She reflected a few moments, figuring in her own mind the sum she could ask without danger of immediate refusal and frightening her economical husband. Finally she hesitatingly said: "I do not know exactly; but it seems to me I might manage with about 400 francs." He paled a little, because he had been saving just that sum to buy a gun for the following summer, when he would go with some of his friends to the plains of Nanterre on Sundays to shoot larks. Stifling his regrets, however, he replied: "Very well, I will give you 400 francs, but try to have a beautiful dress." The day of the fête drew near; but Madame Loisel seemed sad, anxious, and uneasy. Her toilet was ready, what could it be? Her husband said to her one evening: "What is the matter? You have been so queer for the last few days!" She replied: "It worries me that I have not one jewel, not a precious stone to wear. What a miserable figure I shall be! I think I would rather not go at all!" "You can wear natural flowers; it is all the rage at this season, and for ten francs you can have two or three magnificent roses." But she was not convinced. "No; there is nothing more humiliating than to be poorly dressed among so many rich women." "But how silly you are! Go to your friend, Madame Forestier, and ask her to lend you her jewels. You are friendly enough with her to do that." She gave a cry of joy. "Yes; that is true--I had not thought of it." The following day she went to her friend and explained her predicament. Madame Forestier went to a closet and took out a large casket, and, opening it, said: "Choose, my dear; they are at your service." She saw first bracelets, then a necklace of pearls, a Venetian cross, gold and precious stones of exquisite workmanship. She tried them on before the glass, unable to decide whether to wear them or not. "Have you nothing else?" said she. "Oh, yes; look them over, I don't know what might please you." Suddenly she opened a black satin case, disclosing to view a superb rivière of diamonds, her heart beat furiously with the desire of possession. She took them in her trembling hands and put them on over her simple high-neck gown, and stood lost in an ecstasy of admiration of herself. Then, fearfully, hesitatingly, dreading the agony of a refusal: "Can you lend me only that?" "Why, certainly; if it pleases you." She fell on her friend's neck, embraced her tempestuously, and then left hastily with her treasure. The day of the ball arrived. Madame Loisel was a success. Among all the beautiful women she was the most beautiful, elegant, gracious, and smiling with joy. She attracted the attention of some of the most distinguished men present, and on all sides was heard: "Who is she?"