uarters of General Petain
we had joined the White Brigade. I excused myself to the General,
who smilingly replied: "Why complain, Mademoiselle, you are
charming; your hair is powdered like that of a Marquise." The
contrast with what had been a black fur cap on what was now
perfectly white hair justified his compliment. I have never been
renowned in my life for fear of any individual, but I must admit that I
passed into the presence of General Petain with a great deal of
respect amounting almost to awe. The defence of Verdun through
the bitter months of February and March by General Petain, a
defence which is now under the immediate control of his able
lieutenants General Nivelle and General Dubois, has earned the
respect and admiration of the whole world. It is impossible not to
feel the deepest admiration for these men who have earned such
undying glory, not only for themselves, but for their Motherland.

No one could have been more gracious and kind than General
Petain, and in his presence one realised the strength and power of
France. Throughout all the French Headquarters one is impressed
by the perfect calm; no excitement; everything perfectly organised.

General Petain asked me at once to tell him what I desired. I
asked his permission to go to Rheims. He at once took up a paper
which permitted me to enter the war zone and endorsed it with the
request to General Debeney in Rheims to allow me to penetrate
with my companions into the city. He then turned to me again and
asked me, with a knowing smile, if that was all I required--for his
Headquarters were hardly on the direct road to Rheims! I hesitated
to express my real wish, when my good counsellor and friend, with
whom I was making the journey, the Commandant Jean de Pulligny,
answered for me: "I feel sure it would be a great happiness and
honour if you would allow us, General, to go to Verdun." General
Petain appeared slightly surprised, and turning to me asked: "Do
you thoroughly realise the danger? You have crossed the Atlantic
and faced submarines, but you will risk more in five minutes in
Verdun than in crossing the Atlantic a thousand times." However,
seeing that I was really anxious to go, and that it might be of great
service to me in my future work to have seen personally the defence
of Verdun, he added smilingly: "Well then, you can go if you wish
at your own risk and peril." He then telephoned to General Nivelle
the necessary permission for us to en