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"Now about your family. Do you know that since your daughter came

out everyone has been enraptured by her? They say she is

amazingly beautiful."

The prince bowed to signify his respect and gratitude.

"I often think," she continued after a short pause, drawing

nearer to the prince and smiling amiably at him as if to show

that political and social topics were ended and the time had come

for intimate conversation-"I often think how unfairly sometimes

the joys of life are distributed. Why has fate given you two such

splendid children? I don't speak of Anatole, your youngest. I

don't like him," she added in a tone admitting of no rejoinder

and raising her eyebrows. "Two such charming children. And really

you appreciate them less than anyone, and so you don't deserve to

have them."

And she smiled her ecstatic smile.

"I can't help it," said the prince. "Lavater would have said I

lack the bump of paternity."