She had no dresses, no jewels, nothing. And she loved nothing but that; she felt made for that.
She would so have liked to please, to be envied, to be charming, to be sought after.
She had a friend, a former school-mate at the convent, who was rich, and whom she did not
like to go and see any more she suffered so much when she came back.
But, one evening, her husband returned home with a triumphant air, and holding a large
envelope in his hand.
“There,” said he, “here is something for you.”
She tore the paper sharply, and drew out a printed card which bore these words:
“The Minister of Public Instruction and Mine. Georges Ramponneau request the honor of M. and
Mine. Loisel’s company at the palace of the Ministry on Monday evening, January 18th.”