has
behaved very well. Why, there were three others of us, any one of whom he
would undoubtedly have preferred. But no, he contents himself with the
girl who is common property. He respects married women. Just think. He is
master here. He had only to say: 'I wish it!' and he might have taken us
by force, with the help of his soldiers."

The two other women shuddered; the eyes of pretty Madame Carre-Lamadon
glistened, and she grew pale, as if the officer were indeed in the act of
laying violent hands on her.

The men, who had been discussing the subject among themselves, drew near.
Loiseau, in a state of furious resentment, was for delivering up "that
miserable woman," bound hand and foot, into the enemy's power. But the
count, descended from three generations of ambassadors, and endowed,
moreover, with the lineaments of a diplomat, was in favor of more tactful
measures.

"We must persuade her," he said.

Then they laid their plans.

The women drew together; they lowered their voices, and the discussion
became general, each giving his or her opinion. But the conversation was
not in the least coarse. The ladies, in particular, were adepts at
delicate phrases and charming subtleties of expression to describe the
most improper things. A stranger would have understood none of their
allusions, so guarded was the language they employed. But, seeing that
the thin veneer of modesty with which every woman of the world is
furnished goes but a very little way below the surface, they began rather
to enjoy this unedifying episode, and at bottom were hugely delighted
--feeling themselves in their element, furthering the schemes of
lawless love with the gusto of a gourmand cook who prepares supper for
another.

Their gaiety returned of itself, so amusing at last did the whole
business seem to them. The count uttered several rather risky witticisms,
but so tactfully were they said that his audience could not help smiling.
Loiseau in turn made some considerably broader jokes, but no one took
offence; and the thought expressed with such brutal directness by his
wife was uppermost in the minds of all: "Since it's the girl's trade, why
should she refuse this man more than another?" Dainty Madame
Carre-Lamadon seemed to think even that in Boule de Suif's place she
would be less inclined to refuse him than another.

The blockade was as carefully arranged as if they were investing a
fortress. Each agreed on the role which he or she w