On the King's trial, at the third call of the House, as the deputies on the upper benches voted one by one for his death, the deputy alongside Daunou "showed in a most energetic manner his disapproval of this." On his turn coming, "the galleries, which had undoubtedly noticed his attitude," burst out in such violent threats that for some minutes his voice could not be heard; "silence was at length restored, and he voted--death."[3440]--Others, like Durand-Maillane, "warned by Robespierre that the strongest party is the safest," say to themselves "that it is prudent, and necessary not to annoy the people in their furor," make up their minds "to keep aloof shielded by their silence and insignificance."[3441] Among the five hundred deputies of the Plain, many are of this stamp.

They begin to be called "the Marsh Frogs." In six months they settle down of themselves into so many silent onlookers, or, rather, homicidal puppets, "whose hearts, shrunk through fear, rise in their throats"[3442] every time that Robespierre looks at them.

Long before the fall of the Girondists, "downcast at the present state of things, and no longer finding any inspiration in their heart," their faces already disclosing "the pallor of fear or the resignation of despair.[3443] Cambaceres hedges to find shelter in his Committee on Legislation.[3444] Barrere, born a valet, and a valet ready for anything, places his southern mode of doing things at the service of the probable majority, up to the time of devoting his cruel rhetoric to the service of the dominant minority.

Sieyes, after casting his vote for death, maintains an obstinate silence, as much through disgust as through prudence: "What does my glass of wine matter in this torrent of booze ?"[3445] Many, even among the Girondists, use sophistry to color their concessions in their own eyes.

Some among these "think that they enjoy some degree of popularity, and fear that this will be compromised.[3446] Again, they put forth the pretext of the necessity of maintaining one's influence for important occasions.