Page:Francesca Carrara 1.pdf/292

288 increase her consternation, Louis had joined the circle, while the eyes of every one were turned upon her. Colouring till the tears glistened on her long dark lashes, in a low, faltering whisper she stammered, "I have it not."

"Have you lost it?" demanded the Queen.

"No, madame."

"Then why did you not wear it to-night?"

"It is mine no longer," replied the young Italian.

"Surely," rejoined Anne, who was already offended that such a gift should have been lightly held, "you cannot have given it to any friend?"

"O no!" was the eager answer.

"Then what have you done with it?"

"I offered it at the shrine of Our Lady, in the chapel of the Valley."

"Now, the blessed Virgin forbid I should grudge aught to her altar," exclaimed Louis, with evident displeasure, "but methinks, the piety was ill-timed."

"Who knows," observed Mademoiselle Mancini with a sneer, "what idea la Signora might attach to the gift; perhaps it needed a little expiation."

"We cannot tell for what tender interests it was to plead," added the Chevalier de Joinville.