[57] _Et comment fera celui qui a reçu du sort le don superbe et fatal de voir la vérité, et de ne pouvoir pas ne pas la voir?_--ROMAIN ROLLAND, _Vie de Tolstoi_. (January, 1917.) [58] Killed in battle at Belloy-en-Santerre, July, 1916. A friend and companion of Alan Seeger's Harvard days, Pierre Abreu, himself extraordinarily fitted for the understanding of the "humanities" in every sense, told me of him one windy twilight crossing to France on the _Espagne_ that autumn after his death. I had just seen, in my _North American Review_, that most charming of all his poems, "I Have a Rendezvous with Death." He was evidently a free, romantic being, Latinized in temperament and mentality, receptive and creative. Abreu met him first at a Sophocles course--he was a brilliant, original classical scholar, with an elasticity of culture that made him also able to translate a gem of Clément Marot, or Ronsard, into perfect form at sight. For the impressionable years of gifted adolescence, what more suggestive setting than that magnetic valley of Mexico? Now he lies in France. His high, adventurous spirit was meant for wars and chances, doubtless in the old, romantic sense of battle. "Heroes battling with heroes and above them the wrathful gods." For this type there could be but one consummation. But it seems to me all can be fulfilled as well at twenty-eight as at threescore and ten, and the completion of no man's destiny is dependent on his years.--E. O'S., January, 1917. XXVI Balls at the German Legation and at Madame Simon's--Necaxa--A strange, gorge-like world of heat and light--Mexican time-tables--The French trail _August 17th._ Unwonted festivities here. For two nights running we have "tripped the light fantastic." Night before last Madame Simon gave a big ball, and last night there was one at the German Legation. The dancing world was out in full swing, bumping into a varied assortment of wall-flowers, tropical and temperate. Handsome favors and elaborate suppers at both these _bailes de confianza_, and the later it got, the wilder and more spirited became the music. I gave the _coup de grâce_ to the pink velvet Buda-Pesth court dress at von H.'s. The Benoist d'Azy are here from Washington. It always adds to the gaiety of nations to have _étrangers de distinction_ make their appearance. They have all the interest of events. It isn't often the capital sees two smart balls, one after the other. A long-expected box of suits and things from Peter Robinson's for Elim has just arrived. He didn't fancy trying on, and in the struggle asked me suddenly "Who was Jesus Christ's tailor?" I was a bit taken aback. I must say I had never put those words or ideas together.