a separate assembly. They don’t accept it. They ask the two other Estates to come back and join them. Nobility and Clergy refuse. Deadlock.
“So whatever I say next, write it down.”
The Genevan slaves sat about with scraps of paper resting on books propped on their knees. The Comte’s papers covered every surface that might have been used as a writing desk. From time to time they exchanged glances, like the knowing veteran revolutionaries they were. The Comte strode about, gesturing with a sheaf of notes. He was wearing his crimson dressing-gown, and the rings on his big hairy hands caught the candlelight and flashed fire into the airless room. It was 1 a.m. Teutch came in.
TEUTCH: Monsieur …
MIRABEAU: Out.
[
MIRABEAU: So, the Nobility don’t wish to join us. They have voted against our proposal—by a clear hundred votes. The Clergy don’t wish to join us, but their voting was, am I right, 133 to 114?
GENEVANS: You are right.
MIRABEAU: So that’s close. That tells us something.
TEUTCH: Monsieur, there is a man here with a very hard name who has been waiting to see you since eleven o’clock.
MIRABEAU: What do you mean, a hard name?
TEUTCH: I can’t understand what it is.
MIRABEAU: Well, get him to write it down on a piece of paper and bring it in, can’t you, imbecile?
[
MIRABEAU [
DUMONT: You make yourself sound envious of Necker, Mirabeau. Of his position as minister.
MIRABEAU: Forget Necker. Everybody will, anyway. Return to the point. It seems, then, that the Clergy are our best hope. If we can persuade them to join us …
MIRABEAU: De Robespierre. Yes, it is a peculiar name … . Now, everything depends on those nineteen priests. I must have a speech that will not only invite them to join us, but will inspire them to join us—no commonplace speech, but a great speech. A speech that will set their interest and duty plainly before them.
DUROVERAY: And one that will cover the name of Mirabeau in eternal glory, just by the way.
MIRABEAU: There is that.
[
MIRABEAU: Oh, good heavens, am I to endure you walking in and out and slamming the door every two minutes? Is M. de Robespierre still here?
TEUTCH: Yes, Monsieur.
MIRABEAU: How very patient he must be. I wish I had that kind of patience. Well, make the good deputy a cup of chocolate, Teutch, out of your Christian charity, and tell him I will see him soon.
[
MIRABEAU: M. de Robinpere still here?
[
MIRABEAU: My thanks, my thanks to you all. How can I ever thank you enough? The combination, my dear Duroveray, of your erudition, my dear Dumont, of your—snores—of all your singular talents, welded together by my own genius as an orator—
[
TEUTCH: Finished, have you? He’s still here, you know.
MIRABEAU: Our great work is concluded. Bring him in, bring him in.
MIRABEAU: My dear M. Robispere, take a seat. Oh—is there one?
DE ROBESPIERRE: That’s all right, I’ve been sitting for quite a time.
MIRABEAU: Yes, I’m sorry about that. The pressure of business …
DE ROBESPIERRE: That’s all right.
MIRABEAU: I’m sorry. I try to be available to any deputy who wants me.
DE ROBESPIERRE: I really won’t keep you long.
[
MIRABEAU: Is there anything in particular, M. de Robertspierre?
[
DE ROBESPIERRE: This is the text of a speech I hope to make tomorrow.
I wondered if you’d look at it, give me your comments? Though it’s rather long, I know, and you probably want to go to bed …?
MIRABEAU: Of course I’ll look at it. It’s really no trouble. The subject of your speech, M. de Robespere?
DE ROBESPIERRE: My speech invites the Clergy to join the Third Estate.
[
MIRABEAU: M. de Robinpere, I must congratulate you. You have fixed on the very point which should occupy us tomorrow. We must ensure the success of this proposal, must we not?
DE ROBESPIERRE: Certainly.
MIRABEAU: But does it occur to you that other members of our assembly might have fixed on the same point?
DE ROBESPIERRE: Well, yes, it would be odd if no one had. That’s why I came to see you, I imagined you