roaches MELNOTTE] He has a stern air--he turns away from
me--he despises me!--Sir one word I beseech you.

Mel. Her voice again! How the old time comes o'er me!

Damas [to Madame.] Don't interrupt them.--He is going to tell her what a
rascal young Melnotte is; he knows him well, I promise you.

Mme. Deschap. So considerate in you, cousin Damas!

[DAMAS approaches DESCHAPPELLES; converses apart with hint in dumb
show--DESCHAPPELLES shows him a paper, which he inspects and takes.

Pauline. Thrice have I sought to speak; my courage fails me.--
Sir, is it true that you have known--nay, are
The friend of--Melnotte.

Mel. Lady, yes!--
Myself And misery know the man!

Pauline. And you will see him,
And you will bear to him--ay--word for word,
All that this heart, which breaks in parting from him,
Would send, ere still for ever?

Mel. He hath told me
You have the right to choose from out the world
A worthier bridegroom;--he forgoes all claim,
Even to murmur at his doom. Speak on!

Pauline. Tell him, for years I never nursed a thought
That was not his;--that on his wandering way,
Daily and nightly, pour'd a mourner's prayers.
Tell him ev'n now that I would rather share
His lowliest lot,--walk by his side, an outcast--
Work for him, beg with him,--live upon the light
Of one kind smile from him,--than wear the crown
The Bourbon lost!

Mel. [aside.] Am I already mad?
And does delirium utter such sweet words
Into a dreamer's ear? [Aloud]. You love him thus,
And yet desert him?

Pauline. Say, that, if his eye--
Could read this heart,--its struggles, its temptations,--
His love itself would pardon that desertion!
Look on that poor old man,--he is my father;
He stands upon the verge of an abyss!--
He calls his child to save him! Shall I shrink
From him who gave me birth?--withhold my hand,
And see a parent perish? Tell him this,
And say--that we shall meet again in Heaven!

Mel. Lady--I--I--what is this riddle?--what
The nature of this sacrifice?

Pauline [pointing to DAMAS]. Go, ask him!

Beau. [from the table]. The papers are prepared--we only need
Your hand and seal.

Mel. Stay, lady--one word more.
Were but your duty with your faith united,
Would you still share the low-born peasant's lot?

P