Shehadnoclothes, nojewels, ; , tobedesired, tobewildlyattractiveandsoughtafter.
Shehadarichfriend, anoldschoolfriendwhomsherefusedtovisit, , withgrief, regret, despair, andmisery.
Oneeveningherhusbandcamehomewithanexultantair, holdingalargeenvelopeinhishand.
"Here'ssomethingforyou." hesaid.
Swiftlyshetorethepaperanddrewoutaprintedcardonwhichwerethesewords:
TheMinisterofEducationandMadameRamponneaurequestthepleasureofthecompanyofMonsieurandMadameLoiselattheMinistryontheeveningofMonday, Januarythe8th.
Insteadofbeingdelighted, asherhusbandhoped, sheflungtheinvitationpetulantlyacrossthetable, murmuring:
"Whatdoyouwantmetodowiththis?"
"Why, darling, Ithoughtyou', ; it'sveryselect, 'llseeallthereallybigpeoplethere."
Shelookedathimoutoffuriouseyes, andsaidimpatiently: "AndwhatdoyousupposeIamtowearatsuchanaffair?"
Hehadnotthoughtaboutit; hestammered:
"Why, , tome..."
Hestopped, .
"What'sthematterwithyou? What'sthematterwithyou?" hefaltered.
Butwithaviolenteffortsheovercamehergriefandrepliedinacalmvoice, wipingherwetcheeks:
"'tadressandsoIcan'."
Hewasheart-broken.
"Lookhere, Mathilde," hepersisted."Whatwouldbethecostofasuitabledress, whichyoucoulduseonotheroccasionsaswell, somethingverysimple?"
Shethoughtforseveralseconds, reckoninguppricesandalsowonderingforhowlargeasumshecouldaskwithoutbringinguponherselfanimmediaterefusalandanexclamationofhorrorfromthecareful-mindedclerk.
Atlastsherepliedwithsomehesitation:
"Idon'tknowexactly, butIthinkIcoulddoitonfourhundredfrancs."
