"With pleasure!" said the Corsican.
Madame Lebas, seated at the piano, struck the first chord of the accompaniment, and Buonarotti commenced the song. Every one had gathered round the singer.
The first verse was greeted with loud applause.
Ah, how pretty it was! How well the music chimed in with the words! What simplicity! What grace!
Robespierre, delighted, joined in the chorus of praise, congratulating Buonarotti.
Suddenly every one stopped. An ominous cry came through the open window—
"Buy to-day's list of the condemned."
It was the voice of newsvendors calling out the result of the day's sitting at the Revolutionary Tribunal. The Incorruptible showed signs of uneasiness. Buonarotti had already begun the second verse—
"Sur le pouvair de tes appas
Demeure toujours alarmée..."
But a new cry was heard—