General Bourgain-Desfeuilles drank in the tidings, his eyes bulging
with astonishment. "_Nom de Dieu!_" he at last succeeded in
ejaculating, "one would like to know-- But it is no business of mine,
anyhow." And off he galloped, not allowing himself to be greatly
agitated by this unexpected turn of affairs, for he had gone into the
war solely in the hope of seeing his name raised a grade higher in the
army list, and it was his great desire to behold the end of the
beastly campaign as soon as possible, since it was productive of so
little satisfaction to anyone.

Then there was an explosion of derision and contempt among the men of
Beaudoin's company. Maurice said nothing, but he shared the opinion of
Chouteau and Loubet, who chaffed and blackguarded everyone without
mercy. "See-saw, up and down, move as I pull the string! A fine gang
they were, those generals! they understood one another; they were not
going to pull all the blankets off the bed! What was a poor devil of a
soldier to do when he had such leaders put over him? Three commanders
in two hours' time, three great numskulls, none of whom knew what was
the right thing to do, and all of them giving different orders!
Demoralized, were they? Good Heavens, it was enough to demoralize God
Almighty himself, and all His angels!" And the inevitable accusation
of treason was again made to do duty; Ducrot and de Wimpffen wanted to
get three millions apiece out of Bismarck, as MacMahon had done.

Alone in advance of his staff General Douay sat on his horse a long
time, his gaze bent on the distant positions of the enemy and in his
eyes an expression of infinite melancholy. He made a minute and
protracted observation of Hattoy, the shells from which came tumbling
almost at his very feet; then, giving a glance at the plateau of Illy,