At seven o'clock in the morning Robespierre opened his eyes. He remembered nothing. The fact of having slept in his clothes, and in an armchair, did not surprise him. He had often done so in the days of sore trial. He drew aside the curtains, and the room was suddenly flooded with daylight. Some one knocked. It was Maurice Duplay, asking if he could come in.
The boy's early visit surprised Robespierre.
"Are you well, bon ami?"
"Yes, why?"
"Nothing ... only ... last night ... you know..."
"Last night? Well!"
"You rather frightened me!"
"Frightened you?"
"Yes, you frightened me!"
The child then told him what had taken place in the night.