Farewell, sire; you are compromising yourself in speaking to me in such a manner." "Oh! be careful, Louise, in what you say; for you are reducing me to the darkness of despair." "Oh! sire, sire, leave me at least the protection of Heaven, I implore you." "No, no; Heaven itself shall not tear you from me." "Save me, then," cried the poor girl, "from those determined and pitiless enemies who are thirsting to annihilate my life and honor too.
If you have courage enough to love me, show at least that you have power enough to defend me.

But no; she whom you say you love, others insult and mock, and drive shamelessly away." And the gentle-hearted girl, forced, by her own bitter distress to accuse others, wrung her hands in an uncontrollable agony of tears.
"You have been driven away!" exclaimed the king.

"This is the second time I have heard that said." "I have been driven away with shame and ignominy, sire.

You see, then, that I have no other protector but Heaven, no consolation but prayer, and this cloister is my only refuge." "My palace, my whole court, shall be your park of peace.

Oh! fear nothing further now, Louise; those--be they men or women--who yesterday drove you away, shall to-morrow tremble before you--to-morrow, do I say?
nay, this very day I have already shown my displeasure--have already threatened.