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90 touchingly to memory! A noise was heard in the antechamber; but before Francesca, who believed it was Bournonville, could rise, Madame de Soissons had entered. "Quite at home, I perceive," said she; "I should have called before, but that I never thought of finding you here still."

"Whither did you think I was gone?" exclaimed Francesca.

"Oh! nowhere. I know young widowers require consolation. Pray, how is the Duc de Mercœur?"

One woman instantly penetrates the drift of another; the allusion, which from the Cardinal was lost, was understood at once coming from his niece. Francesca coloured, but only from indignation. "I should think his sister must know best," was her cold reply.

"Oh! I really have no talents for soothing solitude, neither do I pretend to your powers of attraction. However, sorry as I am to interfere with so interesting and Christian a duty as consoling the afflicted, I am come to entreat that you will favour my poor house with your company."

"I deeply feel," answered Francesca, "the honour of Madame de Soissons' invitation, which it is, however, out of my power to accept."

"Nonsense! Are you aware that the Duc de