It is your turn to speak, M.d'Herblay." "The conditions, monseigneur ?" "Doubtless.

You will not allow so mere a trifle to stop me, and you will not do me the injustice to suppose that I think you have no interest in this affair.

Therefore, without subterfuge or hesitation, tell me the truth--" "I will do so, monseigneur.

Once a king--" "When will that be ?" "To-morrow evening--I mean in the night." "Explain yourself." "When I shall have asked your highness a question." "Do so." "I sent to your highness a man in my confidence with instructions to deliver some closely written notes, carefully drawn up, which will thoroughly acquaint your highness with the different persons who compose and will compose your court." "I perused those notes." "Attentively ?" "I know them by heart." "And understand them?
Pardon me, but I may venture to ask that question of a poor, abandoned captive of the Bastile?
In a week's time it will not be requisite to further question a mind like yours.

You will then be in full possession of liberty and power." "Interrogate me, then, and I will be a scholar representing his lesson to his master." "We will begin with your family, monseigneur." "My mother, Anne of Austria! all her sorrows, her painful malady.