For the cardinal to call the king of France his nephew! do you not perceive, sire?
He would have made war even for that honor; the cardinal, assured of governing alone, under the double pretext of having brought up the king and given his niece to him in marriage--the cardinal would have fought all antagonists, overcome all obstacles.

Oh, sire! I can answer for that.

I am a woman, and I see clearly into everything where love is concerned." These words produced a strange effect upon the king.

Instead of heightening his passion, they cooled it.

He stopped, and said hastily,-- "What is to be said, mademoiselle?
Everything has failed." "Except your will, I trust, my dear sire ?" "Alas!" said the king, coloring, "have I a will ?" "Oh!" said Mademoiselle de Mancini mournfully, wounded by that expression.
"The king has no will but that which policy dictates, but that which reasons of state impose upon him." "Oh! it is because you have no love," cried Mary; "if you loved, sire, you would have a will." On pronouncing these words, Mary raised her eyes to her lover, whom she saw more pale and more cast down than an exile who is about to quit his native land forever.