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Introduced to the main character Mathilde. She is mad about being born into a family of clerks and feels as though she belongs in the rich lifestyle. She married a simple clerk who isn't giving her the life she longs for. She desires to have more and be more.
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Mathilde's husband got two invitations to the affluent party. She was still not happy because she had no jewels or clothes for the ball. Her husband gave Mathilde his savings so she could go buy a new dress. She borrowed a diamond necklace from her friend Madame Forestier.
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Mathilde and her husband went to the party and she had the time of her life. Drawing the attention of everyone at the party. They left at 4 in the morning and when they got home Mathilde noticed the necklace was no longer around her neck.
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Mathilde told Madame Forestier that she had broken the clasp on the necklace and was going to get it fixed so shed return the necklace later that week. To give herself enough time to find the necklace or a replacement. Mathilde and her husband found a similar necklace for 36,000 francs. They used all the money and some borrowed money to buy the necklace and give it to Madame Forestier.
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The debt is paid off after 10 years. Mathilde's husband had to work more and Mathilde had to do all the housework.
Mathilde lost all her good looks and had aged in the face alot -
Mathilde bumped into Madame Forestier and confessed that she had lost her diamond necklace 10 years ago and that they had used all their savings to buy a replacement one. The Madame was shocked and told Mathilde that the original necklace was a fake.