Only he believed in the initiatory mission of France, and particularly in that of Paris, which, even as it is to-day, was destined to be the world's brain to-morrow, whence all science and justice would proceed.

The great idea of liberty and equality had already soared from it at the prodigious blast of the Revolution; and from its genius and valour the final emancipation of man would also take its flight.

Thus it was necessary that Paris should be victorious in the struggle in order that the world might be saved.
Pierre understood his brother, thanks to the lecture on explosives which he had heard at Bertheroy's.

And the grandeur of this scheme, this dream, particularly struck him when he thought of the extraordinary future which would open for Paris amidst the effulgent blaze of the bombs.

Moreover, he was struck by all the nobility of soul which had lain behind his brother's anxiety for a month past.