His fertile mind instantly suggested to him a point of view which gave him a right to despise the adjutant and the minister.

" Away from the smell of powder, they probably think it easy to gain victories!" he thought.

His eyes narrowed disdainfully, he entered the room of the Minister of War with peculiarly deliberate steps.

This feeling of disdain was heightened when he saw the minister seated at a large table reading some papers and making pencil notes on them, and for the first two or three minutes taking no notice of his arrival.

A wax candle stood at each side of the minister's bent bald head with its gray temples.