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 or was Fifi. And then the last information she gave me was that she was to marry you this day fortnight—"

"Ah!" cried Cartouche, gloomily.

"And said if I didn't give her back her old place as leading lady that I would have to part with you. I said something about Julie Campionet, and being my wife, and so on, and then Fifi flew into a royal rage, saying she would settle with Julie Campionet herself. Then Julie came rushing into the room, and she and Fifi had it out in great style. You never heard such a noise in your life—it was like killing pigs, and Julie fell in my arms and screamed to me to protect her, and Fifi started that infernal dog of hers to barking, and there was a devil of a row, and how it ended I don't know, except that both of them are vowing vengeance on me. But one thing is sure—I can't let a chance go of securing the Pope's cousin, who won the first prize in the lottery and gave away ninety thousand francs. And then—what Julie—"

The manager groaned and buried his head in his hands. Like the unfortunate Louis Bourcet, all he could make out was, that whatever he did would be highly imprudent.