"Such manners were useful enough, perhaps, in days when the divided nobility had no other rallying-point than mere gallantry.

At that time women, whose sway was absolute and undivided, were privileged to encourage men's valor by frequent trials of their courage.

But now, thank Heaven, there is but one master in France, and to him every instinct of the mind, every pulse of the body are due.

I will not allow my son to be deprived of any single one of his servants." And she turned towards the young queen, saying, "What is to be done with this La Valliere ?" "La Valliere ?" said the queen, apparently surprised, "I do not even know the name;" and she accompanied this remark by one of those cold, fixed smiles only to be observed on royal lips.
Madame was herself a princess great in every respect, great in intelligence, great by birth, by pride; the queen's reply, however, completely astonished her, and she was obliged to pause for a moment in order to recover herself.

"She is one of my maids of honor," she replied, with a bow.
"In that case," retorted Maria Theresa, in the same tone, "it is your affair, my sister, and not ours." "I beg your pardon," resumed Anne of Austria, "it is my affair.