embrace
Never, ah never more, shall this dear head
Be pillow'd on the heart that should have shelter'd
And has betray'd!--Soft--soft! one kiss--poor wretch!
No scorn on that pale lip forbids me now!
One kiss--so ends all record of my crime!
It is the seal upon the tomb of hope,
By which, like some lost, sorrowing angel, sits
Sad memory evermore; she breathes--she moves
She wakes to scorn, to hate, but not to shudder
Beneath the touch of my abhorred love.
Places her on a seat. There--we are strangers now!

Pauline. All gone--all calm
Is every thing a dream? thou art safe, unhurt
I do not love thee;--but--but I am woman,
And--and--no blood is spilt?

Mel. No, lady, no; My guilt hath not deserved so rich a blessing As even
danger in thy cause.

Enter WIDOW.

Widow. My son, I have been everywhere in search of you; why did you send
for me?

Mel. I did not send for you.

Widow. No! but I must tell you your express has returned.

Mel. So soon! impossible!

Widow. Yes, he met the lady's father and mother on the road; they were
going into the country on a visit. Your messenger says that Monsieur
Deschappelles turned almost white with anger when he read your letter.
They will be here almost immediately. Oh, Claude, Claude! what will they
do to you? How I tremble! Ah, madam! do not let them injure him--if you
knew how he doated on you.

Pauline. Injure him! no, ma'am, be not afraid;--my father! how shall
I meet him? how go back to Lyons? the scoff of the whole city!
Cruel, cruel, Claude [in great agitation]. Sir, you have acted most
treacherously.

Mel. I know it, madam.

Pauline [aside.] If he would but ask me to forgive him!--I never can
forgive you, sir.

Mel. I never dared to hope it.

Pauline. But you are my husband now, and I have sworn to--to love you,
sir.

Mel. That was under a false belief, madam; Heaven and the laws will
release you from your vow.

Pauline. He will drive me mad! if he were but less proud--if he
would but ask me to remain--hark, hark--I hear the wheels of the
carriage--Sir--Claude, they are coming; have you no word to say ere it
is loo late? Quick speak.

Mel. I can only congratulate you on your release. Behold your parents

Enter MONSIEUR and MADAME DESCHAPPELLES and COLONEL DAMAS.

M. Deschap. My child! my child!

Mme. Deschap. Oh, my poor Pauline!--what a villanous hovel this is! Old
woman, get m