"It has been so promised."
"And he must be guillotined."
"That shall be done."
"By whom?"
"By you!"
"By me?"
"Yes; you will be delegated by the Committee of Public Safety with ample powers."
"I accept," said Cimourdain.
Robespierre was rapid in his decisions,—a states-manlike quality. He took from the portfolio that lay before him a sheet of white paper, at the head of which the following words were printed: "French Republic, one and indivisible: Committee of Public Safety."
"I accept," continued Cimourdain. "Let the terrible encounter the terrible. Lantenac is ferocious; I will be equally so. It shall be war unto death with that man; I shall rid the Republic of him, if it be God's will."