CAMILLE. Did you ever see him when some one told a nasty story in his presence? His brow contracts; he clasps his hands, he makes faces like a monkey with the tooth-ache. HÉRAULT. He inherits that from his father, and gets his hatred of Voltaire from Rousseau. LUCILE [_astonished_]. What! Is he Rousseau's son? HÉRAULT [_jokingly_]. Didn't you know? DANTON. Jesuit nonsense! He's more corrupt than the rest. He who slinks off to have his pleasures, usually has very poor morals. PHILIPPEAUX. Possibly, but if Robespierre loves pleasure he hides it effectively; and he is right, Danton. You parade your pleasures too much. You would sacrifice your fortune for a night at the Palais-Royal. DANTON. Because I prefer good fortune to bad. PHILIPPEAUX. Meantime, you are compromising yourself. Public opinion is quick to judge you. And what will posterity say when it learns that Danton, on the eve of a decisive struggle for the State, thought only of pleasure? DANTON. I don't give a damn about public opinion; reputation is nothing, and posterity a stinking cesspool! PHILIPPEAUX. And virtue, Danton? DANTON. Ask my wife whether mine satisfies her. PHILIPPEAUX. You don't believe what you say. You libel yourself and play into the hands of the enemy. WESTERMANN [_bursts forth after attempting to restrain himself_]. You damned gossips and braggarts! Some of them declaim about their virtues, and some about their vices. You can't do anything but talk. Your city is a nest of petty lawyers. The enemy is threatening us. Danton, tell me, yes or no, are you going to do anything? DANTON. Don't bother me. I've given my life and my peace of mind to save the Republic, but it doesn't deserve a single hour I have sacrificed. I tell you, Danton has at last bought the right to live for himself. CAMILLE. Danton has not bought the right to be a Siéyès. DANTON. Am I a draft-horse, condemned to turn the millstone till I drop? CAMILLE. You have entered a narrow pass surrounded by steep precipices and you cannot turn back: you must go on. The enemy are at hand; if you stop, they will push you over the side. They are already lifting a hand and planning when and where to strike. DANTON. I have only to turn and show them my mane, and they will fall back in dismay. WESTERMANN. Do it, then. What are you waiting for? DANTON. Later. PHILIPPEAUX. But your enemies are plotting. Billaud-Varenne is saying things against you. Vadier is making jokes about your quick demise. Reports of your arrest are circulating in Paris. DANTON [_tenth a shrug_]. Nonsense! They wouldn't dare! PHILIPPEAUX. Do you know what Vadier says? I hardly dare repeat it. He said, "We'll soon gut that fat turbot." DANTON [_enraged_]. Did Vadier say that? Well, tell that blackguard that I'll eat his brain, and grind his skull to powder! The moment I begin fighting for my life, I am worse than a cannibal! [_He flies into a rage._] WESTERMANN. At last! Now, come! DANTON. Where?