[A Daughter of Eve by Honore de Balzac]@TWC D-Link bookA Daughter of Eve CHAPTER V 24/26
"Sic transit" all her fine things! all her presents and souvenirs went to the shops of the various dealers, where no one on seeing them would know how those flowers of luxury had been originally paid for.
It was agreed that a few little necessary articles should be left, for Florine's personal convenience until evening,--her bed, a table, a few chairs, and china enough to give her guests their breakfast. Having gone to sleep beneath the draperies of wealth and luxury, these distinguished men awoke to find themselves within bare walls, full of nail-holes, degraded into abject poverty. "Why, Florine!--The poor girl has been seized for debt!" cried Bixiou, who was one of the guests.
"Quick! a subscription for her!" On this they all roused up.
Every pocket was emptied and produced a total of thirty-seven francs, which Raoul carried in jest to Florine's bedside.
She burst out laughing and lifted her pillow, beneath which lay a mass of bank-notes to which she pointed. Raoul called to Blondet. "Ah! I see!" cried Blondet.
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