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 exhibit, which would eclipse anything she had yet shown.

When she went to put this marvelous creation on, Madame Bourcet recovered speech enough to say:

"A thousand francs, I said a few minutes ago—two thousand I say now. Only ninety-eight thousand francs of her fortune is left—of that I am sure."

"I am not sure there is so much left," responded Louis gloomily.

The door opened and a vision appeared. It was Fifi in the spangled white ball gown à la grecque. The narrow, scanty skirt did not reach to her ankles. The waist, according to the fashion of the time, was under her arms, and the bodice was about four inches long. There were no sleeves, only tiny straps across Fifi's white arms; and her whole outfit could have been put in Louis Bourcet's waistcoat pocket.

Madame Bourcet fell back in her chair, with a groan. Louis rose, red and furious, and said in portentous tones:

"You will excuse me, Mademoiselle, if I retire behind the screen while you remain with that costume on in my presence."