to hold them as hostages--but for what object?--or take them away
as prisoners? or, rather, demand from them a large ransom? at this
thought they became panic-stricken. The wealthiest were the most
alarmed, seeing themselves already compelled, in order to redeem
their lives, to pour bags of gold into the hands of this insolent
soldier. They racked their brains to find plausible and acceptable
lies, conceal their wealth, pass themselves off as very poor,
very poor. Loiseau took off his watch and chain and hid it in his
pocket. The approaching night filled them with apprehension.--The
lamp was lighted, and as they still had fully two hours before
dinner, Madame Loiseau proposed a game of "trente-et-un." That
would be a diversion. They accepted. Even Cornudet, having put
out his pipe, joined the party out of politeness.

The Count shuffled the cards and dealt; Boule de Suif had a full
thirty-one; and soon the interest in the game quieted the fears
that were haunting the minds. But Cornudet noticed that the Loiseau
couple had arranged to cheat.

As they were going to sit down to dinner, Mr. Follenvie reappeared,
and with his grating voice announced: "The Prussian Officer sends
me to ask Mlle. Elizabeth Rousset whether she has changed her mind?"

Boule de Suif stood still, pale as death. Then turning suddenly
crimson, she felt so suffocated by anger that she could not speak.
Finally she gasped out: "You will please tell that scoundrel, that
rascal, that carrion of a Prussian, that I shall never consent;
you understand, never, never, never!"

The fat inn-keeper went away. Then Boule de Suif was surrounded,