t!--nay,--hold! hold! Guerin, withdraw into the
inner chamber till I summon thee again. Dear Payan, see that this Nicot
conceals no weapons."

Payan, who was as brave as Robespierre was pusillanimous, repressed the
smile of disdain that quivered on his lips a moment, and left the room.

Meanwhile Robespierre, with his head buried in his bosom, seemed
plunged in deep thought. "Life is a melancholy thing, Couthon!" said he,
suddenly.

"Begging your pardon, I think death worse," answered the philanthropist,
gently.

Robespierre made no rejoinder, but took from his portefeuille that
singular letter, which was found afterwards amongst his papers, and
is marked LXI. in the published collection. ("Papiers inedits,' etc.,
volume ii. page 156.)

"Without doubt," it began, "you are uneasy at not having earlier
received news from me. Be not alarmed; you know that I ought only to
reply by our ordinary courier; and as he has been interrupted, dans sa
derniere course, that is the cause of my delay. When you receive this,
employ all diligence to fly a theatre where you are about to appear
and disappear for the last time. It were idle to recall to you all the
reasons that expose you to peril. The last step that should place you
sur le sopha de la presidence, but brings you to the scaffold; and the
mob will spit on your face as it has spat on those whom you have
judged. Since, then, you have accumulated here a sufficient treasure for
existence, I await you with great impatience, to laugh with you at the
part you have played in the troubles of a nation as credulous as it is
avid of novelties. Take your part according to our arrangements,--all is
prepared. I conclude,--our courier waits. I expect your reply."

Musingly and slowly the Dictator devoured the contents of this epistle.
"No," he said to himself,--"no; he who has tasted power can no longer
enjoy repose. Yet, Danton, Danton! thou wert right; better to be a poor
fisherman than to govern men." ("Il vaudrait mieux," said Danton, in his
dungeon, "etre un pauvre pecheur que de gouverner les hommes.")

The door opened, and Payan reappeared and whispered Robespierre, "All is
safe! See the man."

The Dictator, satisfied, summoned his attendant Jacobin to conduct Nicot
to his presence. The painter entered with a fearless expression in his
deformed features, and stood erect before Robespierre, who scanned him
with a sidelong eye.

It is remarkable that most of the principal acto