“ To be a woman condemned to a painful and disgraceful punishment is no impediment to beauty, but it is an obstacle to the recovery of power. ”
Alexandre Dumas, The Three Musketeers (1844). copy citation
| Author | Alexandre Dumas |
|---|---|
| Source | The Three Musketeers |
| Topic | punishment beauty |
| Date | 1844 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1257/1257-h/1257-h.htm |
Context
“that when once the order was signed by Buckingham--and Buckingham would sign it the more readily from its bearing a false name, and he could not, therefore, recognize the woman in question--once this order was signed, we say, the baron would make her embark immediately, and she knew very well that women condemned to exile employ arms much less powerful in their seductions than the pretendedly virtuous woman whose beauty is lighted by the sun of the world, whose style the voice of fashion lauds, and whom a halo of aristocracy gilds with enchanting splendors. To be a woman condemned to a painful and disgraceful punishment is no impediment to beauty, but it is an obstacle to the recovery of power. Like all persons of real genius, Milady knew what suited her nature and her means. Poverty was repugnant to her; degradation took away two-thirds of her greatness. Milady was only a queen while among queens.”
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