Hate rather than dismay filled her heart as she listened, and the whole energy of her nature gathered and quickened to meet the crisis.
"I shall go and see him," she cried, sweeping towards the door.
"No, no, Francoise.

Believe me, you will ruin everything if you do.
Strict orders have been given to the guard to admit no one to the king." "But I shall insist upon passing them." "Believe me, sister, it is worse than useless.

I have spoken with the officer of the guard, and the command is a stringent one." "Ah, I shall manage." "No, you shall not." He put his back against the door.

"I know that it is useless, and I will not have my sister make herself the laughing-stock of the court, trying to force her way into the room of a man who repulses her." His sister's cheeks flushed at the words, and she paused irresolute.
"Had I only a day, Charles, I am sure that I could bring him back to me.
There has been some other influence here, that meddlesome Jesuit or the pompous Bossuet, perhaps.

Only one day to counteract their wiles! Can I not see them waving hell-fire before his foolish eyes, as one swings a torch before a bull to turn it?
Oh, if I could but baulk them to-night! That woman! that cursed woman! The foul viper which I nursed in my bosom! Oh, I had rather see Louis in his grave than married to her! Charles, Charles, it must be stopped; I say it must be stopped! I will give anything, everything, to prevent it!" "What will you give, my sister ?" She looked at him aghast.