“Then you agree to marry Louis Bourcet?”
“I agree to marry Louis Bourcet,” replied Fifi, in a voice that sounded strange in her own ears. She did not know what else to say. Two months ago she would have replied briskly, “No, indeed; I shall marry Cartouche, and nobody but Cartouche.” Now, however, she seemed to be under a spell. It appeared to be arranged for her that she should marry Louis Bourcet, and Cartouche would not lift a finger to help her. And, strangest of all, in saying she would marry Louis Bourcet she did not really know whether she meant it or not. It was all an uneasy dream.
The Pope raised his hand to bless her. Fifi, looking at him, saw that the stress of emotion at seeing her was great. The pallor of his face had given place to a dull flush, and his uplifted hand trembled.
“You will come again, my child, when your future is settled?” he said.
“Yes, Holy Father,” replied Fifi, and sank on her knees to receive his blessing.
As she walked toward the door, the Holy Father called to her:
“Remember that Julie Campionet, in spite of her crimes toward you, is one of God’s children.”
Fifi literally ran out of the room. It seemed to her as if the Holy Father were taking Julie Campionet’s part.
CHAPTER VI
THE BLUE SATIN BED
Two weeks after the visit to Fontainebleau came the crisis—for Fifi was as surely tending toward a crisis as water flows downward and sparks fly upward. Madame Bourcet, armed with the Holy Father’s approval, represented to Fifi the necessity for her marrying Louis Bourcet. Fifi listened silently. Then, Madame Bourcet, eagerly taking silence for consent, said that Louis would that very evening accept formally of Fifi’s hand. To this also Fifi made no reply, and Madame Bourcet left the room fully persuaded that Fifi was reveling in rapture at the thought of acquiring an epitome of all the virtues in Louis Bourcet.