Robespierre was attentively studying the map.
"What we need is a dictator!" cried Marat, fiercely. "You know, Robespierre, that I want a dictator."
Robespierre raised his head. "Yes, I know, Marat, it must be either you or I."
"I or you, you mean," retorted Marat.
"The dictatorship,—I advise you to try it!" grumbled Danton between his closed teeth.
Marat perceived Danton's frown.
"Stop," he said. "Let us make one last effort to come to an agreement. The situation is well worth it. Was there not an understanding for the 31st of May? The question of mutual agreement is even more important than Girondism, which is a matter of detail. There is a certain amount of truth in your statements; but truth itself, the whole truth, the real truth, lies in, I say, Federalism in the south, Royalism in the West, a deadly struggle between the Convention and the Commune in Paris, and on the frontier the backsliding of Custine and the treason of Dumouriez. What will be the result? The end will be nothing less than dismemberment. And what do we require? Unity. Therein lies our salvation. But we have no time to lose. Paris must undertake the control of the Revolution. If we waste one hour, the Vendeans may be in Orleans to-morrow, and the Prussians in Paris. I grant one thing to you, Danton, and another to Robespierre. So be it. And the conclusion must be dictatorship. Let us, we three who represent the Revolution, grasp the dictatorship. We are the three heads of Cerberus. One is a talking head, and that is you, Robespierre; the second head does the roaring, and that is you, Danton—"
"And the other bites, and that is you, Marat," said Danton.
"All three bite," said Robespierre.
For a time there was silence; then this dialogue full of gloomy and violent utterances proceeded.