I was surprised at the difference in our characters. I was taking a revolver determined to protect myself by killing others; she was determined to protect herself by killing herself. On the 24th of February, we started on this journey, which was to have lasted three days, and lasted eleven. At the first gate at which I presented myself in leaving Paris, I was sent back in the most brutal fashion! Permissions to go outside the city had to be submitted for signature at the German outposts. I went to another gate, but it was only at the postern gate of _Poissonniers_ that I could get my passport signed. We were taken into a little shed, which had been transformed into an office. A Prussian general was seated there. He looked me up and down, and then said: “Are you Sarah Bernhardt?” “Yes,” I answered. “And this young lady is with you?” “Yes.” “And you think you are going to cross easily?” “I hope so.” “Well, then, you are mistaken, and you had better stay inside Paris.” “No, I want to leave. I see myself what may happen, but I want to leave.” He shrugged his shoulders, called an officer, said something I did not understand in German, and then went out, leaving us alone without our passports. We had been there about a quarter of an hour when I suddenly heard a voice I knew. It was one of my friends, René Griffon, who had heard of my departure, and had come after me to try to dissuade me. The trouble he had taken was all in vain, though, as I was determined to leave. The general returned soon after, and Griffon was anxious to know what might happen to us. “Everything!” answered the officer. “And worse than everything!” Griffon spoke German, and had a short colloquy with the officer about us. This rather annoyed me, for as I did not understand, I imagined that he was urging the general to prevent our starting. I nevertheless resisted all persuasions, supplications, and even threats. A few minutes later, a well-appointed vehicle drew up at the door of the shed. “There you are,” said the German officer roughly. “I am sending you to Gonesse, where you will find the provision train which starts in an hour. I am recommending you to the care of the station master, the Commandant—after that may God take care of you!”