She was unconvinced: ‘No, that wouldn’t do at all. These women are rich. I should look silly.’

‘Well, you are a silly thing!’ cried her husband. ‘Go and see your friend Madame Forestier! Ask her if she’ll lend you something. You know her well enough, don’t you?’

‘Of course!’ she answered joyfully. ‘I never thought of that!’

And the next day, she went to her old friend straight away and explained the situation.

Madame Forestier walked up to her mirrored wardrobe and drew from it a large jewel casket. Opening it for her friend, she said: ‘There! My dear, choose whatever you like!’

Madame Loisel’s glance fell first on some bracelets, then on strings of pearls, a jewelled cross of Venetian glass, on gold and all kinds of precious stones, all beautifully set. In front of the mirror she tried various pieces on, hesitating and unable to choose what to take and what to put back.

‘Oh I don’t know!’ she said, ‘what else is there? Have I seen everything?’

‘No, indeed!’ said her friend, ‘carry on looking, do!’

Suddenly she came across a black satin-lined case containing the most superb diamond necklace. Her heart began to race with wild desire. Her hands shook as she put it on and it settled just above the neckline of the dress. She was ecstatic as she looked at her reflection in the glass.

‘Could I,’ she said hesitantly, and in an agony of hope, ‘could I take just this? Would you be willing?’

‘Of course! Certainly I would!’

She flung her arms around her friend, kissed her over and over, then ran off with the treasure in her hands.

*

The night of the soirée finally arrived. Madame Loisel was the belle of the ball. She was the most elegant and graceful woman there. Hers was the gayest smile and hers the greatest joy. Every man present looked at her admiringly, asked who she was and demanded an introduction. All the attachés lined up to waltz with her and the Minister himself took note.

She danced in a daze of pleasure and enchantment. The triumph of her beauty and her success went straight to her head and she felt enveloped in a haze of total happiness. Intoxicated by all the admiration and acknowledgements she received, all the desires she knew herself to have awakened in others, she experienced everything most dear and sweet to a woman’s heart.

At about four in the morning, she was preparing to leave. Her husband, together with three other gentlemen whose wives had also been enjoying themselves hugely, was asleep, as he had been since midnight, in a little-frequented side room.