of virtue? Nonsense! Aristides the enemy of Leonidas? The bastion of the Republic and the rampart of the Patrie! Why, they're meant to help each other! Good fellows like us always put the glory of the nation above everything, don't we? We understand, don't we? [He offers his hand. Robespierre does not move a muscle.] He won't give me his hand, eh? Won't you, really? Are you my enemy, then? You're planning to ruin me? By God, if I thought that—! Am I a good-for-nothing blackguard to be kept waiting for two hours in the street, and then when you finally let me in, you don't even offer me a chair? You let me stand up, and don't even answer me? By God! [He stamps on the floor.]
Robespierre [glacially]. General, you are on the wrong track. There is a great difference between Leonidas and Père Duchesne. You take your models from a dangerous quarter.
Westermann [surprised]. What quarter?
Robespierre. The Revolution.
Westermann [genuinely astonishted]. But, tell me, citizen, what have I done? What do you accuse me of?
Robespierre. The Committee of Public Safety will tell you.
Westermann. I have a right to be told now.
Robespierre. Ask your conscience.
Westermann. My conscience is clear.
Robespierre. I pity the man who cannot hear the voice of remorse.
Westermann [calming himself with a violent effort,
