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"A perfectly wise choice," said the prince, who had expected no

less. The affair had all been previously arranged; this lady had

been so much with Gertrude at the conversazione, and had

displayed such kindness of manner, that it would have been an

effort for her to think of another. The attentions, however, of

this lady were not without their object: she had also for a long

time contemplated making the young prince her son; she,

therefore, naturally interested herself in all that concerned the

family, and felt the deepest interest in her dear Gertrude.