History of Madame Roland . fher prison they appeared to grow with the joyand luxuriance of gratitude. With intertwin-ing leaf and blossom, they concealed the rustybars, till they changed the aspect of the gratedcell into a garden bower, where birds mightnestle and sing, and poets might love to in the convent, she had formed a strongattachment for one of her companions, whichthe lapse of time had not diminished. Throughall the vicissitudes of their lives they had keptup a constant correspondence. This friend,Henriette Cannet, one day obtained access toher prison, and, in the exercis
History of Madame Roland . fher prison they appeared to grow with the joyand luxuriance of gratitude. With intertwin-ing leaf and blossom, they concealed the rustybars, till they changed the aspect of the gratedcell into a garden bower, where birds mightnestle and sing, and poets might love to in the convent, she had formed a strongattachment for one of her companions, whichthe lapse of time had not diminished. Throughall the vicissitudes of their lives they had keptup a constant correspondence. This friend,Henriette Cannet, one day obtained access toher prison, and, in the exercise of that roman-tic friendship of which this world can presentbut few parallels, urged Madame Roland to ex-change garments with her, and thus escape fromprison and the scaffold. If you remain, saidHenriette, your death is inevitable. If I re-main in your place, they will not take my life,but, after a short imprisonment, I shall be lib-erated. None fear me, and I am too obscure toattract attention in these troubled times. L. 1793.] Prison Life. 261 Vain entreaties. Robespierre in the zenith of his power. she continued, am a widow, and are no responsibilities which claim mytime. You have a husband, advanced in years,and a lovely little child, both needing your ut-most care. Thus she pleaded with her to ex-change attire, and endeavor to escape. Butneither prayers nor tears availed. They wouldkill thee, my good Henriette! exclaimed Ma-dame Roland, embracing her friend with tearsof emotion. Thy blood would ever rest onme. Sooner would I sutler a thousand deathsthan reproach myself with thine. Henriette,finding all her entreaties in vain, sadly bade heradieu, and was never permitted to see her was now in the zenith of his pow-er. He was the arbiter of life and death. Oneword from him would restore Madame Rolandto liberty. But he had steeled his heart againstevery sentiment of humanity, and was not will-ing to deprive the guillotine of a single victim.
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