A report of General Landrieux asserts that the rage of the commander-in-chief was so extreme as for the time even to impair his determination.

The outlook was gloomy.

The French seemed about to be hemmed in amidst the broken country between Castiglione, Brescia, and Salo.

A sudden attack on the Austrians was obviously the only safe and honourable course.

But no one knew precisely their numbers or their position.