We saw more of him after we left the ministry; and it was then, that reasoning on the miserable state of things, and the fear of a triumph of despotism in the north of France, we formed the plan of a republic in the south.

This will be our _pis aller_, said Barbaroux, with a smile; but the Marseillais army here will dispense with our attempting it." VII.
Roland then lived in a gloomy house of the Rue St.Jaques, almost in the garrets: it was a philosopher's retreat, and his wife illumined it.
Present at all the conversations of Roland, she witnessed the conferences between her husband and the young Marseillais.

Barbaroux thus relates the interview in which the first idea of a republic was mooted: "That astonishing woman was there," said he.

"Roland asked me what I thought the best means of saving France.

I opened my heart to him: my confidence called for his.