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Only Cardinal Bernis had re

hi a deep breath, said: "What a ain been

obliged to s! These cardinals have the impudence to speak to me of

their love and veneration; they do not hesitate so to lie with the sas and pious words of

edification! But let us forget these hypocrites Business is over, and

it is kind of you to come and chat with ood friend Bernis, although you do pay hoade, have constituted

yourself a priest of the muses"

"Ah, you speak of"They

are long since past, and sleep with my youthful happiness"

"That must be a wide bed which enables theanelli, laughing, and holding up his forefinger

threateningly to the cardinal

"But what is that you are drawing from your breast-pocket with such an

important air?"

"A letter from the Marquise de Pompadour, holy father," seriously

replied the cardinal--"a letter in which I am commanded to communicate

to you, the father of Christendom, the acquiescence of France in your

proposed abolition of the order of the Jesuits Here is a private letter

addressed to ned by

King Louis, which is destined for your holiness"

The pope took the papers, and while he was reading theathered upon his brow

"France also acquiesces," said he, when he had finished the reading

"How is it, then--were you not yourself against the abolition of the

order, and were you not in accordance with the Spanish ambassador, your