stowed away by shameless traitors!"

Juliette winced at the insult.

"Oh!" she moaned, as she buried her flaming face in her hands.

Too late now did she realise that she had deliberately stirred up a mud-
heap and sent noisome insects buzzing about her ears.

"Mademoiselle," said Marguerite authoritatively, "I must ask you to
remember that Mlle. de Marny is my friend and that you are a guest in my
house."

"Aye! I try not to forget it," rejoined Candeille lightly, "but of a truth you
must admit, Citizeness, that it would require the patience of a saint to put
up with the insolence of a penniless baggage, who but lately has had to
stand her trial in her own country for impurity of conduct."

There was a moment's silence, whilst Marguerite distinctly heard a short
sigh of satisfaction escaping from the lips of Chauvelin. Then a pleasant
laugh broke upon the ears of the four actors who were enacting the
dramatic little scene, and Sir Percy Blakeney, immaculate in his rich white
satin coat and filmy lace ruffles, exquisite in manners and courtesy,
entered the little boudoir, and with his long back slightly bent, his arm
outstretched in a graceful and well-studied curve, he approached
Mademoiselle Desiree Candeille.

"May I have the honour," he said with his most elaborate air of courtly
deference, "of conducting Mademoiselle to her chaise?"