Mademoiselle de la Valliere will be whatever I may choose her to become; and to-morrow, if I were determined to do so, I could seat her on a throne." "She was not born to a throne, at least, and whatever you may do can affect the future alone, but cannot affect the past." "Madame, towards you I have shown every kind consideration, and every eager desire to please you; do not remind me that I am master." "It is the second time, sire, that you have made that remark, and I have already informed you I am ready to submit." "In that case, then, you will confer upon me the favor of receiving Mademoiselle de la Valliere back again." "For what purpose, sire, since you have a throne to bestow upon her?
I am too insignificant to protect so exalted a personage." "Nay, a truce to this bitter and disdainful spirit.

Grant me her forgiveness." "_Never!_" "You drive me, then, to open warfare in my own family." "I, too, have a family with whom I can find refuge." "Do you mean that as a threat, and could you forget yourself so far?
Do you believe that, if you push the affront to that extent, your family would encourage you ?" "I hope, sire, that you will not force me to take any step which would be unworthy of my rank." "I hoped that you would remember our recent friendship, and that you would treat me as a brother." Madame paused for a moment.

"I do not disown you for a brother," she said, "in refusing you majesty an injustice." "An injustice!" "Oh, sire! if I informed others of La Valliere's conduct; if the queen knew--" "Come, come, Henrietta, let your heart speak; remember that, for however brief a time, you once loved me; remember, too, that human hearts should be as merciful as the heart of a sovereign Master.

Do not be inflexible with others; forgive La Valliere." "I cannot; she has offended me." "But for my sake." "Sire, it is for your sake I would do anything in the world, except that." "You will drive me to despair--you compel me to turn to the last resource of weak people, and seek counsel of my angry and wrathful disposition." "I advise you to be reasonable." "Reasonable!--I can be so no longer." "Nay, sire! I pray you--" "For pity's sake, Henrietta; it is the first time I entreated any one, and I have no hope in any one but in you." "Oh, sire! you are weeping." "From rage, from humiliation.

That I, the king, should have been obliged to descend to entreaty.