ROBESPIERRE. There are four or five whom I respect: the honest Couthon, who thinks nothing of his own sufferings, and only of those of the world; the lovable and modest Le Bas; my brother, who has a good heart but thinks too much about his pleasure; two children, and a man who is on the point of death. ELÉONORE. But Saint-Just? ROBESPIERRE. I am afraid of him. Saint-Just is the living sword of the Revolution, her implacable weapon; he would sacrifice me, as he has the others, to his immutable law. Every one else conspires against me. They dislike my clearsightedness, they are jealous of the people's love for me; they try to render me odious in their eyes. The proconsuls of Marseille and Lyon commit atrocities in the name of Robespierre. The counter-revolution now preaches clemency, and again terror. If I release my hold through weariness, I am lost, and so is the Republic. Couthon is ill. Le Bas and my brother are two stupids. Saint-Just is far away, and holds the armies. I am left alone surrounded by traitors, who are trying all the while to strike me from behind. They will kill me, Eléonore. ELÉONORE [_taking his hand, and with child-like vivacity_]. If you die, you will not die alone. [ROBESPIERRE _looks at her affectionately, and she blushes_.] ROBESPIERRE. My dear Eléonore, no, you will not die. I am stronger than my cowardly enemies. I have Truth on my side. ELÉONORE. You are so worried, and yet you ought to be happy, because you are working for every one's happiness. How unjust life is! ROBESPIERRE. Now I have made you sad. I was wrong to shatter, your illusions. Forgive me. ELÉONORE. Don't be sorry. I am very proud of your confidence in me. All night long I thought about those pages from Rousseau you read us yesterday. They were so soothing. I heard the sound of your voice--and those beautiful words. I know them by heart! ROBESPIERRE [_reciting, with an air of affectionate melancholy, and with great sincerity_]. "The communion of hearts gives to sadness something inexplicably sweet and touching, and friendship is the especial gift to the unfortunate for the assuagement of their woes and the consolation of their sufferings." [ELÉONORE, _her hand in his, says nothing, but she smiles and blushes_.] You say nothing? ELÉONORE [_reciting_]. "Can anything that one says to one's friend ever equal what one feels by his side?" MADAME DUPLAY [_outside_]. Maximilien, here is Saint-Just. [ELÉONORE _runs out._ SAINT-JUST _enters._ ROBESPIERRE _greets him. They shake hands as if they had been separated only a very short time._] SAINT-JUST. How are you? ROBESPIERRE. How are you, Saint-Just? [_They sit down._] SAINT-JUST [_gazing calmly at_ ROBESPIERRE]. I am very glad to see you again. ROBESPIERRE. Le Bas writes us that it was only by the barest chance that we see you again. SAINT-JUST. Yes. [_A pause._] We need arms there; the army lacks muskets.