. . and Dona Elena was at the same time
contemplating a group of officers with helmets and reseda uniforms
reinforced with leather pouches for the revolver, field glasses and
maps, with sword-belt of the same material.
Oftentimes when Don Marcelo saw them setting forth together toward Saint
Honore d'Eylau, he would wax very indignant.
"They are juggling with God. . . . This is most unreasonable! How could
He grant such contrary petitions? . . . Ah, these women!"
And then, with that superstition which danger awakens, he began to
fear that his sister-in-law might cause some grave disaster to his son.
Divinity, fatigued with so many contradictory prayers was going to turn
His back and not listen to any of them. Why did not this fatal woman
take herself off? . . .
He felt as exasperated at her presence in his home as he had at the
beginning of hostilities. Dona Luisa was still innocently repeating her
sister's statements, submitting them to the superior criticism of her
husband. In this way, Don Marcelo had learned that the victory of the
Marne had never really happened; it was an invention of the allies.
The German generals had deemed it prudent to retire through profound
strategic foresight, deferring till a little later the conquest of
Paris, and the French had done nothing but follow them over the ground
which they had left free.
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