Page:Francesca Carrara 3.pdf/333

330 world. The truth is, fancy destroys feeling. The quick eye to the ridiculous turns every thing to the absurd side; and the neat sentence, the lively allusion, and the odd simile, invest what they touch with something of their own buoyant nature. Humour is of the heart, and has its tears; but wit is of the head, and has only smiles—and the majority of those are bitter.

Buckingham's plan was settled as Lord Avonleigh led his daughter away. There must be no womanish supplications to the King. Charles was to leave the Castle the following day; Francesca could be confined in her chamber till after his departure; and Evelyn, once given over to the common course of law, would meet with little mercy now the tide ran so strongly against the Roundheads and Puritans. Some slight fear he entertained of the Comtesse de Soissons; but, could he contrive to prevent an interview between her and Francesca till too late—and it would be too late after Charles was once gone—the Duke knew him well enough to fear no written petition. All was arranged. Under pretence of avoiding any discussion that might affect the loyalty or compromise the dignity of a noble house, he managed to insinuate all his own suggestions so cunningly,