"How dare you threaten me!" she cried shrilly.
"You have conspired against the Republic; you shall pay for it," he repeated, his fingers working convulsively as if he would like to lay hands upon her.
"My name is La Liberté," she said proudly, drawing herself up. "I am a child of the Revolution. I have drunk of her blood. Do you think, Robespierre, to terrify me with your shining toy, the guillotine? Bah! I snap my fingers at it;" and speaking thus, she advanced toward him, one hand resting on the dagger at her hip. He fell back before her, step by step, until they reached the door. Voices were heard outside and some one tried to enter.
"Break the door down, whoever you are!" cried Robespierre. "Kick the panel in; throw your whole weight against it."
"We are Hanneton and Clément, clerks; we found the rear doorway locked"—
"Break in, I say!" called out Robespierre impatiently.
The hall reverberated with the noise of an attack made by Hanneton's heavy shoes and Clément's shoulder.
La Liberté inserted the key in the lock. "I might as well open it now," she said, throwing back the door.
The two clerks stood on the threshold in open-mouthed surprise.
La Liberté passed them like a fawn and sped swiftly down the staircase.