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And her lover would accept these words as but another proof of her affectionate interest。
One day Don Marcelo was able to appreciate the horrors of the war without leaving Paris。 Three thousand Belgian refugees were quartered provisionally in the circus before being distributed among the provinces。 When Desnoyers entered this place； he saw in the vestibule the same posters which had been flaunting their spectacular gayeties when he had visited it a few months before with his family。
Now he noticed the odor from a sick and miserable multitude crowded togetherlike the exhalation from a prison or poorhouse infirmary。 He saw a throng that seemed crazy or stupefied with grief。 They did not know exactly where they were； they had come thither； they didn't know how。 The terrible spectacle of the invasion was still so persistent in their minds that it left room for no other impression。 They were still seeing the helmeted men in their peaceful hamlets； their homes in flames； the soldiery firing upon those who were fleeing； the mutilated women done to death by incessant adulterous assault； the old men burned alive； the children stabbed in their cradles by human beasts inflamed by alcohol and license。 。 。 。 Some of the octogenarians were weeping as they told how the soldiers of a civilized nation were cutting off the breasts from the women in order to nail them to the doors； how they had passed around as a trophy a new…born babe spiked on a bayonet； how they had shot aged men in the very armchair in which they were huddled in their sorrowful weakness； torturing them first with their jests and taunts。
They had fled blindly； pursued by fire and shot； as crazed with terror as the people of the middle ages trying not to be ridden down by the hordes of galloping Huns and Mongols。 And this flight had been across the country in its loveliest festal array； in the most productive of months； when the earth was bristling with ears of grain； when the August sky was most brilliant； and when the birds were greeting the opulent harvest with their glad songs！
In that circus； filled with the wandering crowds； the immense crime was living again。 The children were crying with a sound like the bleating of lambs； the men were looking wildly around with terrified eyes； the frenzied women were howling like the insane。 Families had become separated in the terror of flight。 A mother of five little ones now had but one。 The parents； as they realized the number missing； were thinking with anguish of those who had disappeared。 Would they ever find them again？ 。 。 。 Or were they already dead？ 。 。 。
Don Marcelo returned home； grinding his teeth and waving his cane in an alarming manner。 Ah； the bandits！ 。 。 。 If only his sister…in… law could change her sex！ Why wasn't she a man？ 。 。 。 It would be better still if she could suddenly assume the form of her husband； von Hartrott。 What an interesting interview the two brothers…in…law would have！ 。 。 。
The war was awakening religious sentiment in the men and increasing the devotion of the women。 The churches were filled。 Dona Luisa was no longer confining herself to those of her neighborhood。 With the courage induced by extraordinary events； she was traversing Paris afoot and going from the Madeleine to Notre Dame； or to the Sacre Coeur on the heights of Montmartre。 Religious festivals were now thronged like popular assemblies。 The preachers were tribunes。 Patriotic enthusiasm interrupted many sermon with applause。
Each morning on opening the papers； before reading the war news； Senora Desnoyers would hunt other notices。 〃Where was Father Amette going to be to…day？〃 Then； under the arched vaultings of that temple； would she unite her voice with the devout chorus imploring supernatural intervention。 〃Lord； save France！〃 Patriotic religiosity was putting Sainte Genevieve at the head of the favored ones； so from all these fiestas； Dona Luisa； tremulous with faith； would return in expectation of a miracle similar to that which the patron saint of Paris had worked before the invading hordes of Attila。
Dona Elena was also visiting the churches； but those nearest the house。 Her brother…in…law saw her one afternoon entering Saint… Honoree d'Eylau。 The building was filled with the faithful； and on the altar was a sheaf of flagsFrance and the allied nations。 The imploring crowd was not composed entirely of women。 Desnoyers saw men of his age； pompous and grave； moving their lips and fixing steadfast eyes on the altar on which were reflected like lost stars； the flames of the candles。 And again he felt envy。 They were fathers who were recalling their childhood prayers； thinking of their sons in battle。 Don Marcelo； who had always considered religion with indifference； suddenly recognized the necessity of faith。 He wanted to pray like the others； with a vague； indefinite supplication； including all beings who were struggling and dying for a land that he had not tried to defend。
He was scandalized to see von Hartrott's wife kneeling among these people raising her eyes to the cross in a look of anguished entreaty。 She was begging heaven to protect her husband； the German who perhaps at this moment was concentrating all his devilish faculties on the best organization for crushing the weak； she was praying for her sons； officers of the King of Prussia； who revolver in hand were entering villages and farmlands； driving before them a horror…stricken crowd； leaving behind them fire and death。 And these orisons were going to mingle with those of the mothers who were praying for the youth trying to check the onslaught of the barbarianswith the petitions of these earnest men； rigid in their tragic grief！ 。 。 。
He had to make a great effort not to protest aloud； and he left the church。 His sister…in…law had no right to kneel there among those people。
〃They ought to put her out！〃 he growled indignantly。 〃She is compromising God with her absurd entreaties。〃
But in spite of his annoyance； he had to endure her living in his household； and at the same time had taken great pains to prevent her nationality being known outside。
It was a severe trial for Don Marcelo to be obliged to keep silent when at table with his family。 He had to avoid the hysterics of his sister…in…law who promptly burst into sighs and sobs at the slightest allusion to her hero； and he feared equally the complaints of his wife； always ready to defend her sister； as though she were the victim。 。 。 。 That a man in his own home should have to curb his tongue and speak tactfully！ 。 。 。
The only satisfaction permitted him was to announce the military moves。 The French had entered Belgium。 〃It appears that the Boches have had a good set…back。〃 The slightest clash of cavalry； a simple encounter with the advance troops； he would glorify as a decisive victory。 〃In Lorraine； too； we are making great headway！〃 。 。 。 But suddenly the fountain of his bubbling optimism seemed to become choked up。 To judge from the periodicals； nothing extraordinary was occurring。 They continued publishing war…stories so as to keep enthusiasm at fever…heat； but nothing definite。 The Government； too； was issuing communications of