From all accounts the latter seem to have behaved well--a little excited at first, but full of pluck.

Let the siege only last a week and they will be capital soldiers, and then we shall no longer be called upon, to believe the assertions of military men, that it takes years of drill and idling in a barrack to make a soldier.
My own impression always has been that Malet brought back a written answer from Bismarck offering to see Jules Favre.

Can it be that, after all, the Parisians, at the mere sound of cannon, are going to cave in, and give up Alsace and Lorraine?
If they do, I give them up.

If my friends in Belleville descend into the streets to prevent this ignominy, I descend with them.
4 P.M.
I got, about an hour ago, some way on the road to Charenton, when I was turned back, and a couple of soldiers took possession of me, and did not leave me until I was within the city gate.

I could see no traces of any Prussians or of any fighting.