What they dreamed of as a desperate measure of Liberty, was afterwards made a reproach to them for having conspired as a plot.

This first sigh of patriotism of two young minds who met and understood each other, was their attraction and their crime.
VIII.
From this day the Girondists, disengaged from every obligation with the king and ministers, conspired secretly with Madame Roland, and publicly in the tribune, for the suppression of the monarchy.

They appeared to envy the Jacobins the honour of giving the throne the most deadly blows.
Robespierre as yet spoke only of the constitution, limiting himself within the law, and not going a-head of the people.

The Girondists already spoke in the name of the republic, and motioned with gesture and eye the republican _coup d'etat_, which every day drew nearer.

The meetings at Roland's multiplied and enlarged: new men joined their ranks.