Page:The fortunes of Fifi (IA fortunesoffifi00seawiala).pdf/143

 Bourcet—for Fifi's prayers, like herself, were very primitive and childlike. Then, jumping up, she danced for twenty minutes, kicking as high as she could, until she finally kicked the picture of Louis Bourcet off the mantelpiece to the floor, on which it fell with a sharp crash.

Madame Bourcet, in the next room, stirred at once. Fifi again plumped down on her knees, and when Madame Bourcet opened the door Fifi was deeply engaged in saying her prayers. Madame Bourcet shut the door softly—the noise could not have been in Fifi's room.

As soon as Madame Bourcet was again snoozing, Fifi, moving softly about, lighted her candle and wrote a letter to Cartouche.

"Cartouche, my mind is made up. This evening I promised Louis Bourcet, in Madame Bourcet's presence, to marry him. When I had done it I felt as if a load were lifted off my mind, for as soon as the words were out of my mouth I determined that nothing on earth should induce me to keep my promise. I feel that I am right, Cartouche, and I have not felt so pious for a long time. I don't know how it will be managed. I