But the speaker is interrupted by Robespierre who furiously persists in claiming a hearing.
"Compel him to be quiet!" cries some one.
Thuriot rings his bell, and orders Robespierre to let Vadier speak.
"Vadier is to speak! Silence!"
Robespierre once more resigns himself to his fate, and returns to his place.
The tumult dies away in a low murmur, above which Vadier's mellifluous voice is heard.
"Citoyens!" he begins, "not until the 22nd Prairial did I open my eyes to the double-dealing of that man who wears so many masks, and when he cannot save one of his creatures consigns him to the scaffold!"
Laughter and applause run round the assembly. Thus encouraged, Vadier continues—
"Only listen to him. He will tell you, with his usual modesty, that he is the sole defender of Liberty, but so harassed, so discouraged, so persecuted! ... And it is he who attacks every one himself!"
"Hear, hear!" shouts a voice. "Excellent! That's it, exactly!"