Page "The Devil's Disciple" Paragraph 4

Judith visits Dick and asks him if he has acted from love for her.

He scornfully refutes the romantic notion, telling her that he has acted according to " the law of my own nature ", which forbade him to save himself by condemning another.

During the military trial, Dick is convicted and sentenced to be hanged.

This scene introduces General Burgoyne, a Shavian realist, who contributes a number of sharp remarks about the conduct of the American Revolution.

Judith interrupts the proceedings to reveal Dick's true identity – but to no avail: he will be hanged in any case.

News reaches Burgoyne that American rebels have taken a nearby town, so he and his troops are in danger, especially since orders from London that would have sent reinforcements were never dispatched.

The rebels will send an " officer of importance " to negotiate with the British.

The final scene of the play is the public square where Dick will be hanged.

Like Sydney Carton in Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities, Dick defies his executioners and prepares to meet his death.

At the last minute, Burgoyne stops the hanging because the rebel officer has arrived.

It is Anthony Anderson, who has become a man of action in his " hour of trial ", just as Dick became a man of conscience in his.

Anderson bargains for Dick's life, and Burgoyne agrees to free him.

Anderson tells Dick that he ( Anderson ) is not suited to be a minister and says Dick should replace him.

As the Americans rejoice, the British march to quarters, knowing that they face certain defeat.