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Rh entered, I was lamenting my utter want of memory."

"I am glad," replied Henriette, "that in future I shall have your example to plead. Indeed, I never remember anything but kindness." And Francesca was conscious that the glance which she caught was directed towards her; their eyes met, and the Princess withdrew her's with a smile, which said, "we understand each other."

No person is much in any particular room without having a favourite seat in it; and Francesca was in the large window. Here she was a little withdrawn from the circle, and yet able both to see and hear; timidity and curiosity being each satisfied.

The progress of Madame de Mercœur's toilette went on; and while her woman was exhausting her ingenuity and attention in arranging the front hair, Henriette exclaimed, "Ah, how beautiful the veins of the tortoise-shell are, with the light coming through, just like painted glass;" and raising one in her hand, she approached the window. Francesca, of course, offered to hold it; and while thus employed, the Princess said, in the lowest possible tone, "Tell Mr. Evelyn, his note was just in time;" and then added, in a higher