DANTON [_who sits, preoccupied_]. Yes. Where are we going? CAMILLE. To join Philippeaux and Westermann, and save Hérault. DANTON. Tomorrow--tomorrow. CAMILLE. Tomorrow will be too late. DANTON [_very sad--affectionately_]. Lucile, read me something; sing to me; console me. LUCILE. What is the matter with you? [_She stands behind him and leans on his shoulder. He takes her hand and presses it to his cheek._] DANTON. Oh, Republic! Destroying herself! Destroying her own handiwork. Victors or victims, what difference does it make? Victims in either case! CAMILLE. In either case, victors, crowned with Glory! DANTON [rising--_violently_]. Come, then, and may the Republic confound the world with the echo of her fall! ACT II [ROBESPIERRE'S _room in the Duplay house. There are two doors. The walls are white and hare. There is a chestnut bedstead with blue damask curtains with a white flower design. A simple desk. A few straw-bottomed chairs. Some flowers in a glass on the window-sill. Down-stage center is a small stove, with a chair on one side and a stool on the other. The door on the left leads to the Duplays' apartments. The window looks out on a courtyard in which carpenters are working; they are heard hammering, planing, and sawing._ ROBESPIERRE _sits alone at his desk._] MADAME DUPLAY [_opening the door_]. Am I disturbing you, Maximilien? ROBESPIERRE [_with a friendly smile_]. No, Citizen Duplay. [_He offers her his hand._] MADAME DUPLAY. Always working! You never went to bed last night! ROBESPIERRE. I was at the Committee. MADAME DUPLAY. I heard you come in. It was after three. Couldn't you rest this morning? ROBESPIERRE. You know I never sleep very much; I have trained my body to obey my head. MADAME DUPLAY. You promised me you wouldn't sit up any more. You're wearing yourself out; you'll get sick. And then what would become of us? ROBESPIERRE. My poor friends, you must get used to doing without me. I shan't always be here, you know. MADAME DUPLAY. You aren't thinking of leaving us? ROBESPIERRE [_with sincerity and emphasis_]. No, but I shall leave sooner than you expect. MADAME DUPLAY. Oh, no; I insist on being the first to leave, and I am in no hurry. ROBESPIERRE [_with a smile_]. I should feel easier if I knew others were not so dependent on me. MADAME DUPLAY. Don't you care to have people like you? ROBESPIERRE. France would be better off if every one thought less of Robespierre and more of Liberty. MADAME DUPLAY. But Liberty and Robespierre are one. ROBESPIERRE. That is why I am so concerned about her. I fear for her health. MADAME DUPLAY [_going to the window_]. What noise they make in the court! I know it must tire you. I told Duplay twenty times to ask them not to begin so early and wake you up, but he said you insisted that everything go on as usual.