Danton rose to speak, without the Speaker’s permission.
“Thou art not yet King, Danton!” cried a voice.
“I am astounded at Spain’s insolence!” cried Danton. “I desire that war against Spain be immediately declared!”
The intercession damaged, rather than benefited, the royal cause.
The scrutiny of the votes now commenced.
Three hundred and thirty-four voted for exile or imprisonment.
Three hundred and eighty-seven voted for death. Thus death was in a majority of fifty-three; but, by subtracting from this number the forty-six voices which had also voted a suspension of the execution of death, the majority in favor of immediate death was seven!
The Girondists, who did not wish for the King’s death, had voted his execution, and thereby favored their enemies, the Jacobins, whose thirst for death was unquenchable.
On the morning of the 19th January, Louis, who had been by this time restored to his family, saw Malsherbes approaching him. The old man fell on his knees.
“I see,” said the King; “Death!”