the hall sacred to their
deliberations. There, ashamed and exhausted, at eleven o'clock that
night, the Convention mutilated itself, suspended twenty-two of its
members, and ordered the arrest of twenty-nine others.

{185}

CHAPTER XIII

THE REIGN OF TERROR

For six weeks after the fall of the Gironde, until the 13th of July, the
course of events in France, both in Paris and in the provinces, reflected
the bitterness of the two factions, conqueror and conquered. In a minor
way, it also revealed the fundamental difference of attitude between the
two wings of the successful party, between Danton, content to push the
Girondins out of the way of the national policy, and Robespierre,
rankling to destroy those who offended his puritanical and exclusive
doctrine.

The Girondins had behind them a strong country backing; they had always
been the advocates of the provinces against Paris; some of them had
declared for federalism, for local republics, semi-independent states
centring about Lyons, Marseilles, Bordeaux. Those who succeeded in
escaping from Paris, made their way to where they might obtain support,
and found, here and there, arms open to {186} receive them. Lyons had
risen against the Government on the 29th of May, and had rid itself of
the Jacobin committee headed by Chalier, that had so far held it under
control. Marseilles followed the example of Lyons. Normandy, where a
considerable group of the fugitive deputies sought refuge, began to make
preparations for marching on the capital.

This was serious enough. But two other dangers, each greater, threatened
Paris. The military situation on the northern frontier was still no
better, while the Vendeens were advancing from success to success, were
increasing the size, the confidence, the efficiency of their armies. In
such a desperate situation Danton seemed the only possible saviour, and
for a few weeks he had his way. New generals were appointed; Custine to
the Netherlands, Beauharnais to the Rhine, Biron to the Vendee; and at
the same time negotiations were opened with the powers. But fortune
refused to smile on Danton. Ill success met him at every turn, and
opened the way to power for Robespierre. On the 10th of June the
Vendeens captured the town of Saumur on the Loire, giving them a good
passage for carrying operations to the northern side of the river. A
council of war decided that an {187} advance should be made into Brittany
and Nor