n Colonel.

CARRAC.

We are the people and supreme!--We represent the civil power of the
State, that rules the soldier.

MOB.

Aye!--Aye!

POTIN.

[_To the_ SOLDIERS.]

Make ready!--Aim!

[SOLDIERS _aim_;--_the_ MOB _fall back_.]

You're ten to one.--Come on, you civil rulers, and take him if you
can.

CARRAC.

This is treason!

SCARLOTTE.

Aye--treason!--Treason!

[_The_ MOB _groan_.

POTIN.

Soldiers have no rulers but their officers!

CARRAC.

Someone go for General Kleber. Bid him come at once--to quell this
mutiny.

SCARLOTTE.

I will bring him.

[_Crosses_.]

Death to all who dare to balk the people's will!

[_Exit_.

BOURDOTTE.

Meantime, Citizen Carrac, we have some prisoners here at hand that we
can dispatch at once.

CARRAC.

How many?

BOURDOTTE.

Five.--Two men, and three women--perfect beauties!

CARRAC.

Bravo! Their beauty and their lives are ours!

[_Cheers from_ MOB.]

Bring them in!

[_Exeunt eight_ SANS CULOTTES.]

Citizens, we've won to-day a glorious victory.

POTIN.

There he goes boasting, when he never struck a blow.

CARRAC.

Let's complete our triumph--prove our power--

MOB.

Bravo!--Bravo!

CARRAC.

You are the people!--You are France!--Let the Nation voice her will
through you.--What shall we do with our prisoners?

BOURDOTTE.

Kill them.

MOB.

Aye--kill them--kill them!

BOURDOTTE.

Drown the men like puppies, and put the women to public shame!

MOB.

Aye! Aye!

CARRAC.

The voice of the people is the voice of God.--Have your will--it is
God's command!

_Enter_ CITIZENS, _dragging the_ DUKE, GOUROC, DIANE, NANETTE, _and_
ALINE, _a young girl_.

_The_ MOB _groan and laugh mockingly.

The young girl is dragged forward--two_ SANS CULOTTES _contending for
her_.

FIRST SANS CULOTTE.

She's mine!

SECOND SANS CULOTTE.

You lie!--I caught her first!

ALINE.

Mercy!--Kill me if you will,--but spare me this!

CARRAC.

[_Laughing_.]

Citizens,--behold your victims!

[MOB _rush forward with ferocious yells_.

DUKE.

[_Interposing_.]

No, no!--Let my grey hairs suffice!

[_The_ MOB _pause_.

PAUL.

[_Starting up, speaks aside_.]

My God!--That voice!

[_During what follows_, PAUL--_screened from the_ MOB'S _view by his
soldier_ GUARDS--_expresses in pantomime his conflicting emotions_.

CARRAC.

[_To the_ DUKE.]

Who are y