The Romances of Dumas (Volume 32)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1904. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER LV. AFTER THE MASSACEE. Let Us return to Paris, and see what is going on there. Paris heard the noise of the fusillade, and shuddered. Paris did not quite know which party was right and which party was wrong; but Paris felt that she had received a wound, and that her blood flowed from this wound. Robespierre stayed at the Jacobin Club, like a commander in his fortress. There he was really strong; but that popular citadel had been ripped open, and everybody could enter through the breach left by Barnave, Duport, and Lameth, in their withdrawal. The Jacobin sent one of their own number to learn the true state of things. As to their neighbors of the Feuillant Club, they had no need to send out for the news. They were kept informed, hour by hour, minute by minute, of what was transpiring. Their own game was being played, and so far they were the gainers. The Jacobin messenger returned in about ten minutes. He had met some of the fugitives, and they had hurled at him this horrible information: Lafayette and Bailly are slaughtering the people. Everybody had not heard Bailly's cry of woe, everybody had not seen Lafayette fearlessly throw himself directly in front of the loaded cannon. The messenger at once hurried back to the old convent, and his cries frightened the small number ot zealous members -- not over thirty or forty -- still remaining there. They comprehended that it was upon themselves, the Jacobins, that the Feuillants would try to throw the responsibility of the first provocation. Had not the first petition come from the Jacobins? To be sure, it had been withdrawn; but the second petition -- which had not been withdrawn -- was evidently the offspring of the first. No wonder the Jacobins were frightened. That white face, that phantom of virtue, th...