The Countess De Charny - Volume II by Alexandre Dumas Page B

at each other in terror.
    “The signal,” exclaimed Madame Danton. “Is the palace to be attacked to-night?”
    No one made any reply; but Desmoulins, who had gone into the next room at the first stroke of the bell, returned with his musket in his hand.
    Lucile uttered a cry. Then, feeling she had no right to discourage the man she loved at this trying moment, she rushed into the alcove where Madame Danton ‘s bed stood, and, falling on her knees, began to weep bitterly.
     
    78 LA COMTESSE DE CHARXY.
    Camille followed her. “Don’t worry,” he whispered tenderly; “I won’t leave Danton’s side.”
    The three men departed. IMadame Danton seemed almost like a dying woman; Lucile was still kneeling by the bed, with her face buried in her hands, sobbing violently. Madame Eobert clung to her husband’s neck, and begged to be allowed to accompany him.
    When the door had closed upon his retreating form, she exclaimed passionately, — without seeming to realise that every word was a stab to Madame Danton, — ” This is all Danton’s fault! If my husband is killed, I will not survive him; but I will kill Danton before I die! “
    An hour passed. They heard the door open. Madame Robert sprang forward, Lucile raised her head, Madame Danton remained perfectly motionless. It was Danton who entered.
    “Alone?” cried Madame Eobert, wildly.
    ” Be calm, madame. Nothing will happen before morning.”
    “But Camille?” demanded Lucile.
    “And Robert?” added Madame Robert.
    “They are both at the Cordeliers Club. I came home to report. Nothing will happen to-night, and I ‘11 convince you of it by going to sleep.”
    He threw himself on the bed without undressing, and in five minutes was as fast asleep as if no struggle of life and death was pending between king and people.
    About one o’clock in the morning Camille, too, returned.
    “I bring you news of Robert,” he said. “He has gone to the municipal authorities to carry our proclamations. Don’t be uneasy. They are for to-morrow; but — “
    He shook his head, as if in doubt. Then, laying his head on Lucile’s shoulder, he in turn fell asleep.
    He had been sleeping about half an hour when somebody rang. Madame Robert flew to open the door. Her husband had come for Danton, in behalf of the municipal officers. He aroused him.
     
    AN EVENTFUL NIGHT AT DANTON’s. 79
    “Go away,” cried Danton. “Let me sleep. To-morrow will be time enough.”
    So Robert and bis wife returned to their own home.
    Presently the door-bell rang again. Madame Danton went to the door this time, and admitted a big, fair-haired fellow, about twenty years of age, wearing the uniform of a captain in the National Guards, and holding a gun in his hand.
    “Is Monsieur Danton in? ” he asked.
    “Well, what is wanted now? ” demanded Danton.
    “They are waiting for you down there, Monsieur Danton.”
    “Where do you mean? “
    “At the municipal headquarters.”
    “Who is waiting for me? “
    “The commissioners from the different sections, and Monsieur Billot in particular.”
    “And who are you, captain? “
    “I am Ange Pitou, captain of the Haramont National Guards.”
    “Ah, ha!”
    “And one of the takers of the Bastille.”
    ” Good ! “
    “I received a letter from Monsieur Billot, telling me there was likely to be trouble down here, and that all good patriots ought to be on hand: so I started off with such of my men as were willing to come; but as they are not so good walkers as I am, they stopped over night at Dam-martin. They’ll be on hand early to-morrow morning, I think.”
    “At Damraartin. Why, tliat ‘s twenty miles off! “
    “Yes.”
    “And how many leagues is Haramont from Paris? “
    “About sixteen. I left there this morning at five o’clock — “
    “And arrived here? “
    “About ten this evening. I went to Monsieur Santerre’s
     
    80 LA COMTESSE DE CHAliNY.
    in search of Monsieur Billot; but tliey told me there that they hail n’t seen