a woman who had been wrongfully persecuted, who had suffered and
had forgiven those who had caused her to suffer. She bitterly accused
herself for her original mistrust of this noble-hearted, unselfish
woman, who was content to tramp around in an alien country,
bartering her talents for a few coins, in order that some of those, who
were the originators of her sorrows, might have bread to eat and a
bed in which to sleep.

"Mademoiselle," she said warmly, "truly you shame me, who am also
French-born, with the many sacrifices you so nobly make for those
who should have first claim on my own sympathy. Believe me, if I
have not done as much as duty demanded of me in the cause of my
starving compatriots, it has not been for lack of good-will. Is there
any way now," she added eagerly, "in which I can help you? Putting
aside the question of money, wherein I pray you to command my
assistance, what can I do to be of useful service to you?"

"You are very kind, Lady Blakeney ..." said the other hesitatingly.

"Well? What is it? I see there is something in your mind ..."

"It is perhaps difficult to express ... but people say I have a good
voice ... I sing some French ditties ... they are a novelty in England, I
think. ... If I could sing them in fashionable salons ... I might perhaps
..."

"Nay! you shall sing in fashionable salons," exclaimed Marguerite
eagerly, "you shall become the fashion, and I'll swear the Prince of
Wales himself shall bid you sing at Carlton House ... and you shall
name your own fee, Mademoiselle ... and London society shall vie