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"Yes, that was long ago!" th he awoke

from his blissful dreams of the past

"Those were beautiful ti and happy; I was then a

man, and no am old; love has withered, and with it poesy! I a but a diplomatist"

There was a low knock at the door The cardinal hastily but carefully

returned the portrait of his beautiful nun to the secret drawer in his

writing-table whence it had been taken, and bade the knocker to enter

It was Brunelli, the major-domo of the cardinal, who ca with joy, to make a report of his plans and

preparations for thethe park will be illuminated with many thousand lauests will there wander in a

sea of light," said he, in closing his report

The cardinal slance at the small box that

contained the portrait of this beautiful nun, he said: "Spare soht, and leave them in

partial obscurity A little duskiness is sometimes necessary for joy

and happiness! But how is it with your carte du diner? What has Signor

Gianettino to offer us? I hope he has soood table, and h opinion of our cuisine"

"Ah, the Spanish ambassador, your excellency?" exclaimed Brunelli,

conte of the art of

cookery, or he would not possibly be satisfied with his cook! He is