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Rh power is absolute—you may command rank far beyond your utmost expectations—wealth"

"I pray you hear me for one moment," interrupted Francesca; "the Comtesse de Soissons has somewhat misinformed you as to my timidity, for I find that I have courage to tell you the truth."

"And truth made beautiful by coming from your lips."

"It is a pity to waste anything so graceful as your flattery—and on me it is wasted. It would be affectation were I to misunderstand your meaning; and I tell you frankly, that, so gained, I should despise wealth and loathe rank."

Louis's brow wore its deepest gloom as he said, "There are few in yonder room who would so cavalierly reject my love."

"Love!" exclaimed Francesca; "do not use the word—say a vain and passing fantasy—ay, and born of the flattering instigations of others—unworthy, I must hope, of me, and still more unworthy of yourself."

"I see nothing so unworthy in the admiration of beauty."

"A truce to these compliments, which suit me as little to hear as you to offer. Allow me to address myself to you earnestly and seriously. I do implore your forbearance. Look through your