It is Augustin Robespierre, who had returned to Paris the day before, and, acting on a generous impulse, thus offers the sacrifice of his life, a sacrifice that is accepted out of hand.
"The arrest of the brothers Robespierre!"
"And mine!" calls out Lebas proudly, joining the two.
"And Saint-Just!" cries a voice.
"And Couthon!"
"To the vote! To the vote!"
The president has risen. He will put these arrests to the vote when silence is restored.
"Silence for the voting! Silence!"
"Every one to his seat!"
The deputies take their respective places. Then in the deep and awful silence which follows, under the strained gaze of the mob in the gallery, the president speaks—