"NO, no; thanks to you, Frederick," she continued, "After a last and
brilliant triumph, I broke forever with the world, which would soon have
abandoned me, though I was so long its idol and its queen. And I have
only changed my queendom. Instead of the dissipated men whom I ruled with
a frivolity superior to their own, I now find myself surrounded by men of
high consideration, of redoubtable character, and all-powerful, many of
whom have governed the state; to them I have devoted myself, as they have
devoted themselves to me! It is now only that I really enjoy that
happiness, of which I ever dreamt. I have taken an active part and have
exercised a powerful influence over the greatest interests of the world;
I have been initiated into the most important secrets; I have been able
to strike, surely, whosoever scoffed at or hated me; and I have been able
to elevate beyond their hopes those who have served or respected and
obeyed me."

"There are some madmen, and some so blind, that they imagine that we are
struck down, because we ourselves have had to struggle against some
misfortunes," said M. d'Aigrigny, disdainfully, "as if we were not, above
all others, securely founded, organized for every struggle, and drew not
from our very struggles a new and more vigorous activity. Doubtless the
times are bad. But they will become better; and, as you know, it is
nearly certain that in a few days (the 13th of February), we shall have
at our disposal a means of action sufficiently powerful for re
establishing our influence which has been temporarily shaken."

"Yes, doubtless this affair of the medals is most important," said the
princess.

"I should not have made so much haste to return hither," resumed the
abbe, "were it not to act in what will be, perhaps, for us, a very great