"Yes, both of them." "Ah!" sighed Robespierre, with relief. "And I have given strict instructions in your name, that they were not to be allowed out, under any circumstances. I am quite satisfied on that point, since the Concierge knows that they have been arrested by your orders." "By my orders?" "Yes, alas!" And he whispered to the Incorruptible, as if fearing to be heard-- "They are the two women from Montmorency." "The women of the forest?" "Yes!" Robespierre leant back against his desk for support. Lebas pulled an armchair towards him, into which he sank quite overcome. "You could not have prevented it!" said Lebas gently; "nowadays surprises of that sort are common enough. How could you know?" The Incorruptible gave no reply, but seemed lost in a dream. "Take some rest now.... You must feel exhausted.... I feel so myself.... _Au revoir_ till to-morrow. After all, why should you worry? Are we not the masters?" "That is the question!" murmured Robespierre, without lifting his eyes. But Lebas had just closed the door, and wished him good night. Robespierre, left alone, resumed his train of thought. He had, himself, then, ordered the two women to be arrested. This made everything clear to his mind! He now understood why Olivier had insulted him, and matters were more complicated than he had imagined. But what was Clarisse doing at Montmorency? How had she gained acquaintance with that man Vaughan, who had proposed to him the Regency in the name of England? For one moment he was vain enough to think that Clarisse had acted in conjunction with the Englishman. She had perhaps an idea of winning Robespierre over to the Royalist cause, and of rendering homage to his exalted position and power, realising all the good he could do. If this were indeed the fact, then she knew everything, was aware of the Englishman's proposals, and of the forest interview! She was in possession of his secret and could by a single word completely ruin him! No! No! He was raving! ... Why! he was accusing the mother of his child! For she was the mother of his son! Then he alone was in fault; ... he who had her arrested for no reason! For no reason? Was that so certain? And he sought about in his mind for excuses. Yes! he was the dupe of Fate, the tool of blind Destiny! Why had Clarisse been there? Why had she been implicated with the secret interview? Why? Ah! why?