The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel

I

Chauvelin, who, despite his many failures, was still one of the most conspicuous -- since he was one of the most unscrupulous -- members of the Committee of Public Saftey, had not attended its sittings for some days. He had been too deeply absorbed in his own schemes to trouble about those of his colleagues. In truth, the coup which he was preparing was so stupendous, and if it succeeded his triumph would be so magnificent, that he could well afford to hold himself aloof. Those who were still inclined to scorn and to scoff at him today would be his most cringing sycophants on the morrow.