Robespierre rose from his seat, and answered wearily-- "Very well! let us go! And God grant that the defenders of the Convention be as valiant as ours!" he added in bitter sarcasm. "Before starting," suggested Payan, "you had better sign this last proclamation. It will serve to rouse the sectioners of the Pignes Quarter." "Very well! Give it to me!" Lebas handed him a pen. Robespierre wrote the first letters of his name, Rob.... He stopped suddenly. A distant sound, as of a trumpet-call, rang out in fearful warning. They look at each other anxiously. What could it be? A man ran in upon them, in breathless haste. It was Didier, Robespierre's agent. "The attack!" he panted. "The troops of the Convention are coming upon us, led by Barras!" "But what does it all mean?" they cried wildly. "What has happened?" There was not a moment to lose! The assailants were advancing in double column; Leonard Bourdon reading by the light of the torches the decree of the Convention declaring the insurgents outlaws. Yes, outlaws! Anybody was at liberty to fire on them! "But the people," asked Lebas, "the people are with us?" No! the people were no longer with the insurgents. They had turned back, and were following the assailants with loud cheers. Robespierre and his friends could even then hear their deafening shouts and threats. "Hark! Do you hear them?" said Didier. "They are on the quay!" Now followed a regular panic. The maddest proposals succeeded each other. They ought to fall back on to the Faubourg! said one. No, to the arsenal! suggested another. But Robespierre resolutely and authoritatively interposed-- "It would be absolute madness! Prepare yourselves for the fight! Get the guns ready. There are artillerymen enough in the square to shoot them all down." "Yes! That is the best plan! The Incorruptible is right." Coffinhal ran to the window to give a signal to the gunners. A loud cry of "Long live the Republic!" answered him. Robespierre recommended prudence to Coffinhal. He must instruct the gunners to let the enemy first reach the square, and then at close quarters fire on them, while Bourdon would be reading the decree. Every one approved this plan, and the order was repeated to Coffinhal. Prudence and self-possession were necessary. Didier, on being questioned, assured them that the cannon still commanded the square. They were a match for any assailants! Robespierre continued to give orders. The patriots in the next room, the General Council Chamber, must be informed of the plan. Lebas went to open the door, but started back on the threshold. "The room is empty!" he cried. "The cowards! they have fled!" They looked at each other in dumb amazement. The men on watch at the windows now announced that the assailants were in sight. They could discern the gleam of torches, but the gunners had not moved.