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, flattered, and caressed, Francesca could scarcely believe such a change could have so rapidly taken place, and on what, moreover, appeared such slight grounds. Though more thoughtful than Madame de Mercœur, yet it asked far more knowledge of society—that wilderness of small intricacies—for her to penetrate into the motives of those who seemed so suddenly struck with her fascination; but she was too clear-headed to be deceived, and set it all down under one general belief in caprice. Still, it was pleasant to have a little circle gather round her, where before she had sat in solitary silence; it was pleasant, also, to have half a dozen cavaliers for the dance, of which she had hitherto been little more than a spectator; and it was not very disagreeable to