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           Thoughyouthinkittoosoontolistentothecallsofhumanity,"headded,smilingarchly,"Imaybepermittedtobelievethatgallantryisnotforgottenbyonesoyoungasyourself.Thedaughtersofthecommandant,Ilearn,havepassedintothefortsinceitwasinvested?"

           "Itistrue,monsieur;but,sofarfromweakeningourefforts,theysetusanexampleofcourageintheirownfortitude.WerenothingbutresolutionnecessarytorepelsoaccomplishedasoldierasM.deMontcalm,IwouldgladlytrustthedefenceofWilliamHenrytotheelderofthoseladies."

           "WehaveawiseordinanceinourSaliquelaws,whichsays,‘ThecrownofFranceshallneverdegradethelancetothedistaff,’"saidMontcalm,dryly,andwithalittlehauteur;butinstantlyadding,withhisformerfrankandeasyair,"asallthenoblerqualitiesarehereditary,Icaneasilycredityou;though,asIsaidbefore,couragehasitslimits,andhumanitymustnotbeforgotten.Itrust,monsieur,youcomeauthorizedtotreatforthesurrenderoftheplace?"

           "Hasyourexcellencyfoundourdefencesofeebleastobelievethemeasurenecessary?"

           "Ishouldbesorrytohavethedefenceprotractedinsuchamannerastoirritatemyredfriendsthere,"continuedMontcalm,glancinghiseyesatthegroupofgraveandattentiveIndians,withoutattendingtotheother’squestion;"Ifinditdifficult,evennow,tolimitthemtotheusagesofwar."