Page:The fortunes of Fifi (IA fortunesoffifi00seawiala).pdf/152

 *press," she said with a grand air, knowing she had ten thousand francs in her pocket.

One was produced which might have looked well on the dowager empress of China, but scarcely on an occidental. It was a stupendous stripe of red and green satin, which might have served for the grid-*iron on which Saint Lawrence was broiled alive. It had large sleeves, which Fifi insisted must be trimmed with heavy lace and deep fur. In a twinkling this was fastened on, and Fifi approved.

"And now a fan," she said.

Dozens of fans were produced, but none of them preposterous enough to suit Fifi's purpose and her costume. At last she compromised on a large pink one with a couple of birds of paradise on it.

Oh, what a picture was Fifi, parading up and down before the mirror, and saying to herself:

"I think this will finish him."

The amount, for the costume, cloak, hat and fan was nearly two thousand francs. Fifi regretted it was not more.

"And now," she said, "some negligées, with rich effects; you understand."

Fifi's taste being pretty well understood in the establishment by this time, some negligées were