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