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Rh Francesca saw him depart with that profound depression of spirits which usually followed their interviews. She was vexed at the want of sympathy which he showed with her joy or her affection,—he had not even thought of inquiring after Guido. It seemed so very unkind! Then she was mortified at his ready allusion to the admiration she had excited,—surely he ought not to have been pleased by it. A lover owes his mistress a little jealousy. Indifference to the homage she receives may show reliance, but it is a bad compliment. She was roused from her reverie by a hand laid upon her arm; she looked up and saw the Swedish Queen.

"A cold look at parting, and a sad brow afterwards, are bad signs. You know the old fable—there is little profit in leaving the substance for the shadow."

Francesca only looked her surprise.

"Some shadows," continued Christina, "Are enough to dazzle such young sight as yours; yet I warn you of trusting to them."

"I have little," said Francesca, and her eyes filled with tears, for there was a kindness in the speaker's voice, which, in her present depressed mood, touched her powerfully, "to trust in, save Heaven!"