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Rh and therefore oppressive favours. He was flattered by her consulting him—he was delighted to be employed on any body's business but his own; and in less than an hour he had been to the convent, seen the gouvernante, and settled every thing for Francesca's reception that very evening, when he also offered his services to conduct her thither,—an offer thankfully accepted.

Her preparations were soon completed; and after looking rather than taking an affectionate farewell of the sleeping child, she wrote a few lines of thanks to the Duc de Mercœur—to request a parting interview appeared to her an unnecessary recalling of remembrances too painful. The letter to the Cardinal took more time to write: it was so difficult to express her deep gratitude for the favour she nevertheless rejected! But the more she reflected on the offer, the more she revolted from its acceptance; and her refusal was at last committed to paper. She sealed the packets, gave directions for their delivery, and went to wait in the reception-room till Bournonville's arrival.

She felt a melancholy satisfaction in gazing for the last time on a scene so indelibly impressed with Madame de Mercœur's image. How many instances of her sweet and gentle temper rose so