But he made a great and dangerous mistake, and he
will suffer for it. I tell you, friend, the war which you have just
closed was less difficult, less alarming than the strife which will
now be carried on in your families. The wicked foe has abandoned the
battle-field to you, but he is crouched down upon your hearths and
awaits you at the sides of your wives and daughters."
"Truly, Louise, your words, make me shudder! and my heart, which was
beating so joyfully, seems now to stand still."
Louise paid no attention to his words, but went on:
"You say the war is at an end. I believe it has just begun. It will
be carried on fiercely in every house, in every family; many hearts
will break, many wounds be given, and many tears be shed before we
snail have household peace. All those fond ties which united men and
women, parents and children, have been shaken, or torn apart; all
contracts are destroyed or undermined. In order to endure, to live
through these fearful seven years, every one gave himself up to
frivolity--the terrible consequence is, that the whole world has
become light-minded and frivolous. We do not look upon life with the
same eyes as formerly.
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