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270 The little circle were warm in their commendations on the readiness and the grace of the inscription; when the English Queen stopped for an instant in passing, and addressed Madame de Mercœur. "Have I calculated too much on your kindness? I want my Henriette to see some of the dresses preparing for the ballet; will you allow her to come to-morrow, and trespass on your time and good-nature for their exhibition?" and as she spoke, her eye, with the most seeming unconsciousness, rested on Francesca. Madame de Mercœur returned a polite consent, and the Queen left the gallery.

Francesca was again confounded at the ease with which the appointment was made; for she was right in her supposition, that the Princess's visit the following morning was to give an answer to the note which had that evening been conveyed to her mother.

Mademoiselle Mancini, whose dialogue with Louis had been interrupted by the Queen's departure, whom her son almost invariably himself conducted to her carriage, now advanced to exhibit a splendid pair of diamond earrings. She was herself radiant with triumph; which grew still more obvious, when Louis returning joined their circle. Francesca was still in the