"But, Madame, you have made a mistake; I do not know you.
"Why, I am Mathilde Loisel!"
Her friend gave a start.
"Oh, my poor Mathilde," she cried, "how you have changed!"
"Yes; I have seen hard days since last I saw you; hard enough—and all because of you."
"Of me? And why?"
"You remember the diamond necklace you loaned me to wear at the Ministry ball?"
"Yes, I do. What of it?"
"Well, I lost it!"