Page:The fortunes of Fifi (IA fortunesoffifi00seawiala).pdf/76

 to wish the fateful day were over, and that these strange dreams and hopes and fears about Fifi and the lottery ticket would vanish like shapes in a mist, and leave him in peace.

Then, there was that veiled suggestion from the Emperor that he knew something about Fifi's family which might change her whole destiny; and on the whole, Cartouche had good reason to go about looking like a sick bull, which was his way of showing a passionate solicitude for the being dearest to him on earth. And meanwhile, Julie Campionet went hot foot after the manager, and Fifi wondered why Cartouche was so gentle with her and so indulgent with Toto.

The lottery drawing was to be held on the tenth of January, in a large public hall of the arrondissement, the mayor presiding. The drawing was to begin at noon, and last until all the tickets were drawn. As the day drew near, Cartouche's fever of excitement increased, and when the morning of the tenth dawned he was as nervous as a cat. He knocked at Fifi's door early, and told her to be ready to go with him at twelve o'clock to the lottery drawing. Fifi responded sleepily, but when the hour came she was ready to accompany him.