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Rh, "Where," said he, "you will witness the perfect enthusiasm of my gallantry."

They went forward; but Madame de Mercœur lingered a moment behind. "I do not know how you will manage your hair," said she, looking at the picture; "though, Heaven knows! we found it easy enough some three or four years ago."

"I like the other best," answered Francesca, who had a sort of unconscious reluctance to allow her costume to be thus Louis's especial choice.

"That is quite out of the question," rejoined the Duchesse; "have you not lived here long enough to know, that a royal wish is a command?"

They then proceeded towards the gallery, which they found already partially filled, and the news of its contents soon attracted thither the rest of the company. It contained every species of ornament: toys, china, shawls, lace, &c.—a very fair, whose temptations were selected with all possible attention to taste, and an equal disregard to expense. On one table were Indian cabinets, wrought in ivory, ebony, tortoise-shell, and amber; on another were the exquisite porcelain of Dresden and Sèvres; a third was heaped with gold and silver stuffs; a fourth, with the colours of the rainbow, in embroidered taffetas; close beside were perfumed gloves, and the rich ribands of