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64 the world! qualifying it, however, by the regret, that she really had not spirits enough to show them! While another takes up a graver tone, and thanks God, who gave her only inclinations conformable to her duty, and confesses to une grand passion for pictures, jewels, and furniture!"

"I could soon give my own portrait," said Madame de Mercœur; "I should candidly confess that I thought myself very pretty, very amiable, very good; and trust to my friends' kindness to take the assertion for granted."

"I would never," cried the Chevalier, "trust to my friends' kindness for any thing. We all in our hearts hate each other!"

"What a monstrous assertion!" exclaimed she.

"All profound truths startle you in their first announcement."

"I am sure," replied the Duchesse, "I hate no one."

"You are too young. But wait a little; have a few mortifications, a few disappointments—a few of those surprises of falsehood, slander, and treachery, with which all experience is well supplied—and you will be astonished to find what a stock of hate you have for use. But you are sitting quite absorbed," continued he, turning to