The invitation and the borrowed necklace

An unhappy wife. Matilda Loisel is pretty, but was born 'as if through an error of destiny' into a family of clerks. She has no dowry and no way to meet rich men, so she marries a petty clerk in the office of the Board of Education. They are modest, not poor: she even has a little maid. But she dreams of rich rooms, silks and fine dinners, and is always unhappy.

The invitation. Her husband comes home proudly with an invitation: 'The Minister of Public Instruction and Madame George Ramponneau ask the honour of M. and Mme Loisel's company' at a ball, Monday 18 January. Instead of being pleased, she throws it on the table and weeps: 'I have no dress.'

Four hundred francs. He asks how much a simple, suitable dress would cost. She thinks, then says four hundred francs. He grows a little pale: he had saved exactly that to buy a gun for hunting with friends. He gives it to her anyway.

Now, the jewels. As the ball comes nearer she is sad again: she has no jewels. 'It annoys me not to have a single jewel… I should almost rather not go.' He suggests she borrow from her rich school friend Mme Forestier. Mme Forestier opens her jewel box, and Matilda chooses a superb necklace of diamonds.

The ball. 'Mme Loisel was a great success. She was the prettiest of all', elegant, smiling and full of joy. All the men noticed her. She dances until about four in the morning, while her husband sleeps in a little room with other husbands. Leaving, she hurries away so the rich ladies in furs won't see her modest wraps.