] Prince Paul!

VERA:

Devil! Who lured you into the lion's den?

CONSPIRATORS:

Kill him! Kill him!

PRINCE PAUL:

En vérité, Messieurs, you are not over-hospitable in your welcome.

VERA:

Welcome! What welcome should we give you but the dagger or the noose?

PRINCE PAUL:

I had no idea really that the Nihilists were so exclusive. Let me assure you that if I had not always had an entrée to the very best society, and the very worst conspiracies, I could never have been Prime Minister in Russia.

VERA:

The tiger cannot change its nature, nor the snake lose its venom; but are you turned a lover of the people?

PRINCE PAUL:

Mon Dieu, non, Mademoiselle! I would must sooner talk scandal in a drawing-room than treason in a cellar. Besides, I hate the common mob, who smell of garlic, smoke bad tobacco, get up early, and dine off one dish.

PRESIDENT:

What have you to gain, then, by a revolution?

PRINCE PAUL:

Mon ami, I have nothing left to lose. That scatter-brained boy, this new Czar, has banished me.

VERA:

To Siberia?

PRINCE PAUL:

No, to Paris. He has confiscated my estates robbed me of my office and my cook. I have nothing left but ms decorations. I am here for revenge.

PRESIDENT:

Then you have a right to be one of us. We also meet daily for revenge.

PRINCE PAUL:

You want money of course. No one ever joins a conspiracy who has any. Here. [(Throws money on table.)] You have so many spies that I should think you want information. Well, you will find me the best-informed man in Russia on the abuses of our Government. I made them nearly all myself.

VERA:

President, I don't trust this man. He has done us too much harm in Russia to let him go in safety.

PRINCE PAUL:

Believe me, Mademoiselle, you are wrong. I will be a most valuable addition to your circle, and as for you, gentlemen if I had not thought that you would be useful to me I shouldn't have risked my neck among you, or dined an hour earlier than usual so as to be in time.

PRESIDENT:

Ay, if he had wanted to spy on us, Vera, he wouldn't have come himself.

PRINCE PAUL:

[(aside)] No; I should have sent my best friend.

PRESIDENT:

Besides, Vera, he is just the man to give us the information we want about some business we have in hand to-night.

VERA:

Be it so if you wish it.

PRESIDENT:

Brothers, is it your will that Prince Paul Maraloffski be admitted, and take the oath of the Nihilist?

CONSPIRATORS:

It is! It is!

PRESIDENT:

[(holding out dagger and a paper)] Prince Paul, the dagger or the oath?

PRINCE PAUL:

[(smiles sardonically)] I would sooner annihilate than be annihilated. [(Takes paper.)]

PRESIDENT:

Remember: Betray us, and as long as earth holds poison or steel, as long as men can strike or women betray, you shall

not escape vengeance. The Nihilists never forget their friends, or forgive their enemies.

PRINCE PAUL:

Really? I did not think you were so civilised.

VERA:

[(pacing up and down behind)] Why is he not here? He will not keep the crown. I know him well.

PRESIDENT:

Sign. [(PRINCE PAUL signs.)] You said you thought we had no creed. You were wrong. Read it!

VERA:

This is a dangerous thing, President.