PEACE
The next morning, at daybreak, between six and seven o'clock, when we were all asleep, the report of a cannon made our windows rattle. The enemy usually fired only at night. I listened; a second report followed after a few seconds, then another, then others, one by one.
I rose, opened a window, and looked out. The sun was rising behind the arsenal. Not a soul was in the street; but, as one report came after another, doors and windows were opened; men in their shirts leaned out, listening.
No shells hissed through the air; the enemy fired blank cartridges.
As I listened, a great murmur came from the distance, outside of the city. First it came from the Mittelbronn hill, then it reached the Bichelberg, Quatre-Vents, the upper and lower Barracks.
Sorlé had just risen also; I finished dressing, and said to her:
"Something extraordinary is going on—God grant that it may be for good!"
And I went down in great perturbation.
It was not a quarter of an hour since the first report, and the whole city was out. Some ran to the ramparts, others were in groups, shouting and disputing at the corners of the streets. Astonishment, fear, and anger were depicted upon every face.
A large number of soldiers were mingled with the citizens, and all went up together in groups to the right and left of the French gate.