"Well, my dear fellow," said he, "at serious moments when society is in peril, certain strong-handed men, real men of government, become absolutely necessary.
Monferrand had no need of our friendship, his presence in office was imperiously required by the situation.

His hand is the only one that can save us!" "I know," replied Massot scoffingly.

"I've even been told that if everything was settled straight off so that the decrees might be published this morning, it was in order to instil confidence into the judges and jurymen here, in such wise that knowing Monferrand's fist to be behind them they would have the courage to pronounce sentence of death this evening." "Well, public safety requires a sentence of death, and those who have to ensure that safety must not be left ignorant of the fact that the government is with them, and will know how to protect them, if need be." At this moment a merry laugh from the Princess broke in upon the conversation.

"Oh! just look over there!" said she; "isn't that Silviane who has just sat down beside Monsieur Fonsegue ?" "The Silviane ministry!" muttered Massot in a jesting way.

"Well, there will be no boredom at Dauvergne's if he ingratiates himself with actresses." Guillaume and Pierre heard this chatter, however little they cared to listen to it.