Act III
SCENE. Headquarters of Royalists in Vendée. Interior of hall in old chateau. Fireplace; large doorways with staircase leading to terrace, overlooking Granville; Faubourg de Calvaire in middle ground. Doors from hall. Bay window with large table covered with papers, maps, etc. Charts near table and fireplace.
DISCOVERED: SENTINEL on terrace; LA HOGUE seated at the table busy with papers.
At rise of curtain—drums and fifes heard in distance.
DENISE enters, goes to terrace, gazes anxiously, then turns and crosses quickly to LA HOGUE.
Denise
[Shouting loudly.]
Monsieur La Hogue!
La Hogue
[Gruffly.]
Well?
Denise
Do you hear?
La Hogue
[Impatiently.]
Hear what?
Denise
The drums and piccolos yonder.
La Hogue
[Listening.]
I can hear nothing.
[Drums, etc., sound more loud.
Denise
But listen now, it grows louder—up from Ville d’Avranches.
La Hogue
[Starting up.]
D’Avranches?—Ha! Re-inforcements for the Kings’ army! None too soon!
[Drums, etc., cease.]
[Enter an ORDERLY, who presents papers. LA HOGUE takes papers, reads, and exclaims.] The Count de Parame with recruits!
[To the ORDERLY.]
Tell your Colonel to report here instantly! General de la Rochejacquelein [Enter LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN.] is indignant at his delay, and—
La Rochejacquelein
[To LA HOGUE.]
Gently, old friend! La Rochejacquelein will speak for himself.
[To ORDERLY.]
Ask the Count to honour me with his presence here as speedily as possible.
[Exit ORDERLY.]
Now these re-inforcements have arrived, we’ll give these rebels battle.
La Hogue
At last, thank God! And we’re ready for the fight.
[Pointing.]
In the Faubourg de Calvaire there’s hardly a house but harbours a detachment of our men.
La Roche
With that village in our hands we’ll bring Granville town to terms. To-night we will assault the place at every point.
La Hogue
[Reverently.]
And God in mercy aid King Louis’ men!
La roche and DENISE. [Together.]
Amen!
La Roche
[To LA HOGUE.]
Await the Count upon the terrace, and take him to my private room. But no roughness to the Colonel—try to be charming for a change.
La Hogue
Bah! Leave charmers to women,—only fighters win at war!
[Exit.
La Roche
[To DENISE.]
How long since you have heard from Jean Litais?
Denise
Not since he, my lover, went to Paris to aid the Duc de Beaumont to escape.
La Roche
This fiendish reign of terror has prevented me from hearing of the Duke till now.
Denise
And you have heard—?
La Roche
The worst of news! Among some papers captured in a skirmish, I found this journal, [Producing paper.] printed at Paris some three months ago. It contains a list of those beheaded the preceding day.—See this name I’ve underlined.
Denise
[Reading.]
“The Duc de Beaumont.”
Enter a MAN from panel in wall up stage.
La Roche
Guillotined at night, upon the tenth of last October.
Denise
My God! If Jean has failed to save the Duke, he must be dead himself!
The Man
[Advancing.]
Not yet!
La Roche
[Turning quickly.]
Who’s this?
Denise
It’s Jean!—
[Rushing into his arms.]
My Jean returned!
La Roche
Litais!—Is it really you?
Jean
Every bit of me, my lord.
Denise
Thank heaven!
La Roche
How did you pass the guard?
Jean
Faith, I know every corner of the old chateau. No guard could bar my way while I’d such news to bring! The Duke and his daughter are here—in the park.
La Roche
Alive and safe—?
Jean
As you are!—Grant me a guard to bring them through our lines.
La Roche
[Strikes a bell.]
[Enter ORDERLY, who salutes.]
See that Monsieur and his friends have safe passage through our lines.
Orderly crosses stage and stands at door.
Jean
In an instant we’ll return.—Come, Denise; you shall see your old master once again.
Denise
And never let you leave my side while I have life to love you.
[Exeunt DENISE, JEAN and ORDERLY, who salutes GUARD before departing. Tumult in distance.]
LA HOGUE.
[Entering.]
The Count is here and anxious for the fight.
[LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN, listening, pays no attention. LA HOGUE speaks impatiently.]
Do you hear?
La Roche
Yes, I hear a tumult yonder! Can it be mutiny—revolt?
[Enter SECOND ORDERLY. He presents paper to LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN, who reads it aloud.]
“Have captured Jacobin soldiers. The peasants demand their lives. Shall I surrender them or hold them at your pleasure? La Val—Captain of King’s Guards.”
[To LA HOGUE eagerly.]
We may obtain information from these fellows. See La Val at once, command him to guard his prisoners with his life, and send them here to me.
La Hogue
But the Count is awaiting orders for to-night’s attack.
La Roche
[Going.]
