As a woman, the bitterness and invective of this missive," and he laid his spread hand emphatically upon the paper, "would suffice to cover you with blame and to deprive you of sympathy, while as a mother it would authorize your separation from your children.

Let me entreat of you therefore to forego your purpose." Marie de Medicis sat silent for a few moments, and then making a violent effort over herself, she said slowly: "I will in so far follow your counsel, M.le Duc, that I will destroy this letter, although the saints bear witness that it has cost me both time and care to prepare it, but I will yield no further.

I am weary of being made the puppet of an unfaithful husband and his band of unblushing favourites, who receive, each in succession, some high-sounding title by which they are enabled to thrust themselves and their shame upon me in the very halls of the palace.

I must and will tell the King this." "Then, Madame, if such be unfortunately your decision," said her listener, "at least let me urge you to do it in gentler terms." "I am in no humour to temporize." Sully made no reply.
"Do not wrap yourself up in silence, Monsieur," exclaimed the Queen after waiting in vain for his reply.

"I believe that you wish to serve me, and you cannot better do so than by putting these unpalatable truths into a less repulsive form.