Page:The fortunes of Fifi (IA fortunesoffifi00seawiala).pdf/225

 *ble about the omnibus. Fifi, however, was perfectly well acquainted with the ways both of the omnibus and diligence, and only inquired about them to impress upon Duvernet the immense gulf between the Fifi of yesterday and the Mademoiselle Chiaramonti of to-day. She finally rose and sailed off, but returned to ask the amazed and disgusted Duvernet to get her a cab to take her across the street.

"I can walk, Monsieur," she said condescendingly, "except that I am afraid of ruining my clothes. I carry on my back nearly four thousand francs' worth of clothes."

Duvernet, still staggered by her splendors, had to search the neighborhood for a cab—cabs were not much in demand in that quarter. But at last he found one, which transported Fifi and her grandeur across the way. It was clearly impossible that so much elegance should go on foot.

That night, again, she made a little supper for Cartouche, and Cartouche, feeling himself a guilty wretch, again went in and ate it, and basked in the sunlight of Fifi's eyes.