"I know him," he said. "I was chaplain at his house." He reflected for a moment, and then continued: "He was fond of women before he became active in military affairs." "Like Biron, who was a Lauzun," said Danton. Cimourdain added thoughtfully,-- "Yes, formerly a man devoted to pleasure. He must be terrible." "Frightful!" said Robespierre. "He burns villages, kills the wounded, massacres prisoners, and shoots women." "Women?" "Yes. Among others he ordered a woman to be shot who was the mother of three children. No one knows what became of the children. Moreover, he is really a leader. He understands the art of warfare." "True," replied Cimourdain. "When he was in the Hanoverian war the soldiers used to say, 'Richelieu above, Lantenac below;' but the latter was the actual general. Ask your colleague Dussaulx about it." Robespierre remained for a moment absorbed in thought; then the conversation between Cimourdain and himself was renewed. "Well, citizen Cimourdain, this man is in the Vendée." "How long since?" "Three weeks ago." "He must be outlawed." "That has been done." "A price must be set upon his head." "That also has been done." "A large sum of money must be offered for his capture." "The offer has been made," "It must not be in assignats." "Certainly not." "But in gold." "It has been so promised." "And he must be guillotined." "That shall be done." "By whom?" "By you!" "By me?" "Yes; you will be delegated by the Committee of Public Safety with ample powers." "I accept," said Cimourdain. Robespierre was rapid in his decisions,--a states-manlike quality. He took from the portfolio that lay before him a sheet of white paper, at the head of which the following words were printed: "French Republic, one and indivisible: Committee of Public Safety." "I accept," continued Cimourdain. "Let the terrible encounter the terrible. Lantenac is ferocious; I will be equally so. It shall be war unto death with that man; I shall rid the Republic of him, if it be God's will." He stopped, then continued,-- "I am a priest; I believe in God." "God has grown antiquated," said Danton. "I believe in God," repeated Cimourdain, unmoved. Robespierre gloomily nodded his approval, and Cimourdain continued,-- "To whom shall I be delegated?" Robespierre replied,-- "To the commandant of the exploring division sent against Lantenac. But I give you warning that he is a nobleman."