His conception of the deity was as a larger Louis, and of heaven as a more gorgeous Versailles.

If he exacted obedience from his twenty millions, then he must show it also to this one who had a right to demand it of him.

On the whole, his conscience acquitted him.

But in this one matter he had been lax.

From the first coming of his gentle and forgiving young wife from Spain, he had never once permitted her to be without a rival.