"But," she added, "there are other passions in a high-born heart.

Love is poetry; but the real life of the heart is pride.

Comte, I was born on a throne, I am proud and jealous of my rank.
Why does the king gather such unworthy objects round him ?" "Once more, I repeat," said the comte, "you are acting unjustly towards that poor girl, who will one day be my friend's wife." "Are you simple enough to believe that, comte ?" "If I did not believe it," he said, turning very pale, "Bragelonne should be informed of it to-morrow; indeed he should, if I thought that poor La Valliere had forgotten the vows she had exchanged with Raoul.
But no, it would be cowardly to betray a woman's secret; it would be criminal to disturb a friend's peace of mind." "You think, then," said the princess, with a wild burst of laughter, "that ignorance is happiness ?" "I believe it," he replied.
"Prove it to me, then," she said, hurriedly.
"It is easily done, Madame.

It is reported through the whole court that the king loves you, and that you return his affection." "Well ?" she said, breathing with difficulty.
"Well; admit for a moment that Raoul, my friend, had come and said to me, 'Yes, the king loves Madame, and has made an impression upon her heart,' I possibly should have slain Raoul." "It would have been necessary," said the princess, with the obstinacy of a woman who feels herself not easily overcome, "for M.de Bragelonne to have had proofs before he ventured to speak to you in that manner." "Such, however, is the case," replied De Guiche, with a deep sigh, "that, not having been warned, I have never examined into the matter seriously; and I now find that my ignorance has saved my life." "So, then, you drive selfishness and coldness to that extent," said Madame, "that you would let this unhappy young man continue to love La Valliere ?" "I would, until La Valliere's guilt were revealed." "But the bracelets ?" "Well, Madame, since you yourself expected to receive them from the king, what can I possibly say ?" The argument was a telling one, and the princess was overwhelmed by it, and from that moment her defeat was assured.

But as her heart and mind were instinct with noble and generous feelings, she understood De Guiche's extreme delicacy.