The Lacemaker's Story:

My name is called Elys. I was born to the household of Chartres. My father was the young Viscount of Chartres and my mother, Elle, was his fantine. When it was discovered that my mother was with child, her betrothed, a groom in the service of Savoy, refused her. She also incurred the displeasure of the Madame de Chartres. My mother was only too glad to leave this world, bathed in the blood of childbirth. So, noble blood brought me no good fortune; I came into the world an orphan. Julie, the nurse in the household, who cared also for the Mademoiselle, took me to suckle.
When I was but four years old, the Viscount died, and the household removed to the country. I was left behind in Paris and attached in service to the Palace lacemakers. There, I grew and learned the skill of the pins and needles.