Page:Francesca Carrara 2.pdf/308

Rh He drank from the cup which she put to his lips, and sunk back on the pillow, pale and exhausted, but so composed, that she allowed Lucy, who just then entered the room, to watch by Guido during her customary short absence.

We, too, will leave them, and, passing beyond seas, record a strange scene that took place at the Hotel de Soissons that night.

It was even later than usual when the Comtesse quitted a brilliant réunion of all that was gayest in the royal circle, elate with the glittering triumph of gratified vanity, and reading in such success the sure prognostic of more solidly successful ambition. Restless and excited, she could not retire to sleep; but her hair once unbound from its knots of pearls, and a loose wrapping dress thrown round her, she dismissed her attendants, and, drawing a little writing-table to her fauteuil, prepared to exhaust some of her gaiety in letter-writing. She had a thousand flattering and lively things to say, and she was now in the mood for them.

This is a pleasant hour in human existence—the hour after some unusually agreeable fête—agreeable from its homage to yourself; just enough fatigued for languor, but not for weariness—enough to make you enjoy the loosened hair, the careless robe, and the indolent arm chair; while the spirits