"Ascanio, madame, will love the one who loves him best."
"In God's name hear her!" cried the duchess, exasperated by such sublime confidence. "Would not one think that her love is unique, and that no other love can be compared to it?"
"I do not say that, madame. For the reason that I love, I know that other hearts may love as I do, but I doubt if yours is one of them."
"What would you do for him? Come, let us see, you who boast of this love of yours which mine can never equal. What have you sacrificed for him thus far? an obscure life and wearisome solitude?"
"No, madame, but my peace of mind."
"You have given him preference over what? Comte d'Orbec's absurd love?"
"No, madame, but my filial obedience."
"What have you to give him? Can you make him rich, powerful, feared?"
"No, madame, but I hope to make him happy."
"Ah!" exclaimed the duchess; "it's a very different matter with me, and I do much more for him: I sacrifice a king's affection; I lay wealth, titles, and honors at his feet; I bring him a kingdom to govern."