A savage cry of “No! No!” swelled from the infuriated “Mountain.”
The sansculottes half rose from their benches, shaking minatory fists, yelling, gesticulating. Faces were contorted in fury. The mob––the same that had once acclaimed Danton in chair of state––was not to be balked of blood.
The orator continued: “These sufferers are friends of you who demand their death. The girl once saved me––the organizer of your victory––from spadassins. The boy was ever known as the people’s benefactor––I have seen him buy loaves to keep you from starving! Now through trumped-up charges they are to be hurried away to death––”
“You question the justice of the people’s Tribunal?” interrupted Judge Forget-Not shrilly, with obvious play at the mob.
“Hell’s bells!” replied the indignant Thunderer. “I established this Tribunal. Did not I as Minister of Justice set it in being, and shall I not speak when crimes are done in its name!”
... In the death chamber Henriette and Maurice were trying to kiss each other good-by. The guards had separated them. 166 Vaudrey was going in one death cart, Henriette in another....
He had silenced the querulous Forget-Not, was waking the echoes with the same thunders that had nerved France to resist the foe. “I ask for their lives not only, but for MERCY and JUSTICE to wipe out the tyranny and cruelty that are befouling all of us. I ask for a regenerated nation, purged of these vile offences.”
Robespierre was sinisterly serious now.
The group of judges sat amazed.