News of battles were beginning to arrive, and blood was beginning to flow in great quantities.

“No, no, I cannot,” she kept repeating.

And when Julio finally triumphed, he found that her thoughts were still following independently the same line of mental stress.

One afternoon, Marguerite announced that henceforth she would see him less frequently.  She was attending classes now, and had only two free days.

Desnoyers listened, dumbfounded.  Classes? . . .  What were her studies? . . .

She seemed a little irritated at his mocking expression. . . .  Yes, she was studying; for the past week she had been attending classes.  Now the lessons were going to be more regular; the course of instruction had been fully organized, and there were many more instructors.

“I wish to be a trained nurse.  I am distressed over my uselessness. . . .  Of what good have I ever been till now?” . . .

She was silent for a few moments as though reviewing her past.

“At times I almost think,” she mused, “that war, with all its horrors, still has some good in it.  It helps to make us useful to our fellowmen.  We look at life more seriously; trouble makes us realize that we have come into the world for some purpose. . . .  I believe that we must not love life only for the pleasures that it brings us.  We ought to find satisfaction in sacrifice, in dedicating ourselves to others, and this satisfaction—­I don’t know just why, perhaps because it is new—­appears to me superior to all other things.”

Julio looked at her in surprise, trying to imagine what was going on in that idolized and frivolous head.  What ideas were forming back of that thoughtful forehead which until then had merely reflected the slightest shadow of thoughts as swift and flitting as birds? . . .

But the former Marguerite was still alive.  He saw her constantly reappearing in a funny way among the sombre preoccupations with which war was overshadowing all lives.

“We have to study very hard in order to earn our diplomas as nurses.  Have you noticed our uniform? . . .  It is most distinctive, and the white is so becoming both to blondes and brunettes.  Then the cap which allows little curls over the ears—­the fashionable coiffure—­and the blue cape over the white suit, make a splendid contrast.  With this outfit, a woman well shod, and with few jewels, may present a truly chic appearance.  It is a mixture of nun and great lady which is vastly becoming.”

She was going to study with a regular fury in order to become really useful . . . and sooner to wear the admired uniform.