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254 ease that astonished herself. Before, however, she could look round, Evelyn had disappeared.

Soon alter, Louis resumed his place; and observing the flowers, asked Francesca for one of the roses, which she immediately gave, when, much more to her dismay than to her gratification, he kissed it, and placed it concealed in his bosom, adding, in a low voice, "It is too precious to be worn openly." Then, as if he were himself confused by what he had said, turned hastily, and began talking to Madame de Mercœur.

From the theatre they proceeded to the Cardinal's, where many of the guests were already assembled; among others, the Queen of England and her daughter. There was something in the scene that jarred upon Francesca's previous sympathy. She, whose councils had done much towards conducting her husband to the scaffold on which he perished—whose rank was a mockery, making her present state of dependence more bitter—an exile in her own country, whose very dreams must be haunted by death and danger; yet there she was seated, the centre of a frivolous circle, and of flatteries whose worthlessness she of all there must best have known. Ah! misfortune ought to have sufficient self-respect for solitude.