ROBESPIERRE. Where?
SAINT-JUST. Within myself.
ROBESPIERRE [surprised]. In yourself, you whose life is an example of self-sacrifice?
SAINT-JUST. You don't know!
ROBESPIERRE [incredulously]. Some—youthful slip?
SAINT-JUST [seriously]. I have been to the brink of the abyss; I saw crime down below, ready to devour me. Ever since I have sworn to destroy it in the world at large and within myself.
ROBESPIERRE. Sometimes I tire of the struggle. The enemy is too powerful. Can we really reform mankind? Will our dream be realized?
SAINT-JUST. The day I cease to believe that, I shall kill myself.
ELÉONORE [opening the door, says softly]. Here are Billaud-Varenne and Vadier. [They enter. BILLAUD-VARENNE'S head droops from fatigue, and his eyes are heavy. VADIER compresses his lips, and is hitter and sardonic. He speaks with a marked Southern accent (which is not indicated in the text). ROBESPIERRE and SAINT-JUST rise and coldly greet the newcomers. They bow, but do not offer to shake hands.]
BILLAUD-VARENNE. Greetings and Fraternity!