We, however, thought that the public safety required that we should be instantly admitted to the king's presence, and we therefore persisted.

The king then informed us he would give us audience at nine o'clock, at which hour we again presented ourselves.

At four paces distance from the king I saluted him, and addressed him in the terms agreed upon; he inquired the names of my colleagues, and I replied, 'I do not know them;' we were about to withdraw, when he recalled us, saying, 'I cannot see you before Friday.'" An ill-repressed agitation, which had hitherto pervaded the ranks of the Assembly, now broke forth at these last words.

"I demand," cried a deputy, "that this title of Majesty be no longer employed." "I demand," added another, "that this title of Sire be abolished; it is only an abbreviation of Seigneur, which recognises a sovereignty in the man to whom it is given." "I demand," said the deputy Bequet, "that we be no longer treated as automata, obliged to sit down or stand, just as it pleases the king to rise or to sit down." Couthon made his voice heard for the first time, and his first speech was a threat against royalty.
"There is no other majesty here," said he, "than that of the law and the people.

Let us leave the king no other title than that of King of the French.