It is gratifying to be loved, you know.
Men value love more highly when they are no longer blinded by its influence." The marquise, bewildered and overcome by these cruel attacks, which had been calculated with the greatest nicety and precision, hardly knew what to answer in return; she even seemed to have lost all power of thought.
Her perfidious friend's voice had assumed the most affectionate tone; she spoke as a woman, but concealed the instincts of a wolf.
"Well," said Madame de Belliere, who had a vague hope that Marguerite would cease to overwhelm a vanquished enemy, "why do you not go and see M.Fouquet ?" "Decidedly, marquise, you have made me reflect.

No, it would be unbecoming for me to make the first advance.

M.Fouquet no doubt loves me, but he is too proud.

I cannot expose myself to an affront....
besides, I have my husband to consider.

You tell me nothing?
Very well, I shall consult M.Colbert on the subject." Marguerite rose smilingly, as though to take leave, but the marquise had not the strength to imitate her.