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18 to a wrong person, perhaps? Wear these exquisite feathers you must."

"I would much rather not."

"How very ridiculous! But I shall not argue the point,—I shall only command; and you know how contradiction disagrees with me. I will not be made ill, that you may look well; so, silence, ma mignonne. Here, Mariette," continued she, addressing one of her women, who had just entered; "place this plume in Mademoiselle de Carrara's cap,—and, remember, in the most becoming manner."

Both parties had their differing convictions. Madame de Mercœur, who looked always to what she wished, instantly recalled the admiration she had observed her beautiful protégée had excited in the Duc de Candale, and immediately determined that he was the generous incognito. Francesca's suspicions were less pleasant, but more true. She never for a moment doubted but that Louis was the donor, while the Comtesse de Soissons was the purchaser. She was certain that she recognised many of the toys. The feathers she did not recollect; but she remembered her own bunch of violets which Louis had taken the evening previous to his departure for Sedan. Should