He had not, it may be, the eye of a great captain for all the turns of a battle.

But he had, in the highest perfection, the eye of a great statesman for all the turns of a war.
That France had at length made overtures to him was a sufficient proof that she felt herself spent and sinking.

That those overtures were made with extreme reluctance and hesitation proved that she had not yet come to a temper in which it was possible to have peace with her on fair terms.

He saw that the enemy was beginning to give ground, and that this was the time to assume the offensive, to push forward, to bring up every reserve.

But whether the opportunity should be seized or lost it did not belong to him to decide.