our hands the order of release that you have promised me. Now, it is
for you to decide whether you will live or die."

As he spoke, Coursegol pushed open the door leading to the cellar used
by Vauquelas as the repository of his riches and disappeared. Vauquelas
rose from his kneeling posture, filled with consternation by what he had
just heard. The extremity to which he was reduced was a cruel one; he
must bribe the incorruptible Robespierre. When he made the promise to
Coursegol he did not intend to fulfil it: he intended to denounce him;
but the shrewdness of his partner had placed him in a most embarrassing
position. He was obliged to keep his promise, but he could do it only by
compromising his influence and his reputation; and yet there was no help
for it since Coursegol could ruin him by a single word. How much he
regretted that the strength and vigor of his youth were now paralyzed by
age. If he had been twenty years younger, how desperately he would have
struggled with the man who had suddenly become a formidable enemy! What
an effort he would have made to kill him and thus silence him forever.
But such a plan was no longer feasible; nothing was left for him but
submission. About an hour after Coursegol left him, he went to his room
to obtain the rest of which he stood so greatly in need. He threw
himself upon the bed; but sleep refused to come to his relief. At
daybreak he was upon his feet once more. He wished, before leaving the
house, to see Coursegol again. The latter had slept with his pistol in
his hand, guarding the strong-box upon which his life as well as the
lives of Dolores and Philip depended.

"Have you the order?" inquired Coursegol.

"I am going for it," responded Vauquelas, meekly.

"Do not return without it if you wish to leave this place alive."

Vauquelas hastily retired. Robespierre lived on the Rue Saint Honore.
Thither Vauquelas went, wondering under what form he should present his
petition. The friendship existing between this celebrated man and
himself was lively and profound. It had its origin in former relations,
in services mutually rendered, and in common interests, but so far as
Robespierre was concerned, he would never allow friendship to conflict
with what he considered his duty. Even in his most cruel decisions, he
was honest and sincere. He was deeply impressed with a sense of his
responsibility and no consideration foreign to what he regarded as the
welfare of the Nation co