A woman is powerful only when love and interest are combined within her in equal degrees
 Alexandre Dumas, La Reine Margot (1845). copy citation

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Author Alexandre Dumas
Source La Reine Margot
Topic love interest
Date 1845
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/33609/pg33609-images.html

Context

“"And suppose a woman's breath were to dispel this tempest, and make the star reappear, brilliant as ever?" "’Twere difficult." "Do you deny the existence of this woman?" "No, I deny her power." "You mean her will?" "I said her power, and I repeat, her power. A woman is powerful only when love and interest are combined within her in equal degrees; if either sentiment predominates, she is, like Achilles, vulnerable; now as to this woman, if I mistake not, I cannot rely on her love." Marguerite made no reply. "Listen," said Henry; "at the last stroke of the bell of Saint Germain l'Auxerrois you must have thought of regaining your liberty, sacrificed for the purpose of destroying my followers.” source