Bending over the sleeping Lucille, he thought he noticed the trace of tears on her cheek. Utterly perplexed, he stole out of the room hoping to find some explanation from his wife, but she was snoring the snore of the just; and on the bedroom wall facing the door was the legend "Liberty, Fraternity, Equality--or Death."
Danton did not dare to rouse Madame; and desirous of blotting out the words that seemed to mock him, he blew out the candle and went to bed in the dark.
After about an hour he woke with a scream.
"Oh, nothing, chérie, I've had a nightmare."
Madame in a second or two was again snoring rhythmically, but to Danton sleep did not return so speedily. He had been dreaming of processions; then he thought he was in a tumbrel on the way to execution, and that the angry crowd with threatening gestures were hurling fierce oaths at him, and turning to escape the sight he found himself face to face with a fellow victim--it was Lucille! Although he knew now that it was only a nightmare, the horrible vision kept renewing itself, but merciful sleep came to him at last, and, when he awoke again, it was the cheery voice of the bonne offering her usual good morning to Monsieur and Madame, as she entered the bedroom with the _petit déjeuner_.
"Good-morning, Julie," replied Madame; "long live the Republic!"
"One and indivisible," replied Julie, in a solemn voice.
Danton rubbed his eyes, and he could hardly trust his ears. Julie was in the costume of a drummer boy of the First Republic!
"Good-morning, mamma!" sang a voice in the next room.
"Our birdie is awake," said Madame; and then, in a louder tone, "Good-morning, dearest! Long live the Republic!"
"One and indivisible," replied Lucille, and then, "Good-morning, papa!"
"Long live the Republic," said Lucille, gaily.
For the first time in his life the reply seemed to stick in Danton's throat; but he got it out, "One and indivisible!" and he coughed as if his coffee had gone against his breath. When he recovered he addressed his wife, who had risen and pulled back the curtains of the balcony. "Pray, Madame, will you be good enough to explain?"
"The explanation is as simple as I hope it will be gratifying," said Madame, in the tone of a tragedy queen. "The 'Republic, one and indivisible' has entered our house and taken possession of it. It has entered my bosom and taken possession of it. It has entered the bosom of Lucille and taken possession of it, and never again shall it be said that the Villa Lucille is divided against itself. Never again shall the scoffer say that the republicanism of Danton Martin stops outside his hall-door. We shall silence him to-day, Danton; we shall silence the scoffer to-day! You have asked that Lucille and I should appear on the balcony when the procession passes. We shall be there--I, as the genius of Liberty and Lucille as a daughter of the Republic. See," continued Madame, as she moved towards a wardrobe, "here are my helmet, lance, and shield, and I have also pink tights."