33/58 Madame du Bousquier had no one to rule but Josette. Who knows what it costs to relinquish the delights of power? One must needs have been a minister dismissed from power to comprehend the bitter pain which came upon Madame du Bousquier when she found herself reduced to this absolute servitude. She often got into the carriage against her will; she saw herself surrounded by servants who were distasteful to her; she no longer had the handling of her dear money,--she who had known herself free to spend money, and did not spend it. The keenest sufferings come from the thwarting of self-will. |