"
"You are too impetuous and too imperious, Angelique! I have
promised you she shall be removed from Beaumanoir, and she shall--"
"Whither, and when?"
"To the city, and in a few days: she can live there in quiet
seclusion. I cannot be cruel to her, Angelique."
"But you can be cruel to me, Bigot, and will be, unless you exercise
the power which I know is placed in your hands by the King himself."
"What is that? to confiscate her lands and goods if she had any?"
"No, to confiscate her person! Issue a lettre de cachet and send
her over sea to the Bastile."
Bigot was irritated at this suggestion, and his irritation was
narrowly watched by Angelique.
"I would rather go to the Bastile myself!" exclaimed he; "besides,
the King alone issues lettres de cachet: it is a royal prerogative,
only to be used in matters of State."
"And matters of love, Bigot, which are matters of State in France!
Pshaw! as if I did not know that the King delegates his authority,
and gives lettres de cachet in blank to his trusted courtiers, and
even to the ladies of his Court.
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