VINTIMILLE. I am encouraged, Messieurs, by the success of my request, to make another, this time on behalf of the architect of the house. He has been no more successful than I in extracting écus from the pocket of M. de Vintimille; and he asks you to consider what harm you would do him in destroying his only security?
CROWD. Save the house!
VINTIMILLE. And as for his wife, Messieurs—why burn what belongs to you? His wife is of the people. The Court, the city, the clergy, the middle-classes, have often appreciated her splendid qualities. She possesses a liberal mind, and she recognizes no privileges: the three orders are equal in her eyes. In her person she realizes the perfect union of the nation. Let us do honor to so rare a virtue. Messieurs, let us show mercy for Madame.
DESMOULINS. Mercy for Notre Dame!
THE CROWD [laughing]. Yes, yes, mercy for Madame!
VINTIMILLE. Really, Messieurs, I am taking advantage—
THE CROWD. No, no!
VINTIMILLE. Finally, Messieurs, if you burned M. de Vintimille's children, would you not tremble to vie with our tragediennes?
THE CROWD [laughing]. Long live the children! Ha, ha!
VINTIMILLE [in a changed tone]. As for him, burn him, Messieurs, burn him, burn him. And, let me tell you, if you don't burn him, he will burn you! [He steps down from the chair, and disappears into the Crowd, who laugh and shout, and applaud him.]