the same shrine as the white wig, and then she clasped to her breast Cartouche's javelin, made from a broomstick, and it seemed to her almost as if she were clasping Cartouche. It put the notion into her head to write him a letter, so she hastily closed her trunk, and sat down to write.
"Cartouche, I went out this morning, and spent ten thousand francs of that odious money I won through that abominable lottery ticket you gave me. I should think you would never cease reproaching yourself if you knew how miserable that lottery ticket has made me. I bought some of the most terrible gowns you ever saw, and a bed that cost five thousand francs, and which the Empress couldn't buy. I shall tell poor Louis and Madame Bourcet that these gowns are for my trousseau—but, of course, I have not the slightest idea of marrying Louis. I made up my mind not to last night, the very moment I promised—and so I wrote to you before I slept. It is not at all difficult to spend money; it is as easy to spend five thousand francs for a bed as five, if you have the money. And I had the money in my reticule. I shan't tell you now how I got it, but I did, just the same, Cartouche.
