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228 ask your services as guide and to confirm my statement." Pachetti stepped with most ingenious adroitness out of the room, and Beatrice was left to a tête-à-tête. The Signora, by silence to her guest, conversation to herself, and looks of mixed dislike and disdain, contrived to concentrate no little share of annoyance in the next hour. At length Pachetti returned, with information that she would be received at the convent of St. Valerie, and that a little covered carriage was at the door to convey her thither. Caterina received her salutation without a return, while her husband was profuse in his parting civilities. She paused for a moment in the shop to write an acknowledgment for the ducats she had received for present use, and to obtain the address of Lorraine's banker. Pachetti then handed her to the carriage, taking an opportunity of saying, in a most carefully subdued tone, "I shall be very glad to render you or your father any service or services. Caterina, poor thing! has not that blessing, an even temper; but she means very well. You know you ladies have all your little peculiarities." "You ladies!"—the fire flashed into