deal of money. Fifi, by way of administering a final shock, said:
"Anyway, the gown only cost five hundred francs, and that seemed to me little enough to pay for pleasing you, Louis. And yet, you do not seem pleased."
"I am not," responded Louis, who found Fifi's singular endearments as trying as her clothes.
The evening passed with the utmost constraint on every one except Fifi, who was entirely at her ease and in great spirits.
Madame Bourcet and Louis each spent a sleepless night, and next morning held a council of war in Madame Bourcet's bedroom. Another startling thought had occurred to them: where did Fifi get the money to pay for the outlandish things? On each parcel Madame Bourcet had noted the mark "Paid." Fifi had not gone to the bank; and yet, she must have had several thousand francs in hand. Possibly, she had more than a hundred thousand francs. The Holy Father might have presented her with a considerable sum of money the day he had the long interview with her.
There were many perplexing surmises; and, at
