ELOISE [_grandly_]. Do I seem so useless?
VALSIN [_in a distracted voice_]. Heaven help me! What do you want?
ELOISE. Let these people go. [_Hurriedly, leaning near him._] I have promised to save them: give them their permit to embark, and I--[_She pauses, flushing beautifully, but does not take her eyes from him._] I--I do not wish to leave France. My place is in Paris. You will go into the National Committee. You can be its ruler. You _will_ rule it! I believe in you! [_Glowing like a rose of fire._] I will go with you. I will help you! I will marry you!
VALSIN [_in a fascinated whisper_]. Good Lord! [_He stumbles back from her, a strange light in his eyes._]
VALSIN [_with sudden loudness_]. I am! Upon my soul, I am afraid!
ELOISE [_smiling gloriously upon him_]. Of what, my friend? Tell me of what?
VALSIN [_explosively_]. Of myself! I am afraid of myself because I am a prophet. This is precisely what I foretold to myself you would do! I knew it, yet I am aghast when it happens--aghast at my own cleverness!
ELOISE [_bewildered to blankness_]. What?
VALSIN [_half hysterical with outrageous vanity_]. I swear I knew it, and it fits so exactly that I am afraid of myself! _Aha_, Valsin, you rogue! I should hate to have you on _my_ track! Citizen governess, you are a wonderful person, but not so wonderful as this devil of a Valsin!
ELOISE [_vaguely, in a dead voice_]. I cannot understand what you are talking about. Do you mean--
VALSIN. And what a spell was upon me! I was near calling Dossonville to preserve me.
ELOISE [_speaking with a strange naturalness, like a child's_]. You mean--you don't want me?
VALSIN. Ah, Heaven help me, I am going to laugh again! Oh, ho, ho! I am spent! [_He drops into a chair and gives way to another attack of uproarious hilarity._] Ah, ha, ha, ha! Oh, my liver, ha, ha! No, Citizeness, I do not want you! Oh, ha, ha, ha!
ELOISE. _Oh!_ [_She utters a choked scream and rushes at him._] Swine!
VALSIN [_warding her off with outstretched hands_]. Spare me! Ha, ha, ha! I am helpless! Ho, ho, ho! Citizeness, it would not be worth your while to strangle a man who is already dying!
ELOISE [_beside herself_]. Do you dream that I _meant_ it?
ELOISE [_frantic_]. To give myself to you!