It failed of course.

Desiree was kept in some measure from the servants, but she teased and pillaged her mamma instead.

Whatever belonging to Madame's work-table or toilet she could lay her hands on, she stole and hid.

Madame saw all this, but she still pretended not to see: she had not rectitude of soul to confront the child with her vices.

When an article disappeared whose value rendered restitution necessary, she would profess to think that Desiree had taken it away in play, and beg her to restore it.