It is in my power, even now, to hurl the thunderbolt I have hitherto withheld.

Louise, Louise, you shall be bitterly revenged; tears of blood shall repay you for the tears you have shed.

Give me only the names of your enemies." "Never, never." "How can I show any anger, then ?" "Sire, those upon whom your anger would be prepared to fall, would force you to draw back your hand upraised to punish." "Oh! you do not know me," cried the king, exasperated.

"Rather than draw back, I would sacrifice my kingdom, and would abjure my family.

Yes, I would strike until this arm had utterly destroyed all those who had ventured to make themselves the enemies of the gentlest and best of creatures." And, as he said these words, Louis struck his fist violently against the oaken wainscoting with a force which alarmed La Valliere; for his anger, owing to his unbounded power, had something imposing and threatening in it, like the lightning, which may at any time prove deadly.