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Rh hear how beautiful she was, from even the elderly dames of the court.

The gardens around Compiegne were very extensive; and sunshine and the open air seemed to give something of their own freedom to the gaiety which prevailed.

Most days, Francesca was called on to sing to the Queen, and, by some chance or other, Louis was constantly present, and often entered into conversation with her. He talked to her of Rome, and appeared to take great pleasure in exciting her enthusiasm, which dwelt delightedly on the bygone glories of the Eternal City; or took a more touching tone, when painting its present desolation,—yet lovely, and even sacred, in its ruins. It was very new to him, and herein was the secret charm.

Mademoiselle Mancini pouted, and revenged herself by an affectation of extreme intimacy; whispering to him even in his mother's presence, who now scarcely concealed her displeasure; and by tormenting her uncle with perpetual reproaches for what she termed his neglect of her interests. An old Italian exclaimed one day, as she left Mazarin's chamber, "I hear, Signora, many complaints of my master; but, truly, you avenge them all."