Urbain also tried to comfort her by promising to keep her informed of whatever happened. There was some talk of an insurrection of the Commune, he told her, of an attack on the Convention by an armed force, headed by Coffinhal, who was entirely devoted to Robespierre. Who could tell whether the Incorruptible's vengeance might not be brooding! Once rescued, he would again be all-powerful, and change the face of affairs! "With him, one never knows what may happen!" continued Urbain hopefully. "He has so many resources, and he is, besides, so popular!" Clarisse, worn out with grief, was, of necessity, resigned. "May God's will be done!" she sighed. "I shall wait for you here." Urbain left them, and the two women knelt in prayer. The storm which had hung threateningly over Paris all day now burst out. Night had just set in when streaks of lurid light shot through the darkness, heralding a thunder-storm. Suddenly the sound of a bell was heard. It grew louder and louder, pealing a signal of alarm. Clarisse had risen and stood erect and pale. "The tocsin!" she gasped, and then ran to the window, followed by Thérèse. Troops could be discerned in the distance, brandishing pikes and guns. A shout reached the two women-- "Down with the Convention!" Other cries were raised. "Call out the Sections! Call out the Sections! Long live the Incorruptible!" The roll of drums was heard. They were beating to arms! Horsemen galloped past in great disorder. Beyond doubt it was an insurrection! Then some one knocked, and the two women turned. "Come in!" cried Clarisse. Urbain appeared, breathless and bathed in perspiration. "I told you so! Robespierre has been rescued!" "Rescued!" exclaimed both women, unable to conceal their joy. "Yes! rescued on the way to the Conciergerie, and carried in triumph to the Hôtel de Ville, where he now is, with his brother and his friends, Lebas, Couthon, and Saint-Just, rescued with him! It is war to the knife between the Communes and the Convention. Both parties are arming. Coffinhal has had to fall back on the Hôtel de Ville." The cries outside grew louder and nearer, while the tocsin still rang out. "To arms! To arms! Long live the Incorruptible!" "Do you hear? They are stirring up the Sections! They will make a new attack on the Tuileries!" "And what is to become of us?" asked Clarisse, "and of my son?" "I don't know about your son. But Citoyen Robespierre has thought of you two. It was he who has sent me." "To tell us?..."