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Rh not. We receive great obligations as if they were our due, and are thankless as much out of vanity as ingratitude.

"We will drop this subject, if you please," interrupted Francesca; "they are old friends of mine, and I at least do not wish to hear of faults I have no power to amend."

The Chevalier paused, and for a few minutes they pursued their walk in silence; but De Joinville soon hit on another topic. "I saw an old—friend I can scarcely say, in Paris lately—Mr. Evelyn." Francesca turned pale, and involuntarily leant against the balustrade; with an effort she muttered a faint "Indeed!" and the Chevalier, concealing his surprise at her extreme emotion, added, "but so thin, and so altered, that I think even you would forgive him could you see him."

"You are great friends," replied Francesca, scarcely knowing what she said.

"We were," replied the Chevalier; "but this time, when we met by accident in the Boulevards, he very quietly looked at me without a symptom of recognition, and, when I spoke, civilly told me 'that he could not recollect ever having seen me before.' Of course I took the hint. I saw him once since, as he was leaving the presence of Cardinal Mazarin, and he again passed me in silence.