"What is it ?" "Yes, there is bad news, and it is said that Paris is to be placed under martial law.

You and Mademoiselle must leave." Alphonse protested that it was only a temporary reverse, and that General Frossard had but retreated in order to strike a harder blow.
He nodded and winked at me, but I ignored his signals; for I have never held that women are dolls or children, that the truth must be withheld from them because it is unpleasant.
So Alphonse Giraud departed to fight for his country.

He was drafted into a cavalry regiment, "together with some grooms and hostlers from the stables of the Paris Omnibus Company," as he wrote to me later in good spirits.

He proved himself, moreover, a brave soldier as well as a true and honest French gentleman.
Madame de Clericy and Lucille made preparations for an early departure, but were averse to quitting Paris until such time as necessity should drive them into retreat.

I saw nothing of John Turner at this time, but learnt from others that he was directing the course of his great banking house with a steady hand and a clear head.