off.

BOURDOTTE.

Ah, look, we have still the old Aristo and his daughter!

MOB.

Aye!—­Aye!  Away with them!  Away with them!

[They rush on the DUKE and DIANE.

PAUL.

My God!  Will this hour never end?

CARRAC.

[To the MOB.]

Here!  Strip her!  Drive her to her death!

[The MOB howls.—­DIANE breaks from CARRAC.—­Bell tolls.

PAUL.

[With a cry of joy.]

The hour strikes!—­I’m free!

[CARRAC seizes DIANE again and drags her to the centre of the stage.

Rushing from his concealed position_, PAUL tears DIANE, fainting, from the arms of CARRAC, whom he flings to the ground—­warning back the MOB, who pause for a moment, staring in amazement.

BOURDOTTE.

Ha—­the brigand—­kill him!—­

MOB.

[Advancing.]

Kill him!—­Kill him!

POTIN.

[Aiming, with SOLDIERS.]

Halt!—­He is our prisoner.

[The MOB recoil.

PAUL.

[Flinging off his coat and hat.]

No!  Not your prisoner!  Your officer!—­Captain on Kleber’s staff: 
Captain Paul Kauvar.

DIANE.