Page:Francesca Carrara 2.pdf/7

4 themselves, and therefore seek consolation in despising, or at least undervaluing, those to whom they owe that very entertainment."

"But, dearest Marie, thinking as you do, of what avail is your exertion?"

"Why, life's high places have many paths, and we do not choose our own. I must make the best use I can of my own gifts, even while those of others are better. I desire as much of the wealth and as many of the honours of this life as I can obtain; and in France their royal road is royal favour. It was a brilliant dream which you, Francesca, destroyed!"

"I!" exclaimed the other, in amazement.

"Yes. Louis's admiration of those superb dark eyes opened mine to the perils and chances of the way I was pursuing."

"You allude to the bracelet. Blessed Madonna! how little admiration had to do with a gift dictated by a most generous courtesy!"

"I believe you were simple enough to think so—I was not. I saw at once I was mistaken in my calculations of Louis's feeling. At the very age of fantasies, he was likely to be caught by one, and then another;—nothing short of une grande passion could have answered my purpose. For the first time I steadily reviewed the obstacles