Robespierre started, and Danton said, in a low, scoffing voice, “These are your orators!”
The last man but one called to vote was the King’s cousin, the Duc d’Orleans, Philip Equality. It was thought the ties of nature and of blood would compel him to vote for exile.
He said these words:—
“My thoughts being fixed wholly upon duty, convinced that whoever shall now or hereafter attempt to establish monarchy in this land is worthy death—I vote death!”
This man, this monster to his own blood, had in early youth been so abject a coward, that, during a naval engagement between the French and English, he had gone down into the cock-pit, whence no one could induce him to remove until the action was over. The cowardice of his youth was well supplemented by his voting the King’s death.
Even Robespierre condemned him. Returning to Duplay’s house in the evening, he said, “The miserable man! He was expected to listen to the pleadings of his own heart, and vote exile; but he would not, or dared not. The nation despises him henceforth!”
The monstrous act did not save him from the Reign of Terror. He died on the scaffold—the most guilty wretch who there ended life.
Followed the man Orleans, a deputy, lying on a hand-bed. He was dying, and he voted death!
A herald arrived from the King of Spain, interceding for the King’s life.