This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
210
FRANCESCA CARRARA.


Francesca took the hint and her taper, not sorry to retire; for she found her resolution inadequate to ask the question which hovered on her lips, whether Marie had seen Mr. Evelyn in Paris, No sooner had she reached her apartment, than she began to reproach her own indecision. Ah! no questions are so difficult to ask as those which the heart deeply and dearly treasures! When alone, we shape them into a thousand forms—imagine every possible occasion for asking them—say them over to ourselves, as if there were a charm in the sound; but the time comes, and they die unheard upon the lip,—we have not resolution to ask them.