Widow. Nay, if she will but hear thee talk, Claude?

Mel. I foresee it all. She will tell me that desert is the true rank.
She will give me a badge--a flower--a glove! Oh rapture!
I shall join the armies of the republic--I shall rise--
I shall win a name that beauty will not blush to hear.
I shall return with the right to say to her--"See, how love does
not level the proud, but raise the--humble!" Oh, how my heart
swells within me!--Oh, what glorious prophets of the future are
youth and hope!

[Knock at the door.]

Widow. Come in.

Enter GASPAR.

Mel. Welcome, Gaspar, welcome. Where is the letter?
Why do you turn away, man? where is the letter? [GASPAR gives
him one.] This! This is mine, the one I intrusted to thee.
Didst thou not leave it?

Gaspar. Yes, I left it.

Mel. My own verses returned to me. Nothing else!

Gaspar. Thou wilt be proud to hear how thy messenger was honored.
For thy sake, Melnotte, I have borne that which no Frenchman can
bear without disgrace.