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180 is rich, except Mazarin and l'Abbé Fouquet. I am half tempted to cry with Madame Thurine, 'How happy are our servants! they, at least, get Christmas boxes.'"

He then rose, and wished them farewell—"Only a temporary farewell," added he, as he reached the door. "I have too good an opinion of your taste not to expect you back again. Absence teaches appreciation by the force of contrast—you will regret us, and return."

Without waiting for their answer, he left the room.

Both Guido and Francesca were surprised, even hurt, at the ease of his farewell. They felt so much more than he did, and were ashamed of the feeling. The truth is, that they had still a world of kindliness and affection in their young and unused hearts, which had long passed away from De Joinville. He dreaded the trouble much more than the pain of emotion; he could not altogether escape the many chains of life, but he wore them as lightly as possible. His love was gallantry, his friendship liking, and his business amusement. His philosophy was to s'égayer on the route from the cradle to the coffin; and sometimes I have thought his system the right one. When I have marked, as all must do, the