The result of the examination, so far as I was concerned, was as follows:
| Co-efficients. | My Marks. | Totals. | |
| Dismounted drill and command | 8 | 13 | 104 |
| Hippology | 5 | 16 | 80 |
| Voltige | 6 | 12 | 72 |
| Gymnastics | 5 | 10 | 50 |
| Topography | 5 | 9 | 45 |
| Knowledge of regulations | 6 | 10 | 60 |
| Riding | 7 | 18 | 126 |
| Mounted drill and command | 8 | 12 | 96 |
| —— | |||
| Grand total | 633 |
The highest marks obtained out of a possible 1000 were 816, the lowest marks (given to the Volontaire next to me on the list) were 177. By the actual marks obtained I ought to have been classed the fifth out of fourteen, but as the examiners were determined that I should be the last on the list, the following plan was devised:—
"Good conduct" was added to the other items, and a coefficient of no less than fifty was allotted to it. With the exception of two other Volontaires besides myself, twenty marks were given to every one for good conduct, thus increasing their totals by one thousand! The Volontaire who was last but one was given seventeen marks for good conduct, and this, multiplied by fifty, made 850 to be added on to his beggarly 177, giving him a total of 1027 marks. I was given nothing for good conduct, so that I remained with my original 633 marks, and was thus classed last. The regulations stated that Volontaires, who at the end of the year had failed to show a proficiency sufficient to enable them to obtain a number of marks at least equal to half the possible maximum at the final examination might be detained for a second year—I was therefore detained according to the regulations!
It was with an almost broken heart that I bade good-bye to all my comrades, and when I watched the train which took them away disappearing in the distance, I felt like a marooned stowaway who watches the departing ship sink below the horizon. When they had gone I went to my room at the hotel, seriously debating whether I should desert or else shoot myself. That I did neither remains a source of wonder to me.
FOOTNOTE:
[42] It is customary in France to designate the wives of superior officers and officials by their husbands' titles; even in good society people will speak of La Générale, La Colonelle, La Commandante, la Préfete, La Sous-préfete, and so on.