Are you also the victim of a treachery ?" "No," said the novice, "but of my devotion--of a devotion to a woman I loved, for whom I would have laid down my life, for whom I would give it still." "And who has abandoned you--is that it ?" "I have been sufficiently unjust to believe so; but during the last two or three days I have obtained proof to the contrary, for which I thank God--for it would have cost me very dear to think she had forgotten me.
But you, madame, you appear to be free," continued the novice; "and if you were inclined to fly it only rests with yourself to do so." "Whither would you have me go, without friends, without money, in a part of France with which I am unacquainted, and where I have never been before ?" "Oh," cried the novice, "as to friends, you would have them wherever you want, you appear so good and are so beautiful!" "That does not prevent," replied Milady, softening her smile so as to give it an angelic expression, "my being alone or being persecuted." "Hear me," said the novice; "we must trust in heaven.

There always comes a moment when the good you have done pleads your cause before God; and see, perhaps it is a happiness for you, humble and powerless as I am, that you have met with me, for if I leave this place, well-I have powerful friends, who, after having exerted themselves on my account, may also exert themselves for you." "Oh, when I said I was alone," said Milady, hoping to make the novice talk by talking of herself, "it is not for want of friends in high places; but these friends themselves tremble before the cardinal.

The queen herself does not dare to oppose the terrible minister.

I have proof that her Majesty, notwithstanding her excellent heart, has more than once been obliged to abandon to the anger of his Eminence persons who had served her." "Trust me, madame; the queen may appear to have abandoned those persons, but we must not put faith in appearances.

The more they are persecuted, the more she thinks of them; and often, when they least expect it, they have proof of a kind remembrance." "Alas!" said Milady, "I believe so; the queen is so good!" "Oh, you know her, then, that lovely and noble queen, that you speak of her thus!" cried the novice, with enthusiasm.
"That is to say," replied Milady, driven into her entrenchment, "that I have not the honor of knowing her personally; but I know a great number of her most intimate friends.