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 and so complex, and so very formidable. Fifi's resolution was taken in an instant. She meant to have it if it cost a thousand francs. She rather resented the air of patronage with which the clerk explained the beauties of the bed to her. He seemed to be saying all the time:

"This is but time wasted. You can never afford anything so expensive as this."

Fifi, calling up her talents as an actress, which were not inconsiderable, accentuated her innocent and open-mouthed wonder at the size and splendor of the bed. Then, intending to make a grand stroke which would paralyze the clerk, she said coolly:

"I will give you fifteen hundred francs for this bed."

The clerk's nose went into the air.

"I have the honor to inform Mademoiselle that this bed was made with a view to purchase by the Empress, but the cost was so great that the Emperor objected and would not allow the Empress to buy it. The price is five thousand francs; no more and no less."

Fifi was secretly staggered by this, but she now regarded the clerk as an enemy to be van