You hated it, and yet could not keep away.

The Belgians of Enghien hated it, and they could not keep away.

Like a great river in flood, bearing with it destruction and death, you feared and loathed it, and yet it fascinated you and pulled you to the brink.

All through the night, as already for three nights and three days at Brussels, I had heard it; it rumbled and growled, rushing forward without pause or breath, with inhuman, pitiless persistence.

At daybreak I sat on the edge of the bed and wondered whether to go on or turn back.