Page:The fortunes of Fifi (IA fortunesoffifi00seawiala).pdf/176

 on the scene inwardly uncomfortable as to the meeting with Fifi. There sat Fifi, but without the least appearance of discomfort; on the contrary, more smiling and more at ease than they had ever seen her. The door to her bedroom was open, and as soon as Madame Bourcet and Louis entered they were saluted by an overwhelming odor of burning. Madame Bourcet, who was a fire-fiend, shrieked at once:

"Something is on fire! Go, go, inform the police; fetch some water, and let me faint!"

"There isn't the least danger," cried Fifi; "it is only my improper ball gown which is burning in my grate." And they saw, through the open door, the ball gown stuffed in the grate, in which a fire was smoldering. Some pieces of coal were piled upon it, to keep it from blazing up, and it was being slowly consumed, with perfect safety to the surroundings and an odor as if a warehouse were afire.

Madame Bourcet concluded not to faint, and she and Louis stood staring at each other. But they were not the only ones to be startled. The other tenants in the house had taken the alarm, and the bell in Madame Bourcet's lobby was being fran