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death； perhaps because of a generous and distant ideal； in order that future generations might never know the actual horrors of war！ To do this； he was not hesitating at the sacrifice of his former cherished beliefs； all that he had held sacred till now。 。 。 。 And he who belonged to the privileged class； who possessed so many tempting things； requiring defense； had given himself up to doubt and criticism！ 。 。 。
Hours after； he again saw the carpenter； near the Arc de Triomphe。 He was one of a group of workmen looking much as he did； and this group was joining others and still others that represented every social classwell…dressed citizens； stylish and anaemic young men； graduate students with worn jackets； pale faces and thick glasses； and youthful priests who were smiling rather shamefacedly as though they had been caught at some ridiculous escapade。 At the head of this human herd was a sergeant； and as a rear guard； various soldiers with guns on their shoulders。 Forward march； Reservists！ 。 。 。
And a musical cry； a solemn harmony like a Greek chant； menacing and monotonous； surged up from this mass with open mouths； swinging arms； and legs that were opening and shutting like compasses。
Robert was singing the martial chorus with such great
energy that his eyes and Gallic moustachios were fairly trembling。 In spite of his corduroy suit and his bulging linen hand bag； he had the same grand and heroic aspect as the figures by Rude in the Arc de Triomphe。 The 〃affinity〃 and the boy were trudging along the sidewalk so as to accompany him to the station。 For a moment he took his eyes from them to speak with a companion in the line； shaven and serious…looking； undoubtedly the priest whom he had met the day before。 Now they were talking confidentially； intimately； with that brotherliness which contact with death inspires in mankind。
The millionaire followed the carpenter with a look of respect； immeasurably increased since he had taken his part in this human avalanche。 And this respect had in it something of envy； the envy that springs from an uneasy conscience。
Whenever Don Marcelo passed a bad night； suffering from nightmare； a certain terrible thingalways the samewould torment his imagination。 Rarely did he dream of mortal peril to his family or self。 The frightful vision was always that certain notes bearing his signature were presented for collection which he； Marcelo Desnoyers； the man always faithful to his bond； with a past of immaculate probity； was not able to pay。 Such a possibility made him tremble； and long after waking his heart would be oppressed with terror。 To his imagination this was the greatest disgrace that a man could suffer。
Now that war was overturning his existence with its agitations； the same agonies were reappearing。 Completely awake； with full powers of reasoning； he was suffering exactly the same distress as when in his horrible dreams he saw his dishonored signature on a protested document。
All his past was looming up before his eyes with such extraordinary clearness that it seemed as though until then his mind must have been in hopeless confusion。 The threatened land of France was his native country。 Fifteen centuries of history had been working for him； in order that his opening eyes might survey progress and comforts that his ancestors did not even know。 Many generations of Desnoyers had prepared for his advent into life by struggling with the land and defending it that he might be born into a free family and fireside。 。 。 。 And when his turn had come for continuing this effort； when his time had arrived in the rosary of generationshe had fled like a debtor evading payment！ 。 。 。 On coming into his fatherland he had contracted obligations with the human group to whom he owed his existence。 This obligation should be paid with his arms； with any sacrifice that would repel danger 。 。 。 and he had eluded the acknowledgment of his signature； fleeing his country and betraying his trust to his forefathers！ Ah； miserable coward！ The material success of his life； the riches acquired in a remote country； were comparatively of no importance。 There are failures that millions cannot blot out。 The uneasiness of his conscience was proving it now。 Proof； too； was in the envy and respect inspired by this poor mechanic marching to meet his death with others equally humble； all kindled with the satisfaction of duty fulfilled； of sacrifice accepted。
The memory of Madariaga came to his memory。
〃Where we make our riches； and found a familythere is our country。〃
No； the statement of the centaur was not correct。 In normal times； perhaps。 Far from one's native land when it is not exposed to danger； one may forget it for a few years。 But he was living now in France； and France was being obliged to defend herself against enemies wishing to overpower her。 The sight of all her people rising en masse was becoming an increasingly shameful torture for Desnoyers； making him think all the time of what he should have done in his youth； of what he had dodged。
The veterans of '70 were passing through the streets； with the green and black ribbon in their lapel； souvenirs of the privations of the Siege of Paris； and of heroic and disastrous campaigns。 The sight of these men； satisfied with their past； made him turn pale。 Nobody was recalling his； but he knew it； and that was enough。 In vain his reason would try to lull this interior tempest。 。 。 。 Those times were different； then there was none of the present unanimity； the Empire was unpopular 。 。 。 everything was lost。 。 。 。 But the recollection of a celebrated sentence was fixing itself in his mind as an obsession〃France still remained！〃 Many had thought as he did in his youth； but they had not； therefore； evaded military service。 They had stood by their country in a last and desperate resistance。
Useless was his excuse…making reasoning。 Nobler thoughts showed him the fallacy of this beating around the bush。 Explanations and demonstrations are unnecessary to the understanding of patriotic and religious ideals； true patriotism does not need them。 One's country 。 。 。 is one's country。 And the laboring man； skeptical and jesting； the self…centred farmer； the solitary pastor； all had sprung to action at the sound of this conjuring word； comprehending it instantly； without previous instruction。
〃It is necessary to pay；〃 Don Marcelo kept repeating mentally。 〃I ought to pay my debt。〃
As in his dreams； he was constantly feeling the anguish of an upright and desperate man who wishes to meet his obligations。
Pay！ 。 。 。 and how？ It was now very late。 For a moment the heroic resolution came into his head of offering himself as a volunteer； of marching with his bag at his side in some one of the groups of future combatants； the same as the carpenter。 But the uselessness of the sacrifice came immediately into his mind。 Of what use would it be？ 。 。 。 He looked robust and was well…preserved for his age； but he was over seventy； and only the young make good soldiers。 Combat is but one incident in the struggle。 Equally necessary are the hardship and self…denial in the form of interminable marches； extremes of tempe