Останній з Могікан
Chapter 15
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."
