Lebas took out a note-book from his pocket. Was he a soldier, or a magistrate, this Mauluçon? Robespierre could not say. All he knew of him was that among the people represented as having gone into mourning for Louis XVI. he had seen the names of Pontivy, his son-in-law Mauluçon, and his daughter Clarisse. "Clarisse!" repeated Lebas, stopping his note-taking. Robespierre looked at him in surprise. In what way could that name interest him? Lebas had now closed his note-book, deep in thought. Clarisse? Olivier's mother was called Clarisse? But the woman who implored Robespierre's clemency for her son, aged nineteen, the woman whose letter he had refused to read just now ... "Was signed Clarisse?" cried Robespierre breathlessly. "Yes," replied Lebas. "That is his mother!"... And pointing to the young man, who was on the brink of swooning. "You see, it is she! Look at him; there is no mistaking, it is she!" "She is at the prison of La Bourbe, then," said Lebas. Robespierre could no longer hide his joy, at last he knew where to find them! But he was interrupted by a cry of pain. Olivier, thinking his mother now irretrievably lost, had fainted away. Robespierre ran to him, and bending over tried to bring him to consciousness, gently reassuring him, swearing he was going to give the prisoners their liberty. But Lebas, who was also bending over the young man, reminded the Incorruptible that Olivier no longer heard him. Then Robespierre, with infinite precautions, assisted by Lebas, lifted him into an armchair, and taking a bottle of scent left behind by the ladies, gently bathed Olivier's temples with the perfume. Lebas, rather anxious lest Robespierre's paternal solicitude should be discovered, remained on the watch, imploring him to be prudent. "Some one might come in!" he urged. Robespierre, entirely taken up with Olivier, shrugged his shoulders. "Let them come!" he said impatiently. "I have a right surely to pardon my own son!" Lebas recalled him to reality. No! he had no right to pardon a _chouan_, who had insulted the Republic the day before in presence of the whole nation. Robespierre's enemies would seize the occasion to cite the example of Brutus sacrificing his son to the interest of his country. They would exact from him a like proof of patriotism.... Robespierre was trying to loosen Olivier's cravat, but not succeeding asked Lebas's assistance. After all, he was right, especially as his enemies on the Committee of Public Safety, out of hatred for him, would kill the lad all the quicker. Opening the collar gently, he continued the while to reason about it, saying that the only means of saving him was to throw him brutally into prison, so as to mislead them, and to get him out secretly after three days. The young man heaved a sigh. "He is coming to," said Robespierre, checking his speculations.