Representative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: Paul Kauvar; or, Anarchy | Page 6

be a comfort, often proves a curse.
NANETTE.
I mean, Citizen Potin, that in days of revolution, husbands are easily suppressed.
POTIN.
[Starting.]
Take care! A word against the Revolution is treason and sure death.
NANETTE.
Bah! Better death, than a life of terror like that in France to-day.
POTIN.
[Terrified.]
Good heavens, Nanette! Fewer words than these have guillotined our betters! Can you never hold your tongue?
NANETTE.
Never!--while I have a truth to tell.
POTIN.
Tell the truth! Good Lord, that's fatal.
NANETTE.
Aye, for in these noble days of liberty we are only free to lie.
POTIN.
[Turning away in disgust.]
Damn it! I must run or be ruined.
[_Starts to go, but, in passing window, recoils with a cry of dismay_.]
Sacristie!--See!--See there!
[Points out of window.
NANETTE.
[Contemptuously looking out of window.]
What now?
POTIN.
There goes the Phantom!
NANETTE.
[Starting.]
The dumb girl of the guillotine!
POTIN.
Who glides like a phantom through the streets, without home, friend, or occupation.
NANETTE.
[With horror.]
Except to stand by the scaffold, and count the heads that fall from the guillotine.
POTIN.
They say that calamity overtakes everyone she follows: that it's disaster to stand in her way, and sure death to notice her.
NANETTE.
Aye, even those who think themselves too great to believe in God, have faith in the fatal power of this pale child. My God! look there!
POTIN.
Good Lord!--It's Mademoiselle Diane! She's crossing the street in front of the Phantom.
NANETTE.
Aye!--Go.--Hurry Mademoiselle here, before she has a chance to heed this messenger of misery.
POTIN.
[Going hurriedly.]
Goddess of Reason, save us all!
[Exit.
NANETTE.
Goddess of Reason!--A fine deity for days as mad as these:
[Crossing to mantel and looking at KAUVAR'S picture.]
Ah, Citizen Kauvar!--Patriot!--Revolutionist!--Bold son of Liberty, as you are!--You'd love this age of terror less if it brought death to Mademoiselle Diane.--Yes, I've watched ye, sturdy citizen, and in spite of your stern devotion to the Republic, I suspect you carry another idol in your heart.
DIANE
[_Outside, laughing_.]
All right, Citizen,--I'll not forget; though the poor crazed girl is not half as harmful as her saner neighbours.
NANETTE.
Ah! Here she comes--Diane Leblanc,--a ray of sunlight in this prison men call Paris.
DIANE.
[Entering with flowers.]
Ah, Nanette! Quick! Water and a vase. See!
NANETTE.
What--flowers?
[Brings vase.
DIANE.
Yes, they bloom even in this reign of terror.
[Putting flowers in vase.]
But you see these fragile beauties are sinless, and therefore know no fear.--Is my father in his room?
NANETTE.
No. He went away an hour ago.
DIANE.
Gone an hour, and not returned? That makes me anxious!--Is Citizen Kauvar at home?
NANETTE.
Not yet! He's been away all night.
DIANE.
Good heavens!--Nanette--can anything have happened?
NANETTE.
Yes, what happens every day. Innocence is slaughtered!
DIANE.
But he--Citizen Kauvar--?
NANETTE.
Has doubtless fought all night to stop the useless flow of noble blood.
DIANE.
Yes, he is brave, merciful.
NANETTE.
Ah! He was one of the fiercest champions of Freedom when the people first arose; but now I think he'd give his life to still the tempest he did so much to rouse.
DIANE.
He will return sad and worn; we must do our best to cheer him when he comes.
NANETTE.
One look--one smile of yours will banish every thought of sorrow from his tired brain.
DIANE.
Hush, Nanette;--you must not talk like that.
A VOICE.
[Outside.]
Nanette!--Diane!
NANETTE.
[Startled.]
What's that?
DIANE.
[Frightened.]
My father!
DUKE.
[Entering wildly.]
My child! Diane!--Where is she?
DIANE.
[Rushing to him.]
Here!--Safe in your dear arms!
DUKE.
[Embracing her.]
Thank God!
[Turning to NANETTE.]
My good Nanette, leave us alone awhile.
NANETTE.
[Going.]
All right, Citizen.
DUKE.
And warn us when anyone is coming.
NANETTE.
[At the door.]
Don't fear! I'll stand good guard.
[Exit.
DIANE.
Father, why are you so moved?
DUKE.
But now, the mob seized some poor young girl they found without protection in the street. I heard of this and fearing for your life, I hurried here in awful agony of mind. Ah! Diane, this dread of peril to you is worse than the worst of deaths to me.
DIANE.
Take heart, dear father! Does not Paul Kauvar, strong and true, stand between us and danger!
DUKE.
Yes; but 'tis hard that I, a peer of France, should owe my daughter's life to a peasant's son--a workman!
DIANE.
A, workman with a brush so potent that the noblest born do honour to his art. What would have been our fate but for his devotion?
DUKE.
He's a plebeian--a Republican! The sense of my obligation to him--the enemy of my race--is almost unendurable. Ah, but for you I should long since have braved the scaffold and buried humiliation in the grave.
NANETTE.
[Hurrying in.]
Take care!--A committee from the Section is on its way upstairs.
DIANE.
[In fear.]
A committee coming here? How strange!
NANETTE.
No, not strange! Treachery is at every door. They are coming. Quick!--To your work!
[The DUKE sits at the desk and pretends to write. DIANE sits at table and takes up sewing. NANETTE _dusts. Knock is heard outside_. NANETTE answers roughly.]
Come in!
Enter GOUROC, POTIN, GOUJON and two SANS CULOTTES.
GOUROC.
Health and fraternity, Citizens! We come for Paul Kauvar, President of our Section.
NANETTE.
[Gruffly.]
He's not at home.
GOUROC.
Ah, indeed!
[Sitting.]
Then we will await him here.
[All sit in silence.
NANETTE.
[_Aside, in irritation_.]
Oh, the impudence of these men! How my nails ache to get at their ugly faces! [Crossing.]
How often have I told you that this apartment is not a public office?
POTIN.
But, my precious angel--
NANETTE.
Bah! Religion is abolished, and angels are suppressed! I wish friends were too!
POTIN.
[Laughing.]
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