羊脂球(英文版)

BOULEDESUIFItwashalfpastfourinthemorning．Thetravellers，whohadmetintheyardoftheNormandyHotel，wereshiveringwithcoldinthedarkness．“Isn'tthecoachreadyyet？”oneofthemsaid．“No，notyet，”hiscompanionanswered．“LuckywehavebeentogetapermitfromthePrussianarmytoleaveRouen，”anothersaid．“IhaveanacquaintanceamongGermanofficers．”“Isee．”“DoyouthinkwecanrunabusinessatHavre？”“Perhapswecan．Ifnot，wecanmakeourwaytoEngland．Nothingventure，nothinggain．”“Iagreewithyou．WecandonothinginoccupiedRouen．”“Ihavebroughtmywife．”“SohaveI．”“AndI，too．”Horses’hoofswereheard，andthetinklingoflittlebellstoldthemthattheharnesswasbeinggotready．Snowwasfallingwithsomethinglikeavagueandindefinablewhisper．Amanwithalanternappeared，draggingalongahorse．Hespentalongtimeadjustingtheharnesswithonehand，forheheldthelanternintheother．Ashewasgoingtofetchthesecondhorse，henoticedthetravellersstandinghelplesslyunderthefallingsnow．“Don'tyoustandthere，”hesaid．“Getinsidethecoach，andyoucanatleasttakeshelterfromthesnow．”Whyhaditnotoccurredtothem？Theyrushedforthecoach．Thethreehusbandstooktheirseatsatthefarendwiththeirwives；theotherveiledandvagueformstooktheremainingplaces．Atlastthecoachwasready．Itwasdrawnbyateamofsixhorsesinsteadoftheusualfour，becauseofthebadstateoftheroads．Theroadswereverybadindeed．Thehorsesslippedandpanted，andthedriverhadtousehiswhipincessantly．Graduallythedaydawned．Abluish，leadenlightcameoverthedreary，whitelandscape．Insidethecarriagethepassengersnowlookedatoneanotherinquisitively．MonsieurandMadameLoiseauwerewholesalewinemerchantsoftheRueGrand-pont．Hehadstartedlifeasaclerkinanoffice，andwhenhisemployerfailedinbusiness，heboughtitandmadeafortunebysellingverybadwineatlowpricestosmallretailersinthecountry．Masterofeverytrickofmakingmoney，hewasnotoriousforhissharppractice．Nexttothemsat，withthedignityofahigherclass，MonsieurCarre－Lamadon，ownerofthreespinning－mills，officeroftheLegionofHonourandmemberoftheConseilGénéral．UndertheEmpireheposedasleaderofthemoderateopposition，whichhehopedwouldbeusefultohimshouldhewishtodeserttotheoppositeside．MadameCarré－Lamadonwasmuchyounger20thanherhusband．Aladyofdelicatebeauty，shehadalwaysattractedtheattentionofofficersofgoodfamily，stationedatRouen．Muffledinfurs，shenowstaredsulkilyattheinteriorofthecoach．TheirneighboursweretheCountandCountessHubertdeBréville，whobelongedtooneoftheoldestandmostaristocraticfamiliesinNormandy．TheCountboreanaturallikenesstoKingHenryⅣ，whichhetriedtoaccentuatebyelaboratemake－up．Ithadlongbeenwhisperedamonghisfamily，notwithoutpride，thatthekinghadoncemadelovetoaMadamedeBréville，andinreturnforherattentions，hadmadeherhusbandacountandgovernorofaprovince．GodonlyknowswhyhewasmarriedtothedaughterofanunimportantshipownerofNantes．Shewasstatelytolookat，veryhospitable，andtherumourthatshehadbeenafavouritewithoneofthesonsofLouisPhilippemadeherthemorepopularamongthelocalnobles．Hersalonwasconsideredthebestintheneighbourhood．Admittancetoitwasnoteasytoget，andherdrawingroomwastheonlyplacewherethegraciouspolitenessofbygonedaysremainedalive．TheBrévilleshadlandedestates，whichweresaidtoyieldanincomeofhalfamillionfrancs．Thesesixwerethemostimportantoftheparty；theywereallwealthy，respectableandsolidmembersofsociety．Itsohappenedthatallthewomenwereseatedonthesameside．NexttotheCountesssattwonuns．Oneofthemwasanoldwomanwithaskin5deeplypittedwithsmallpox；hercompanionwasasmall，sickly，evenconsumptive-lookingperson，butseeminglyfilledwithreligiousdevotion．