I need all my courage to enable me to accomplish the sacrifice." "Louise, Louise, I implore you! whatever you desire, whatever you command, whether vengeance or forgiveness, your slightest wish shall be obeyed, but do not abandon me." "Alas! sire, we must part." "You do not love me, then!" "Heaven knows I do!" "It is false, Louise; it is false." "Oh! sire, if I did not love you, I should let you do what you please; I should let you revenge me, in return for the insult which has been inflicted on me; I should accept the brilliant triumph to my pride which you propose; and yet, you cannot deny that I reject even the sweet compensation which your affection affords, that affection which for me is life itself, for I wished to die when I thought that you loved me no longer." "Yes, yes; I now know, I now perceive it; you are the sweetest, best, and purest of women.

There is no one so worthy as yourself, not alone of my respect and devotion, but also of the respect and devotion of all who surround me; and therefore no one shall be loved like yourself; no one shall ever possess the influence over me that you wield.

You wish me to be calm, to forgive ?--be it so, you shall find me perfectly unmoved.

You wish to reign by gentleness and clemency ?--I will be clement and gentle.

Dictate for me the conduct you wish me to adopt, and I will obey blindly." "In Heaven's name, no, sire; what am I, a poor girl, to dictate to so great a monarch as yourself ?" "You are my life, the very spirit and principle of my being.