"No...I am Mathilde Loisel."
Her friend uttered a cry.
"Oh!...my poor Mathilde, how you have changed!"
"Yes, I've had some hard times since I saw you last; and many sorrows...and all on your account."
"On my account!... How was that?"
"You remember the diamond necklace you lent me for the ball at the Ministry?"
"Yes. Well?"
"Well, I lost it."
"How could you? Why, you brought it back."
"I brought you another one just like it. And for the last ten years we have been paying for it. You realise it wasn't easy for us; we had no money...Well, it's paid for at last, and I'm glad indeed."