At this moment the door opened and a man appeared, who without crossing the threshold signed to the servant, to whom he spoke in a whisper. Urbain came towards Clarisse and delivered the message. "The citoyen Robespierre wishes to speak with you."
"Where is he? Oh! let him come! let him come!" she cried through her blinding tears.
The man left the room followed by Urbain. Clarisse waited in breathless suspense, her eyes fixed in mute agony on the half-opened door.
The Incorruptible came in, and before he had time to greet her, she had risen and was standing before him.
"My son? Where is my son?"
"Be assured, your son is safe."
She recoiled a step and fixed her eyes on him in amazed silence.
So it was true, the young man who had been arrested was Olivier!
Robespierre, greatly agitated, again essayed to reassure her, but she interrupted him eagerly. Where was he? In prison?
Robespierre lowered his eyes.