Page:The fortunes of Fifi (IA fortunesoffifi00seawiala).pdf/71

 he would be a desirable parti for his money as well as for his solid virtues, and determined to propose to him before another year should pass.

Cartouche had forgotten about the lottery ticket, but just as he was leaving, he remembered it and handed it to Fifi. At the sight of the numbers on it, Fifi shrieked:

"Take it away! Take it away! It will bring bad luck! Take it away!"

"I won't," replied Cartouche, "and do you, Fifi, take care of it. You may draw the hundred-thousand-franc prize in the lottery yet. Just as likely as not the prizes are put on the numbers that nobody would choose."

This somewhat reconciled Fifi to the danger of keeping number 1313; so she reluctantly put it away in the box where she kept her treasure of a paste brooch, remarking meanwhile:

"If it draws the hundred-thousand-franc prize, I will marry you, Cartouche."

Again Cartouche turned red and pale. These jokes which seemed to amuse Fifi so much, cut him to the quick. He only growled:

"About as much chance of one as of the other."

And then a great melodious deep-toned bell in