"Ah! then all that is needed is a formal accusation," said he, "to make sure work. Wait five minutes and I will lay one before you."
"What is it?" said the president.
"It is," said Simon, "the courageous Citizeness Tison who accuses of secret practices that partisan of the aristocracy, Maurice, and denounces the intrigues of another equally false patriot, one of his friends named Lorin."
"Take care, take care, Simon; your zeal for the nation perhaps misleads you. Maurice and Lorin are tried patriots."
"That will be seen at the tribunal," replied Simon.
"Consider well, Simon; this will be a disgraceful proceeding in the sight of all true patriots."
"Disgraceful or not, what is that to me? Do I dread disgrace? We shall at least learn the whole truth about traitors."
"Then you persist in lodging an accusation in the name of the woman Tison?"
"I will accuse them myself this very night to the Cordeliers, and you too, Citizen President, if you do not at once command the arrest of that traitor Maurice."
"Well, so be it," said the president, who, after the manner of those wretched times, trembled before those who clamored the loudest; "he shall be arrested."