The cries outside grew louder and nearer, while the tocsin still rang out.
"To arms! To arms! Long live the Incorruptible!"
"Do you hear? They are stirring up the Sections! They will make a new attack on the Tuileries!"
"And what is to become of us?" asked Clarisse, "and of my son?"
"I don't know about your son. But Citoyen Robespierre has thought of you two. It was he who has sent me."
"To tell us?..."
"To tell you that you are no longer safe here. The street is guarded by sectioners. They might come up here at any moment to fire from the windows in case of attack. I have orders to conduct you to the Hôtel de Ville, where Citoyen Robespierre has provided for your safety, but he wishes to see you first. You must wait for him in the antechamber of the Commune's Council Hall, where he is at this moment conferring with his colleagues. He will join you as soon as he is at liberty; you have only to follow me. This room communicates directly through a corridor with the Hôtel de Ville."
"Then let us go!" said Clarisse; and, taking Thérèse by the hand, she followed the man.
The two women crossed a suite of rooms and corridors where officials came and went in hot haste. Urbain led the way, turning now and then to direct them aright. Presently he stopped and said, pointing to a door—
"It is in here!" and he opened it.