"Come with me," he said, "and you will see some history."
We drove rapidly to the Bourse, through crowded streets, and there I witnessed a scene of the greatest excitement that it has been my lot to look upon; for it has pleased God to keep me from any battle-field.
Above a sea of hats a score of tricolour flags fluttered in the dusty air, and wild strains of the Marseillaise dominated the roar and babble of a thousand tongues wagging together. The steps of the great building were thronged with men, and on the bases of the statuary orators harangued high heaven, for no man had the patience to listen.
"News of a French victory; but it wants confirmation."
[Illustration: A MAN CLAMBERED ON THE BOX BESIDE THE COACHMAN. "I WILL SING YOU THE MARSEILLAISE!" HE SHOUTED.]
Some who could sing, and others who only thought they could, were shouting the Marseillaise from any elevation that presented itself--an omnibus or a street refuse-box served equally well for these musicians.
"How on earth these people have ever grown to a great nation!" muttered John Turner, who sat in his carriage. A man clambered on the box beside the coachman.
"I will sing you the Marseillaise!" he shouted.
But already the humour of the throng was changing, and some began to reflect. In a few minutes doubt swept over them like a shower of rain, and the expression of their faces altered. Almost immediately it was announced that the news of the victory had been a hoax.
"I am going to my office," said Turner, curtly. "Come and see me to-morrow morning. I may have some advice to give you."
In the evening I saw Madame, and told her that things were going badly on the frontier; but I did not know that the Germans were, at the time of speaking, actually on French territory, and that MacMahon had been beaten at Metz.
"Get the women out of the country," said John Turner to me the next morning, "and don't bother me."
I went back to the Hôtel Clericy and there found Alphonse Giraud. He was in the morning-room with the two ladies.
"I have come," he said, "to bid you all good-by, as I was just telling these ladies.
"You remember," he went on, taking my hand and holding it in his effusive French way--"you remember that I said I would buy myself a commission? The good God has sent me one, but it is a rifle instead of a sword."