-can anything have happened?

NANETTE.

Yes, what happens every day. Innocence is slaughtered!

DIANE.

But he--Citizen Kauvar--?

NANETTE.

Has doubtless fought all night to stop the useless flow of noble
blood.

DIANE.

Yes, he is brave, merciful.

NANETTE.

Ah! He was one of the fiercest champions of Freedom when the people
first arose; but now I think he'd give his life to still the tempest
he did so much to rouse.

DIANE.

He will return sad and worn; we must do our best to cheer him when he
comes.

NANETTE.

One look--one smile of yours will banish every thought of sorrow from
his tired brain.

DIANE.

Hush, Nanette;--you must not talk like that.

A VOICE.

[_Outside_.]

Nanette!--Diane!

NANETTE.

[_Startled_.]

What's that?

DIANE.

[_Frightened_.]

My father!

DUKE.

[_Entering wildly_.]

My child! Diane!--Where is she?

DIANE.

[_Rushing to him_.]

Here!--Safe in your dear arms!

DUKE.

[_Embracing her_.]

Thank God!

[_Turning to NANETTE_.]

My good Nanette, leave us alone awhile.

NANETTE.

[_Going_.]

All right, Citizen.

DUKE.

And warn us when anyone is coming.

NANETTE.

[_At the door_.]

Don't fear! I'll stand good guard.

[_Exit_.

DIANE.

Father, why are you so moved?

DUKE.

But now, the mob seized some poor young girl they found without
protection in the street. I heard of this and fearing for your life, I
hurried here in awful agony of mind. Ah! Diane, this dread of peril to
you is worse than the worst of deaths to me.

DIANE.

Take heart, dear father! Does not Paul Kauvar, strong and true, stand
between us and danger!

DUKE.

Yes; but 'tis hard that I, a peer of France, should owe my daughter's
life to a peasant's son--a workman!

DIANE.

A, workman with a brush so potent that the noblest born do honour to
his art. What would have been our fate but for his devotion?

DUKE.

He's a plebeian--a Republican! The sense of my obligation to him--the
enemy of my race--is almost unendurable. Ah, but for you I should long
since have braved the scaffold and buried humiliation in the grave.

NANETTE.

[_Hurrying in_.]

Take care!--A committee from the Section is on its way upstairs.

DIANE.

[_In fear_.]

A committee coming here? How strange!

NANETTE.

No, not strange! Treachery is at every door. They are coming.
Quick!--To your work!

[_The_ DUKE