s of millions that this foolhardy event was going to
convert into smoke and slaughter.

As his indignation had to fix upon something close at hand, he made his
own countrymen responsible for this insanity. Too much talk about la
revanche! The very idea of worrying for forty-four years over the two
lost provinces when the nation was mistress of enormous and undeveloped
lands in other countries! . . . Now they were going to pay the penalty
for such exasperating and clamorous foolishness.

For him war meant disaster writ large. He had no faith in his country.
France's day had passed. Now the victors were of the Northern peoples,
and especially that Germany which he had seen so close, admiring with a
certain terror its discipline and its rigorous organization. The former
working-man felt the conservative and selfish instinct of all those who
have amassed millions. He scorned political ideals, but through class
interest he had of late years accepted the declarations against the
scandals of the government. What could a corrupt and disorganized
Republic do against the solidest and strongest empire in the
world? . . .

"We are going to our deaths," he said to himself. "Worse than '70! . . .
We are going to see horrible things!"

The good order and enthusiasm with which the French responded to their
country's call and transformed themselves into soldiers were most
astonishing to him. This moral shock made his national faith begin to
revive. The great majority of Frenchmen were good after all; the nation
was as valiant as in former times. Forty-four years of suffering and
alarm had developed their old bravery. But the leaders? Where were they
going to get leaders to march to victory? . . .

Many others were asking themselves the same question. The silence of the
democratic government was keeping the country in complete ignorance of
their future commanders. Everybody saw the army increasing from hour to
hour: very few knew the generals. One name was beginning to be repeated
from mouth to mouth, "Joffre . . . Joffre." His first pictures made the
curious crowds struggle to get a glimpse of them. Desnoyers studied them
very carefully. "He looks like a very capable person." His methodical
instincts were gratified by the grave and confident look of the
general of the Republic. Suddenly he felt the great confidence that
efficient-looking bank directors always inspired in him. He could
entrust his interests to this gentleman, sure t