Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-11-05

endeayoring from time to time to persuade hei
to join them at table. During supper he dranl
deeply, and now and then Joined the conver
saton which was passing around him. his stem
toran voice, when he spoke, drowning al
Others. A discussion at length arose, which
was put an end to by Danton's health being
proposed and drunk.
"To the Republiclp shouted at the lower
end of the table. The glasses were imme.
dately filled, while the eyes of all were turned
towards Madame Duportail.
"This time, am sure, you will not refuse tc
join in the pledge with these brave gentlemen
the wine is of the mildest description
II suspect" said one of the guests, "that il
is not the wine she fears but the pledge which
the toast carries"
am wager that she does not voluntarily
drink to the nation,' remarked another.
"Confound this hesitationp exclaimed Dan
ton impatiently ''proye that you are good
patriot and worthy to figure at table with the
principal members of the Convention"
Madame Duportail's agitation was excessive
mind, and taking the proffered glass from Dam
ton, she replied, ~ shall drink to the nation
with pleasure" On her pledging the toast,
the plaudits of all were yociferous.
ave want nothing but music to complete
our enjoyment said young man, addressing
Danton.
"True, very true love music passionately,
though do'not understand three notes. One
would imagine that, with such voice, / should
sing well; but in my younger days
sThe woods with echoes rang
From the tone in which sang.'p
| While all laughed at the quotation, he leant
gallantly towards Madame Duportail. "With
such a charming countenance, you must have
divine voice. Do you sing?" A reluctant
affirmative escaped her lips aYou will sing,
then" added he; "but we must procure
harp
Madame Duportail, pale and indignant, and
with the sensitive feelings ofa woman, though
she felt that the life of her husband might per-
haps depend on her acquiescence, endeavored
when the harp was brought, to excuse herself
but those by whom she was surrounded seemed
to take fiendish pleasure in the misery they
were nHicting.
"Will you refuse me, then?" said Danton
half aloud. "Take care, madame recollect it
is the first favor have asked"
Having sat down before the harp, with
| trembling hand she played a prelude, and sang
/ y,;th toIora lilo connneura ono of 4I,n f,vo.to
songs of that period, which Danton applauded
with ecstasy, and obliged her to repeat The
effects of the wine became every moment more
perceptble on all. Several coarse jests were
hazarded and at length became of such a ma
| ture, that she arose, under pretext of requiring
air. avery well" said Danton, in an brusque
manner, and without leaving his chair, s'you
can wait for me in the neighborng apartment"
She was conducted by valet along the cor
ridor into room, the walls of which were
hung with costly pictures In the centre,
strewed with papers and writing materials,
was table from which in all likelihood had
emanated those fearful warrants of death which
had made so many hearths desolate. Such
was the involuntary thought of Madame Du-
portal and as the idea smote on her heart
that her husbands condemnation might at
that moment be lying before her, she was struck
with vague feeling of terror and sank pow
erless on a chair. The sound of boisterous
mirth caused her frequently to start, and her
apprehensons were further increased by per-
ceiving that the candle was nearly exhausted.
Gba bod bna aor1x, 4n,a ola ,t,o,s
domestic entered bearing lighted candle in
each hand. "When shall be able to see the
minister2" she asked in an agitated voice.
ale is coming" replied the man, as he de-
posted the candles on the table and retired.
AT the same moment door at the opposite
side of the apartment opened with a shock,
and before the young woman uttered the cry
which rose involuntarily to her lips, she recog-
nized Danton, who, staggering into the room,
threw himself on chair He was without his
cravat, and the frills of his shirt were disor-
dered, and stained with wine. On perceiving
his visitor, his infamed countenance assumed
maudlin expression as he exclaimed, "Ah, is
it YOU citoyenneT
The injunction of the deputy, when giving
the letter, flashed vividly across her memory
81 shall surely die of apoplexyl" muttered
the minister in maudlin voice; ''that is, if
they give me time. These suppers are very
pleasant but-the morningp
Madame Duportail's terror changed to agony
at the thought that he might be too inebriated
to write, and hastily approaching him, she ex-
claimed, "Citizen minister, you surely have not
forgotten the promise you gave me?"
Ha What do you sayW
"The letter you were to write-the grace you
would accord me at the recommendation of
Citizen R: the life-the life of my hus-
band~
"Well, it is but necessary to erase his name
from the list-that is to say, to remove it from
the bundle"
'What bundle?" exclaimed the wife with
feverish anxiety aWhere is it?"
"Give me air. l am stifed"
Not daring to go within reach of the drunken
monster, she ran and opened the window.
"That Robespierre is scoundrel-he never
drinks unless it be blood. Baptiste, undress
mep
Monsieur---monsieurl interrupted the
young woman, ''where is this bundlc-this
list ? Give it to me-"
Danton turned with impatience to the other
side and growlcd, "Call Fauquier; he knows
where it is; or take it YOURSELF added he.
pointing to an escritoir, the nests of which