Beaumarchais had been carried off to the mairie (police court) “where he defended himself so perfectly,” continues Gudin, “that his denouncers were confounded and about to liberate him when Marat denounced him anew.... He was sent to l’Abbaye along with others whose virtues were a title of proscription.
“At the end of a week his name was called. General consternation in the prison.
“‘You are called for.’
“‘By whom?’
“‘M. Manuel. Is he your enemy?’
“‘I never saw him.’ Beaumarchais went out. All the assembly sat silent.
“‘Who is M. Manuel?’ demanded Beaumarchais.
“‘I am he. I come to save you. Your denouncer, Colmar, is declared culpable—he is in prison—you are free.’...
“Two days later came the September massacres. And thus a second time his life was saved. ‘Long afterwards he learned that a woman to whom he had rendered an eminent service had solicited Manuel to obtain the liberty of her benefactor.’” (Gudin, p. 430.)
“It would seem natural,” says M. de Loménie, “that in such a moment, the author of the Mariage de Figaro would consent to set aside the matter of the guns and occupy himself with his own personal safety.”