By the gods, it is!—The Citizen Kauvar!
GOUJON.
Then La Rochejacquelein has got away?
CARRAC.
[Rising, to PAUL.]
If you are a soldier of the Republic, how is it we find you in the coat of a brigand?
PAUL.
That's my affair, not yours.
CARRAC.
What! You refuse to answer? [Coming close to PAUL.] Do you know who
I am?
PAUL.
[With quiet, increasing intensity, before which CARRAC is utterly cowed.]
Yes,—Carrac—an anarchist—a fiend—in the name of liberty invoking the tyranny of terror! An assassin—shouting fraternity and committing fratricide! A libertine—claiming equality with the good, while ravishing the pure! A monster—part vulture, part toad—who, in the holy name of progress, makes our Country and our Cause revolting to the world!
BOURDOTTE.
Ha! See! Carrac recoils! He's found his match at last!—
[MOB laugh and jeer.
SCARLOTTE.
[Appearing.]
Room there!—Room for General Kleber.
MOB.
[Falling back on both sides.]
Kleber!—Kleber!—Long live Kleber!
KLEBER.
[Entering with three OFFICERS.]
I am told there is mutiny—treason here. Who and where are the accused?
CARRAC.
[Pointing at PAUL.]
There stands the worst of them!
KLEBER.
[Astounded]
Captain Kauvar!—Of what is he accused?
CARRAC.
Treachery to France! He has worn the colours of the Royal Cause.
GOUJON.
We arrested him as Rochejacquelein.
CARRAC.
Whom he has aided to escape.
KLEBER.
A terrible charge! The punishment is instant death.—Captain Kauvar, what have you to say?
PAUL.
But little.—I led last night the band of men who mined the Faubourg and cleared the road for our army to advance.
KLEBER.
A desperate undertaking, crowned with great success!—We gave you all up as dead.
PAUL.
We should have been, but for the clemency of Rochejacquelein. He spared my men, and put me on parole. He could have shot us all, but by letting him escape I saved the band of patriots to whom our army owes its victory to-day.
[All cheer.
KLEBER.
Captain Kauvar, you did right!
[The MOB cheer.
CARRAC.
Citizens, the watchword sent from Robespierre to Vendée was this:
"Death without mercy to the Aristocrats."
[Pointing at the DUKE.]
Here is one, at least; I claim him for the guillotine.
MOB.
Aye—to the guillotine! To the guillotine!
KLEBER.
[As the MOB rush on the DUKE.]
Halt!
[The MOB fall back.]
Citizens, I bring you glorious news! These despatches have just reached me on the field. They come from the National Convention at the Capitol of France. Listen!
[Reads.]
"The tyrant Robespierre has been guillotined. The reign of terror is at an end. Proclaim amnesty, mercy, and fraternity to all Frenchmen in Vendée."
[All cheer.
CARRAC.
Robespierre dead! What will the people do without the guillotine?
PAUL.
Drive anarchists and Carracs out of France!
BOURDOTTE.
Aye! Away with him! Away with him!
[Rushing on CARRAC, the MOB nearly tear him to pieces as they bear him away.
SCARLOTTE.
[Fighting the MOB.]
Ingrates—traitors—dogs—ye shall not harm him—back! back! back!
[Exit, facing the MOB, and trying to save CARRAC.
JEAN.
[Bounding in from panel, speaks to PAUL.]
You see I have returned!
DUKE.
And the General?
JEAN.
Has escaped to England, [Pointing to PAUL.] thanks to him.
KLEBER.
[Taking a cross from his own breast, and advancing to PAUL.]
Captain Kauvar, you risked almost certain death to purchase victory for France. In the name of the Republic, I decorate you for heroic courage on the field!
[He places the cross on PAUL'S breast. All cheer.
DUKE.
[Extending his hand to PAUL.]
My son!—
[PAUL clasps it.
DIANE.
At last, thank God, dear France is free of tyrants.
PAUL.
Liberty is wed to Justice, and Anarchy is ended!
CURTAIN.
End of the Play.