In justice to himself, the author of the following historical romance is anxious that its readers shall understand that he would never have ventured to write it, if he had known that the great Sardou had chosen the same theme for his wonderful tragedy, Robes pierre, which Henry Irving is now playing with such success in London. Having always been a delighted reader of French History, he naturally perceived the splendid possibili ties for an interesting novel which the thrilling events connected with Robespierre's last days of despotism presented For many months, the plot and incidents of his narrative gradually assumed definite form in his mind, and, when he was called upon to produce a Short novel for a current publication, he chose Robes pierre's downfall as his theme.