Intoxication of the Party

The day of the ball drew near and Madame seemed sad, uneasy, anxious,her frock was ready, however,.

Her husband said to her one evening, What is the matter. come, you have seemed very queer these last three days.

And she answered, It annoys me not to have a single piece of jewelry, not a single ornament, nothing to put on. I shall look poverty-stricken. I would almost rather not go at all.

You might wear naturnal flowers. said her husband, They are very stylish at this time of year. For ten francs you can get two or three magnificent roses.

She was not convinced, no, there is nothing more humiliating than to look poor among other women who are rich.

How stupid you are. her husband cried, go look up your friend, and ask her to lend you some jewels,you are intimate enought with her to do that.

she uttered a cry of joy, true, I never thought of it.

The next day she went to her friend and told her of her distress.

Madame went to a wardobe with a mirror, took out a large jewel box, brought it back, opened it and said to her, choose, my dear.

She saw first some bracelets, then a pearl necklace, then a gold cross set with precious stones, of admirable workmanship.

She tried on the ornaments before the mirror, hesitated and could not make up her mind to part with them, to give them back. she kept asking, Haven't you any more? why, yes, look further. I do not know what you like.

Suddenly she discovered, in a black stain box, a superb diamond necklace, and her heart throbbed with an immoderate desire,her hands trembled as she took it.

She fastened it round her throat, outside her high necked waist, and was lost in ecstasy at her reflection in the mirror.

The she asked, hesitating, fill with anxious doubt, will you lend me this, only this. why,yes, certainly.

She threw her arms round her friend's neck, kissed her passionately, then fled with her treasure.

The night of the ball arrived, Madame was a great success. She was prettier than any other woman present, elegant, graceful, smiling and wild with joy.

All the men looked at her, asked her name, sought to be introduced. All the attaches of the Cabinet wished to waltz with her. She was remarked by the minister himself.

She danced with rapture, with passion, intoxicated by pleasure, forgetting all in the triumph of her beauty, in the glory of her success.

In a sort of cloud of happiness comprised of all this homage, admiration, these awakened desires and of that sense of triumph which is so sweet to woman's heart.