Page:Great Men and Famous Women Volume 6.djvu/56

 '238 WORKMEN AND HEROES band. He was twenty-two years her senior, and possessed an imperious temper and an exacting nature. But the most ardent wife could not have better per- formed her duty to the most lovable of husbands. Naturally democratic in her feelings and sympathies, Madame Roland took the keenest interest in the progress of the Revolution ; from her quiet retreat she studied its leading members, and when, in 1791, her husband was chosen deputy to the Constituent Assembly, she accompanied him to Paris, and their apartments became the rendezvous for such men as Brissot, Buzot, Danton, Robespierre, Pdtion, and many more, who met to confer with one another and to exchange ideas and suggestions. Madame Roland sat apart with her em- broidery and listened. Of these meetings she speaks thus in her " Memoirs " : " Good ideas were started and excellent principles maintained ; but there was no path marked out, no determinate point toward which each person should direct his views. Sometimes for very vexation, I could have boxed the ears of these philosophers." Had not her sex precluded this silent spirit of the Girondists from taking part in these counsels, if, instead of acting second hand through her husband, she could have taken the lead, as her genius, perception, honesty, and courage en- titled her to do, who knows that she might not have averted the disasters which befell the party through its dissensions. In March, 1792, Roland was elected minister of the interior; and Madame Roland presided over the establishment that had been sumptuously fitted up for Madame Necker. Roland became the idol of the patriotic party, and was en- chanted with his excellent position. He urged upon King Louis XVI., in whom he reposed great faith, the necessity of a decree against the priesthood, and the establishment of a camp in the suburbs of Paris. Louis demurred, Roland in- sisted in the famous letter written by his wife, and placed in the king's hands June nth. This letter became immensely popular. The Assembly ordered it to be printed and copies sent to all departments, together with expressions of na- tional regret at the discharge of Roland and his friends, which the letter caused. But they were recalled to office after the dreadful August 10th. Twice a week Madame Roland gave a dinner to fifteen of her husband's col- leagues, with whom he wished to converse. No other lady was present. The Girondists were at the apex of society, and Madame Roland was the life and im- petus of the party. She endeavored to infuse its members with her hatred of false pride and old prejudices, and with her desire to establish a liberal democ- racy. Always enthusiastic, and vexed with the lack of unity and direct purpose in the Assembly, she was over-zealous in some of her suggestions. Among the brilliant men whom she entertained at these dinners, was one, young, handsome, elegant, and refined, whose many manly qualities woke in her heart that long-delayed passion which a nature so ardent must sometime feel. This man was Buzot ; and he was as irresistibly drawn to this beautiful, brilliant woman as the magnet to the steel. Madame Roland was at this time thirty-eight years old ; her brilliant color