]
Read, and remember, whatever be my fate, you are on parole.
[_He rushes off with_ LA HOGUE.
_The crash of firearms increases_.
PAUL.
[_Reading_.]
"Dear Henri:--The town is burning, my daughter in peril. I see
Diane embarked for England, and join you on the field.--Duc de
Beaumont."--Gone!--No! I will find her, and fly with her myself.
[_Noise of battle outside_.--PAUL _is about to go, but stops_.]
No, no! My God!--She's lost to me again! I cannot go to seek her, for
I'm a prisoner on parole!
[_He falls prostrate on the stairs_.
CURTAIN.
ACT V.
SCENE. _Same as Act IV--one hour later. Noise of battle in
distance_.--PAUL _discovered looking on and listening in
excitement.--Noise increases and sounds nearer_.
PAUL.
[_Triumphantly_.]
Ah!--The enemy weakens!--gives way!--falls back!--The Royalists
fly!--The Republic wins!--Progress triumphs!
[_The noise of battle grows louder, but the cries of triumph from
Republicans decrease, then die away_.--PAUL _checks his joy and speaks
in changed tones_.]
And I--I have no part in this glorious play--because I'm on parole.
[_Walking up and down excitedly_.]
What torture!--to be here; with heart aflame, and limbs all free;
to see the fight, and yet be bound to idleness by an oath, as much a
prisoner as though in fetters at the bottom of a cell!
[_Changing his whole manner_.
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