GOUROC.
Reserve your contempt till you understand the meaning of my presence
here. I come to warn you against your host.
DIANE.
[_Haughtily_.]
How, sir! You suspect the loyalty of Monsieur Kauvar?
GOUROC.
What if he has trapped you here only to betray you?
DIANE.
That's impossible, sir! Monsieur Kauvar is the soul of honour and
devotion.
DUKE.
Besides, his head is surety for ours. The discovery that he had
sheltered us would entail his own death.
GOUROC.
Precisely! And what if the sense of that danger had prompted a
denunciation, while there still was some merit in it?
[_The_ DUKE _starts_. DIANE _turns aside with scorn_.]
One thing is certain: an anonymous denunciation of you, describing
your disguise and your retreat, has been made to our club.
DIANE.
[_Clasping her father_.]
What!--Discovered and denounced?
GOUROC.
As Public Accuser, the denunciation fell first into my hands. I have
risked my life by withholding it from the Tribunal until your safety
is assured.
DUKE.
[_Giving_ GOUROC _his hand_.]
Pardon, Marquis, that I did not realize before the motives of your
course.
GOUROC.
Grant me, then, the privilege of saving you.
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