Chapter I: A Scion of Royalty in Tatters—“take Pity on the Orphan

DESCENDANTS OF HENRY II. KING OF FRANCE” 1

II. THE SAINT-REMIS OF VALOIS—A TRAMP UP TO THE CAPITAL 3

III. MANTUA-MAKER’S APPRENTICE—PENSIONER UNDER THE CROWN—BOARDER
IN A CONVENT 7

IV. THE DIAMOND NECKLACE ORDERED, BUT NOT SOLD 13

V. AT BAR-SUR-AUBE—COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE 19

VI. COUNTESS DE LA MOTTE—IN BARRACKS AT LUNÉVILLE—ON A FIFTH
FLOOR IN PARIS—ENSNARES THE GRAND ALMONER 30

VII. OSCILLATES BETWEEN PARIS AND VERSAILLES—SENDS OUT
BEGGING LETTERS AND PETITIONS—FAINTS IN MADAME’S
SALLE D’ATTENTE—DESPAIR 40