_D’Eglantiers._ Go at once! [_Exit Passereau._] Well, that’s finished. Now I’ll go and get an hour or two’s sleep. You’ll call me, my good girl, when the council is assembled, won’t you?
_Maria._ Yes; and in the meantime I will go and post up the proclamation.
_D’Eglantiers_ (_takes it hastily from her, and puts it into his pocket_). No; I must first read it out, or have it read, to the council. Now, where is my bedroom?
[_He is about to go into Van Werve’s room._]
_Maria_ (_quickly_). No, not there. The left-hand door, sir.
[_Points to a door on the opposite side._]
_Nicolaas_ (_aside_). I don’t understand it. Why does she want to put that fellow into my bedroom? (_Aloud._) Maria, are you mad! the other room is——
_Maria_ (_interrupting him quickly_). Just suited to a prisoner.
_D’Eglantiers_ (_pointing to Nicolaas_). Then he must be put in there.
_Maria_ (_quickly, aside to Nicolaas_). Leave it to me!
_D’Eglantiers._ Good-night! (_Turning to the Volunteers._) If Nestiers comes with the portmanteau, tell him to bring it into my room. Do you hear?
[_Nicolaas goes into the room in which Van Werve and Clara are hidden, while Maria takes a candle and shows D’Eglantiers into the left-hand bedroom._]
_Taelinck_ (_crouching over the fire_). B-rrr! it’s famously cold!
_Pluckx._ I believe you! The Government really ought to provide us with better clothing.
_Taelinck._ That’s just the beauty of liberty, that every one has to look out for himself.
_Pluckx._ And that’s just what I mean to do, so soon as that girl comes back.
_Edeling_ (_appears in the doorway and looks in_). These fellows are everywhere! I am caught in a trap.
_Pluckx._ But just tell us now, Lieutenant, who is supposed to be governing us at the present moment? for every day I hear of a fresh sovereign, who has been recommended to us.
_Taelinck._ Who is governing us? Why, Liberty!
_Pluckx._ I shan’t be sorry to see some change, then; for I haven’t yet seen the colour of Liberty’s money. I think the lass must be very hard up.
_Maria_ (_aside_). Is this rabble going to stay here all right?
_Pluckx._ I say, my girl, look here. Have you got a blanket or rug you could let me have?
_Pluckx._ You’ll soon see that—_comprenez_?
_Maria._ I have; if you will be sure to give it back.