ed like a wonderful
fairy from an altogether world, to the poor little kitchen slut.

How wonderful are the vagaries of fortune! Desiree Candeille, the
kitchen-maid's daughter, now wearing her ex-mistress' jewels.
She supposed that these had been confiscated when the last of the
Marnys--the girl, Juliette--had escaped from France! confiscated and now
sent to her--Candeille--as a reward or as a bribe!

In either case they were welcome. The actress' vanity was soothed. She
knew Juliette Marny was in England, and that she would meet her to-night
at Lady Blakeney's. After the many snubs which she had endured from
French aristocrats settled in England, the actress felt that she was
about to enjoy an evening of triumph.

The intrigue excited her. She did not quite know what schemes Chauvelin
was aiming at, what ultimate end he had had in view when he commanded
her services and taught her the part which he wished her to play.

That the schemes were vast and the end mighty, she could not doubt. The
reward she had received was proof enough of that.

Little Fanchon stood there in speechless admiration, whilst her mistress
still fondly fingered the magnificent necklace.

"Mademoiselle will wear the diamond to-night?" she asked with evident
anxiety: she would have been bitterly disappointed to have seen the
beautiful thing once more relegated to its dark morocco case.

"Oh, yes, Fanchon!" said Candeille with a sigh of great satisfaction;
"see that they are fastened quite securely, my girl."

She put the necklace round her shapely neck and Fanchon looked to see
that the clasp was quite secure.

There came the sound of loud knocking at the street door.

"That is M. Chauvelin come to fetch me with the chaise. Am I quite
ready, Fanchon?" asked Desiree Candeille.

"Oh yes, Mademoiselle!" sighed the little maid; "and Mademoiselle looks
very beautiful to-night."

"Lady Blakeney is very beautiful too, Fanchon," rejoined the actress
naively, "but I wonder if she will wear anything as fine as the Marny
necklace?"

The knocking at the street door was repeated. Candeille took a final,
satisfied survey of herself in the glass. She knew her part and felt
that she had dressed well for it. She gave a final, affectionate
little tap to the diamonds round her neck, took her cloak and hood from
Fanchon, and was ready to go.

Chapter X: Lady Blakeney's Rout

There are several accounts extant, in the fashionable chronicles of