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Rh for your safe arrival, to say nothing of the pleasure I promise myself in seeing you again, and more beautiful than ever."

He said the truth; for her noble and regular beauty, so rarely seen in such classical perfection, always struck the eye most forcibly, when accustomed only to the more ordinary run of the merely pretty. Francesca was really glad to see him; her original dislike had passed away, and there was a kindness in his visit and manner doubly grateful when contrasted with the neglect of so many others. After a few inquiries, soon made and soon answered among those who have no interests in common, the conversation turned on general topics. And here they had much to ask and hear. The Chevalier was, as usual, au fait at all the anecdotes of the court, which had been exceedingly gay, owing to the visit of Madame de Savoie and her daughter, the Princess Marguerite.

"Will she," asked Francesca, "be our future Queen? Remember, I know as little of what has been going on in Paris as if I had already crossed the sea."

"The whole visit, replied the Chevalier, "Has been a failure. Peace and the Infanta have carried the day; and the bride is to come from beyond the Pyrenees, not the Alps."