before her visions of intrigue, of dramatic situations, of pleasant little bits
of revenge;--all of which was meat and drink and air to breathe for
Mademoiselle Desiree.

She was to sing in one of the most fashionable salons in England: that
was very pleasant. The Prince of Wales would hear and see her! that
opened out a vista of delightful possibilities! And all she had to do was
to act a part dictated to her by Citizen Chauvelin, to behave as he
directed, to move in the way he wished! Well! that was easy enough,
since the part which she would have to play was one peculiarly suited to
her talents.

She looked at herself critically in the glass. Her maid Fanchon-- a little
French waif picked up in the slums of Soho--helped to readjust a stray
curl which had rebelled against the comb.

"Now for the necklace, Mademoiselle," said Fanchon with suppressed
excitement.

It had just arrived by messenger: a large morocco case, which now lay
open on the dressing table, displaying its dazzling contents.

Candeille scarcely dared to touch it, and yet it was for her. Citizen
Chauvelin had sent a note with it.

"Citizeness Candeille will please accept this gift from the government of
France in acknowledgment of useful services past and to come."

The note was signed with Robespierre's own name, followed by that of
Citizen Chauvelin. The morocco case contained a necklace of diamonds