"Down with the Convention!"
Other cries were raised.
"Call out the Sections! Call out the Sections! Long live the Incorruptible!"
The roll of drums was heard. They were beating to arms! Horsemen galloped past in great disorder. Beyond doubt it was an insurrection!
Then some one knocked, and the two women turned.
"Come in!" cried Clarisse.
Urbain appeared, breathless and bathed in perspiration.
"I told you so! Robespierre has been rescued!"
"Rescued!" exclaimed both women, unable to conceal their joy.
"Yes! rescued on the way to the Conciergerie, and carried in triumph to the Hôtel de Ville, where he now is, with his brother and his friends, Lebas, Couthon, and Saint-Just, rescued with him! It is war to the knife between the Communes and the Convention. Both parties are arming. Coffinhal has had to fall back on the Hôtel de Ville."