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Rh from one place to another, when, all at once, in Paris your intentions were changed, and you came straight hither, no doubt, solely on her account.

In Paris—yes,’ answered the Duke, ‘you have remembered correctly. I had gone to look at the picture gallery of the Louvre, but no sooner had I entered the room, than my attention was attracted from the lifeless beauties on the walls to a young lady, whose unequalled charms were heightened, in my estimation, by a certain cast of pensive melancholy on her features. With trembling timidity I ventured to approach her, and remained always near at hand, yet without venturing to address to her even a single word. When she left the gallery, I followed, and took her servant aside to inquire her name. This he frankly gave me; and when I expressed an earnest wish to pay my respects to her father, he told me that a meeting could hardly take place in Paris, as the family were just preparing to take their departure from France.

Yet at one time or another I may be more fortunate,’ said I, and looked round for the lady; but, meanwhile, under the belief, perhaps, that her servant was always following, she had walk-