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: