I wish that all France heard me now.

I wish that the culpable chief of these factions, La Fayette, was here with all his army; I would say to his soldiers, whilst I presented my breast,--Strike! That moment would be the last of La Fayette and the _intrigants_" (this name had been invented by Robespierre for the Girondists).

Fauchet excused himself for having said that Guadet, Vergniaud, Gensonne, and Brissot might be, advantageously for the country, placed at the head of the government.

The Girondists were accused of dreaming of a _protector_, the Jacobins a _tribune_ of the people.
At last, Brissot rose to reply.

"I am here to defend myself," he said.
"What are my crimes?
I am said to have made seven ministers--I keep up a connection with La Fayette--I desire to make a protector of him.
Certainly great power is thus assigned to me by those who think that from my fourth story I have dictated laws to the Chateau of the Tuileries.