'" His request
was granted. - The Duc de Biron refused to escape, considering that,
in such a dilemma, it was not worth while. "He passed his time in
bed, drinking Bordeaux wine. . . . Before the tribunal, they asked
his name and he replied, 'Cabbage, turnip, Biron, as you like, one is
as good as the other.' 'How!' exclaimed the judges, 'you are
insolent!' 'And you - you are windbags! I Come to the point;
Guillotine, that is all you have to say, while I have nothing to
say.'" Meanwhile they proceeded to interrogate him on his pretended
treachery in Vend?e, etc. "'You do not know what you are talking
about! You ignoramuses know nothing about war! Stop your questions. I
reported at the time to the Committee of Public Safety, which approved
of my conduct. Now, it has changed and ordered you to take my life.
Obey, and lose no more time.' Biron asked pardon of God and the King.
Never did he appear better than on the (executioner's) cart."
[55] Morellet, II., 31.-"M?moires de la Duchesse de Tourzel," "de
Mlle. des ?cherolles," etc.-Beugnot, "M?moires, I., 200-203. "The
wittiest remarks, the most delicate allusions, the most brilliant
repartees were exchanged on each side of the grating.
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