The maid briskly walked in the dark corridors. Everywhere was dim, only near the blue salon, where he was a Cabinet Minister and important government officials, was burning a small flame. Its dim flame shimmered shades of red blood and the hot sun. The maid frantically clutched in a trembling hand the candle. Night gallery seemed frightening, impenetrable maze. Despite desperate bravery, the girl exclaimed, seeing a shadow moving near the wall. It was rumored that at night the Palace man penetrates, hunting for one of honor, once tarnished his honor. Jessie shuddered when she remembered that recently in the Laundry room was found murdered woman, maid of honor, Madame de Rua. She said that a few years ago at the behest of the eldest brother married a cruel and ruthless count who abused her, screamed, belittled, even beaten. Unable to withstand the violence of Madame de Rua decided to go, so in love with her groom. The fugitives soon found that the boy was killed, and the woman managed to escape in the French court. But that didn’t stop the enraged, insulted the man and he began to retaliate. Anyone who got in his way, fell with a slit throat.

Maid extinguished the candle, and pressed his whole body against the wall, hoping her wouldn’t notice. But instead shadows seemed even—contoured silhouette, clearly belonged to the man: broad shoulders, oval face, small beard. Jesse closed his mouth, quietly whispered: «Oh, Holy virgin, protect me». The man was coming closer and closer. Hearing his breath, the young woman screamed. But…it was only Mr. Mocenigo.

– You?! – did not keep the exclamation English.

– What are you doing here at midnight? – rudely asked the gentleman.

– Your Excellency, I’m sorry, I didn’t recognize You, "hastily curtsied maid.

– Why at such a time you’re wandering around the corridors? Haven’t you heard the stories about the ruthless killer, prowling here in search of a rebellious wife? Want to become a victim? And who now with Mademoiselle de Frase? How dare you leave her alone?

– I wanted to see You, my Lord. Don’t worry, how could I leave my lady? With MS now Fitness.

– I listen to what you need?

– Sir, the last time miss Arabella was continually sad, thinking that his Majesty had changed her. Then they met in the garden. After hearing the speech of the poor ladies, the king asked her to come to him tonight, but then came the footman, and said that the sire changed his mind and does not want to see their favorite. This really angered my lady. She rushed off, most likely in the chambers of the Lord. I tried to stop her, but she wouldn’t listen. For a long time it was not. I got worried and went looking. Mademoiselle was sitting on the floor in the gallery in tears and blood… What happened to her? Did the king still struck Arabella is such a horrible, vile attack? Yes how dare he play the feelings of an innocent girl? – Jesse spoke, not watching their threat, treacherous words. The maid had no right to even have a bad word to say about his sovereign, and if these speeches were heard by someone else, then it would be a stupid head flew to the scaffold steps.

The Advisor listened carefully to his companion, but when he had finished, the man threw her to the wall, clutching her throat, through clenched teeth: – who are You, woman, to condemn the decision of the Emperor himself?! You can’t even think, dishonorable slave!

The frightened maid was trembling. Her eyes filled with tears of fear. Hand the lady clutched her throat with such force that it was hard to breathe: I’m not guilty…, " the voice of a servant shuddered.

Suddenly, Jessie and the nobleman fell silent. They looked at each other with a strange passion. The maid touched ALGID fingers of the palm, Mocenigo. A friend of the king bent over the girl and their lips connected in a searing kiss. Jesse closed his eyes. Now it seemed to her that the stars are falling from the skies, and nice cool wind wraps around the whole body. The young woman felt his breath, his hot lips and eyes. But it’s a love daze lasted only a moment. The maid freed from the sudden embrace, she ran down the hall to his room. Closing the latch on the door, an Englishwoman, breathing heavily, walked over to the mirror. Now she looked worried and scared. Always pale cheeks flamed red color, the eyes glowed with playful lights. Jesse didn’t understand what was happening to her: his heart heaved, his forehead a cold sweat. Why Mr. Mocenigo kissed her? He then felt a slight tug, or a true feeling? The maid admired the chief counselor to the French court for a long time, but now she felt something else – love. But like her usual maid of lower birth could rely on the attention of the most influential schemer Paris?

A dream girl heard a quiet moaning. Getting up from the bed, Jesse came out of his room and walked over to the bed mistress. Arabella, squirming in bed, moaned softly. Leaning over the lady, the maid whispered, trying to reassure her: «Hush, my lady, calm down. It’s all good.

