Francesca's consternation, it was, that he took the exact path that led to the little pool, beside which she was to meet Evelyn. Madame de Soissons would have had a thousand resources in this emergency—Francesca could imagine but one, and that one so difficult, it seemed almost impossible.
"I trust," said Charles, "you will not think that I undervalue my present felicity, when I remark upon the cruelty of fortune. What an opportunity of calling 'yonder moon to aid his vows' is lost for ever to Buckingham!"
This was said maliciously; for the speaker well knew nothing embarrasses a woman more than talking of one lover while she is thinking of another.
"There is something," continued he, "in this soft and gentle air, that makes one feel quite charitable. I am almost inclined to fetch George here, and go for ever after by the name of the martyr to friendship."
"I beg," replied Francesca, "that you will do no such thing."
"Oh! you are satisfied with myself, are you?—very flattering. What shall I do to show my gratitude—make love to you?"
"It were a pity that two things that I hold so precious—love and your Grace's time—should be so utterly wasted as they would be on me."
