ching and waving aside Madame]. Ah, Pauline! let me hope
that you are reconciled to an event which confers such rapture upon me.

Pauline. I am reconciled to my doom.

Beau. Doom is a harsh word, sweet lady.

Pauline [aside.] This man must have some mercy--his heart cannot be
marble. [Aloud.] Oh, sir, be just--be generous! Seize a noble triumph--a
great revenge! Save the father, and spare the child.

Beau. [aside.] joy--joy alike to my hatred and my passion! The haughty
Pauline is at last my suppliant. [Aloud.] You ask from me what I
have not the sublime virtue to grant--a virtue reserved only for
the gardener's son! I cannot forego my hopes in the moment of their
fulfilment! I adhere to the contract--your father's ruin or your hand.

Pauline. Then all is over. Sir, I have decided.

[The clock strikes one.

Enter DAMAS and MELNOTTE.

Damas. Your servant, cousin Deschappelles. Let me introduce Colonel
Morier.

Mme. Deschap. [curtsying very low]. What, the celebrated hero? This is,
indeed, an honor! [MELNOTTE bows, and remains in the background.

Damas [to Pauline]. My little cousin, I congratulate you. What, no
smile--no blush? You are going to be divorced from poor Melnotte, and
marry this rich gentleman. You ought to be excessively happy!

Pauline. Happy!

Damas. Why, how pale you are, child!--Poor Pauline! Hist--confide in me!
Do they force you to this?

Pauline. No!

Damas. You act with your own free consent?

Pauline. My own consent--yes.

Damas. Then you are the most--I will not say what you are.

Pauline. You think ill of me--be it so--yet if you knew all--

Damas. There is some mystery--speak out, Pauline.

Pauline [suddenly]. Oh, perhaps you can save me! you are our
relation--our friend. My father is on the verge of bankruptcy--this day
he requires a large sum to meet demands that cannot be denied; that sum
Beauseant will advance--this hand the condition of the barter. Save me
if you have the means--save me! You will be repaid above!

Damas. aside. I recant--Women are not so bad after all! [Aloud.] Humph,
child! I cannot help you--I am too poor.

Pauline. The last plank to which I clung is shivered.

Damas. Hold--you see my friend Morier: Melnotte is his most intimate
friend--fought in the same fields--slept in the same tent. Have you any
message to send to Melnotte? any word to soften this blow?

Pauline. He knows Melnotte--he will see him--he will bear to him my last
farewell--[app