By the side of the downcast braggarts of the Court and the unstrung screamers of the Parisian Press, his mien had something of the heroic.

_Tout peut se retablir_--"All may yet be set right"-- such was the vague but dignified phrase in which he summarised the results of August 6 to his people.
The military situation now required a prompt retirement beyond the Moselle.

The southerly line of retreat, which MacMahon and de Failly had been driven to take, forbade the hope of their junction with the main army at Metz in time to oppose a united front to the enemy.

And it was soon known that their flight could not be stayed at Nancy or even at Toul.

During the agony of suspense as to their movements and those of their German pursuers, the Emperor daily changed his plans.