Read Online The Queen's Devotion: The Story of Queen Mary II by Jean Plaidy - Free Book Online

dancing with Henrietta Wentworth and the audience seemed to like it, for they applauded with enthusiasm.
    The King himself congratulated us all; then he kissed both Anne and me and said he had not known there was such thespian talent in the family, which made everyone laugh and applaud again.
    We were all very happy, except poor Margaret Blague, who was in a state of dire dismay, for her fears had been realized and she had indeed lost the diamond which she had been lent by Lady Frances Villiers.
    Poor Margaret! She had not wanted to be in the play in the first place. She had had to be persuaded that it was her duty, and now, to have lost a diamond which did not belong to her plunged her into the deepest gloom.
    Anne said, in her lighthearted way: “You must not worry, Margaret. It is certain that it will be found. It must have dropped onto the floor. Let there be a search.”
    I could see that there would be no comfort for Margaret until the diamond was found and returned to Lady Frances.
    Margaret was appalled to discover it was worth eighty pounds.
    I felt very sorry for her. Margaret was different from the others. She was more serious; at one time she had been in my mother’s household and my mother had thought very highly of her.
    She had said once: “Margaret Blague is a really virtuous girl. She is deeply religious and lives according to her beliefs. One cannot say that of many. Oh yes, they will attend the church services; they assume piety, but when it comes to the virtuous way of life they betray that they are merely making a show. With Margaret her religion goes deep.”
    I knew she thought playacting was sinful and I could not agree with her in that. Poor girl. She had been more or less forced into doing what she had not wanted to, and against her judgment to borrow the diamond. It was ironic that this should have happened to her.
    A search was made but the diamond was not to be found. It would be easy for someone to pick it up and pocket it. Who would be the wiser?
    â€œEighty pounds,” mourned Margaret. “I am not rich enough to pay Lady Frances such a sum.”
    â€œShe will not ask for it,” I comforted her.
    â€œBut I must pay it nonetheless. Otherwise how will she know that
I
have not stolen it?”
    â€œNo one could possibly suspect
you
of that.”
    â€œThere will be some,” insisted Margaret. “And how can I be happy again knowing that I have lost this valuable jewel?”
    It was true. If the diamond were not found, Margaret would remember it all her life.
    I could not stop thinking of her. The incident had put a blight on what should have been a happy evening.
    My father noticed my preoccupation. He had come to us full of enthusiasm.
    â€œCalisto! Nymphe! My clever little girls,” he cried. “You were enchanting. I was so proud of you both. We shall have Davenant wanting you to join his players.”
    â€œIt was Mrs. Betterton who helped us,” said Anne.
    â€œAh, she is a great actress and a charming lady, too.”
    â€œShe made us say our lines again and again, didn’t she, Mary?”
    â€œYes, she did.”
    â€œWhat ails you, daughter?” asked my father. “Is something wrong? You cannot hide your feelings from me, you know. Come. Tell me.”
    â€œIt is poor Margaret Blague.”
    â€œWhat of her?”
    â€œShe has lost Lady Frances’s diamond and is very frightened. She did not want to act in the first place, nor did she want to borrow the diamond.”
    My father grimaced. “A little puritan, eh?”
    â€œShe is really very good and now so unhappy because she thinks losing the diamond is some judgment on her for playing when she knew she should not do so.”
    â€œThese puritans can be something of a trial . . . as we found to our cost. Tell her not to worry. Doubtless the jewel will be found. If it is not . . . then it is lost.”
    â€œShe says she must pay for it and she