The Red Necklace Read Online Free PDF Page A

herself as her husband appeared at the door. Ladies and gentlemen were sitting in a sumptuous salon, and the scene looked almost golden in the glow of so much candlelight.
    She felt Yann touch her arm lightly.
    “We must go back,” he said.
    They retraced their steps. Sido quickly straightened out the bed and put her shoes back on. When there was a sharp knock on the door her heart nearly missed a beat.
    Then she realized that the boy with the all-seeing eyes had vanished.

chapter four
    So it was that on the last stroke of midnight the scene was set. All that was keeping the performance from beginning was the late arrival of the marquis. The guests were waiting as an argument broke out between two of their party, a cardinal and an intensely earnest-looking young man called Louis de Jonquières.
    “The clergy are the First Estate of France, the nobility are the Second, and the Third Estate are the rest of the country. We’re seriously outnumbered. It is imperative that we question our role,” said the young man.
    “I suppose you think the Third Estate should have a voice. Are we expected to give a say to every peasant? Have you thought through the consequences?” asked the cardinal with distaste.
    “You are a man of the church. The Bible commands us to consider the poor,” replied Louis de Jonquières, warming to his theme. “In my view, if their lot is to be improved, they should have a say in the way things are run. Come, you must agree that at present our society leaves much to be desired.”
    The cardinal looked pained. He cleared his throat to make his point.
    “My ancestors fought to make this country what it is. We are a great nation, the envy of the world. You surely do not imagine that this has been achieved by the people? It is our duty to retain our position and lead the way.”
    “But the nobility cannot be relied upon,” said Louis de Jonquières. “We are not going to change our ways in order to put bread on the tables of the starving. Look what has happened in America! The people rid themselves of English sovereignty and now, with our help, it is a republic. Many of my friends would argue that absolute monarchy is dead.”
    The cardinal’s cheeks were now as red as his silk gown.
    “Society,” he said haughtily, “will have to evolve, and that, monsieur, will take time. Nothing is going to be achieved in a day.”
    “But why should the poor pay for the privileges of the rich? They are so many, and we are so few,” said Louis de Jonquières passionately.
    Count Kalliovski, who was enjoying watching the cardinal’s discomfiture, interrupted with a laugh.
    “Enough, enough,” he said. “For tonight, my friends, let’s leave politics alone. The subject makes dreary companions of us all.”
    Now, with the timing of a great actor, the marquis entered the room, accompanied by Sido. He took his seat at the front of the makeshift stage. Sido sat down beside him.
    Her attention was caught by the Duchesse de Lamantes, with her fashionably tall coiffure. On top, amongst an assortment of ribbons and flowers, sat a coach made out of gold thread, drawn by six dapple-gray horses of blown glass. This brittle design sat oddly with the sour face of its wearer, who looked as if one smile might crack the piecrust of her makeup.
    “Who,” inquired the duchess, lifting up her spyglass, “is that plain-looking creature? Can it be the marquis’s daughter? What a disappointment for him.”
    The marquis silenced the company. “I hope I haven’t missed any of this intriguing little performance of yours, Count Kalliovski.”
    “Not at all, my dear friend,” said the count. “As you can see, the curtain has not yet been drawn.” He clapped his hands for silence.
    “Messieurs et mesdames, to thank the marquis for this splendid evening I have brought him a show from the theater at the rue du Temple—a show so popular that it has been sold out for the past four months. I give you the People’s