Page:Francesca Carrara 2.pdf/170

Rh that Madame de Mercœur's loss was still keenly remembered. He then added a few general offers of service, but offered as if he would be glad if they were accepted; and when Guido knelt for his parting benediction, it was given with a warmth and sincerity not often used by the apathetic and haughty minister.

But they were of his own country—were associated with the image of the dearest of his own family—dearer, because lost for ever. He was interested in their genuine, yet refined simplicity; and, moreover, the most worn and worldly natures vindicate their humanity by occasional preferences and motiveless likings. True, they are transitory, and soon both controlled and forgotten; but their very existence is evidence that the kindly feeling which clings to its race never wholly abandons even the most seemingly hardened and indifferent.

To Bournonville the whole history was revealed. They owed confidence to his friendship; but Francesca was at once chilled, mortified, and amused, by the warmth of his congratulations. It is a penance inflicted on all sensitive tempers by their more common-toned acquaintance. Her imagination had only dwelt on the renewal of affection—on the happiness of having a parent to look up to, and to love; but Bournonville saw the subject in