Page:The fortunes of Fifi (IA fortunesoffifi00seawiala).pdf/223

 Then Fifi told him about some of the tricks she had played on poor Louis, and Cartouche was obliged to laugh.

"At least, Fifi," he said, "you shan't marry me, until you have consulted his Holiness."

"And his Majesty," replied Fifi gravely. "Who would think, to see us supping on pork chops and onions, that our marriage concerned such very great people!"

Cartouche went to his garret presently, still drowned in perplexities, but with a wild feeling of rapture that seemed to make a new heaven and a new earth for him.

Fifi, next morning, proceeded to lay out her plans. She did not go near the theater until the afternoon. Then she put on her yellow and purple brocade, her large red and green satin cloak, her huge hat and feathers and reinforced with the alleged diamond brooch, and sending out for a cab, ordered it to carry her and her magnificence across the street to the manager's private office.

Duvernet, thinking Fifi had come to her senses, and would ask, instead of demanding, her place back, received her coolly. Fifi was charmingly affable.