s mockery at her solicitude, as he added,
'Unhurt? Yes. He is a liberal-hearted, gracious, fine young man, whom I
should much grieve to harm; but if you know of any plan of elopement
and conceal it, my daughter, then upon you will lie either the ruin and
disgrace of your family, or the death of one or both of the youths.'

Diane saw that her question had betrayed her knowledge. She spoke
faintly. 'Something I did overhear, but I know not how to utter a
treason.'

'There is no treason where there is no trust, daughter,' said the
Chevalier, in the tone of a moral sage. 'Speak!'

Diane never disobeyed her father, and faltered, 'Wednesday; it is for
Wednesday. They mean to leave the palace in the midst of the masque;
there is a market-boat from Leurre to meet them on the river; his
servants will be in it.'

'On Wednesday!' Father and son looked at each other.

'That shall be remedied,' said Narcisse.

'Child,' added her father, turning kindly to Diane, 'you have saved our
fortunes. There is put one thing more that you must do. Make her obtain
the pearls from him.'

'Ah!' sighed Diane, half shocked, half revengeful, as she thought how he
had withheld them from her.

'It is necessary,' said the Chevalier. 'The heirloom of our house must
not be risked. Secure the pearls, child, and you will have done good
service, and earned the marriage that shall reward you.'

When he was gone, Diane pressed her hands together with a strange
sense of misery. He, who had shrunk from the memory of little Diane's
untruthfulness, what would he think of the present Diane's treachery?
Yet it was to save his life and that of her brother--and for the
assertion of her victory over the little robber, Eustacie.

CHAPTER X. MONSIEUR'S BALLET.

The Styx had fast bound her
Nine times around her.
--POPE, ODE ON ST.CECILIA'S DAY

Early on Monday morning came a message to Mademoiselle Nid de Merle that
she was to prepare to act the part of a nymph of Paradise in the King's
masque on Wednesday night, and must dress at once to rehearse her part
in the ballet specially designed by Monsieur.

Her first impulse was to hurry to her own Queen, whom she entreated to
find some mode of exempting her. But Elisabeth, who was still in bed,
looked distressed and frightened, made signs of caution, and when the
weeping girl was on the point of telling her of the project that would
thus be ruined, silenced her by saying, 'Hush! m