Page:The fortunes of Fifi (IA fortunesoffifi00seawiala).pdf/252

 heard in the street of the Black Cat. An imperial courier came riding to Fifi's door and handed in a letter with the imperial arms and seal. It was a notification that the next day, at noon, an imperial carriage would be sent for her that she might go to the Tuileries and be thanked personally by the Emperor and Empress for her magnificent generosity to the soldiers' orphans.

Fifi turned pale as she read this letter. She did not mind the Emperor, but the Empress. And what should she wear?

While considering these momentous questions, Duvernet rushed into the room. He had seen the courier and suspected his errand.

Fifi, with blanched lips, told him. Duvernet was nearly mad with joy.

"Oh," he cried. "If I was not already married to Julie Campionet and three other women I would marry you this moment, Fifi."

"Marry me!" cried Fifi, turning crimson, and finding her voice, which rose with every word she uttered. "Marry me! You, Duvernet! Marry Mademoiselle Josephine Chiaramonti! No! A thousand times no! Julie Campionet is good enough for you."