Page:The fortunes of Fifi (IA fortunesoffifi00seawiala).pdf/68

 A roar of laughter greeted this, but when it subsided, the proprietor advanced, and handing Cartouche a blue lottery ticket, said gravely:

"You have won, Monsieur Cartouche, in our lottery, and I hope you will win in the Imperial Lottery. The number of the ticket I offer you is 1313."

There was another shout of derision, and several of the disappointed ones commiserated with Cartouche on the load of ill luck he was carrying off with him in number 1313, but Cartouche stoutly maintained that there was nothing to be afraid of, and hurried back to the street of the Black Cat.

There was just time for him to get to the theater and dress. The people came pouring into the house, and the box office took in the enormous sum of two hundred and ninety-eight francs. It was again Duvernet's Roman tragedy, and it went finely. Fifi again acted as if inspired, and received any number of recalls, besides a wreath of holly, with an imitation silver buckle in it, handed over the footlights from an unknown admirer.

During the waits between the acts she told her fellow actors of Toto's charms and accomplishments, so that the other women, some of whom pos