Oppositethetwonunssatamanandawoman．ThemanwasCornudet；hewaswellknownforhisdissolutehabitsandcrazypoliticalideas．Hehadinheritedarespectablefortunefromhisfather，buthadwasteditawayupondrinkanduselessambitions．NowhetookitintohisheadthathewouldbebetteremployedatHavre，wherehishelpwouldbeneeded．Thewomanbesidehimwaswhatiscalledawomanofacertaintype．Whatwasmostnoticeableaboutherwasherexcessiveportliness．Short，roundandplumpasadumpling，shewasnicknamedBouledeSuif，thatis，suetdumpling．Shehad，nevertheless，rosycheekssuggestingpeonybudsreadytoburstintoflowers，blackeyesshadedanddeepenedbylonglashes，anda25charming，poutingmouthrevealingnowandthenwhiterowsoftinyteeth．Assoonastheladiesrecognizedher，theybegantowhisperamongthemselves．Byandbythewords“prostitute”and“shameful”andsimilar5wordsbecameaudibleandattractedtheattentionofthepoorwoman．Sheraisedherheadandlookedatthemsodefiantlythattheybecamesilent，withtheireyescastdown；Loiseau，sensitivetofemininecharms，caststealthyglancesofcuriosityather．However，thethreeladles，soonencouragedbytheirdislikeofthiscommonenemytohousewives，resumedtheirconversation．Thethreehusbands，ontheotherhand，discussedmoneymattersproudly，andmadecontemptuousremarksaboutpoorerfolk．CountHuberttalkedaboutthelossofcattleandcropscausedbythePrussians，butwithanexpressionwhichshowedthathedidnotcareaboutitatall．MonsieurCarré-LamadonsaidhehadbeenshrewdenoughtosendtoEnglandsixhundredthousandfrancsforsafekeeping．LoiseauspokeofthehugeamountofmoneytheStatewouldpayhimatHavreforthewineshehadsoldtotheFrenchCommissariat．Thethreemanexchangedmeaningfulglances．Thoughofdifferentsocialstanding，theyallworshippedmoney．Thecoachmovedonatasnail-likepace，andbyteno'clocktheyhadcoverednotmorethantenmiles．TheyhadintendedtohavelunchatTtes，butitseemedimpossiblenowtoarrivetherebeforenightfall．Theylookedforawaysideinn，buttherewasnosignofeventhemeanesttavernorwineshop．Theyweregrowinghungryandratherdepressed，fortheyhadnotbroughtanyfoodwiththem．Thementriedtogetfoodfrompeasantstheycameacrossbytheroadside，buttheycouldnotobtainevenplainbread．Towardsoneo'clocktheyfeltmoreandmorehungry，andstoppedgossiping，pinchedwithhunger．“Ifeelill，”theCountsaid．“Whydidn'tIthinkofbringingsomeprovisions？BouledeSuifstoopeddownnowandthen，asiftotakeoutsomethingfromunderherpetticoats，buteachtimeshehesitatedandsatupagain．Aboutthreeo'clock，whenthecoachwasgoingacrossadesolateplain，shebentdownagain，andthistimedrewfromundertheseatalargebasketcoveredwithanapkin．Firstshetookoutofitalittleearthenplate，nextadaintysilvercup，andthenalargedishloadedwithtwocutfowlsflavouredwithjelly．Andfromthebasketpeepedothergoodthings-pies，fruit，dainties，evenbottles，seeminglysufficientforathreedaysjourney．Theagreeablesmelloffoodfilledtheair，andrivetedtheattentionofthehungrypassengers．Theladiescontemptforthehussyrosetoafury．Shewasmakingadisplayoffoodwhentheywerestarving！Howtheywishedtheycouldkillher！Loiseauwasthefirsttorisetotheoccasion．“ThankGod！”hesaid．Madame，you'vebeenverythoughtful．”Bouledesuifturnedtowardshim．“Wouldyoucareforsome，sir？”shesaid．“Itishardtogowithoutfoodallday．”Hebowed．“well，”hereplied，tryingtobefacetious．“Anyportinastorm．Wemustmakethebestofthings．”Hespreadanewspaperonhislap，andusingaknifewhichhealwayscarriedinhispocket，spearedalegofchickenthicklycoatedwithjellyandbegantoeatitgreedily．