While you see La Val, I’ll see the Count.
[Exit.
La Hogue
[To ORDERLY.]
To Captain La Val!
[Exit quickly with ORDERLY.
Sentinel
[Outside.]
Who goes there?
Jean
[Outside.]
A friend!
Sentinel
[Outside.]
Advance with countersign.
Orderly advances, salutes the SENTINEL, whispers in his ear, then steps back against balustrade of terrace as characters enter.—When characters are on, ORDERLY salutes SENTINEL, who returns salute. ORDERLY goes out. SENTINEL about faces and disappears.
Enter JEAN, DENISE, GOUROC, NANETTE, DUKE, AND DIANE.
Jean
[To the DUKE.]
You’re safe at last, Monsieur, among your friends.
Diane
[Grasping JEAN’S hand.]
Thanks to your devotion.
Denise
[To the DUKE.]
I will announce your coming to the General.
[Exit.
Nanette
[To DIANE.]
Here, child, be seated, and taste comfort once again.
[DIANE sits near the fire; the DUKE and GOUROC at table.]
Now try to smile a bit.
Diane
I have forgotten how.
[Calling.]
Jean!
Jean
[Crossing to DIANE.]
Yes, Madame?
Diane
Hush! Do not let my father hear you call me Madame.
[Converses aside with JEAN.
Gouroc
[Taking a newspaper from table.]
Strange!—a Paris journal, dated the day after our escape.
Duke
[Taking the paper.]
There may be some notice of our flight.
[Reads.
Jean
[To DIANE.]
Will you never confess your marriage to Kauvar?
Diane
Never!—Unless he finds us with evidence of innocence none can question.
Jean
He will! We can trust the wit of his deep love for that.
Diane
So you believe him innocent?
Jean
As innocent as my own sweetheart, dear Denise.
[DIANE weeps.]
What—tears, Madame?
Diane
Tears of triumph—that your heart echoes mine! Ah, Jean, we two, alone, of all the world, believe he’s not a traitor.
Duke
Here’s a list of martyrs slaughtered the day that we escaped.
Gouroc
[Taking the paper.]
And here’s a name underlined with ink.
[Starting up with great joy.]
By heaven, your own!—See!—In the list of fallen heads—the Duc de Beaumont!
[The DUKE takes paper.
Diane
[Coming toward GOUROC.]
You speak of the man who took my father’s place, as though you exulted in his death!—Was he an enemy of yours?
Gouroc
I rejoice that the man’s disguise was not discovered—for the report of your father’s death prevented our pursuit.
Duke
[Joyfully to GOUROC.]
You remember the Abbé de St. Simon?
Gouroc
Yes. He was condemned to die with you.
Duke
This journal says that he escaped from the death-cart as it rumbled to the scaffold through the crowd.
Gouroc
[Starting, and with great emphasis.]
Impossible!
Duke
[Holding out the paper.]
See for yourself!
[GOUROC takes paper eagerly.
La Roche
[Entering, with a cry of joy.]
Duke!
Duke
[Holding out his arms.]
Henri!
La Roche
[Embracing the DUKE.]
In days of misery, a moment such as this is sweet indeed. But how did you escape? I saw your name among the guillotined.
Duke
[Turning to GOUROC.]
This gentleman wrought a way for our deliverance!—Monsieur le Marquis de Vaux.
La Roche
[Grasping GOUROC’S hand.]
Monsieur—the King’s friends are all your debtors.
Gouroc
Nay, sir, the debt is mine. Tis a privilege to save such precious lives.
Duke
[Presenting DIANE.]
Here’s a lass you played with, years ago.
La Roche
What!—My little cousin—grown so stately and so sad! Mademoiselle, I claim a kinsman’s right to kiss away these shadows.
Diane
And I yield the right with pleasure, cousin Henri.
La Roche
[Kisses her.]
Good cheer, sweet cousin! You are now protected by the soldiers of the King, who—God willing—will punish those who brought this shadow to your face.
Gouroc
That may not prove an easy task! Granville is overrun with rebels, who are urged to most atrocious crimes by Carrac.
La Roche
Yes—Thomas Carrac—a brutal monster, reeking with loyal blood; a loathsome anarchist, who glories in the vilest deeds.
Gouroc
Ravishing without remorse the daughters of our race.
La Roche
If we could capture wretches such as he, it might end our civil war.
Diane
Is he so hard to take?
La Roche
Yes. Reptiles are worse to overcome than lions. They bite unseen, and escape by crawling. This Carrac is brave in words, but too craven to face fighting in the field. Our soldiers rarely reach these civil sinners.
Duke
Let us forget them here. For now we will task your hospitality for a time.
La Roche
I swear I have not felt the poverty that war entails till now. My old chateau has been dismantled—this hall alone is habitable. I feel ashamed to offer you such shabby quarters.
