"Oh!" said Marie Antoinette, "I had no idea that your highness had
such tender care for me."

"And I had no idea, madame, that your frivolity went so far as
continually to wound the laws, the customs, and the hallowed order
of things. You do it--you do it, scorning every thing established
with the random wantonness of a child that plays with fire, and does
not know that the waves will flare up and consume it. Madame, I have
come here to warn you once more, and for the last time."

"God be thanked, for the last time!" cried the queen, with a
charming glance of her eyes.

"I conjure you, queen, for your own sake, for your husband's, for
your children's, change your course; take a new direction; leave the
path of danger on which you are hastening to irretrievable
destruction."

The countenance of the queen, before so pleasant and animated, now
darkened. Her smile gave way to a deep earnestness; she raised her
head proudly and put on a royal bearing.

"Madame," said she, "up to this time I have been inclined to meet
your biting philippics with the quiet indifference which innocence
gives, and to remain mindful of the reverence due to age, and not to
forget the harsh eyes with which the aged always look upon the deeds
of youth. But you compel me to take the matter more earnestly to
heart, for you join to my name that of my husband and my children,
and so you appeal to my heart of hearts. Now, then, tell me, madame,