HUGO, Victor (1802–1885).

To the mother of a young Communard. He is dismayed by what Mr Bigot has just told him: ‘On 2 February, your poor son received formal notice that he was to stand trial within three days; the unfortunate boy seems to have paid no heed to it and did not warn anyone; on the 5th he was tried and sentenced to simple deportation; on the 7th, when you wrote to me asking for a defence lawyer, your son had already been tried for two days. Imagine the grief of Mr Bigot, reduced to helplessness. He will, however, pursue the case on appeal and before the so-called Pardon Commission. I shall urge our friends in the Assembly to act; through their inaction, alas, they deserve 74723

to have influence over this commission. Let us not despair, then. We shall endeavour to gain time, and amnesty must surely come. It is dictated by the necessity of the situation.”