may be all generals. We have no
fear of the cypress, because we may all hope for the laurel.

Mel. A general at two-and-twenty! [turning away]--Sir, I may ask you a
favor one of these days.

Damas. Sir, I shall be proud to grant it. It is astonishing how much I
like a man after I've fought with him. [Hides the swords.

Enter MADAME DESCHAPPELLES and BEAUSEANT.

Mme. Deschap. Oh, prince,--prince!--What do I hear? You must fly--you
must quit us!

Mel. I!

Beau. Yes, prince: read this letter, just received from my friend at
Paris, one of the Directory; they suspect you of designs against the
Republic: they are very suspicious of princes, and your family take part
with the Austrians. Knowing that I introduced your highness at Lyons, my
friend writes to me to say that you must quit the town immediately, or
you will be arrested,--thrown into prison, perhaps guillotined! Fly!--I
will order horses to your carriage instantly. Fly to Marsailles; there
you can take ship to Leghorn.

Mme. Deschap. And what's to become of Pauline? Am I not to be mother to
a princess, after all?

Enter PAULINE and MONSIEUR DESCHAPPELLES.

Pauline [throwing herself into MELNOTTE's arms.] You must leave
us!--Leave Pauline!

Beau. Not a moment is to be wasted.

M. Deschap. I will go to the magistrates and inquire--

Beau. Then he is lost; the magistrates, hearing he is suspected, will
order his arrest.

Mme. Deschap. And I shall not be a princess-dowager!

Beau. Why not? There is only one thing to be done:--send for the
priest--let the marriage take place at once, and the prince carry home
a bride?

Mel. Impossible!--[Aside.] Villain.

Mme. Deschap. What, lose my child?

Beau. And gain a princess!

Mme Deschap. Oh, Monsieur Beauseant, you are so very kind, it must be
so,--we ought not to be selfish, my daughter's happiness at stake. She
will go away, too, in a carriage and six!

Pauline. Thou art here still,--I cannot part from my heart will break.

Mel. But thou wilt not consent to this hasty union?--thou wilt not wed
an outcast--a fugitive?

Pauline. Ah! if thou art in danger, who should share it but Pauline?

Mel. [aside]. Distraction!--If the earth could swallow me!

M. Deschap. Gently! gently! The settlements--the contracts--my
daughter's dowry!

Mel. The dowry!--I am not base enough for that; no, not one farthing!

Beau. [to MADAM]. Noble fellow!--Really your good husband is too
mercantile in these matters. Monsie