If there is really to be a sortie, everything is ready, but now the General hesitates--hints that he is not seconded, that the soldiers will not fight, and almost seems to regret at last his own theoretical presumption.

"He trusted," said one of his generals to me, "first to the neutrals, then to the provinces, and now he is afraid to trust to himself." Next time a general is besieged in a town I should recommend him not to announce that he has a plan which must ensure victory, unless indeed it be a German town, where nothing which an official can do is considered ridiculous.
Benjamin Constant said of his countrymen that their heads could never contain more than one idea at once.

A few days ago we were full of our victory at Orleans.

Then came the question whether or not Bazaine was a traitor.

To-day we have forgotten Bazaine and Orleans.