CAMILLE. We know only too well how those laws are made. We are all lawyers, Robespierre; we know what masquerades beneath the majesty of the law. I would laugh seeing us together here, if I did not think of the tears that are shed at the comedy we now play. We cost mankind too much. Virtue itself is not worth the price we pay for it--and crime, all the more so. ROBESPIERRE. He who could not accomplish this task had no business undertaking it. But he who accepts, should march straight ahead and say nothing, until he falls crushed with its weight. CAMILLE. I am willing to sacrifice myself, but not others. ROBESPIERRE. Good-by.--And--remember Hérault. CAMILLE. Why do you mention Hérault P ROBESPIERRE. He is arrested. DANTON _and_ CAMILLE. Arrested? He just left this house! ROBESPIERRE. I know. LUCILE. What has he done? Maximilien, what is his crime? ROBESPIERRE. He kept a proscript in his house. CAMILLE. He did his duty. ROBESPIERRE. The Committee has done its duty. DANTON [no _longer able to restrain himself_]. You damned blackguard, do you want to cut the throats of us all? You lop off the branches before attacking the heart. Let me tell you, my roots extend way down into the earth, in the hearts of the people of France. You will never pull them out except by killing the Republic. My fall will carry the rest of you along, and the vile vermin that are now gnawing at my feet will be the first to go. Does my patience encourage you? Do the vermin run up my body? I won't stand it much longer! The lion stretches himself! You little rat, you don't know that I could crush you between my fingers if I wished? Hurrah for war, if you want war! The excitement of past conflicts is getting the better of me. My voice has been silent for too long. Once more it will send the nation to fight against the tyrants! CAMILLE. We'll scale the new Tuileries. The _Vieux Cordelier_ will sound the battle-cry. [ROBESPIERRE _quietly goes to the door._ LUCILE, _deeply troubled and unable to utter a word, disappears for a moment into the next room, and comes back with a baby._] LUCILE. Maximilien! [ROBESPIERRE _turns, looks at the little Horace, hesitates a moment, smiles, then takes the baby and sits down. He kisses him, and looks at_ LUCILE _and_ CAMILLE. _Then, without a word, he returns the baby to_ LUCILE, _and goes out. The incident is played without visible emotion, except on the part of_ LUCILE.] CAMILLE. Poor Lucile! You're worried? LUCILE. Oh, Camille, Camille, how imprudent of you! CAMILLE. You made me nervous just now. LUCILE. I'm sorry. CAMILLE. One must say what one thinks. And then--[_With a shrug._] Oh, I have nothing to fear: he really likes me, and he will defend me. LUCILE. Still, I'm afraid. CAMILLE. He is more afraid than we: Danton's voice has proved effective. He is one of those men who need to fear those they love. Well, we must see our friends, and come to an understanding. Let us lose no time. Come, Danton.