The Petits-Maîtres on the contrary, and even some Petites-Maîtresses, asserted that a rape was a chimaera, that a woman never surrendered but by capitulation; and that, if a fort was defended, though ever so little, it was absolutely impossible to take it by storm. Examples were alleged in support of this reasoning: the women knew some; the Petits-Maîtres invented others; and there was no end of quoting instances of women, who had not been ravished. “Poor Kerfael,” said they, “what the devil had he in his head, to take to little Bimbreloqua,” which was the dancer’s name, “why did he not stick to Fatme? They were extremely well together, and the husband left them at full liberty: what a blessing⁠—Those witches the matrons put on their spectacles to no purpose, for they saw nothing. And indeed, who is the person that can see clear in that place? And besides, the senators are going to deprive him of his joy, for having burst an open door. The poor lad will die of it, no doubt. After that, pray consider, what will not dissatisfied women be authorized to do.”

“If this execution takes place,” interrupted another, “I will make myself a freemason.”