raged most hotly around him, Robespierre, the most ambitious, most
self-seeking demagogue of his time, had acquired the reputation of
being incorruptible and self-less, an enthusiastic servant of the
Republic.

The sea-green Incorruptible!

And thus whilst others talked and argued, waxed hot over schemes
for processions and pageantry, or loudly denounced the whole matter
as the work of a traitor, he, of the sea-green coat, sat quietly
polishing his nails.

But he had already weighed all these discussions in the balance of his
mind, placed them in the crucible of his ambition, and turned them
into something that would benefit him and strengthen his position.

Aye! the feast should be brilliant enough! gay or horrible, mad or
fearful, but through it all the people of France must be made to feel
that there was a guiding hand which ruled the destinies of all, a head
which framed the new laws, which consolidated the new religion and
established its new goddess: the Goddess of Reason.

Robespierre, her prophet!






Chapter II : A Retrospect