You are right, sir; I should be faithless to my King if I showed you
mercy now.
PRISONER.
Bravo! Mercy to enemies is as base as cruelty to friends.
LA HOGUE.
Damn me! There's no fun in killing such a fool--he seems to like it!
[_Enter_ ORDERLY _with_ GUARDS.
LA ROCHE.
[_To_ ORDERLY.]
Take the prisoner outside and shoot him there at once.
[GUARD _crosses to_ PRISONER.]
Have you any last request?
PRISONER.
But one.--You have shown me the kindness of an honest-hearted man.
War has made us enemies, but, in the presence of the peace of death,
I would like to feel that as Frenchmen we are friends, and ask one
parting grasp from you.
LA ROCHE.
[_Grasps his hand_.]
With all my heart!--May we meet like this above.
LA HOGUE.
[_With emotion_.]
Curse these youngsters, they make me snivel like a fool.
[_He blows his nose furiously.
The_ PRISONER _bows, takes his place in the platoon of_ GUARDS, _who
begin to march off. When they are on the terrace_, LA HOGUE _suddenly
cries out_.
LA HOGUE.
Halt!--
[ORDERLY _about-faces and waits for orders_.]
You have not given us your name.
PRISONER.
I prefer to let it die with me.
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