Duke
Nay, cousin, a bed of stones with friends is better than a bed of down with those we do not love.
Denise
[Entering, speaks to LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN.]
A couch and fire are ready in the room that was your mother’s.
La Roche
[To DIANE.]
Where doubtless you’ll be glad to take some rest.
Diane
I confess the need, Monsieur.
La Roche
Denise, show the way.
[DENISE crosses to the door.
Diane
[At the door.]
Till to-night, kind friends.
La Roche
Till then, good rest.
[DIANE courtesies and goes out with NANETTE.]
Gentlemen, I pray you, make yourselves at home; important business claims my time.—I’ll rejoin you within an hour.
Duke
We’re here to help, not mar the cause; command us in all ways.
La Roche
Presently!—Till then the poor old house is yours.
[Exit.
[Exit JEAN.
Duke
[Sitting near the fire.]
At last, praise God! We’re out of reach of traitors!
Gouroc
Not yet!—The rebel hosts have gathered here at Granville in great force. They may rout the royal army, and capture all of us.
Duke
No, not all, for I shall die first, fighting in the ranks.
Gouroc
But Diane, your daughter—?
Duke
Must take the chances of a soldier’s child.
Gouroc
You forget her peril from this scoundrel, Carrac.—Why not put her safely out of the reach of such a brute?
Duke
How?
Gouroc
There are vessels here by which we can escape to England.
Duke
I fly no further. I owe the King and country service here.
Gouroc
Then let Diane go with me to friends in London. When I’ve found for her safe asylum, I’ll return to do my duty at your side.
Duke
The daughter of a peer of France could hardly go so far without protection worthy of her rank.
Gouroc
That she can secure as a Marquise, and my wife.
[The DUKE turns quickly in surprise.]
I know, dear Duke, that you are richer, nobler than myself, but then the love I bear your daughter, together with the dangers that surround her life and honour here—
Duke
Say no more!—There’s nothing that would ease my mind so much as to see Diane your wife.
Gouroc
Then plead my cause with her.
Duke
I’ll more than plead.—Her perils urge me to command this marriage.
Gouroc
Then do not lose a moment; the attack begins to-night. Before our army strikes, she and I, as man and wife, should sail for England.
Nanette
[Entering.]
Monsieur, your daughter desires a word with you—[Glancing at GOUROC.] alone.
Duke
Say I’ll see her here at once.
[Exit NANETTE.]
I’ll broach this marriage to my child without delay.
Gouroc
[Going.]
I’ll be at hand in case you call me.
[Exit.
Duke
[Alone.]
This alliance secures Diane from peril. The Marquis is young, noble,—has saved her life, and has a claim on it. She must marry while there’s time to get away.
[Enter DIANE.]
Now, dear child, what is it?
Diane
Father, I loathe this useless life of mine! I long for action—danger—anything that stirs the blood, and brings oblivion.
Duke
Oblivion!—Nay, Diane, I have something happier to suggest than that. Time and circumstance commend to you a marriage. We owe our lives to the wisdom of a man who seeks your hand to-day.
Diane
The Marquis?—[After a pause.] I cannot marry, for I do not love him.
Duke
Then ’tis time you did.
Diane
No more, I beg of you.—It is impossible!
Duke
Impossible! When prompted by the wisdom of a father’s love? When your escape from peril and my peace of mind demand it?
Diane
I cannot argue.
Duke
Then at least explain.
Diane
Alas, I dare not.
Duke
You fear mere frankness with your truest friend?
[DIANE sinks into a chair and hides her face. The DUKE looks at her with suspicion.]
By heaven! You hide your face as though to speak implied dishonour.
Diane
No, no! It is not that!
Duke
Then why torture me with this concealment? Have I been cruel, or faithless as a father?
Diane
Never!
Duke
Then I claim a father’s sacred right to confidence. Give me one good reason why you refuse the man to whom we owe our lives?
Diane
I love another.
Duke
[Starting.]
Another!
[After a pause.]
His name—?
Diane
What matter, since we shall never meet again?
Duke
I understand at last!—’Tis Paul Kauvar!
[DIANE bows her head.]
So! The saviour of your father’s life is scorned for his betrayer! No wonder that you blush to own it! This makes my course more clear. The safest cure for this disgraceful love will be your marriage.
Diane
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!
[To the DUKE.]
You have foully wronged the man who bravely met a martyr’s death for you!—have scorned and spurned me from your side, because I was his wife. You have disowned me—I now disown you!
[Turning, she goes swiftly up the steps to the terrace.
La Roche
Where are you going?
Diane
Back to the Sans Culottes!
Duke
Diane!—Daughter!
Diane
No! Not your daughter—but his wife! No longer Diane de Beaumont—but, thank God,—Diane Kauvar!
CURTAIN.