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 to Fifi; nor was she reassured by each of the Italians declaring vehemently that his rival's monkey was as fierce as a lion and a disgrace to the simian tribe. Fifi secretly thought that both of them were telling the truth in that respect, and totally disbelieved them when each swore that his own monkey was a companion fit for kings. All Fifi could do, therefore, was to say, with an assumption of bravado:

"I will give you each two francs if you will go away and bring the monkeys to-morrow."

"Three francs!" shouted one of her compatriots, while the other bawled, "Five francs!"

Fifi had as much as ten francs about her, so she gladly paid the ten francs, and the Italians departed, each swearing he would come the next day, and would, meanwhile, have the other's blood.

Fifi returned to the drawing-room. On the hearth-rug stood Louis, pale and determined.

"Mademoiselle," he said, "there must be an end of this."

"Of what?" asked Fifi, innocently.

"Either of the performances of yesterday and to-day, or of our arrangement to marry."