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 Iintroduced 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. Monsieur Deschappelles, you hear his highness: we can arrange the settlements by proxy;'tis the way with people of quality.
M. Deschap. But--Mme. Deschap. Hold your tongue!--Don't expose yourself!
Beau. I will bring the priest in a trice. Go in all of you and prepare;the carriage shall be at the door before the ceremony is over.
Mme. Deschap. Be sure there are six horses, Beauseant! You are very good to have forgiven us for refusing you; but you see--a prince!
Beau. And such a prince! Madam, I cannot blush at the success of so illustrious a rival.--[Aside.] Now will I follow them to the village, enjoy my triumph, and to-morrow, in the hour of thy shame and grief, I think, proud girl, thou wilt prefer even these arms to those of the gardener's son. (Exit.
Mme. Deschap. Come, Monsieur Deschappelles, give your arm to her highness that is to be.
M. Deschap. I don't like doing business in such a hurry;'tis not the way with the house of Deschappelles & Co.
Mme. Deschap. There, now, you fancy you are in the counting-house, don't you?
[Pushes him to PAULINE.
Mel. Stay, stay, Pauline--one word. Have you no scruple, no fear?
Speak--it is not yet too late.
Pauline. When I loved thee, thy fate became mine. Triumph or danger--joy or sorrow--I am by thy side.
Damas. Well, well, prince, thou art a lucky man to be so loved.
She is a good little girl in spite of her foibles make her as happy as if she were not to be a princess [slapping him on the shoulder]. Come, sir, I wish you joy--young tender--lovely;--zounds, I envy you!
Mel. [who has stood apart in gloomy abstraction]. Do you?*(* On the stage the following lines are added:--"Do you? Wise judges are we of each other.
'Woo, wed, and bear her home! So runs the bond To which I sold myself,--and then--what then?
Away?--I will not look beyond the hour.
Like children in the dark, I dare not face The shades that gather sound me in the distance.
You envy me--I thank you--you may read My joy upon my brow--I thank you, sir!
If hearts had audible language, you would hear What mine would answer when you talk of ENVY!"