Theninalow，gentlevoiceBouledeSuifaskedthetwonunsiftheywouldsharehermeal．Thetwodevoteesreadilyacceptedtheoffer．Cornudetalsoacceptedherinvitation．Withnewspapersspreadontheirkneestheymadeasortoftableandfeverishlystartedstuffingtheirstomachs．Loiseauquietlyurgedhiswifetofollowtheirexample．Atfirstsherefused，butherhungerwastoostrongtoresistforalongtime．HerhusbandaskedBouledeSuififhemightofferhiswifeasmallportion．“Why，certainly，sir，”shereplied，ahappysmilespreadingacrossherface，andshehandedhimthedish．ThenthebottleofBordeauxwinewasopened，andthoughtheyhadonlyonecup，theypasseditround，eachwipingitinturn．Cornudetalonegallantlyputhislipstothebrimofthecupstillwetfromthelipsofhisfaircompanion．Withpeopleeatinganddrinkingallaroundthem，theCountandCountessdeBrévilleandMonsieurandMadameCarré-Lamadonsufferedtheagoniesofhungerandthirst．Suddenlythemanufacturer'swifegrewghastlypale，closedhereyes，andfainted．Herhusbandcalledoutforhelp，andtheotherpassengerswerepanic－stricken．TheeldernunheldBouledeSuif'scuptothewoman'slipsandmadeherswallowafewdropsofwine．Madameopenedhereyesandexpressedhergratitude，sayingthatshewasallright．“Nothingserious，”thenunsaid．“Merehunger．”BoulddeSuiftimidlylookedatthefourdignifiedladiesandgentlemenwhowerestillfastingandspokehaltingly；“Oh，dear，mightIoffer…？”Shebrokeoff，forfearofbeingrebuffed．Loiseautookthecue．“Weareinthesameboat，asthesayingis．”hesaid．“Weshouldhelponeanother．Come，ladiesandgentlemen，acceptheroffer．”Theyhesitatedtobethefirsttoyieldtothenecessity．ItwastheCountwhomadethedecision．Hesaidwithasuperiorair，Madame，weacceptyourofferwiththanks．”Theiceoncebroken，theytalkedtoBouledeSuif，atfirstwithsomereserve，butpresently，throughtheinfluenceofhersweettemper，withincreasingfreedom．MadamedeBrévilleandMadameCarré-Lamadon，whohadseenmuchoftheworld，saidnicethingstopleaseher．TheCountesstreatedBouledesuifwiththegraciouscondescensionofagreatlady．OnlyMadameLoiseauwasproofagainsttheconciliatoryinfluenceoftheparty．Shesaidlittlebutatemuch．Theconversationturnednaturallyuponthewar，theatrocitiescommittedbythePrussiansandthegallantryshownbytheFrench．Presentlytheybegantotalkaboutthemselves，andBouledeSuif，likethewomanofherclasswhobecomeseloquentwhenexcited，toldthemwhyshehadleftRouen．“AtfirstIthoughtIcouldstaythere．ButthePrussiansweremorethanIcouldbear．Oh，ifonlyIwereaman！Iwatchedthemoutofmywindow，swinewiththeirhelmetson，andIwouldhavethrownchairsandtablesonthemifmymaidhadn'tstoppedme．Iwasorderedtoboardandlodgesomeofthem，butIsprangatthethroatofthefirstone．Theydraggedmedownbymyhair．AfterthatIhadtohide．Iwasalwaysonthelookoutforachanceofgettingaway，andhereIam．”Thepassengersallcongratulatedheruponhersuccess．Theythoughthighlyofherbravery．However，thebasketwassoonempty：thetenhungrypeopleateupalltheprovisions．Conversationflowedforawhile，butwithlesssmoothnessnowthatthemealwasover．Nightclosedinonthecoach，andthedarknessgraduallydeepened．BouledeSuifshiveredwithcold．MadamedeBrévilleofferedherherfootwarmer；MadameCarré-LamadonandMadameLoiseaugavetheirfootwarmerstothetwonuns．Inthestrong，dazzlinglightofthelampsthehorsesgallopedon，puffingandblowing，reekingwithsweat，onasnowyandseeminglyendlessroad．Withinthecarriageallwasdark，butonceLoiseauthoughthesawCornudetjumpasidefromBouledeSuifasifrepulsed．Atlastlittletwinklinglightscamewithinsightinthedarknessahead．ItwasthetownofTótes．Thirteenhours’ridewasnearlyatanend．TheyenteredthetownanddrewupattheHotelofCommerce．