"And a courtier, too, at need. Ah! my sojourn with Monsieur de Longueville was of the greatest benefit to me."
"What did you learn when you were with him?"
"What one always learns in the service of princes,—to fight, to intrigue, to betray."
"And those accomplishments—"
"Raised me to the very highest position."
"Which you have lost?"
"Dame! Hasn't Monsieur de Condé lost his? A man can't rule events. Dear sister, I, poor creature that I am, have governed Paris."
"You?"
"Yes, I."
"For how long a time?"