Now that the blow had fallen--a more vigorous one doubtless than they had wished for--they were prodigal in their task of relief, and decreed measures that were excellent though tardy.
Maintenant que le coup se trouvait porté, plus fort sans doute qu'ils ne l'eussent voulu, ils se prodiguaient dans leur besogne de sauveurs, ils décrétaient des mesures tardives et excellentes.