had not abandoned hope and
threw him a look of supplication, trying to appear fascinating and
pathetic for him. But the young juror's cold glance robbed her of any
illusion she might have entertained.

The Clerk read the act of accusation, which, succinct as was its
reference to each individual, was a lengthy document because of the
great number accused. It began by exposing in general outline the plot
concocted in the prisons to drown the Republic in the blood of the
Representatives of the nation and the people of Paris; then, coming to
each severally, it went on:

"One of the most mischievous authors of this abominable conspiracy is
the man Brotteaux, once known as des Ilettes, receiver of imposts under
the tyrant. This person, who was remarkable, even in the days of
tyranny, for his libertine behaviour, is a sure proof how dissoluteness
and immorality are the greatest enemies of the liberty and happiness of
peoples; as a fact, after misappropriating the public revenues and
wasting in debauchery a noticeable part of the people's patrimony, the
person in question connived with his former concubine, the woman
Rochemaure, to enter into correspondence with the _emigres_ and
traitorously keep the faction of the foreigner informed of the state of
our finances, the movements of our troops, the fluctuations of public
opinion.

"Brotteaux, who, at this period of his despicable life, was living in
concubinage with a prostitute he had picked up in the mud of the Rue
Fromenteau, the girl Athenais, easily suborned her to his purposes and
made use of her to foment the counterrevolution by impudent and
unpatriotic cries and indecent and traitorous speeches.

"Sundry remarks of this ill-omened individual will afford you a clear
indication of his abject views and pernicious purpose. Speaking of the
patriotic tribunal now called upon to punish him, he declared
insultingly,--'The Revolutionary Tribunal is like a play of William
Shakespeare, who mixes up with the most bloodthirsty scenes the most
trivial buffooneries.' Then he was forever preaching atheism, as the
surest means of degrading the people and driving it into immorality. In
the prison of the Conciergerie, where he was confined, he used to
deplore as among the worst of calamities the victories of our valiant
armies, and tried to throw suspicion on the most patriotic Generals,
crediting them with designs of tyrannicide. 'Only wait,' he would say in
atrocious language which