Page:The fortunes of Fifi (IA fortunesoffifi00seawiala).pdf/254

 "I!"

Cartouche fell back in his chair.

"Certainly. I could never get along without you."

"But I couldn't go in the coach with you."

"No. You can be in the gardens, though, and if the Emperor wants you he can send for you."

Cartouche in the end concluded he might as well go, not that he expected the Emperor to send for him, but simply because Fifi wished him to go. And he decided a very important point for Fifi—what she should wear.

"Now, don't wear any of your wild hats, or that yellow gown, which can be heard screaming a mile away. Remember, the Emperor is not a Duvernet, and the Empress is not Julie Campionet. Wear your little black bonnet, with your black gown and mantle, and you will look like what you are—my sweet little Fifi."

This was the first word of open love-making into which Cartouche had suffered himself to be betrayed, and as soon as he had uttered it he jumped up from the supper table and ran to his own garret as quickly as his stiff leg would allow. Fifi caught Toto to her heart in lieu of Cartouche and