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city； as in the remote revolutionary days； banding together in groups； forming an endless multitude from which came shouts and songs。 These manifestations were passing through the centre under the electric lights that were just being turned on； the processions generally lasting until midnight； with the national banner floating above the walking crowds； escorted by the flags of other nations。
It was on one of these nights of sincere enthusiasm that the two friends heard an unexpected； astonishing piece of news。 〃They have killed Jaures！〃 The groups were repeating it from one to another with an amazement which seemed to overpower their grief。 〃Jaures assassinated！ And what for？〃 The best popular element； which instinctively seeks an explanation of every proceeding； remained in suspense； not knowing which way to turn。 The tribune dead； at the very moment that his word as welder of the people was most needed！ 。 。 。
Argensola thought immediately of Tchernoff。 〃What will our neighbors say？〃 。 。 。 The quiet； orderly people of Paris were fearing a revolution； and for a few moments Desnoyers believed that his cousin's auguries were about to be fulfilled。 This assassination； with its retaliations； might be the signal for civil war。 But the masses of the people； worn out with grief at the death of their hero； were waiting in tragic silence。 All were seeing； beyond his dead body； the image of the country。
By the following morning； the danger had vanished。 The laboring classes were talking of generals and war； showing each other their little military memorandums； announcing the date of their departure as soon as the order of mobilization should be published。 〃I go the second day。〃 〃I the first。〃 Those of the standing army who were on leave were recalled individually to the barracks。 All these events were tending in the same directionwar。
The Germans were invading Luxembourg； the Germans were ordering their armies to invade the French frontier when their ambassador was still in Paris making promises of peace。 On the day after the death of Jaures； the first of August； the people were crowding around some pieces of paper； written by hand and in evident haste。 These papers were copies of other larger printed sheets； headed by two crossed flags。 〃It has come； it is now a fact！〃。 。 。 It was the order for general mobilization。 All France was about to take up arms； and chests seemed to expand with a sigh of relief。 Eyes were sparkling with excitement。 The nightmare was at last over！ 。 。 。 Cruel reality was preferable to the uncertainty of days and days； each as long as a week。
In vain President Poincare； animated by a last hope； was explaining to the French that 〃mobilization is not necessarily war； that a call to arms may be simply a preventive measure。〃 〃It is war； inevitable war；〃 said the populace with a fatalistic expression。 And those who were going to start that very night or the following day were the most eager and enthusiastic。〃Now those who seek us are going to find us！ Vive la France！〃 The Chant du Depart； the martial hymn of the volunteers of the first Republic； had been exhumed by the instinct of a people which seek the voice of Art in its most critical moments。 The stanzas of the conservative Chenier； adapted to a music of warlike solemnity； were resounding through the streets； at the same time as the Marseillaise：
La Republique nous appelle。 Sachons vaincre ou sachons perir； Un francais doit vivre pour elle。 Pour elle un francais doit mourir。
The mobilization began at midnight to the minute。 At dusk； groups of men began moving through the streets towards the stations。 Their families were walking beside them； carrying the valise or bundle of clothes。 They were escorted by the friends of their district； the tricolored flag borne aloft at the head of these platoons。 The Reserves were donning their old uniforms which presented all the difficulties of suits long ago forgotten。 With new leather belts and their revolvers at their sides； they were betaking themselves to the railway which was to carry them to the point of concentration。 One of their children was carrying the old sword in its cloth sheath。 The wife was hanging on his arm； sad and proud at the same time； giving her last counsels in a loving whisper。
Street cars； automobiles and cabs rolled by with crazy velocity。 Nobody had ever seen so many vehicles in the Paris streets； yet if anybody needed one； he called in vain to the conductors； for none wished to serve mere civilians。 All means of transportation were for military men； all roads ended at the railroad stations。 The heavy trucks of the administration； filled with sacks； were saluted with general enthusiasm。 〃Hurrah for the army！〃 The soldiers in mechanic's garb； on top of the swaying pyramid； replied to the cheers； waving their arms and uttering shouts that nobody pretended to understand。
Fraternity had created a tolerance hitherto unknown。 The crowds were pressing forward； but in their encounters； invariably preserved good order。 Vehicles were running into each other； and when the conductors resorted to the customary threats； the crowds would intervene and make them shake hands。 〃Three cheers for France！〃 The pedestrians； escaping between the wheels of the automobiles were laughing and good…naturedly reproaching the chauffeur with； 〃Would you kill a Frenchman on his way to his regiment？〃 and the conductor would reply； 〃I； too； am going in a few hours。 This is my last trip。〃 As night approached； cars and cabs were running with increasing irregularity； many of the employees having abandoned their posts to take leave of their families and make the train。 All the life of Paris was concentrating itself in a half…dozen human rivers emptying in the stations。
Desnoyers and Argensola met in a boulevard cafe toward midnight。 Both were exhausted by the day's emotions and under that nervous depression which follows noisy and violent spectacles。 They needed to rest。 War was a fact； and now that it was a certainty； they felt no anxiety to get further news。 Remaining in the cafe proved impossible。 In the hot and smoky atmosphere； the occupants were singing and shouting and waving tiny flags。 All the battle hymns of the past and present were here intoned in chorus； to an accompaniment of glasses and plates。 The rather cosmopolitan clientele was reviewing the European nations。 All； absolutely all； were going to enroll themselves on the side of France。 〃Hurrah！ 。 。 。 Hurrah！〃 。 。 。 An old man and his wife were seated at a table near the two friends。 They were tenants； of an orderly； humdrum walk in life； who perhaps in all their existence had never been awake at such an hour。 In the general enthusiasm they had come to the boulevards 〃in order to see war a little closer。〃 The foreign tongue used by his neighbors gave the husband a lofty idea of their importance。
〃Do you believe that England is going to join us？〃 。 。 。
Argensola knew as much about it as he； but he replied authoritatively； 〃Of course she will。 That's a sure thing！〃 The old man rose to his feet： 〃Hurrah for England！〃 and he began chanting a forgotten patriotic