It is small wonder that the stories about Marat circulated through the provinces made him seem more a devil than a man.  His vindictiveness against the Girondists brought all of this straight home to Charlotte Corday and led her to dream of acting the part of Brutus, so that she might free her country from this hideous tyrant.

In January, 1793, King Louis XVI. met his death upon the scaffold; and the queen was thrust into a foul prison.  This was a signal for activity among the Girondists in Normandy, and especially at Caen, where Charlotte was present at their meetings and heard their fervid oratory.  There was a plot to march on Paris, yet in some instinctive way she felt that such a scheme must fail.  It was then that she definitely formed the plan of going herself, alone, to the French capital to seek out the hideous Marat and to kill him with her own hands.

To this end she made application for a passport allowing her to visit Paris.  This passport still exists, and it gives us an official description of the girl.  It reads: 

Allow citizen Marie Corday to pass.  She is twenty-four years of age, five feet and one inch in height, hair and eyebrows chestnut color, eyes gray, forehead high, mouth medium size, chin dimpled, and an oval face.

Apart from this verbal description we have two portraits painted while she was in prison.  Both of them make the description of the passport seem faint and pale.  The real Charlotte had a wealth of chestnut hair which fell about her face and neck in glorious abundance.  Her great gray eyes spoke eloquently of truth and courage.  Her mouth was firm yet winsome, and her form combined both strength and grace.  Such is the girl who, on reaching Paris, wrote to Marat in these words: 

Citizen, I have just arrived from Caen.  Your love for your native place doubtless makes you wish to learn the events which have occurred in that part of the republic.  I shall call at your residence in about an hour.  Be so good as to receive me and give me a brief interview.  I will put you in such condition as to render great service to France.

This letter failed to gain her admission, and so did another which she wrote soon after.  The fact is that Marat was grievously ill.  His disease had reached a point where the pain could be assuaged only by hot water; and he spent the greater part of his time wrapped in a blanket and lying in a large tub.

A third time, however, the persistent girl called at his house and insisted that she must see him, saying that she was herself in danger from the enemies of the Republic.  Through an open door Marat heard her mellow voice and gave orders that she should be admitted.

As she entered she gazed for a moment upon the lank figure rolling in the tub, the rat-like face, and the shifting eyes.  Then she approached him, concealing in the bosom of her dress a long carving-knife which she had purchased for two francs.  In answer to Marat’s questioning look she told him that there was much excitement at Caen and that the Girondists were plotting there.