Madame Duplay. What work kept you up last night?
Robespierre. It was not the work, but the worry.
Madame Duplay. You seem preoccupied—as if some great catastrophe were about to happen.
Robespierre. Yes, a catastrophe.
Madame Duplay. Can't you prevent it?
Robespierre. Oh, I must bring it about, on the contrary.
Madame Duplay. Of course, I have no right to ask questions, but you mustn't be sad today. We're having a festival. Le Bas and Saint-Just came back from the army last night.
Robespierre. Saint-Just returned! Good: I need him.
Madame Duplay. And I forgot to tell you: a general came here and wanted to see you, General Westermann. He came before sunrise, but I wouldn't let him in. He said he would come back in an hour. Will you receive him?
Robespierre. I don't know.
Madame Duplay. He waited a long time in the yard—in the rain.
Robespierre. Very well.
Madame Duplay. What an awful night! I came in soaked to the skin.
Robespierre. Where were you?
Madame Duplay. At the Markets. I was waiting in line since midnight. They were pushing so! You had to keep your eyes open, or some one would take your place! The moment they opened, every one
