--I, shrieking, fighting vainly at his side--amidst
their mocking laughs and jeers. Ah! I can hear them now--yes, and
high above their hideous jests, rings out a clarion voice--'tis
yours--silencing this crowd of curs!--With what sublime audacity you
claim my father as your cousin, saving him and me, by the coolness of
your courage!--Paul, from that hour you were more than man to me; you
were a God, a hero, my father's Saviour!
PAUL.
[_Rising_.]
Better than all that now--your lover--guardian--husband.
[_Embraces her, then staggers_.
DIANE.
Paul--what is it?
PAUL.
Nothing,--fatigue from last night's bitter work.
[DIANE _brings wine and offers it. He puts it away_.]
No--one kiss from you will give me more strength than all the wine in
France.
[_She kisses him_.
DIANE.
Heaven knows you need more than human strength.
PAUL.
Aye, Titan strength, to stem the tide of madness that overflows the
mind of France! Ah, Diane! if it were not for your dear love, I fear
my mind would falter at the task before me.
DIANE.
Oh, Paul! Why undertake this task?--Why not fly to peace in other
lands?
PAUL.
Fly!--Desert France in the hour of her agony?--In the awful travail
which gives birth to a new and nobler era for mankind?--No, no! I love
you more than life, but my Country--ah, that is mother, sister, wife,
and child!
DIANE
But Paul--
PAUL.
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