"That is all settled," said Courfeyrac. "No. There is another very important matter." "What is it?" Combeferre asked "The Barrière du Maine." Enjolras was absorbed in thought for a moment, and then continued,-- "At the Barrière du Maine are stone-cutters and painters, an enthusiastic body, but subject to chills. I do not know what has been the matter with them for some time past, but they are thinking of other things. They are dying out, and they spend their time in playing at dominoes. It is urgent to go and talk to them rather seriously, and they meet at Richefeu's, where they may be found between twelve and one o'clock. Those ashes must be blown up, and I had intended to intrust the task to that absent fellow Marius, who is all right, but no longer comes here. I need some one for the Barrière du Maine, and have no one left." "Why, I am here," said Grantaire. "You?" "I." "You indoctrinate republicans? you warm up chilled hearts in the name of principles?" "Why not?" "Can you possibly be fit for anything?" "Well, I have a vague ambition to be so." "You believe in nothing." "I believe in you." "Grantaire, will you do a service?" "Any one; clean your boots." "Well, do not meddle in our affairs, sleep off your absinthe." "You are an ungrateful fellow, Enjolras!" "You be the man capable of going to the Barrière du Maine!" "I am capable of going down the Rue des Grès, crossing St. Michael's Square, cutting through the Rue Monsieur le Prince, taking the Rue de Vaugirard, passing the Carmelites, turning into the Rue d'Assas, arriving at the Rue Cherche Midi, leaving behind me the Council of War, stepping across the Rue des Vieilles-Tuileries, following the main road, going through the gate and entering Richefeu's. I am capable of all that, and so are my shoes." "Do you know the men at Richefeu's?" "Not much." "What will you say to them?" "Talk to them about Robespierre, Danton, and principles." "You!" "I. You really do not do me justice, for when I make up my mind to it I am terrible. I have read Prudhomme, I know the social contract, and have by heart my constitution of the year II. 'The liberty of the citizen ends where the liberty of another citizen begins.' Do you take me for a brute? I have an old assignat in my draw,--The Rights of Man, the sovereignty of the people, sapristi! I am a bit of a Hébertist myself. I can discourse splendid things for six hours at a stretch, watch in hand." "Be serious," said Enjolras. "I am stern," Grantaire answered. Enjolras reflected for a few seconds, and then seemed to have made up his mind. "Grantaire," he said gravely, "I consent to try you. You shall go to the Barrière du Maine.". Grantaire lodged in a furnished room close to the Café Musain. He went away and returned five minutes after--he had been home to put on a waistcoat of the Robespierre cut. "Red," he said on entering, and looked intently at Enjolras.