Page:The fortunes of Fifi (IA fortunesoffifi00seawiala).pdf/162

 l'Echelle. Any person bringing a monkey will receive a franc for his trouble, if the monkey is not purchased.'"

"Do you wish any snakes or parrots, Mademoiselle?" asked the man, pocketing his ten francs.

"No, thank you; the monkey, I think, will answer all my purposes," responded Fifi with dignity.

It was then past noon, and Fifi, having spent a most enjoyable morning, called a fiacre and directed the cabman to take her home.

Just as she turned into the Rue de l'Echelle she heard some one calling after her:

"Mademoiselle! Mademoiselle Fifi!"

It was Angéline, very red in the face, and running after the fiacre. Fifi had it stopped and Angéline clambered in. Before she had a chance to begin the fault-finding which is the privilege of an old servant Fifi cut the ground from under her feet.

"Why did you desert me as you did, Angéline?" cried Fifi indignantly. "You saw me swept off my feet, and carried along with the crowd, and instead of following me—"

"I did not see you, Mademoiselle—it was you—"