A Place of Greater Safety: A Novel by Hilary Mantel

Author:Hilary Mantel
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Macmillan
Published: 2006-11-14T06:00:00+00:00

“Lafayette is in Paris,” Fabre said.

“So I hear.”

“You knew, Danton?”

“I know everything, Fabre.”

“So when are you going to tear him in little pieces?”

“Restrain yourself, Fabre.”

“But you said—”

“A bit of bombast has its uses. It encourages others. I am thinking of visiting my in-laws in Fontenay for a day or two.”

“I see.”

“The general has plans. For marching on the Jacobins, closing them down. Reprisals for June 20. He hopes to carry the National Guard with him. In the event, no one can prove that I had anything to do with June 20—”

“Mm,” Camille said.

“—but I prefer to avoid inconvenience. It will come to nothing.”

“But surely this is serious.”

Danton was patient. “It isn’t serious, as we know his plans.”

“How do we know?”

“Pétion told me.”

“Who told Pétion?”

“Antoinette.”

“Dear God.”

“Yes, stupid, aren’t they? When Lafayette is the only person still willing to do anything for them. It makes you wonder about the wisdom of dealing with them at all.”

Camille looked up. “Dealing with them?”

“Dealing with them, child. Grabbing what you can.”

“You don’t mean it. You don’t deal with them.”

“Fabre, do I mean it?”

“Yes, you mean it.”

“Now, does it worry you, Fabre?”

“Not in the sense of having scruples. I think it frightens me. Worrying about the possible complications.”

“Not in the sense of having scruples,” Danton repeated. “Frightens him. Scruples. What a beautiful concept. Mention this conversation to Robespierre, Camille, and I’m finished with you. My God,” he said. He went away, shaking his head vigorously.

“Mention what?” Camille said.

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