He felt offended, and without his noticing it the feeling of offense immediately turned into one of disdain which was quite uncalled for.

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.