we, the hewers of wood and drawers of water--had been swept away,
so that the proud might learn what the world would be without us!
[Knock at the door.

Enter Servant from the Inn.

Servant. A letter for Citizen Melnotte.

Mel. A letter! from her perhaps--who sent thee?

Servant. Why, Monsieur--I mean Citizen--Beauseant, who stops to dine
at the Golden Lion, on his way to his chateau.

Mel. Beauseant!--[Reads].

"Young man, I know thy secret--thou lovest above thy station:
if thou hast wit, courage, and discretion, I can secure to thee
the realization of thy most sanguine hopes; and the sole condition I
ask in return is, that thou shalt be steadfast to thine own ends.
I shall demand from thee a solemn oath to marry. her whom thou lovest;
to bear her to thine home on thy wedding night. I am serious--
if thou wouldst learn more, lose not a moment, but follow the bearer
of this letter to thy friend and patron,--CHARLES BEAUSEANT."

Mel. Can I believe my eyes? Are our own passions the sorcerers
that raise up for us spirits of good or evil? I will go instantly.

Widow. What is this, Claude?

Mel. "Marry her whom thou lovest"--"bear her to thine own home."--