Here again, not a word about the glass of blood, although the narrative was written at no very distant period from the occurrences of September.
Maton de la Varennes, in his Hist. particulière des Evènemens, written subsequent to the events of Fructidor, year V., is enthusiastic in his praise of Mlle. de S.'s devotion; but says not a word as to the horrible sacrifice by which she is represented to have purchased her father's life.
The tradition is found for the first time in print in a note to Legouvé's Mérite des Femmes, which appeared in 1801; and the subject has been consecrated by the pen of the exiled poet Victor Hugo, in an ode to Mlle. de Sombreuil. Since then M. Thiers, without further looking into the matter, has given place to it in his Hist. de la Révolut. Française:
Victor Hugo's lines are the following:—
"S'élançant au travers des armes:
—Mes amis, respectez ses jours!
—Crois-tu nous fléchir par tes larmes?
—Oh! je vous bénirai toujours!
C'est sa fille qui vous implore;
Rendez-le moi; qu'il vive encore!