Dr. Froment, a cultivated man with much originality of mind which he concealed under a grave courtesy, as if he feared to wound others by his distinction, had travelled all over Europe, as well as in Egypt, Persia, and India.  He had been a student of science and of religion, and his special interest had been the new forms of faith appearing in the world; such as Babism, Christian Science, and theosophical doctrines.  As he had kept in touch with the pacifist movement, and was a friend of Baroness Suttner, whom he had known in Vienna, he had long seen the catastrophe approaching which threatened him and all he loved.  But man of courage as he was, and accustomed to the indifference of nature, he had not tried to delude his family as to the future, but had rather sought to strengthen their souls to meet the danger that hung over their heads.

More than all his words, his example was sacred to his wife, for the son had been yet a child at the time of his father’s death.  Dr. Froment had suffered from a cancer of the intestines, and during the whole course of the slow and painful disease he had followed his ordinary occupations up to the last minute, sustaining the courage of his loved ones by this serene fortitude.

This noble picture which dwelt in Madame Froment’s heart, and which she worshipped in secret, was to her what religion is to other women.  To this, though she had no clear belief in the future life, she prayed, especially in difficult moments, as if to an ever-present helpful friend.  And by a singular phenomenon sometimes observed after death, the essence of her husband’s soul seemed to have passed into hers.  For this reason her son had grown up in an atmosphere of placid thought, while most of the young generation before 1914 were feverish, restless, aggressive, irritated by delay.  When the war broke out, there was no need for Madame Froment to protect herself or her son against the national excesses; they were both strangers to such ideas; but they made no attempt to resist the inevitable; they had watched the coming of this misfortune for so long!  All that they could do now was to bear it bravely, while trying to preserve what was the most precious thing to them; their souls’ faith.  Madame Froment did not consider it necessary to be “Au-dessus de la melee” in order to lead it; and she accomplished in her limited sphere simply, but more efficaciously, what was attempted by writers in Germany and England,—­a form of international reconciliation.  She had kept in touch with many old friends, and without being troubled in circles infected by the war-spirit, or ever undertaking useless demonstrations against the war, she was a check on insane manifestations of hatred, by her simple presence, her quiet words and manner, her good judgment, and the respect inspired by her kindness.  In families that were sympathetic she distributed messages from liberal Europeans, among others, Clerambault’s articles, though without his knowledge.  It was a source of satisfaction when she saw that their hearts were touched.  A greater joy still was to see that her son himself was transformed.