Rising action is action that leads up to the climax and is suspenseful. The rising action in this short story is when Mathilde has to find something to wear to the ball. Her husband, time and time again gives her a solution, he suggests that she could borrow some jewelry from her old friend Madame Foristier. Madame is a very wealthy elderly woman and was open to her borrowing some jewelry for the ball. Mathilde takes a beautiful necklace and now has the confidence for the ball and knows she will looks great and is looking forward to it now.