And applause breaks out again louder than ever.
Robespierre, tired of struggling against the rough gang on the stairway, descends to the centre of the semicircle, and addresses the deputies of the Mountain.
"Give me a hearing! citoyens! I pray you give me speech!"
He was answered by an ominous cry—
"No! no! The arrest! To the votes for the arrest!"
To the votes! The arrest! Robespierre recoils in terror at the fearful words. His looks travel to the deputies of the centre, those of the Plain as they are called.
"It is to the Plain I address myself and not to these traitors!" he exclaims.
But the Plain remains impassive.
Shouts are now heard from all sides, "The arrest! The arrest!"
Not a single voice mediates in his favour! Not one dares to defend his cause! The crowd in the gallery have remained silent and unmoved from the very outset of the stormy scene.