“Justice belongs to the people,” replied Tallien, coldly.
The Marquise felt that she had gone too far.
“It is a mistake,” she exclaimed. “If I appealed to justice it would be too slow; but the beauty of clemency is that it is quick.”
And she threw herself upon her knees before him.
“Rise, Madame!” exclaimed the young pro-consul. “I risk my head in this, but what does it matter? You are free.”
And he clasped her in his arms.
At this moment the gaoler returned, accompanied by the aide-de-camp for whom Tallien had sent.
“Adieu, citoyenne,” said Tallien, resuming his official manner. “My aide-de-camp will go at once to the revolutionary tribunal, while I myself explain to the Comité the error of which you are the victim.”
He signed to the gaoler, who conducted Mme. de Fontenay back to her cell; and then sat down to write to Robespierre.
“Every one betrays the Republic. The citoyen Tallien is granting pardon to aristocrats.” [99]