For the first time the clean blue sky became a sinister blanket from which dropped destruction.
The confusion created by the bomb soon disappeared.

The multitude of Parisians still poured from the city, and long lines of soldiers took their place.

John wondered what the French commanders would do.

Surely theirs was a desperate problem.

Would they try to defend Paris, or would they let it go rather than risk its destruction by bombardment?
Yet its fall was bound to be a terrible blow.
Lannes was on the steps of the Opera House at the appointed time, coming with a brisk manner and a cheerful face.
"I want you to go with me to our house beyond the Seine," he said.