“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—”