ocates of clemency, even wielding the knife against the innocent and beautiful Madame Desmoulins.

"Why seize Lucile? What has she done wrong?!" Edith''s anger still raged, attempting to obstruct the soldier who held Lucile''s arm in a vice-like grip.

"Let her go!" Louise Danton''s petite hands incessantly twisted the scarf around her chest, yet her feeble voice commanded without a hint of tremor.

However, that big soldier impatiently flung Edith to the ground and shoved Lucile down the steps.

As Lucile struggled to turn back, her eyelids trembled, seemingly foretelling tears. But she immediately held back that wave of tear and revealed a poignant smile to her family and friends.

The heavy door slammed shut. Louise supported Lucile''s elderly mother, who was on the verge of fainting from crying. Little Horace''s heart-wrenching wails all at once brought forth tears from everyone inside the house.

All hope was lost! Deep within their hearts, they keenly felt the destined misfortune awaiting their friends.

---------------------

Two soldiers of the National Guard, wearing red caps and carrying long-barrelled guns, burst into the room where Charlene Saint-Clemont was sitting at her laboratory bench, sorting her documents.

"Congratulations, citizeness, you''ve won the lottery of Saint-Guillotine," one of them casually informed, a cigarette dangling from his mouth. "Come along with us."

"On what charges, citizens?" Charlene asked with placidity, showing no surprise.

"Woman aristocrat Saint-Clem