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296 but I must see it better dressed." The conversation then took the most familiar turn; and Francesca, from where she stood, could hear the Queen giving a laughing account of the Due de Domville's attachment to Mademoiselle Menneville, the prettiest of her maids of honour, all of whom were pretty.

"It is a passion of the good old time, and has already lasted some four years; but Madame la Duchesse de Vantadour, his mother, will not hear of it. Never before was a lover of fifty so put out, to think that he cannot yet have his own way. Not content with his own cares, when obliged to be absent he leaves his almoner to take charge of her. It is gallantry equally antediluvian and interminable; I suppose they will be married one day, and buried the next."

At this moment the King arrived. He had been riding, and was covered with dust; but that was, as his mother observed, the more flattering, for it marked his impatience to see their visitor. On his entrance the Queen presented Mademoiselle. "Here is a young lady who is very sorry that she has been so wicked, and promises to he very good in future." The King laughed. "But where is your brother?"

"He is coming in the carriage; he would not