Was it possible that the enemy was at the gates? * * * * * At Rosny-sous-Bois we camped on a plateau overlooking the town on one side and the plain of Brie on the other--a depressing enough spot, devoid of all charm. Far off, towards the south-east, the sound of guns was audible. In the streets, between the greenery of the gardens and the light-coloured fronts of the villas, the scarlet uniforms, white blouses, and variegated parasols chequered the crowd with bright dashes of colour. The Zouaves had come down from the forts. On the terraces of the cafés, where not a single place remained vacant, the white aprons of the waiters fluttered in and out among the multicoloured uniforms of the Chasseurs, Army Service Corps officers, Artillerymen, Tirailleurs, and Spahis. In front of the Post Office and round the doors of the bakeries and confectioners' shops the crowd collected in animated groups. Women ran to and fro greeting the soldiers, asking questions, searching for a husband, son, brother, or lover whom they were expecting to arrive. Every one jostled together, hailed each other, drank, ate, smoked, and laughed. Families of placid tradespeople, mildly inquisitive, strutted in and out the crowd with short, conceited little steps. The guns were still roaring, but in order to hear them one had to separate from the crowd and enter the quiet little streets between the gardens. We heard that fighting was in progress on the Grand Morin. _Monday, September 7_ It was broad daylight when I was awakened by Bréjard. "Up you get," said he. "What?" "Here, listen to this." He pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. "_Army Order of the Day._ "_At the moment when we are about to engage upon a battle upon which will depend the safety of the country, it is necessary to remind every one that this is not the time to look back. No effort must be spared to attack and repulse the enemy. Troops which can advance no farther must at all costs hold the ground won and let themselves be killed rather than retire._" "Do you understand?" Yes, we had all understood perfectly. We should never have been able to express so simply and yet so completely our inmost thoughts. "Troops should let themselves be killed rather than retire." That was it! "And now, limber up," added Bréjard. "We're off there!" * * * * * Just as the battery was starting, two girls, the sister and fiancée of one of the gunners, hurried up. For a moment or two they ran, flushed and panting, by the side of the horses, both speaking rapidly and at the same time. When they were quite out of breath they held out their hands, one after the other, to the gunner, who leant down from the saddle and kissed their finger-tips. * * * * *