CAMILLE. You are too generous. Your renunciation will never be understood. Robespierre will not believe in your sincerity. He is suspicious and he will find some Machiavellian explanation for it. You have every reason to fear that your enemies will profit by your abdication to strike a blow at you. DANTON. Danton does not abdicate: he is retiring temporarily from the conflict; but he is nearby in case of danger. Don't worry; all by myself, I am the strongest of them all; men like me do not fear to be forgotten; all we have to do is to remain quiet for a while in order that the people may notice what a great difference is made by our absence. Why, I shall even increase my popularity. Instead of disputing the power with the Achæans, I allow that power to weigh heavy on their puny shoulders. CAMILLE. The first use they will make of it will be against you. The whole pack of Vadier's men will be down upon you. DANTON. I'll attend to them! I am used to fighting monsters. When I was a child, I struggled with bulls. This broken nose of mine, this torn lip, this battered face--it all bears marks of their horns. One day I chased some wild pigs through the woods, and they bit my stomach. I'm not afraid of Vadiers. And besides, they are too afraid. CAMILLE. But what if they did dare? They have recalled Saint-Just from the army in order to reassure themselves. They say they are waiting for his return to begin action. DANTON. Well, if they push me too far, on their heads be it! I have a thick skin, and I am not easily insulted, but the day I throw myself upon them I shan't stop until the last one is laid low. The dirty scoundrels! I could make a mouthful of the lot of them! [LUCILE _runs into the room, goes to_ CAMILLE, _and says in a frightened voice:_] LUCILE. Robespierre! [_Enter_ ROBESPIERRE, _reserved and impassive; he glances about quickly and cautiously, and makes no other movement._] CAMILLE [_cordially, but a little ironically, as he greets_ ROBESPIERRE]. My dear Maximilien, you come in the nick of time. You have been uppermost in our conversation during the past hour. DANTON [_embarrassed_]. How are you, Robespierre? [_Undecided whether to offer his handy he waits for his rival to make the first step._ ROBESPIERRE _does not reply, but shakes hands formally with_ LUCILE _and_ CAMILLE, _and bows quickly to_ DANTON. _He then sits down._ CAMILLE _and_ DANTON _remain standing._ LUCILE _busies herself as before_.] LUCILE. How kind of you to find time to come and visit us! And you must be very busy! Sit closer to the fire. There's a fog outside that chills you to the bone. And how are your dear landlords and hosts, Citizens Duplay, and my little friend Eléonore? ROBESPIERRE. Very well, thank you, Lucile.--Camille, I have something to discuss with you. LUCILE. Shall I leave? ROBESPIERRE. No, not you! CAMILLE [_stopping_ DANTON, _who starts to go_]. Danton is a partner in all my thoughts.