To this the king replied in a quick tone of voice, which showed the interest he took in his sister-in-law, "Thank Heaven, Madame is above censure." "The censure of others, certainly, I admit," said Monsieur; "but not above mine, I presume." "Well," said the king, "all I have to say, Philip, is that Madame's conduct does not deserve your censure.

She certainly is heedless and singular, but professes the best feelings.

The English character is not always well understood in France, and the liberty of English manners sometimes surprises those who do not know the extent to which this liberty is enriched by innocence." "Ah!" said Monsieur, more and more piqued, "from the very moment that your majesty absolves my wife, whom I accuse, my wife is not guilty, and I have nothing more to say." "Philip," replied the king hastily, for he felt the voice of conscience murmuring softly in his heart, that Monsieur was not altogether wrong, "what I have done, and what I have said, has been only for your happiness.

I was told that you complained of a want of confidence and attention on Madame's part, and I did not wish your uneasiness to be prolonged.

It is part of my duty to watch over your household, as over that of the humblest of my subjects.