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218 seats, swinging to and fro her black hat and feathers, was of a fair and pretty boy, clever, and somewhat spoiled by indulgence. She commenced her conversation with the King and his companion by saying, "Pray, do not suspend your fleurettes on my account; next to being in love myself, I like to see other people in love. I shall be a charming confidante."

"Too charming," replied Marie, "not to be dangerous."

"Very prettily said, but more pretty than true. Falling in love is quite out of my way. I do not often offer up thanksgivings; but when I do, and turn in my mind what to be grateful about, I always give thanks for my indifference."

"You are selfish in your gratitude," said Louis.

"A very common case. But, truly, I have become too worldly, have too many other things in both head and heart, to find a place for love—it takes up too much room. But this I do say; if there be an intense, overpowering happiness in this world, it is first love, unsullied, unfrittered away by a thousand vain considerations—deep, fervent, and engrossing. Of what avail is a throne, save to share it with a beloved one? One with whom the deck of the frailest bark that ever cut my own stormy seas would be paradise, and