ACT II
[Robespierre's room in the Duplay house. There are two doors. The walls are white and bare. There is a chestnut bedstead with blue damask curtains with a white flower design. A simple desk. A few straw-bottomed chairs. Some flowers in a glass on the window-sill. Down-stage center is a small stove, with a chair on one side and a stool on the other. The door on the left leads to the Duplays' apartments. The window looks out on a courtyard in which carpenters are working; they are heard hammering, planing, and sawing. Robespierre sits alone at his desk.]
Madame Duplay [opening the door]. Am I disturbing you, Maximilien?
Robespierre [with a friendly smile]. No, Citizen Duplay. [He offers her his hand.]
Madame Duplay. Always working! You never went to bed last night!
Robespierre. I was at the Committee.
Madame Duplay. I heard you come in. It was after three. Couldn't you rest this morning?
Robespierre. You know I never sleep very much; I have trained my body to obey my head.
Madame Duplay. You promised me you wouldn't sit up any more. You're wearing yourself out;
169