Thedoorofthecarriagewasflungopen，buttheywerefrightenedwhentheyheardsomeoneexclaiminginGerman，togetherwiththerattlingsoundofasabre．Whiletheysatinsidethecoachinawfulsuspense，thedriverflashedhislampsintotheirfaces．BesidehimstoodayoungGermanofficer，tall，fair，andextremelyslender，wearingaflatcapwhichmadehimlooklikeaporteratanEnglishhotel．InAlsatianFrenchhesaid：“Willyougetout，ladiesandgentlemen？”Therewasnochoiceforthembuttoobey．Theyfollowedtheofficerintothegreatkitchenoftheinn，whereheaskedthemtoshowhimtheirpermitfordepartureandcloselyexaminedthemall．Atlengthhesaid，“Allright，”andwentin－toanotherroom．Theyheavedasighofrelief．Whiletwomaidswerebusypreparingtheirsupper，theywenttolookatthebedrooms，allofwhichfacedalongpassage．Justastheyweresittingdowntosupper，thehostappeared．“IsMademoiselleElisabethRoussethere？”BouledeSuifturnedtohim，asiffrightened．“Yes？”“Mademoiselle，thePrussianofficerwantstospeaktoyouimmediately．”“Tome？”“Yes．”“Hemaywanttospeaktome，butIdon'twanttospeaktohim．”Thiscausedconsternationamongthecompany．Everyonewasanxioustoknowwhatwashisbusiness．TheCountwentuptoBouledeSuifandsaid：“Thinkwell，madame．Yourrefusalmayinvitesomethingserious，notonlyforyourselfbutforusall．Perhapshewantstospeaktoyouaboutsometrivialformalitywhichhasbeenomitted．”Theothersagreedwithhim，andagainbeggedhertoreconsiderthesituation．Finallyshesaid：“Allright，I'lldoasyouwish—foryoursake．”TheCountess．claspedherhand．“Youhaveourheartythanks，”shesaid．WhenBouledeSuifwasgone，theytriedtoguesswhyshehadbeensummoned．Theywonderedwhattheywouldsayiftheywerecalledintheirturn．IntenminutesBouledeSuifreturned，crimsonwithpassion．Shewassoexcitedthatshewasalmostbreathless．Sheonlygaspedout，“Pig！Filthypig！”Noonecouldtellwhyshewassoangry．Thenextmorningthepartygatheredinthekitchen，butthecoach，whichwastostartateighto'clock，stoodinthecourtyardwithoutanysignofstarting．Thedriverbeingnowhereinthehouse，theywentoutintothestreetinsearchofhim．Whentheyreachedthemarketplace，theysawanumberofPrussiansoldiers．Oneofthemwaspeelingpotatoes，anothercleaningthebarber'sshop，athirdhummingtoalittlechildinhisarms，andafourthdoingthewashingforanoldwoman．Somesoldiersweresplittingwoodforpeasantwomen．SuchkindnesswasthelastthingtheyexpectedfromPrussiansoldiers．TheCountaskedthebeadle，ashecameoutofthechurch，howthePrussiansbehaved．“Oh，theyarenotrowdy．TheyarenotPrussians，soIhear．Theycomefromadistantplace，Idon'tknowexactlywhere．Perhapseveryoneofthemhashiswifeandchildrenwaitingforhisreturnathome．Yousee，poorpeoplehelponeanother．Theyarereadytodoanyoddjobastheydidintheirowncountry．Waristheviceofhigher－ups．”Itwasalongtimebeforetheyfoundthedriver．Hewastalkingnonchalantlywiththeofficer'sorderly．“Wasn'titarrangedthatthecoachshouldstartateight？”theCountdemanded．“Yes，butIhadorders．”“Whatorders？”“OrdersthatIshouldnotstartthismorning．”“Whogavethem？”“ThePrussiancommandant，ofcourse．”“Forwhatreason？”“HowcanIknow？”“Didhegivesuchordersinperson？”“No，throughtheinnkeeper．”Onreturningtotheinn，thethreemenwantedtoseetheinnkeeper，butweretoldbythemaidthattheinnkeeper，MonsieurFollenvie，hadgivenstrictordersthathewasnottobedisturbedtillteno'clockonaccountofhisasthma．Nothingremainedtothembuttowaitforhimtowakeup，forMonsieurFollenviealonewasauthorizedtospeaktotheGermanofficeroncivilbusiness．Theladieswentbacktotheirroomstopassthetime．Cornudetwassmokingabeautifulmeerschaumpipeinthekitchenchimneycorner，withapotofbeeronatable．