"You perceive the danger," said Robespierre. "Vitré opens for the English the way to Paris."
Raising his head, Danton brought his two clenched fists down upon the map as though it were an anvil.
"Robespierre, did not Verdun open the way to Paris for the Prussians?"
"What then?"
"Well, we will drive the English as we drove the Prussians."
And Danton rose again.
Robespierre placed his cold hand on Danton's burning wrist.
"Danton, Champagne did not take sides with the Prussians, as Brittany does with the English. Retaking Verdun was foreign war; but to recapture Vitré will be civil war."
And Robespierre murmured in a cold, sepulchral tone,—
"A serious difference."