"You know who I am?

"Who could come to Richmond and not know Lady Blakeney by
sight."

"But what made you come to Richmond on this philanthropic errand
of yours?"

"I go where I think there is a chance of earning a little money for the
cause which I have at heart," replied the Frenchwoman with the same
gentle simplicity, the same tone of mournful dejection.

What she said was undoubtedly noble and selfless. Lady Blakeney felt
in her heart that her keenest sympathy should have gone out to this
young woman--pretty, dainty, hardly more than a girl --who seemed
to be devoting her young life in a purely philanthropic and unselfish
cause. And yet in spite of herself, Marguerite seemed unable to shake
off that curious sense of mistrust which had assailed her from the
first, nor that feeling of unreality and staginess with which the
Frenchwoman's attitude had originally struck her.

Yet she tried to be kind and to be cordial, tried to hide that coldness
in her manner which she felt was unjustified.

"It is all very praiseworthy on your part, Madame," she said
somewhat lamely. "Madame ...?" she added interrogatively.

"My name is Candeille--Desiree Candeille," replied the
Frenchwoman.