A crime in one so high begets a thousand others in those who look to him for an example; and all, all are upon your soul.

Take heed, madame, for God's sake take heed ere it be too late! For all your beauty, there can be for you, as for me, a few short years of life.

Then, when that brown hair is white, when that white cheek is sunken, when that bright eye is dimmed--ah, then God pity the sin-stained soul of Francoise de Montespan!" Her rival had sunk her head for the moment before the solemn words and the beautiful eyes.

For an instant she stood silent, cowed for the first time in all her life; but then the mocking, defiant spirit came back to her, and she glanced up with a curling lip.
"I am already provided with a spiritual director, thank you," said she.
"Oh, madame, you must not think to throw dust in my eyes! I know you, and know you well!" "On the contrary, you seem to know less than I had expected.

If you know me so well, pray what am I ?" All her rival's bitterness and hatred rang in the tones of her answer.
"You are," said she, "the governess of my children, and the secret mistress of the king." "You are mistaken," answered Madame de Maintenon serenely.