LUCILE. What is the matter with you? [She stands behind him and leans on his shoulder. He takes her hand and presses it to his cheek.]
DANTON. Oh, Republic! Destroying herself! Destroying her own handiwork. Victors or victims, what difference does it make? Victims in either case!
CAMILLE. In either case, victors, crowned with Glory!
DANTON [rising—violently]. Come, then, and may the Republic confound the world with the echo of her fall!
[ACT II]
[ROBESPIERRE'S room in the Duplay house. There are two doors. The walls are white and hare. There is a chestnut bedstead with blue damask curtains with a white flower design. A simple desk. A few straw-bottomed chairs. Some flowers in a glass on the window-sill. Down-stage center is a small stove, with a chair on one side and a stool on the other. The door on the left leads to the Duplays' apartments. The window looks out on a courtyard in which carpenters are working; they are heard hammering, planing, and sawing. ROBESPIERRE sits alone at his desk.]
MADAME DUPLAY [opening the door]. Am I disturbing you, Maximilien?
ROBESPIERRE [with a friendly smile]. No, Citizen Duplay. [He offers her his hand.]
MADAME DUPLAY. Always working! You never went to bed last night!