Loiseauunderthepretextofgoingforawalk，wentouttostrikeabargainwithlocalshopkeepers．TheCountandthemanufacturerdiscussedpoliticsandthefutureofFrance．Justatteno'clockMonsieurFollenvieappearedandsaidtotheimpatientlywaitingguests：“Theofficersaidtome，‘MonsieurFollenvie，youwillgiveordersthatthecoachshouldnotgotomorrowwithoutmyconsent．Youunderstand？Good！’”Theyaskedtheinnkeepertoletthemseetheofficerthroughhim，andweretoldthattheywouldbereceivedafterlunchaboutoneo'clock．Inthemeanwhile，theladiescamedownand，de-spitetheirdissatisfaction，showedaprettygoodappetite．BouledeSuifwassomewhatnervousandrestless．Itmightbethatshewasupsetaboutsomething．Astheyweredrinkingcoffee，theorderlybroughtwordthattheymightseethecommandant．LoiseaujoinedtheCountandMonsieurCarréLamadon；butCornudetdidnotliketospeaktoGermans，andhecalledforanotherpotofbeer．Thethreemenwentupstairsandwereledintothebestroomoftheinn，usedonlybytheofficer．ThePrussianofficerlounginginanarmchair，wassmokingalongporcelainpipe．Heworeagaudydressinggown，doubtlesslootedfromsomeunfortunatefugitive．Withhisfeetonthemantel-piece，heneitherrosenorsaluted；hedidnotevenlookatthem．Hewastheverypictureoftheinso-lenceofavictor．Atlasthesaid：“Whatdoyouwant？”Thecountactedthepartofspokesman．“Sir，wewishtoresumeourjourney．”“Youcan't．”“MightIaskwhywecan't？”“Youcan'tgoonbecauseIdon'twishyoutoresumeyourjourney．”“IbegyouwillnoticethefactthatthegeneralincommandhasgivenusapermittogotoDieppe．Idon'tthinkwehavedoneanythingtojustifyyourrefusal．”“Idon'twishit．That'sall．Youmaygo．”Comingdowntothekitchen，theydiscussedthemysteriouscapriceoftheGermanofficer．Washegoingtokeepthem，suspectingthemtobewell-off，ashostagesorasprisoners，inordertogainabigransom？Inthatcase，thepoorertheyseemed，thebetter．Theyrackedtheirbrainstoinventsomewayofseemingtobeverypoor．Justastheyweresittingdowntodinner，theinnkeepercameinandsaid：“ThePrussianofficeraskedmetofindoutwhetherMadomoiselleElisabethRoussethaschangedhermind．”BouledeSuifturnedpale．Shestoodspeech-less．Thensuddenlybloodrushedtohercheeks；herhandstrembledwithrage．Atlastshespatout：“Tellhim，thatfilthyPrussian，thatmydecisionremainsunchanged．Unchanged，Irepeat！”Theinnkeeperwentaway．TheothersgatheredroundBouledeSuif，askingherwhatthePrussianwantedwithher．Atfirstsherefusedtotellthem，butfinally，herpassionsrunninghigh，sheblurtedout：“Whatdoeshewantwithme？Well，hewantstogotobedwithme！”Everyoneofthemwasaghastatthisshockingdeclaration．Barbarian！Yes，baserthanabeast！They，especially，theladies，becamefurious．Onlythenunsbenttheirheadsinsilence．Thenextmorning，however，whentheygotupearly，theyhadsomethinglikeahopethatthePrussianwouldchangehismind，whiletheywerehauntedbyafearthattheymightbeconfinedforeverinthishorribleinn．Theystoodaboutthecoachhopingforgoodnews．Thehoursdraggedbywearily．Bylunchtimethesituationwasgettingontheirnerves．Naturallytheirthoughtsunderwentasubtlechange．Thegentlemen，eventheladies，foundthemselvesaskingthesamequestion．WhyshouldBouledeSuifbesoparticularonthisoccasion？Whatwasherprofession？Wasitnotherdailyjobtosellherbodyformoney？“Supposewewentonfoot？”Loiseausuggested．“Quiteimpossibleinthissnow，andwithourwives，too，”theCountanswered．Dinnerwaseatenhurriedly；everyonewasde-pressed．Thenextmorningtheycamedownstairs，lookingexhaustedandirritable．ThewomenwouldhardlyspeaktoBouledeSuif．