For a moment it seemed as if they were going to sit down
to cards again, but suddenly everybody snatched her own money and then
everybody snatched at the money within her reach; and, calling each
other thieves, they struggled through the door, and I heard them
quarrelling all the way down the staircase. Bijou jumped from her
chair and followed her mistress.
"Help me to look," Marie said; and looking I saw her faint hands
seeking through the bed-clothes. Some jewellery was missing, a
bracelet and some pearls, as well as all her money. Marie fell back
among the pillows unable to speak, and every moment I dreaded a flow
of blood. She began to cry, and the little lace handkerchief was soon
soaking. I had to find her another. The money that had been taken had
been paid her by a _fournisseur_ in the _Quartier_, who had
given her two thousand francs for her _garniture de cheminee_. A
few francs were found among the bed-clothes, and these few francs, she
said, were sufficient _pour passer sa soiree_, and she begged me
to go the dressmaker to inquire for the gown that had been promised
for ten o'clock.
"I shall be at the Elysee by eleven. _Au revoir, au revoir!_ Let
me rest a little now. I shall see you to-night.
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