About this time twenty-two political rivals of Robespierre––the Girondists––were sent by one decree to the guillotine. Danton, vainly pleading for mercy, saw that the Committee of Safety machine was being made an instrument of slaughter. “France must be purged of all vice!” was Robespierre’s sanctimonious reply to his passionate protest. Not long after, the rival masters of France faced one another in the hall of the Revolutionary Tribunal, whereof Jacques-Forget-Not was President.
“Well works this Tribunal you established, Danton!” said Robespierre, in glee at the increasing number of executions.
“It was established,” replied the pock-marked man solemnly, “to punish the enemies of the people. Now through you––Robespierre––France rivers with innocent blood!”
... God help our hero and heroine if they should encounter its dread fury!
CHAPTER XXI
ADVENTURES OF A PILGRIM
Some parts of France continued to be held by the royalists after the establishment of the Republic.