Danton. I see! My colleagues will be allowed to murder me, and I shall not be permitted to bring confusion on my murderers!
Fouquier-Tinville. You dare insult the national representatives!
Philippeaux. Are we here as a mere matter of form? Do you want us to remain mute?
Camille. People, you hear! They are afraid of the truth! They fear the testimony that will confound them!
Judge. Address the court, and not the people.
Philippeaux. The people are our sole judges; you are nothing without them.
Camille. I ask the Convention!
Danton. You want to gag us, but you cannot. My voice will stir Paris to its very entrails. Light! Light!
Judge. Silence!
The People. The witnesses! [The Judges become alarmed.]
Fouquier-Tinville. It is time to cease this scandalous discussion; I shall write to the Convention of your request: we will obey their command. [The People applaud. Fouquier-Tinville and Herman consult together, write the request, and read in an undertone what they have written.]
Camille [exultant]. We have won our case!
Danton. We'll confound the blackguards. You'll see them fall into their own vileness head-first. If the French people are what they ought to be, I shall be obliged to ask their pardon.
