PAULINE.

When I loved thee, thy fate became mine. Triumph or danger joy or sorrow I am by thy side.

DAMAS.

Well, well, Prince, thou art a lucky man to be so loyed. She is a good little girl in spite of her foibles make her as happy as if she were not to be a princess (slapping him on the shoulder). Come, Sir, I wish you

MELNOTTE (who has stood apart in gloomy abstraction).

DO YOU?*

On the stage the following lines are added:
"Do you? Wise judges are we of each other.

66 'Woo, wed, and bear her home!" So runs the bond
To which I sold myself and then - what then?

Away!
Like children in the dark, I dare not face

- I will not look beyond the Hour.

The shades that gather round me in the distance.
You envy me- I thank you

you may read

My joy upon my brow - I thank you, Sir!

If hearts had audible language, you would hear
How mine would answer when you talk of envy!

END OF ACT II.

(Enter Landlord and his Daughter from the Inn).

Ha ha

LANDLORD.

ha! Well, I never shall get over it. Our

Claude is a prince with a vengeance now. His carriage

And what airs the young lady gives herself! "Is this the best room you have, young woman?" with such a toss of the head!

LANDLORD.

Well, get in, Janet; get in and see to the supper: the servants must sup before they go back.

[Exeunt Landlord and Janet.

(Enter Beauseant and Glavis.)

BEAUSEANT.

You see our Princess is lodged at last

one stage

more, and she'll be at her journey's end the beautiful

palace at the foot of the Alps! ha ha!

GLAVIS.

Faith, I pity the poor Pauline

especially if she's

going to sup at the Golden Lion (makes a wry face). I shall never forget that cursed ragout.

(Enter Melnotte from the Inn).

BEAUSEANT.

Your servant, my Prince; you reigned most worthily. I condole with you on your abdication. I am afraid that your Highness's retinue are not very faithful servants. I think they will quit you in the moment of your fall 'tis the fate of greatness. But you are welcome to your fine clothes also the diamond snuff-box, which Louis XIV.

gave to your great-great-grandmother.

GLAVIS.

And the ring, with which your grandfather the Doge of Venice married the Adriatic.

MELNOTTE.

I have kept my oath, gentlemen, say

have I kept

my oath?

Look you, our bond is over. Proud conquerors that we are, we have won the victory over a simple girl compromised her honour embittered her life

blasted,

in their very blossoms, all the flowers of her youth. This is your triumph, it is my shame! (Turns to BEAUSEANT.) Enjoy that triumph, but not in my sight. I was her be

trayer

I am her protector! Cross but her path

word of scorn, one look of insult

1

nay, but one quiver

of that mocking lip, and I will teach thee that bitter

word thou hast graved eternally in this heart

Repen

me a new being. Away with you! There is danger in me.

Away!

GLAVIS (aside).

He's an awkward fellow to deal with: come away, Beauseant.

BEAUSEANT.

I know the respect due to rank. Adieu, my Prince. Any commands at Lyons? Yet hold

I promised you 200 louis on your wedding-day; here they are.

MELNOTTE (dashing the purse to the ground).

I gave you revenge, I did not sell it. Take up your silver, Judas; take it.

Ay, it is fit you should learn to

stoop.

BEAUSEANT.

You will beg my pardon for this some day. (Aside to GLAVIS.) Come to my chateau - I shall return hither to-morrow, to learn how Pauline likes her new dignity.

MELNOTTE.

Are you not gone yet?

BEAUSEANT.

Your Highness's most obedient, most faithful

GLAVIS.

And most humble servants. Ha! ha!

[Exeunt Beauseant and Glavis.