"A leg, or a wing?" asked mother Duplay, delighted.
Robespierre suddenly turned round. He had heard a noise.
"I am sure the front door has just been opened," he said.
Simon Duplay took out a match to light a lamp, and young Maurice rose, looking out into the dark.
"It's true," he said; "it's a woman with a large parcel."
"Our dresses, surely!" exclaimed Cornélie, who had been somewhat morose and silent until then.
"Yes, our dresses," cried Madame Lebas and Victoire expectantly.
It was, after all, only the dresses, which the dressmaker had at last brought. The enormous box was handled by them eagerly; they wished to open it there and then. However, Victoire, prudently fearing to soil the contents, carried it into the dining-room, followed by her sisters.
The conversation was resumed with lively interest by the light of the lamp just lit, and opinions were freely expressed that as Royalty had her fêtes, the world would now see what a Republican fête could be like. It would be truly national, imposing, and symbolical.
The young women had not yet returned.