Valsin [madly]. Oh, touching devotion! Oh, sisters! Oh, love! Oh, honey! Oh, petticoats—
Dossonville [interrupting humbly]. The lieutenant, Citizen Commissioner. [He points to the hallway, where the officer appears, standing at attention.]
Valsin [wheeling]. Officer, conduct these three persons to the quay. Place them on board the Jeune Pierrette. The captain will weigh anchor instantly. [The officer salutes.]
Anne [hoarsely to Louis, who is lifting the weeping Eloise to her feet]. Quick! In the name of—
Valsin. Off with you! [Madame de Laseyne seizes the portmanteau and rushes to the broken doorway, half dragging the others with her. They go out in a tumultuous hurry, followed by the officer. Eloise sends one last glance over her shoulder at Valsin as she disappears, and one word of concentrated venom: "Buffoon!" In wild spirits he blows a kiss to her. The fugitives are heard clattering madly down the stairs.]
Dossonville [excitedly]. We can take the Emigrant now. [Going to the inner door.] Why wait—
Valsin. That room is empty.
Dossonville. What!
Valsin [shouting with laughter]. He's gone! Not bare-backed, but in petticoats: that's worse! He's gone, I tell you! The other was the d'Anville.
Dossonville. Then you recog—