Chapter 22, Chapter 23 & Chapter 24 Summary

In Chapter 22, Robespierre marches up the mountain suddenly piled in Garden of the Tuileries and proclaims the God of Rousseau to the crowds of Republicans, allowing Evariste to see the joyful future where "at last we shall be happy, pure and innocent, if the traitorous scoundrels permit it" (p. 212). Yet, it is not permitted, and three days after this new alliance, the Convention passes the Law of Pairial to suppress traditional law, taking away the accused's chance for defense. Now, batches of up to 50 prisoners are brought to the platform to be judged and condemned at once. During one group, Fortune de Chassagne looks at Evariste with contempt, and when Evariste announces no intent to withdraw despite familial ties, his colleagues agree there is no reason for him to withdraw since "a patriotic magistrate is above human passions" (page...