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Still I was sure she was not the daughter of a laundress.
    ‘You asked me what has happened to me?’ she continued. ‘Citizen Albert, this is the case. I went to carry home some linen; the mistress of the house was not at home, and I waited till her return to get my money. In these times, you know, every one wants his money. So night came on; I had expected to get back before the close of day; I had not brought my identity card with me; I fell into the hands of these gentlemen – excuse me, I mean these citizens; they asked me for my card; I told them I had none, and they were going to drag me to the guard-house. Thereupon I cried out, you ran up, and as you proved to be an acquaintance, I felt re-assured. I said to myself: “Since M. Albert knows my name is Solange, and that I am the daughter of Mother Ledieu, he will answer for me;” will you not, Monsieur Albert?’
    ‘Certainly I will answer for you.’
    ‘Good!’ said the head of the patrol; ‘and who will answer for thee, young fop?’
    ‘Danton! Will that suit thee? Is he a good patriot?’
    ‘Oh! if Danton answers for thee, there is no more to be said.’
    ‘Well! this is one of the meeting days at the Cordelier Club; 1 let us go thither.’
    ‘Let us go thither,’ said the sergeant. ‘Citizens of the sansculottes, forward, march!’
    The Cordelier Club met in the old convent of the Cordeliers, in the Rue de l’Observance; we soon reached the place. On our arrival, I tore a page out of my pocket-book, wrote a few words in pencil, and requested the sergeant to carry the note to Danton, whilst we were left with the corporal and the patrol.
    The sergeant went into the club, and returned with Danton.
    ‘What!’ said he to me, ‘have they arrested thee, my friend; thee, the friend of Camille, 2 and one of the best republicans that exist? How very odd! Citizen Sergeant,’ added he, turning towards the leader of the band, ‘I will answer for him. Will that do?’
    ‘Thou answerest for him! but dost thou answer for her?’ rejoined the obstinate sergeant.
    ‘Her! Of whom dost thou speak?’
    ‘Of this woman, to be sure!’
    ‘Of him, or her, and all that are along with him; art thou satisfied?’
    ‘Yes, I am satisfied,’ said the sergeant, ‘especially to have seen thee.’
    ‘Look at me at thy leisure, whilst thou hast me.’
    ‘Thanks! – continue to support, as thou dost, the people’s interests, and be sure the people will be grateful to thee.’
    ‘Oh, yes! I fully rely upon it!’ said Danton.
    ‘Wilt thou give me thy hand to shake?’ continued the sergeant.
    ‘Why shouldn’t I?’
    And Danton gave him his hand.
    ‘Long live Danton!’ cried the sergeant.
    ‘Long live Danton!’ repeated the patrol.
    The sans-culottes moved off with their leader, who, before he had gone many yards, faced about, and, flourishing his red cap, cried out again: ‘Long live Danton!’ the cry being repeated by his men.
    I was going to thank Danton, when his name was called out several times within the hall. ‘Danton! Danton!’ shouted many voices. ‘Danton, to the tribunal!’
    ‘Excuse me, my dear fellow,’ said he; ‘you hear them, – shake hands, and allow me to return. Stay! I gave my right to the sergeant – take my left; who knows – the worthy patriot may have had the itch.’ 3
    Then turning round:
    ‘Here I am!’ said he, in that powerful voice which excited and appeased the storms of the street; ‘here I am, wait a moment.’
    Then he rushed back into the club.
    I remained alone with the fair stranger.
    ‘Now, madame,’ said I to her, ‘where must I take you? I am at your command.’
    ‘Why, to Mother Ledieu’s!’ answered she, laughing; ‘you know she is my mother.’
    ‘But where lives this Mother Ledieu?’
    ‘Rue Ferou, No. 24.’
    ‘Let us go to Mother Ledieu, then.’
    We descended the street, went through several others, crossed the Place Saint Sulpice, and came at length to the Rue Ferou.
    We neither of us had