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Rh our greatest happiness to leave it. But, alas! could we bear returning to our former home with such altered hearts?"

"Yet, why should you feel thus?—you have seen Evelyn, and he is unchanged."

"In words, but not in himself. Holy saints! to think that I should feel his absence a relief, and look forward to his return with dread!"

"I must leave France," said Guido, abruptly; his own feelings yet too fresh to admit of sympathy with those of his cousin's, which, in his heart, he thought somewhat fanciful; "what do I want with the Cardinal's patronage?—the world is before me, and Mademoiselle Mancini shall not see one suing for her favour who once hoped for her love."

"Madame Mercœur," replied Francesca, "was telling me last night, that, aware of her uncle needing some one in whom he could place confidence, as the bearer of letters to the Duchesse of Modena, she had mentioned you, and that his Eminence was pleased to decide upon employing you."

"And so," returned Guido, colouring with mortification, "it was soon decided that I was to be sent out of the way?"

"If there was any intention in Madame de