"You drive me, then, to open warfare in my own family."
"I, too, have my own family, where 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 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 your majesty an injustice."
"An injustice!"
"Oh, sire! if I informed others of La Valliere's conduct; if the queen knew—"
"Come, come, Henriette, let your heart speak. Remember that you have loved me; remember, too, that human hearts should be as merciful as the heart of our sovereign master. Do not be inflexible with others; forgive La Valliere."
"I cannot; she has offended me."