The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Salammbo by Gustave Flaubert: defended by a triple wall? Then behind the town, at the back of
Megara, and higher than the Acropolis, appeared Hamilcar's palace.
Matho's eyes were directed thither every moment. He would ascend the
olive trees and lean over with his hand spread out above his eyebrows.
The gardens were empty, and the red door with its black cross remained
constantly shut.
More than twenty times he walked round the ramparts, seeking some
breach by which he might enter. One night he threw himself into the
gulf and swam for three hours at a stretch. He reached the foot of the
Mappalian quarter and tried to climb up the face of the cliff. He
covered his knees with blood, broke his nails, and then fell back into
![](http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0140443282.01.MZZZZZZZ.gif) Salammbo |