noon
But such was Robespierre 's wonderful command of self , such was his power of making his inclinations subservient to the ends he had in view that he had but risen to voice a fresh appeal . He demanded that the sentence should be passed with the reservation that the accused should have twenty-four hours for reflection . Should he at the end of that time be disposed to tell them where the ci-devant Vicomte d'Ombreval was to be found , let them reconsider his case . On the other hand , should he still continue obdurate by the noon of to-morrow , then let the sentence be consummated . There was some demur , but Robespierre swept it fiercely aside with patriotic arguments . La Boulaye was a stout servant of the Nation , whom it must profit France to let live that he might serve her ; Ombreval was a base aristocrat , whose death all true Republicans should aim at encompassing . And so he won the day in the end , and when the sentence of death was passed , it was passed with the reservation that should the prisoner , upon reflection , be inclined to show himself more loyal to France and the interests of the Republic by telling them how Ornbreval might be recaptured , he would find them still inclined to mercy and forgiveness .