Page:Francesca Carrara 1.pdf/218

214 object of hatred to the fierce and insolent faction so recently subdued?"

Her meditation was interrupted by an unusual bustle in the antechamber, when, before the pages could announce her, the Queen of Sweden walked, or rather ran, into the room. Advancing straight to the Queen, she exclaimed, "A thousand congratulations—I have just heard of the taking of Valence, and could not rest till I had rejoiced with you on the success of your arms."

Victory is an agreeable subject, and the visitor and her compliments were equally well received.

"You may give me credit for sincerity," continued she, "as there is some selfishness in it. It hurts one's vanity to be mistaken; and you know I prophesied the success of the fleur-de-lis."

"Valence," observed M. de Nogent, one of the party at the card-table, "was besieged a hundred years since by the French army, but unsuccessfully; the fort has never before been taken, and—"

"And you should have been there," interrupted Christina abruptly, "with your long stories of a hundred years since; I would rather hear them a hundred years hence." Then turning, with a singular change of countenance from harshness to