“And you may be sure, Hadley,” Marc added, “that the army is not happy either. Would that be fair?” he asked de Cygne.

“Certainly,” de Cygne answered straightforwardly. “Most, I think all, of my fellow officers feel that the army has been insulted by Zola. I do not suppose,” he continued, turning to Hadley, “that the army of the United States would be happy if they were publicly accused of injustice and dishonesty.”

From down the table, Jules Blanchard moved quickly to avert any trouble.

“You understand, Hadley, that cases like this arise from time to time in every country. What is unfortunate is that Zola chose such an inflammatory way to approach the subject. But I have no doubt”—he looked around the table firmly to make his message quite clear—“that calmness and wisdom will soon prevail.”

And now his wife showed that she, too, could command the situation when she chose.

“I am very disappointed that no one has tried the fruit flan.” She nodded to the servant who was holding it to move forward. “Monsieur de Cygne, you will not insult my flan I hope.”

“It looks delicious, madame.” Roland took his cue at once, and accepted a slice.

“I know you have been at your château on the Loire,” she continued firmly. “Do tell us about it. Is it of great age?”

Fox, also ready to help, immediately asked Gérard a question about his business.

But it wasn’t enough.

“All that you say is true, Monsieur de Cygne.” Aunt Éloïse was speaking. “But you have not mentioned the matter that is central to Zola’s accusation. Namely, that Dreyfus is a Jew.” Hadley saw Jules Blanchard put his hand on his sister’s wrist. But it did no good. “It’s true, Jules,” she cried. “Everybody knows it.”

No one spoke. Roland had no wish to respond, but it seemed he couldn’t avoid it.

“Dreyfus was not on trial for his religion, madame, but for passing secret information to a foreign power. He is suffering on Devil’s Island. If he is innocent, then I am sorry for it. But no one has proved that it is so. That is the truth, pure and simple. What I resent in this business hardly concerns Dreyfus himself, guilty or not. It is Zola that I resent. Because he seeks to undermine the reputation and the honor of the army. And the army together with the Church are the two institutions in France which are above reproach. I say this not as an aristocrat, nor even as an officer and a Catholic, but as a soldier, a Christian and a patriot.”

Gérard Blanchard gave a murmur of approval. So did his wife. Jules too nodded, out of respect and good manners, at the least.

“Do you make any distinction between a Jew and a Christian?” Aunt Éloïse asked quietly.

“Certainly, madame. They follow different faiths.”