"Go quickly! My friends are coming!" said Robespierre, as he hastened the departure of the two women, conducting them to the threshold of the antechamber. But his friends, Lebas, Augustin Robespierre, Saint-Just, Couthon, Fleuriot-Lescot, Coffinhal, Payan, Dumas, were now entering, shutting the door sharply behind them, in a great flurry in their impatience to be alone.
"This is hardly the moment to dally with women!" exclaimed one of them in irritation.
It was Coffinhal, vice-president of the Revolutionary Tribunal, and one of the most ardent promoters of the insurrection. Robespierre replied in a weary tone—
"For God's sake, have not I the right to be a man!" and he sank into an armchair.
Just then the door opened again. A group of patriots entered in great excitement, speaking at the top of their voices, and gesticulating wildly. They immediately surrounded Robespierre. What was to be done? they asked. Were they to march on the Tuileries? If the attack were put off any longer the Convention would take the offensive.... Every moment was precious! It was really ridiculous to beat to arms and ring the tocsin, and then waste time discussing all night long! What were they waiting for, and for whom?
Some of the patriots approached the windows. The howling crowd which, a few minutes ago swarmed in the Place de la Grêve, had perceptibly thinned.
Robespierre remained seated, silently wiping his brow, irritated beyond measure by all this needless commotion. At last out of all patience, he started up.... What prevented him from marching forward? What was he waiting for? Waiting! He was purely and simply waiting for Paris, the whole of Paris, which at the voice of his friends, must rise in his defence! Had they come? Yes, they had come ... and gone again, too! He had only to look out on the square to convince himself of it! ...
The groups round the windows gave signs of assent.
"They have grown tired of waiting," said Fleuriot-Lescot.
"And it is their supper-time," observed the Incorruptible, with a bitter smile as he sat down again.