She felt ashamed, both for the danger into which she had almost placed herself and for the helpless state to which she was reduced. Nevertheless, knowing her husband's weakness, especially his greed, she did not lose hope of persuading him to follow her purpose. "Ah, so you're a cardinalist, Monsieur?" she cried, "and you serve those who mistreat your wife and insult your queen?" "Private interests are nothing compared to the interests of all. I am with those who save the state," said Bonacieux emphatically. "And what do you really know about the state you talk about?" said Madame Bonacieux, shrugging her shoulders. "Be content with being an ordinary, straightforward citizen, and choose the side that offers the most advantages." "Eh, eh!" said Bonacieux, slapping a plump, round bag that made a sound of money, "what do you think of this, Madame Preacher?" "Where did that money come from?" "Can't you guess?" "From the cardinal?" "From him, and from my friend, the Comte de Rochefort." "The Comte de Rochefort! He was the one who abducted me!" "That may be true, madame!" "And you accept money from that man?" "Have you not said that the abduction was entirely political?" "Yes, but the aim of that abduction was to betray my mistress, to force confessions out of me under torture that could compromise the honor, and perhaps the life, of my noble mistress." "Madame," replied Bonacieux, "your noble mistress is a treacherous Spaniard, and whatever the cardinal does is well done." "Monsieur,...