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170 invest and threaten the representatives of the nation, what resistance could they offer?

Robespierre, by attacking this demand for a provincial guard, enhanced his own popularity, while the accusation of federalism began to be urged with increased plausibility against the Gironde. In the meanwhile, there came a respite to these unfortunate dissensions of patriots on the arrival in Paris of the victorious General Dumouriez. All parties vied with each other in welcoming him. With the object of bringing about a reconciliation between Danton and Madame Roland, Dumouriez came to dine with the latter, and, with some embarrassment, presented her with a magnificent bouquet of oleander. She replied with a neatly-turned speech, and the numerous guests, looked upon the little incident as of good augury. Vergniaud alone was not touched by the hope and joy of the moment, did not share the general delight at the realisation of their ardently-desired Republic. With his veiled look turned inwards, he sat silently brooding, and, seeing the radiant hostess drop some petals from the nosegay into her wine, be remarked half-aloud to Barbaroux, "Not flowers but cypress-leaves should we drop into our glasses to-night. In drinking to the Republic, whose cradle has been dipped in the blood of September, who knows but that we drinking to our own death? Never mind; if this were my blood, I would still drain it to liberty and equality." No guest but he, the poet-politician, saw the inexorable shadow in the festively-light room which rang to the cries of "Long live the Republic!"

So bright a scene this of the 14th of October! Roland's wife presiding, brilliant with beauty and eloquence to-night, with her hair as usual flowing in dark,