nd that, after a probationary term at Luneville and another at
Chateauroux, he was appointed professor of history at Versailles. He
then published, at a few months' interval, two remarkable books, which
caused much heated controversy: _The Idea of Country in Ancient Greece_
and _The Idea of Country before the Revolution_. Three years later, he
was promoted to Paris, to the Lycee Carnot.

Philippe was now approaching his fortieth year. Day-work and night-work
seemed to have no effect upon his sturdy highland constitution.
Possessing a set of powerful muscles and built on the same strong lines
as his father, he found rest and recreation from study in violent
exercise, in long bicycle-rides into the country or through the woods on
the outskirts of Paris. The boys at the school, who held him in a sort
of veneration, told stories of his exploits and his feats of strength.

With all this, a great look of gentleness, especially about the eyes, a
pair of very good, blue eyes, which smiled when he spoke and which, when
at rest, were candid, childish almost, filled with dreams and kindness.

By this time, old Morestal was proud of his son. On the day when he
heard of his nomination to Carnot, he wrote, frankly:

"Well done, my dear Philippe! So you're prospering now and in a
fair way to obtain anything you like to ask for. Let me tell you
that I am not in the least surprised, for I always expected that,
with your great qualities, your perseverance and your serious way
of looking at life, you would win the place which you deserved. So,
once more, well done!

"I confess, however, that your last book, on the idea of country
in France, puzzled me not a little. I know, of course, that you
will not change your opinions on this subject; but it seems to me
that you are trying to explain the idea of patriotism as due to
rather inferior motives and that this idea strikes you not as
natural and inherent to human societies, but as though it were a
momentary and passing phase of civilization. No doubt I have
misunderstood you. Still, your book is not very clear. You almost
appear to be hesitating. I shall look forward eagerly to the new
work, on the idea of country in our own times and in the future,
which I see that you are announcing...."

The book to which Morestal alluded had been finished for over a year,
during which Philippe, for reasons which