Hérault [softly]. My poor friends, I really pity you.
Danton. Why, my handsome fellow?
Hérault. You're selling the bear-skin, when your own is already disposed of.
Danton. My skin? Yes, I know, there are many who would like it. Saint-Just especially. Well, let him come and take it, and if he succeeds, let him make a rug of it.
Hérault. Why bother? [He shrugs his shoulders and lapses into silence. Meanwhile, Fouquier-Tinville has finished his letter, which is taken out by a guard.]
Judge. While we await the Convention's answer, let us continue. [The gendarmes make the prisoners sit down again. He says to Philippeaux.] Your name and occupation?
Philippeaux. Pierre-Nicolas Philippeaux, former judge at Le Mans, representative in the Convention.
Judge. Your age?
Philippeaux. Thirty-five.
Judge. You are charged with having paralyzed the national defense, during your mission in La Vendée; you attempted to throw the Committee of Public Safety into disrepute, by means of insulting pamphlets; you were a conspirator with Danton and Fabre in their attempt to restore the royalty.
Philippeaux. I exposed the indignation of the public against the brigandage of certain generals. It was my duty, and I accomplished it.
Judge. In this implacable struggle for France, your
