"
He did so. When the six months were over, "John Smith" was discharged
and did not linger many hours in London; he went at once to Paris, and
there made out where Lady Amelie was.
"In Rome," replied the gentleman of whom he asked the question. "Her
last caprice was a young Roman prince, and they are settled there for
the winter." To Rome he resolved to go. He would see for himself whether
she was all that his dreaming fancy had painted her, or whether she was
what men said--a heartless coquette.
He went to Rome, and found her, as usual, queen of all that was most
brilliant and gay.
It was at a soiree given by the Duchessa Sforza. He saw her again,
beautiful, radiant and magnificent. By her side stood a young man, who
was handsome as one of the grand old statutes that ornamented the
galleries of Rome. He watched her, thinking bitterly of the time that
had passed since be looked his last on that radiant face, and all the
bitter shame that had been his portion since then.
He crossed the room and went over to her. Whatever dismay she may have
felt, she showed none. She looked up with a bright, cold smile, as
though they had parted but yesterday.
"Mr. Carruthers!" she said. "I hope you are well. I really believe that
half of England is coming to Rome."
"Can you wonder," said the prince, "when England's fairest queen is
here?"
Lady Amelie introduced the two gentlemen, and after a time the prince
went away.
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