“What if I do? She must be saved.”
As we see him pass into the Tribunal, let us stop for a moment and watch the procedure in the death chamber. Outside, the tumbrils of death clatter up to receive their load. A functionary calls the names 164 of the condemned whilst a court officer identifies them. Each in turn is bundled off to the carts. The men hesitate over Henriette and Maurice.
“The ex-Minister of Justice,” said one, “asked that this case be delayed.”
“Her name is here,” said the master functionary, a creature of the Dictator. “She goes––”
“We might as well take the other too,” said the court officer, pointing to de Vaudrey....
Superbly the Lion of the Revolution faced the judges and the mob, and demanded a hearing. Robespierre uplifted eyebrows and half-smiled, vulpinely. His rapid exchange of looks with the Court seemed to say: “Well, we have got to listen to this crazy man, but be on guard!”
The president, Jacques-Forget-Not, took the cue and acceded to Danton’s request.
“A great injustice has been done,” cried Danton, “to the innocent and helpless. I ask the lives of Henriette Girard and Citizen de Vaudrey!”
The judges did not need to answer.