that since the first reverse had been
at work within him, sweeping away the legend of Napoleonic glory, the
sentimental Bonapartism that he owed to the epic narratives of his
grandfather, was now complete. He had ceased to be a believer in
Republicanism, pure and simple, considering the remedy not drastic
enough; he had begun to dabble in the theories of the extremists, he was
a believer in the necessity of the Terror as the only means of ridding
them of the traitors and imbeciles who were about to slay the country.
And so it was that he was heart and soul with the insurgents when, on
the 31st of October, tidings of disaster came pouring in on them in
quick succession: the loss of Bourget, that had been captured from the
enemy only a few days before by a dashing surprise; M. Thiers' return
to Versailles from his visit to the European capitals, prepared to treat
for peace, so it was said, in the name of Napoleon III.; and finally the
capitulation of Metz, rumors of which had previously been current and
which was now confirmed, the last blow of the bludgeon, another Sedan,
only attended by circumstances of blacker infamy. And when he learned
next day the occurrences at the Hotel de Ville--how the insurgents had
been for a brief time successful, how the members of the Government of
National Defense had been made prisoners and held until four o'clock in
the morning, how finally the fickle populace, swayed at one moment by
detestation for the ministers and at the next terrified by the prospect
of a successful revolution, had released them--he was filled with regret
at the miscarriage of the attempt, at the non-success of the Commune,
which might have been their salvation, calling the people to arms,
warning them of the country's danger, arousing the cherished memories of
a nation that wills it will not perish. Thiers did not dare even to
set his foot in Paris, where there was some attempt at illumination to
celebrate the failure of the negotiations.

The month of November was to Maurice a period of feverish expectancy.
There were some conflicts of no great importance, in which he had no
share. His regiment was in cantonments at the time in the vicinity of
Saint-Ouen, whence he made his escape as often as he could to satisfy
his craving for news. Paris, like him, was awaiting the issue of events
in eager suspense. The election of municipal officers seemed to have
appeased political passion for the time being, but a circumstanc