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Rh with their glittering contents. Not the slightest indication appeared as to who was the donor.

"Some anonymous lover," exclaimed Madame de Mercœur. "This is really too delightful. Who can it be?" and she began to guess every person she could remember as having even spoken to Francesca.

"For pity's sake," said the latter, laughing, "do stop; for I am really alarmed lest you should end with l'Abbé Fouquet himself; and I have really no ambition to succeed Madame de Chatillion."

"Now, out upon such a supposition!" replied the Duchesse; "I am too much charmed with the gallantry to wish to destroy the illusion. But is not this fortunate?" continued she, taking up a superb plume of white ostrich feathers, fastened by a small agraffe, enamelled so as to represent a bunch of violets; "this is just what you wanted for the velvet cap you are to wear at Madame de l'Hôpital's masked ball."

"Oh! but I do not like to wear it. It is so disagreeable to accept favours from you do not know who."

"On the contrary, you are saved from all obligation; for what is the use of being grateful, and