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Rh "If I had known that your dread of the yellow silk was equivalent to positive banishment," said Louis, addressing the Due d'Anjou, "I should not have waited so long for your return, for I wanted to consult Madame de Soissons about the ballet to-morrow. My mother, with the Père Vincent's good leave, has decided on honouring it with her presence."

So saying, Louis led the Comtesse a little apart. Francesca saw them talking—the King earnestly, his companion at first sneeringly, but the sneer subsided into silent attention. No one knew better than Louis, even at that early age, how to insure obedience.

As she returned home, Francesca observed, under the veil of more than ordinary politeness, a concealed constraint in her companion. Both were glad to separate: and, to the shame of a good conscience be it spoken, the embarrassment of the injured, as usual, exceeded that of the injurer.