SPECIMENS OF PUBLIC VIRTUE. 291 



answered the request of his insolent subject, telling him that he 

 is ready to comply with his demand, if only the ministers, the sena- 

 tors, and the ambassadors of the three courts approved of it. 



At twelve o'clock the corrupted nuncios began to arrive. As they 

 passed along, they heard numerous voices from the crowd, calling to 

 them, <e Nuncios, do not betray your country, do not abandon your 

 posts !" 



The number of the members present being increased, Reyten in- 

 sisted upon the election of a new Marshal. The house, considering 

 the absence of Poninski, was proceeding to choose another leader, 

 when one of the new-arrived rose, and said, " I am commissioned by 

 Poninski to break up the session !" Those who came there only to 

 dissolve the assembly began to quit their seats and to leave the hall. 

 The people endeavoured to stop them, calling to them from the gal- 

 lery, (C Do not quit the house, we beseech you, in the name of God: 

 you will destroy the national glory, your own repute, and you will 

 deliver us up to tyranny !" 



At this critical moment Reyton stepped forward, and rushing 

 towards the doors, he planted himself on the threshold. There, with 

 his folded arms, he stood unmoved, barring the passage to the 

 deserters. 



" I do not recognize," said he, " as our leader, the self-appointed 

 marshal j neither want I to know anything about the existence of a 

 pretended confederation. Whatever may happen, I will maintain my 

 opinion at the risk of my life. And ye, who hasten to leave this hall, 

 if faith, if your country is dear to you, if you do not wish to doom 

 your life to eternal shame and thraldom, stop, 1 beseech you P 



Notwithstanding this energetic appeal, some, from preconcerted 

 plan, others from fear and apprehension of danger, hurry to the doors. 

 If anything could excuse the latter, it was the declaration of the 

 foreign ambassadors, that every deputy, who opposed their proposals, 

 should be treated as an enemy to his country, and sent to the mines 

 of Siberia ! Reyton, calling all the power of his mind to his aid, 

 makes the last effort. His noble heart heaves with a tumultuous war 

 of feelings. He throws himself along the doorway, and stopping 

 with his body the entrance, he extends his arms towards them, and 

 gives vent to his excitement in these words : 



" Go, go, and seal your own ruin ; but, before you leave this hall, 

 you must tread upon, you must trample this bosom, which will never 

 beat but for honour and liberty !" 



That energy of despair has exhausted his forces, stopped his breath. 

 He lies motionless, with his arms extended as if still he wanted to 

 retain the fugitives. But his lips compressed, the flushed complexion 

 of his cheek, his eyes Uarting glances of fury through his half-shut 

 eyelids, reveal the tempest raging within his bosom. 



At length he opens his eyes. Oh ! the horrible reality ! There 

 are but fifteen members, who remained faithful to their duty. One 

 moment more, and that small number dwindles to six. 



The soldiers cross their arms in the entrance, and drive back the 

 multitude, whose acclamations of admiration excite afresh the ex- 

 hausted energy of the heroes. Reyton is unable to utter a word. 



