ACT V.

SCENE I

(Two years and a half from the date of Act IV.)

The Streets of Lyons.

Enter First, Second, and Third Officer.

FIRST OFFICER.

Well, here we are at Lyons, with gallant old Damas it is his native place.

SECOND OFFICER.

Yes; he has gained a step in the army since he was here last.

The Lyonnese ought to be very

proud of stout General Damas.

THIRD OFFICER.

Promotion is quick in the French army. This mysterious Morier, the hero of Lodi, and the fa

vourite of the Commander-in-Chief,-has risen to a colonel's rank in two years and a half.

Enter Damas, as a General.

DAMAS.

Good morrow, gentlemen; I hope you will amuse yourselves during our short stay at Lyons. It is a fine city; improved since I left it. Ah! it is a pleasure to grow old,-when the years that bring decay to ourselves do but ripen the prosperity of our country. You have not met with Morier?

FIRST OFFICER.

No we were just speaking of him.

SECOND OFFICER.

Pray, General, can you tell us who this Morier really is?

DAMAS.

Is!-why a Colonel in the French army.

SECOND OFFICER (to Third).

The General is sore upon this point; you will only chafe him. Any commands, General?

DAMAS.

None.-Good day to you!

[Exeunt Second and Third Officers.

DAMAS.

Our comrades are very inquisitive. Poor Morier is the subject of a vast deal of curiosity.

FIRST OFFICER.

Say interest, rather, General. His constant melancholy, the loneliness of his habits, his daring valour, his brilliant rise in the profession,-your friendship, and the favours of the Commander-inChief,-all tend to make him as much the matter of gossip as of admiration. But where is he, General? I have missed him all the morning.

DAMAS.

Why, Captain, I'll let you into a secret. My young friend has come with me to Lyons in hopes of finding a miracle.

FIRST OFFICER.

A miracle!

DAMAS.

Yes, a miracle! In other words,-a constant

woman.

FIRST OFFICER.

Oh!—an affair of love!

DAMAS.

Exactly so. No sooner did he enter Lyons than he waved his hand to me, threw himself from his horse, and is now, I warrant, asking every one, who can know anything about the matter, whether a certain lady is still true to a certain gentleman!

FIRST OFFICER.

Success to him!-and of that success there can be no doubt. The gallant Colonel Morier, the hero of Lodi, might make his choice out of the proudest families in France.

DAMAS.

Oh, if pride be a recommendation, the lady and her mother are most handsomely endowed. By the way, Captain, if you should chance to meet with Morier, tell him he will find me at the hotel.

FIRST OFFICER.

I will, General.

DAMAS.

[Exit.

Now will I go to the Deschappelles, and make a report to my young Colonel. Ha! by Mars,

Bacchus, Apollo, Virorum,-here comes Monsieur Beauseant!

Enter Beauseant.

Good morrow, Monsieur Beauseant! How fares

it with you?

BEAUSEANT (aside).

Damas! that is unfortunate;-if the Italian campaign should have filled his pockets, he may seek to baffle me in the moment of my victory. (Aloud) Your servant, General,-for such, I think, is your new distinction! Just arrived in Lyons?

DAMAS.

Not an hour ago. Well, how go on the Deschappelles'? Have they forgiven you in that affair of young Melnotte? You had some hand in that notable device,-eh?

BEAUSEANT,

Why, less than you think for! The fellow imposed upon me. I have set it all right now. What has become of him? He could not have joined the army, after all. There is no such name in the books.

DAMAS.

I know nothing about Melnotte.

As you say, I

never heard the name in the Grand Army.