But the young woman continued to mumble slurred speech. From her lips escaped the words:– Louis… darling… don’t leave me…, Madame screeched awake. Panting, she looked around: – What’s wrong with me? Where am I?

– All right. You had a nightmare.

Arabella leaned back on the silk pillows. – Bring me some water.

The maid, by submitting a glass, sat down beside me. After a few SIPS, young mistress, he set his Cup on the crystal table.

The sight of the girl stiffened, and his face became deadly pale.

– Mademoiselle, You are bad. I’ll call the doctor, "hastily decided English.

The daughter of the Duke, seizing the maid by the hand, replied sternly: «No, it is not necessary to call the doctor. I just had a horrible dream, "Arabella, never saying a word, got out of bed and headed for the door.

– Where are You, lady? – frightened maid.

I will go out in the garden.

– But now the night – puzzled said Jesse.

– So what? – Arabella, opening the door wide open, went down the stairs. Walking through the passages of the Palace, she went to the garden, separated by glass door. Opening the shutters, she went out to the patio ladies of the manor.

On the street «there was» a deep, impenetrable night. A huge moon, like a white, sparkling ball, filled his moon face of the sky. In the garden was not dark, even despite the fact that there were no burning torches or oil lamps. Yellowed leaves circling in a whirlwind of ruthless, icy wind. Early autumn seemed not beautiful, but harsh and cold.

Arabella motioned Jesse standing in the doorway, to leave.

– But, Madam, You freeze.

– To immediately leave me alone! Get out of here! – shouted a young woman.

Bowing, the maid rushed out.

The daughter of the Duke, falling on the marble bench, summed up his eyes to heaven. Bright star, like a fiery arrow, and disappeared over the horizon. At this time, from the lips of Arabella blurted out the words: – I will not rest until revenge on those who made me suffer…

Early in the morning when everything is still asleep, a lady’s maid was quietly embroidering in the alcove of the window. Suddenly appeared in the doorway personal maid Advisor: Jessie Higgins, wishes to see You, his grace Mr. Mocenigo, – notified it.

The maid, turning pale, went to the girl, "Me? What you need sir is the counselor?

– I do not know. But You have to come to him immediately.

– I can’t leave Mademoiselle de Frase itself. Fitness and went to the port to the dying father, "protested the maid.

– Don’t worry. Until Your return I’ll stay with mistress. Yes and she is asleep.

Nodding, the English lady took from a chest made of ivory, a veil and covered her hair. According to the laws of decency, woman, before meeting a man for the position above it, was hiding her hair under a cloak. Only a married lady, aged more than forty years, could not cover the head.

French yard was huge and consisted of several castles. In one of these palaces lived the ladies of the court, concubines, ladies-in-waiting and maids. Of course, the Queen was his estate, separated by corridors. In another castle was located advisers, ambassadors and all the men of the Royal court. And the possession of the king were everywhere. He also had his Palace, but most often was in the men’s yard. To get there, needed to pass all the estate.

Every step Jesse was constrained and the cowardly. Her movements were present timidity. Inside, everything was burning. This feeling seemed like a lovely girl, but nasty. Pulses were beating in his heart escaped from the breast, the whole body trembling like a leaf in the wind. The maid was now in a daze unusual, even though he knew that her lover, Mocenigo can punish. But even a death sentence from the lips of the noble English woman seemed sweet and unforgettable. A whirlwind of feelings prevailed mind and confidence. Anyway, the maid couldn’t forget the passionate kiss, beautiful, love. Jesse suddenly caught myself thinking that I’d give everything for one such touch.

Deeply immersed in their dreams, the maid did not notice how came to the study adviser. Now she had to knock and with a bow to enter the chambers of the Lord. But the place of this young girl, yielding to love the Vice, it went into a niche of the wall, and without knocking came in front of the Signor. He looked at the strange newcomer. But in his simple view was no surprise, no love, no anger, only indifference.

– Jesse – a little rough voice, Mocenigo brought the maid from the meditation.

– Your Excellency, I’m sorry, I was thinking, bowed in reverence the young maid.

«Hello, Jesse,» the Italian said in a calm tone, as if between them nothing happened last night.

