She will end in the Tuileries; that is what she intends,--she told me so." "Suppose she is the daughter of an auctioneer," said the Comtesse Feraud, smiling, "that will not hinder her husband's rise to power." "Not in these days, you mean," said the minister's wife, tightening her lips.
"Madame," said his Excellency to the countess, sternly, "such sentiments and such speeches lead to revolutions; unhappily, the court and the great world do not restrain them.

You would hardly believe, however, how the injudicious conduct of the aristocracy in this respect displeases certain clear-sighted personages at the palace.

If I were a great lord, instead of being, as I am, a mere country gentleman who seems to be placed where he is to transact your business for you, the monarchy would not be as insecure as I now think it is.

What becomes of a throne which does not bestow dignity on those who administer its government?
We are far indeed from the days when a king could make men great at will,--such men as Louvois, Colbert, Richelieu, Jeannin, Villeroy, Sully,--Sully, in his origin, was no greater than I.I speak to you thus because we are here in private among ourselves.

I should be very paltry indeed if I were personally offended by such speeches.