It burst forth, the Mountain, with its fires and consuming lava; flood upon flood they rush, a legion of Ciceros upon the startled Catiline! Robespierre falters, hesitates,--would qualify, retract.

They gather new courage from his new fears; they interrupt him; they drown his voice; they demand the reversal of the motion.

Amar moves again that the speech be referred to the Committees, to the Committees,--to his enemies! Confusion and noise and clamour! Robespierre wraps himself in silent and superb disdain.

Pale, defeated, but not yet destroyed, he stands,--a storm in the midst of storm! The motion is carried.

All men foresee in that defeat the Dictator's downfall.