How can you escape Antony ?" continued he, alluding to La Fayette.
"Antony commands the legions that are about to avenge Caesar; and Octavius, Caesar's nephew, commands the legions of the republic.
"How can the republic hope to avoid destruction?
We are continually told of the necessity of uniting ourselves; but when Antony encamped at the side of Lepidus, and all the foes to freedom were united to those who termed themselves its defenders, nought remained for Brutus and Cassius, save to die.
"It is to this point that this feigned unanimity, this perfidious reconciliation of patriots, tends.

Yes, this is the fate prepared for you.

I know that by daring to unveil these conspiracies I sharpen a thousand daggers against my own life.

I know the fate that awaits me; but if, when almost unknown in the National Assembly, I, amongst the earliest apostles of liberty, sacrificed my life to the cause of truth, of humanity, of my country; to-day, when I have been so amply repaid for this sacrifice, by such marks of universal goodwill, consideration, and regard, I shall look at death as a mercy, if it prevents my witnessing such misfortunes.

I have tried the Assembly, let them in their turn try me." XIX.
These words so artfully combined, and calculated to fill every breast with suspicion, were hailed like the last speech of a martyr for liberty.