VADIER. Never worry; you are risking enough as it is. If Danton were a prisoner he would incite the people; and never doubt, if he is victorious, he will send you to the block. SAINT-JUST. I despise the dust I am made of. My heart is the only thing that really belongs to me, and I will pass through life, through blood and murder, without sullying its purity. BILLAUD-VARENNE [_with hard and disdainful severity_]. Self-esteem is pure selfishness. It makes no difference to us whether Saint-Just's heart is gullied or not; we are saving the Republic. SAINT-JUST [_with an inquiring look at_ ROBESPIERRE]. Robespierre! ROBESPIERRE. My friend, you need fear nothing so far as your soul is concerned. The storm and stress of a Revolution are not dealt with according to ordinary processes of law; we cannot apply moral standards to the force that is now shaping the world on a new foundation. Of course, we must be just; but the individual conscience cannot judge: only the public conscience matters. Our light is in the people: its salvation is our law. We have but one question to ask ourselves: do the people want Danton put down? Once that question is decided, the whole matter is ended. We must wage war to win. Justice means that that which is just shall triumph. We cannot wait: Danton must be laid low. To allow him to arm himself would be to offer our breast to the dagger of an assassin; military and financial despotism would rule the Revolution, and civil wars lay waste our land for a hundred years. We would be hated in history, though we deserve to be loved. BILLAUD-VARENNE. We must win at all costs! Every one must tremble with fear at our terrible dictatorship! VADIER. This is not a question of whether one man shall or shall not be judged according to law, but whether all Europe is to become Jacobin or not. SAINT-JUST [_his hands to his breast, resembling David's "Robespierre," in his picture of the "Tennis-Court Oath"_]. Oh, Republic, take my honor if you will, take me and devour me! BILLAUD-VARENNE [_sharply_]. Perhaps at this very moment the Republic is choking; our ideas are fruitless; Reason is dying. Quick! ROBESPIERRE. Arrest Danton. [_He signs a paper._ BILLAUD-VARENNE _also signs, in feverish haste._] SAINT-JUST. For you, Liberty! [_He signs._] BILLAUD-VARENNE. The Convention won't object? ROBESPIERRE [_disdainfully_]. The Convention is always ready to sacrifice its members for the public welfare. VADIER [_signing_]. Leave this matter to me. ROBESPIERRE [_with a sigh_]. The Revolution weighs heavier on our shoulders than ever. VADIER [_aside_]. The cat-tiger has scruples, but he licks his chops all the same! ROBESPIERRE. A regrettable necessity. We mutilate the Republic in order to save her.