She did not quite know what schemes 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 necklace ?" The knocking at the street door was repeated.

Candeille took a final, satisfied survey of herself in the glass.

She knew her part and felt that she had dressed well for it.