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Deserted by their leaders, deprived of the tacit support of the army, faced by the oppressive knowledge that De Gaulle will almost certainly win next month's referendum in France, it was the European extremists who seemed on the brink of defeat. An exiled leader may suddenly appear from Spain, somebody might rally them; the French army, in some turn of events, might come to their aid. De Gaulle this week was, among other things, gambling with his own life. The cards he held were courage, personal prestige, the voice of reason, and his serene conviction that he is the embodiment of French glory and grandeur.
It might just be enough. Watching De Gaulle move fearlessly through the mobs, a right-wing activist said in grudging admiration: "He's a pigheaded salaud, but there's no denying he's got guts."