Robespierre's arrival at twelve o'clock is hailed by repeated rounds of loud applause, which he acknowledges with a gracious bow, proud and smiling. Turning to Lebas who accompanies him, he remarks, "Did I not tell you it would be a success?" So certain is he of victory that before starting he had set the Duplays quite at ease as to the issue of the struggle. "Believe me," he had said, "the greater part of the Convention are unbiassed." But suddenly, at the commencement of the sitting, when Saint-Just appears in the tribune, a counter movement makes itself felt in the assembly. Robespierre realising the importance of at once preventing any hostile demonstration, advances to the foot of the tribune, determined to daunt his opponents by a bold front. Saint-Just at once renews the accusation brought against the Committee by the Incorruptible the day before, accentuating it without mentioning names. It is now that the anti-Robespierrist plot, admirably planned, begins to work. Tallien, one of the conspirators, breaks in upon Saint-Just violently. "Enough of these vague accusations!" he cries. "The names! Let us have the names!" Saint-Just, encouraged by a look from Robespierre, simply shrugs his shoulders, and continues. But his voice is immediately drowned in a thundering clamour, and in spite of the vehement protestations of Robespierre, he is unable to finish his speech. The anti-Robespierrist cabal are playing their part well. They simply roar. Billaud-Varennes demands a hearing. He is already in the tribune, greeted by sustained applause. Robespierre, growing excited, protests and persists in speaking, but his voice is drowned in cries of "Silence! Silence! Let Billaud-Varennes speak!" Collot d'Herbois rings the president's bell, and adds to the noise under the pretext of repressing it. "Let Billaud-Varennes speak! Let Billaud-Varennes speak!" But Robespierre continues to protest-- "Don't listen to that man! His words are but poisonous drivel!" Immediately loud cries are heard-- "Order! Order! Robespierre is not in the tribune! Billaud-Varennes is in the tribune! Silence! Silence!" And Robespierre, with a shrug of contempt, returns to his place. Silence being gradually restored, Billaud-Varennes begins to speak. "I was at the Jacobins' yesterday; the room was crowded with men posted there to insult the National representatives, and to calumniate the Committee of Public Safety which devotes its days and nights to kneading bread for you, to forging arms and raising armies for you, to sending them forth to victory!" A voice is heard in approval, and fresh applause breaks out; but the gaze of the orator is fixed on that part of the assembly called the Mountain. He seems to recognise some one, at whom he points with lifted arm. "I see yonder, on the Mountain, one of the wretches who insulted us yesterday. There he stands!"