was led to believe that he had been
appointed prefect; but when he attempted to take up the duties of the
position the clerks in charge of the office refused to recognize his
authority, and he was compelled in consequence to retire. A good sort
of fellow in other respects, inoffensive and obliging, he had thrown
himself zealously into the work of making an organized defence of the
town. He had had pits dug in the level country, young forest trees
felled, and traps set on all the roads; then at the approach of the
enemy, thoroughly satisfied with his preparations, he had hastily
returned to the town. He thought he might now do more good at Havre,
where new intrenchments would soon be necessary.

The woman, who belonged to the courtesan class, was celebrated for an
embonpoint unusual for her age, which had earned for her the sobriquet
of "Boule de Suif" (Tallow Ball). Short and round, fat as a pig, with
puffy fingers constricted at the joints, looking like rows of short
sausages; with a shiny, tightly-stretched skin and an enormous bust
filling out the bodice of her dress, she was yet attractive and much
sought after, owing to her fresh and pleasing appearance. Her face was
like a crimson apple, a peony-bud just bursting into bloom; she had two
magnificent dark eyes, fringed with thick, heavy lashes, which cast a
shadow into their depths; her mouth was small, ripe, kissable, and was
furnished with the tiniest of white teeth.

As soon as she was recognized the respectable matrons of the party began
to whisper among themselves, and the words "hussy" and "public scandal"
were uttered so loudly that Boule de Suif raised her head. She forthwith
cast such a challenging, bold look at her neighbors that a sudden
silence fell on the company, and all lowered their eyes, with the
exception of Loiseau, who watched her with evident interest.

But conversation was soon resumed among the three ladies, whom the
presence of this girl had suddenly drawn together in the bonds of
friendship--one might almost say in those of intimacy. They decided that
they ought to combine, as it were, in their dignity as wives in face of
this shameless hussy; for legitimized love always despises its easygoing
brother.

The three men, also, brought together by a certain conservative instinct
awakened by the presence of Cornudet, spoke of money matters in a tone
expressive of contempt for the poor. Count Hubert related the losses he
had sustained at the h