And then, when I began examining the paltry contents of his sack, he made light of my disappointment, saying that his father, who had served in the campaign of 1870, had always told him that a ball of strong string and a jackknife were sufficient baggage for any soldier.  I supposed he ought to know, and was just going to ask another question, when—­

“Listen,” he said, as he put his foot on the step.  “Listen—­before I forget.  My will is at my notary’s in Paris, and on your table is a letter to your father—­if anything happens to me you know what to do.”

We drove away in silence.

I let the horses walk almost all the way home and my thoughts were busy, very busy along the way.  Here I was alone—­husband and friends had vanished as by magic.  My nearest relatives over five thousand miles away—­and communication with the outside world entirely cut off, for Heaven knew how long.  Evidently there was nothing to do but to face the situation, especially as all those in my employ save Julie were under twenty, and looked to me for moral support.  This was no time to collapse.  If I broke down anarchy would reign at once.

But what to do?  Go on living like a hermit on that great big estate?  The idea appalled me.  It seemed such a useless existence—­and in a few moments’ time I had decided to turn the place into a hospital.  But how and to whom should I offer it?

I stopped at the Gendarmerie, where our friends were able to give me information.

“The nearest sanitary formation was Soissons—­the Red Cross Society.  The president would probably be able to help me—­” So I thanked the gendarme and left there, having decided to drive thence on the morrow.

Soissons is but twenty miles as a bird flies, but almost double that by the winding roadway, and I was calculating what time I should start and where I would rest the span, as I entered the yard.

“Anything new, George?” I said, as he took the bridle.

“Nothing, Madame, save that we have received orders that all the horses must be presented at Chateau Thierry for the revision to-morrow before ten.”

“All the horses?”

“Yes, Madame, with full harnessing, halters and the farm carts.”

That was a surprise!  Suppose they are all taken, thought I, I shall be almost a prisoner.  And my trip to Soissons?

“Don’t unharness!” I called, as George drove towards the stable.  “I’m going back to Charly.”

In our little township I managed to buy a lady’s bicycle.  “It may come in handy,” I thought.  It was the last machine that was left.  From the shop I went to the hotel.

“Where’s your husband?” I said to the proprietress.

“Why, he’s gone with the chauffeur to take our motorbuses and taxi to the requisition committee.”

“What?”

“Yes, Madame.”

“But I wanted him to motor me over to Soissons to-morrow!”