"The Citoyenne Nicole, bouquetière. The Citoyen Couthon will know me."
The servant passed to a door at the back and knocked timidly. At the second repetition a voice cried:
"Come in."
The door opened on a group of men about a table littered with papers.
"What is it?"
"A citoyenne who wishes to make a denunciation."
"Name?"
"The Citoyenne Nicole, bouquetière."
"Tiens! I know her," exclaimed a voice. The spokesman, on this evidence, gave a sign of permission to the servant, who ushered in Nicole.
A voice said approvingly: