Danger?--What?

THE ATTACHe.

The rogue Tiburtius, whom I hope to pink, Sneaked from the ball and never sent his seconds, So I ran after him, and saw him meet Another rogue, and heard the two conspire To kill you at some rendezvous.

THE DUKE.

The Countess!

THE ATTACHe.

The rendezvous was here, as you had told me.

I came. All's well. I go.

THE DUKE.

The rendezvous Was in the hunting-lodge. They'll kill the Countess!

We must go back!

ALL.

No! No!

A CONSPIRATOR.

Oh, why?

MARMONT.

The Countess--?

PROKESCH.

She can unmask.

THE DUKE.

Alas, you little know her.

She'd die ten times to let me win ten minutes.

Come back!

VOICES.

No!

THE DUKE.

But I cannot--Ah, come back!-- I cannot let them kill her in my absence!

OTRANTO.

Our efforts wasted!

MARMONT.

If we re-conspire They will not let you fly.

ANOTHER CONSPIRATOR.

And France?

ANOTHER.

The Empire?

THE DUKE.

Back!

MARMONT.

Forward!

THE DUKE.

Back!

MARMONT.

You cast away the crown!

THE DUKE.

To leave her were to cast my soul away!

MARMONT.

One sometimes has to sacrifice--

THE DUKE.

A woman?

MARMONT.

Risk--for a woman--all the chance of triumph--!

FLAMBEAU.