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90 Evelyn proceeded to narrate his business in Paris. "Only that the majority of people are idiots, and prefer their fancies to their interests, these cavalier and roundhead differences might soon be settled. My plan is perfect, on the old principle that les extrémes touchent. I propose to unite the opposites, and conclude our civil wars like a comedy—with a marriage: Charles Stuart and Frances Cromwell!"

"So degrading a connexion!" interrupted Guido.

"The daughter of his father's murderer!" exclaimed Francesca.

"Ay, ay, prejudice and fine feelings, the old Scylla and Charybdis of action," returned Evelyn, with something between a smile and a sneer: "if the brewer's daughter has not the blood of the Stuarts and Plantagenets mingling in her veins, she is but the more ennobled by an alliance with him who has. As for 'his father's murderer,' such harsh expressions are never used, beautiful Francesca! We must talk of the force of circumstances, of imperative necessity, and find fault with the cruel horoscope which ordained such a fate. Charles Stuart will suddenly have seen the errors of his royal father. Cromwell's conscience will equally suddenly be touched with the desire of