Page:Francesca Carrara 1.pdf/272

268 'The last deceased.' 'Enter!' and my ghostly grace entered. So you see, Madame, wit makes its way in spite of all our forms."

The conversation was interrupted by an announcement, that as the billets had all been distributed, they were now to be opened.

Poor Francesca felt most cruelly disappointed. Pushed aside in the crowd, with none to heed her hidden position, no billet had been handed to her: the pages had passed to and fro, but she had been kept completely out of sight. She thought of her intended offering to the Madonna; it was as if her very intention had been rejected. Perhaps, even at that moment, Guido was in trouble or in sickness! "Though I have nothing to offer, yet I will go to-morrow and pray," thought she; and, in spite of her efforts, her eyes filled with tears.

The whole gallery was now a scene of gay confusion,—all were exhibiting and comparing their prizes; and in the mouvement Francesca contrived to draw near to Madame de Mercœur. She held in her hand a superb jasmine spray of pearls, which she was showing to the group around.

"I pray you look at mine," said a cavalier, who, though rather advanced beyond middle age, retained the buoyant step and clear, glad eye of