– Sir, You wished to see me.

The nobleman stood up from the table, made from mahogany, and walked over to the maid: «Young lady, I would like to talk to You on a very important subject, – the face of the EA was so close to Jesse that the young woman closed her eyes, imagining how Mocenigo, takes her in his arms. Now she wanted again to feel that great feeling.

Jessie, moonlight, do not dream of what will never be.

A shiver ran over the body of an English woman. She shyly lifted up his gray eyes. – What are You?

– Do not pretend you do not understand what I’m talking about, girl. That kiss didn’t mean anything. It was only a gust. But You made a very big mistake. And for each mistake you need to be able to pay. And for your You’ll pay too.

– … What should I do? You’ll kill me? – not even fear, but a surprise has struck the heart of Jesse.

Signor, smiling, took the maid by the hand and led him to the window. His touch was not gentle, but the lady’s maid dreamed that this moment lasted an eternity.

– See? «asked the gentleman, pointing to the Bank of the river Seine.

Jesse cried. Ugly sight appeared before her eyes…

The sight of a maid was chained to the coast, where two strong men dressed in the garb of cops, dragged over the rocks woman. From the mouth of the unfortunate tried to escape the terrible screaming. The poor thing was down to the river and put him on his knees. As if she had not escaped, two strangers threw her on the neck with silk cord and tightened it up. After a few minutes the woman was already dead. Her lifeless body was put in a bag and thrown into the cold waters of the Seine.

From the mouth of a lady’s maid once again cry, but this time he’s muffled and quiet. From what I have seen of nightmare from an English girl felt dizzy, dark eyes. As she staggered, she raised her gaze to the nobleman: – why kill her?

– This girl was a highly respected special, the daughter of a Norman nobleman. The last years she lived at court, and was engaged with the count Bekinski. Once in the hallway the maid saw her in the arms of the Viscount of Anjou, my best friend. That is what the poor thing was executed, strangled and drowned in the water.

– What happened with the Viscount?

– He was sent into exile in Milan. From now on, there he is in the estate of Risoy.

– Why did You call me? – the tears gushed from his eyes, Jesse.

– I wanted You to look like ladies punish the guilty.

The young woman’s lips twisted in a sarcastic smile: – And You kill me so naturally, like just did that the heartless gendarmes?

– It was not me, and the king. And on Your m the shame will be known all over France. I will be nothing. I am the chief Advisor of our master, I – man, You’re just a pathetic woman, "Mr. ran her hand across the cheek of the maid.

Mocenigo, spoke these words threateningly and viciously. From his words, gaze and touch, she felt fear. With downcast eyes, she depressed voice said: – What do You want from me?

– Jesse, my moonlight, you know you’re about to get a penalty, maybe a link, or marriage. Are you ready for it?

– I’ll do anything you want. Just please, don’t tell anyone about this shame – whatever it was, the British feared for his life.

«That’s better, – a nobleman squeezed the wrist Jesse with such force that she cried. «Now listen to me carefully, girl. Miss Arabella trusts you fully. You know all its mysteries and secrets. Now you’re going to follow her every move and report to me.

Jesse froze. In her eyes there were tears shining: – what do You take me: a traitor or a spy? I’ll never spy on his mistress!

– Jesse, if you forgot, I’m not only a loyal friend, my lady, but also a subject of our king. Now she’s in a terrible condition and I fear that in anger she might commit some mistake. I want to know about every act, to prevent trouble. If you disagree, then you expect a penalty.

The young woman meekly nodded, trying to smile in agreement. But inside raged a storm. Grey eyes were blank and bottomless.

– Your smile is a sign of consent?

Jesse closed his eyes, trying to hold back tears: – I do not have the right to oppose Your instructions, my Lord.

Signor, leaning close to the girl, he ran his fingers over her cheek. – But be careful. At every step You can trap the trap.

– I understood everything. Don’t worry. I… I will be loyal to You until the end of his days. Do not doubt my loyalty to You, sir.

Hearing desirable, the Advisor nodded at the door, ordering the maid to leave the bedchamber. Quickly bowing, Jesse hurried off. In the eyes of she «stood» tears, heart unpleasantly pricked. The maid had a feeling like she needs to betray the whole world. Now she was between two fires. All the way the lady’s maid, with downcast eyes, pressed her hands to his chest…