Bernard shook his head and said, gently:
"My poor Paul!"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that I should have been the first to agree and that we should have rushed to Élisabeth's rescue together, without counting the risk. Unfortunately. . . ."
"What?"
"Well, it's this, Paul: there is no intention on our side of taking a more vigorous offensive. They've sent for reserve and territorial regiments; and we are leaving."
"Leaving?" stammered Paul, in dismay.
"Yes, this evening. Our division is to start from Corvigny this evening and go I don't know where . . . to Rheims, perhaps, or Arras. North and west, in short. So you see, my poor chap, your plan can't be realized. Come, buck up. And don't look so distressed. It breaks my heart to see you. After all, Élisabeth isn't in danger. She will know how to defend herself. . . ."
Paul did not answer. He remembered Prince Conrad's abominable words, quoted by Élisabeth in her diary:
"It is war. It is the law, the law of war."