THE NECKLACE 项链 Mathilde Loisel was one of those poor girls， pretty，charming and romantic，who，in spite of their romantic dreams，are married to a mediocrity．Her husband was a clerk in the Ministry of Education． One evening her husband came home with an air of triumph． “I have something nice for you，”he said，giving her a large envelope． She tore open the envelope，which contained the following printed card： “The Minister of Education and Madame Georges Ramponneau have the honour to request the company of Monsieur and Madame Loisel at the office of the Ministry on Monday evening，January 18th．” She did not seem delighted．On the contrary，she flung the invitation card on the table，and said spitefully： “What's that to me？” “Why，my dear，I thought you'd be pleased．You like a dance，don't you？You hardly ever go out，and this is really a good chance for you．I had no end of trouble to get it．Every one wants it，you know．All the officials will be there，but only a few clerks are invited．” She looked at him ruefully and exclaimed： “What do you expect me to wear at a party like that？” It never occurred to him that she had no pretty dresses nor jewels．He replied hesitatingly： “Why，the dress you wear when you go to the theatre looks very nice to me．” She burst into tears．Why did she marry such a dull，stupid fellow？Only because she was born into a poor family．Oh，cruel trick of destiny！ “What's the matter？”he asked anxiously． “Nothing，”she answered with an effort．“It's only that I haven't a suitable dress，and so I can't go to the ball．Give this card to a friend of yours whose wife has a better wardrobe than I．” It was a heart-breaking confession． ...
