and then she made Francesca take her place at her side.
"Surely we have met before?" said she, in a low tone, the first moment that Lord Avonleigh's attention was forced to his other guests.
"Yes, your Grace," replied Francesca, "At Compeigne."
"Believe me, I have not forgotten your kindness," whispered Henriette. "Alas! our service has indeed been fatal. Would to God that you were not the only one to whom gratitude can now be shown!"
Francesca could not control her embarrassment. She perceived immediately that the Queen alluded to Francis Evelyn and to their supposed attachment.
"I have been placed," said she at last, rallying her faculties, "all my life in most peculiar circumstances. One favour I will dare to implore of your Grace—silence."
"Poor child!" said the Queen, pressing her hand in token of assent.
Here, to Francesca's great relief, the conversation was interrupted; for her father held the royal notice too precious to be engrossed even by his own daughter.
I remember reading a story, where some royal
