At that time women, whose sway was absolute and undivided, were privileged to encourage men's valor by frequent trials of their courage; but now, thank Heaven, there is but one master in France, and to him every thought of the mind, and every pulse of the body, are due.

I will not allow my son to be deprived of any one of his servants." And she turned toward the young queen, saying, "What is to be done with this La Valliere ?" "La Valliere ?" said the queen, apparently surprised, "I do not even know the name;" and she accompanied this remark by one of those cold, fixed smiles which are only observed on royal lips.
Madame was herself a princess great in every respect--great in intelligence, great by birth and pride; the queen's reply, however, completely astonished her, and she was obliged to pause for a moment in order to recover herself.

"She is one of my maids of honor," she replied, with a bow.
"In that case," retorted Maria-Theresa, in the same tone, "it is your affair, my sister, and not ours." "I beg your pardon," resumed Anne of Austria, "it is my affair, and I perfectly well understand," she pursued, addressing a look full of intelligence at Madame, "Madame's motive for saying what she has just said." "Everything which emanates from you, Madame," said the English princess, "proceeds from the lips of Wisdom." "If we send this girl back again to her own family," said Maria-Theresa, gently, "we must bestow a pension upon her." "Which I will provide for out of my income," exclaimed Madame.
"No, no," interrupted Anne of Austria, "no disturbance, I beg.

The king dislikes that the slightest disrespectful remark should be made of any lady.

Let everything be done quite quietly.