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Rh Mancini, interrupted but by Francesca's soothing ejaculations of pity and of anger; for at first she felt too much to say half the rational things she had intended.

"But, dearest Guido," at length she ventured to whisper, "you seem to me to be scarcely aware of the great change which has taken place in the situation of our friends. Adopted children of him who is almost a king in this great country, to what honours may they not aspire?—while we—"

"Ah, Francesca!" he exclaimed, "do you think I do not see my folly—my weak, miserable, extravagant folly, in believing that the deep devotion of one loving heart could reckon for aught in this great chaos? You think that only one dream has vanished—you know not how many sprang out of that one. Marie has ever been the aim of all my hope, the reward of all my ambition. I imagined myself capable of so much, and for her sake! I awaken from the delusion, and ask, Where is there any thing like truth in all the visions which have been to me the prophecies of future life? Deceived in one, shows me how deceived I am in all. Poor, friendless, solitary,—what have I to live for?"

"Friendless and solitary!" replied Francesca, reproachfully; "At this moment, my brother, I