The cavalrymen are dashing down the 187 roadway, from which quick clearance has been made by the sansculotte guards and the loaferish spectators. At their head gallops Danton, the Thunderer of old, thundering at the officials, waving in his free hand a State paper!
In front of the death machine he halts and dismounts––then taking the steps in two bounds, puts the reprieve of Henriette and Maurice in the hands of the master of ceremonial!
The Savior of France––the Organizer of Victory––brings such a show of power at his back and compels such respect that none dare question him. He strides to the guillotine, bades the trembling executioner release Henriette––himself personally unstraps her from the death board. So ensues a scene that would wring even a heart of stone: the delivery of a demented girl from Death’s very passion and utmost pang!
Danton takes the little form in his arms, looks in her eyes, kisses her and tries to make her understand.
“For the honor of France,” he cries to the assembled multitude, as he still upholds her swaying figure, “a monstrous 188 injustice is righted. This girl, and that young patriot,” signifying to the attendants that de Vaudrey should be unloosed, “are reprieved by the order of the Revolutionary Tribunal!” The multitude––caught by Danton’s tensely dramatic announcement––applauds, even as it had jeered and mocked a few moments since.
But the girl, kept from falling by his protective left arm, still gazes upon him idiotically. She had died, was it not true ? How then, she lives? What are these crowds, and who is this stranger? The gallant rescuer fears that her reason is gone!
“Release that boy!”
He has seen the wounded Pierre trussed in the far corner of the scaffold, guessed that some wild deed of the lad’s stayed the judicial murder. His tones to the officials are sharp, imperative. The outraged superior of the hacked executioner looks around the assemblage for some prop of resistance––finds none––trembles––and is all bows and scrapes to do Danton’s will. Pierre crawls painfully across the platform. He kisses the hem of his Savior’s garment.
Danton has brought Henriette to the ground. He is looking for her friends now. 189 Catching sight of blind Louise starting up the steps, he brings her around and puts the loved sisters in front of one another.... Slowly the light of understanding comes into the eyes of her who had most loved and most suffered. She embraces Louise.... Danton is looking for yet another figure, the affianced of Henriette. He draws over de Vaudrey, places the latter’s right hand within the free hand of Henriette.
“Take her,” he says kindly to de Vaudrey. “It is enough for me that I have saved France from this foul blot!...”