Olivier again reassured them. Clarisse wished to find a secluded spot where they could talk undisturbed, and Thérèse having espied an empty bench under another acacia, they took possession of it. Olivier now anxiously questioned his mother, wanting to know every detail of her arrest, but Clarisse interrupted him. He must first tell them about himself. Was he really safe? How did he get to Paris? Where was he staying? Olivier was obliged to answer, telling them his adventures as quickly as possible, that he might return to their arrest. When he had satisfied them, he asked breathlessly-- "And you? Tell me everything. I must know all." Clarisse then told him of their arrest, departure, and halt at Montmorency; of the long drive to Paris, their arrival in the prison more dead than alive, and how they gained heart on learning it was one of the least cruel in Paris. She had been able to judge for herself when she awoke in the morning, and was so cordially received by her fellow-prisoners, men and women who, as she discovered on their introducing themselves, belonged to her world. She then pointed out to Olivier among those taking their after-dinner promenade Madame de Narbonne, so gentle, so compassionate, and her little girl, such a darling child! then the Count and Countess de Lavergne; the Marquise de Choiseul, who had taken such kind and delicate interest in Thérèse at breakfast; the whole family de Malussie; the Count de Broglie; the Chevalier de Bar; the Maréchal de Mouchy and his lady, whom Clarisse had met in her youth at Versailles; Mademoiselle de Béthisy, and the Marquis d'Avaux. "Yes," she said, with a sad smile. "I have not found myself in such elegant company since we left Pontivy." "That is easily explained," replied Olivier; "the prisons of the Republic are used only for the nobility." "You are mistaken," Clarisse answered gently. "Among the prisoners there are, I can assure you, men and women of the lower middle-class, who have given proofs of the highest nobility of soul." "That is exactly what I mean--they are eminent in virtue, as the others are in birth. And they are consequently not wanted. All that is wanted is equality.... Equality in infamy!" "Hush! Be quiet, you may be heard!" "Be quiet? I shall be quiet when they tell me of what you are accused; for, after all, why have you been arrested? What have you done?" "That is just what we ask ourselves," answered Clarisse. And then she continued as if she were thinking aloud-- "At first I fancied that some one had denounced us, but I put that thought aside at once, for who could have done so?" "Who?" exclaimed Olivier, astonished that his mother as yet knew nothing. Looking at her fixedly, he continued-- "What! Is it possible they have not told you?" "Told me? Who could tell me? ... Then it was...?" she asked breathlessly. "It was Robespierre!"