s for him?

Pauline. [going back to her father]. Oh no--but you will forgive him
too; we will live together--he shall be your son.

M. Deschap. Never! Cling to him and forsake your parents! His home shall
be yours--his fortune yours--his fate yours: the wealth I have acquired
by honest industry shall never enrich the dishonest man.

Pauline. And you would have a wife enjoy luxury while a husband toils!
Claude, take me; thou canst not give me wealth, titles, station--but
thou canst give me a true heart I will work for thee, tend thee, bear
with thee, and never, never shall these lips reproach thee for the past.

Damas. I'll be hanged if I am not going to blubber!

Mel. This is the heaviest blow of all!--What a heart I have wronged!--
Do not fear me, sir; I am not all hardened--I will not rob her of a
holier love than mine. Pauline!--angel of love and mercy!--your memory
shall lead me back to virtue!--The husband of a being so beautiful in
her noble and sublime tenderness may be poor--may be low born;--(there
is no guilt in the decrees of providence!)--but he should be one who
can look thee in the face without a blush,--to whom thy love does not
bring remorse,--who can fold thee to his heart, and say,--"Here there is
no deceit!" I am not that man!

Damas. [aside to MELNOTTE]. Thou art a noble fellow, notwithstanding;
and wouldst make an excellent soldier. Serve in my regiment. I have had
a letter from the Directory--our young general takes the command of the
army in Italy,--I am to join him at Marseilles, I will depart this day,
if thou wilt go with me.

Mel. It is the favor I would have asked thee, if I dared. Place me
wherever a foe is most dreaded,--wherever France most needs a life!

Damas. There shall not be a forlorn hope without thee!

Mel. There is my hand!--mother, your blessing. I shall see you again,--a
better man than a prince,--a man who has bought the right to high
thoughts by brave deeds. And thou!--thou! so wildly worshipped, so
guiltily betrayed, all is not yet lost!--for thy memory, at least,
must be mine till death! If I live, the name of him thou hast once loved
shall not rest dishonored;--if I fall, amidst the carnage and the roar
of battle, my soul will fly back to thee, and love shall share with
death my last sigh!--More--more would I speak to thee!--to pray!--to
bless! But no; When I am less unworthy I will utter it to Heaven!--I
cannot trust myself to [turning to DESCHAPPELLES] Your pardo