Whenthechurchbellrangforachristening，BouledeSuif，Whohadababyofherown，broughtupbyapeasantatYvetottookitintoherheadtogooutandseeit．Assoonasshelefttheinn，theothersexchangedglances．Itwashightimetheycametoadecision．Loiseauhadanidea．ItwastoinvitetheofficertokeeponlyBouledeSuifandlettheothersgo．MonsieurFollenviewentupstairstogivethismessagetothePrussian，andwasallbutkickedoutoftheroom．NowMadameLoiseau，vulgarbynature，unmaskedherself：“Ladiesandgentlemen，I'llgiveyouabitofmymind．Itisoutofthequestionforustostayhereallourlifetime．Shehadrefusedtoentertaintheofficer，butisn'titherprofessiontoat-tendonamanatnight？IknowherpolicyatRouenwasLetanyonecome，andIamhismistress．’Andnow，whenweareintrouble，sheputsonairs．TheGermanisanofficer，notwithoutasenseofpropriety，forheisreadytocontenthimselfwithsuchacommonwomanasshe，whenheknowswearehere，wethreeladies，whomhewouldnodoubthavepreferred．Remember，hecoulddoanythingwithusifheweresominded．Frankly，heistoogoodforsuchaprostituteasBouledeSuif．Iwouldliketoknowifsheisawereofherposition．SheshouldthankherstarsthatshehasachanceofentertainingahandsomeGermanofficer．”Theotherwomenshuddered．MadameCarré-Lamadon，whohadbeenlisteningtoherwithsparklingeyes，nearlyfaintedwithfear．ItmightbethatsheimaginedherselfbeingforcedbythePrussianofficer．Loiseau，quiteexcited，proposedthattheyshouldhandoverBouledeSuifbysheerstrength，buttheCountinsistedthatthesituationshouldbehandledwithdelicacy．“Wemusttalkherround，”hesaid．Thentheyputtheirheadstogetherovertheplan，everyonegivinganopinionwithcruelenthusiasm．TheyweresodeepinthediscussionthattheydidnothearBouledeSuifcomein，tilltheCountwhispered，“Hush！”UptolunchtimetheladiestriedtobepolitetoBouledeSuifsoastothrowheroffherguard．Butassoonastheysatdowntotable，theyopenedfire．Theyusedthevirtueofself-sacrificeasaweapontomakeheragree．TheyfirstreferredtoJudith，mentionedintheBookofJudith，speakingatlengthabouthercourageandloyalty；howshewenttothetentofHolofernes，generalofKingNebuchadnezzar，whenhebesiegedBethulia；howshewasadmittedbecauseofherstatelybeauty；howshecutofftheinvader'sheadwithhisownswordandreturnedtothecity；howthetownsmen，arousedtoenthusiasmbyherdeed，wentforthanddefeatedtheenemy．ThentheyreferredtoLucretia，speakingenthusiasticallyofhervirtueofself-sacrifice．TheytoldoneanotherhowLucretia，avirtuousRomanmarriedwoman，wasthreatenedthatshemustyieldtothedesireofSextus，whosworethathewouldkillherandaslave，ifsherefused，andthensayhehadcaughttheminadultery，andavengedherhusband'shonour；howshesummonedherrelativesafterSextushaddepartedtoldthemwhathadhappened，swearingthemtovengeance，andthenstabbedherselffatally；howthisincidentledtotheRomanRevolution，bywhichthemonarchywasoverthrownandtherepublicwasestablished．Oh，howcourageousshewas！Shewaspurerinmindthanthepurestofthepure！ThentheyreferredtoCleopatra，queenofEgypt，whousedherunusualcharmstoattainherends．WhatmadeJuliusCaesarsupportherclaimswhenhecametoAlexandria？Herself-sacrifice．WhatmadeMarkAntonytakesideswithher？Herself-sacrifice．NextwasunfoldedafantasticstoryofhowtheRomanwomenwenttoCapuaandattendedonHannibal，hisofficers，andhisphalanxesofmercenaries．Thesewomen，theysaid，lovedtheircountry'sgoodwitharespectmoretender，moreholyandmoreprofoundthantheirownchastity．Bythetimetheyhadfinished，onewouldhavesupposedthatthewholedutyofawomanconsistedinasacrificeofherpersonandasurrenderofherselftothelustofvictorioussoldiers．Deepintheirmeditations，thetwonunsdidnotseemtobelistening，andBoule