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82 In the anguish of her loss, Francesca forgot all which that loss was to herself. Grief brings with it somewhat of stupor; and she lived on mechanically from day to day, taking, indeed, no thought of the future, as if her present existence were to last of itself for ever. She was seated in the Duchesse's dressing-room one morning in listless sadness, endeavouring to recall some last word or look of her friend, when a domestic announced that his Eminence the Cardinal Mazarin requested to see her. She started up in surprise; it seemed wonderful now that any one should wish to see her; however, she hastily obeyed the summons.

The apartment into which the Cardinal had been shown was Madame de Mercœur's usual sitting-room; and the marks of recent habitation and present neglect were strangely blended. The curtains had been hurriedly withdrawn to receive the unexpected visitor; and the glad sunshine gave light, but no cheerfulness, to the desolate chamber. The dust destroyed the gloss of the silken draperies, the gilding was already discoloured, and the mirrors, dim and tarnished, threw a coarse shade over the fairest face. Yet, on one table lay the embroidery, hastily thrown aside; but the bright colours were faded, and the silks tangled: on another stood a vase, wherein