By this time, Philip Equality, for what he had been—a Duke—had become hated of the people. Strangely enough, he who had been so cowardly as a youth, now, when his life was threatened, became brave. When he was arrested, he was perfectly calm; when separated from the elder of his two sons, he was perfectly resigned. He had turned from his family to serve the people, and he now wore their chains.
The people now demanded the deaths of all the leaders of the more moderate Conventionists.
“Death to the twenty-two!”
The people had slain a King—therefore they began to demand the lives of those who sought, as Republicans, to govern the stricken land.
CHAPTER LVII.
WHOLESALE MASSACRE.
The twenty-two deputies were already condemned by the will of the ensanguined mob.
On the eve of the last day in May (1793), of those twenty-two, only one, the leader, Vergniaud, slept in his own home. The others feared an assassination, and sought the aid of friends.
A vote being carried against the moderates, the victors proposed to walk with the people through the city, which was illuminated. The Girondists, as a measure of precaution, joined in the procession.