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Cardinal Bernis was in his boudoir Before him lay the list of those

persons whom he had invited to his entertainment of the next day, and he

saith proud satisfaction that all had accepted his invitation

"I shall, then, have a brilliant and stately society to meet this

Austrian archduke," said the well-contented cardinal to himself "The

elite of the nobility, all the cardinals and ambassadors, will make

their appearance, and Austria will be coe that

Francewith all the European powers,

and that she is not the less respected because the Marquise de Pooodhi an open letter froives me in fact some cause for anxiety She writes

al for the

suppression of the order of the Jesuits, and I a, ers The suppression of the Jesuits! Is not that to explode a

powder-barrel in the midst of Europe, that may shatter all the states?

No, no, it is foolhardiness, and I have not the courage to apply the

match to this powder-barrel! I fear it an to read anew the letter of Madaht hierous for the good father!" said he, shaking his