"The Necklace," a short story by Guy de Maupassant, is an example of how telling the truth can make all the difference in a person's life. In the story, Mathilde Loisel is introduced as "one of the pretty charming girls" (105). Because of her beauty, Mathilde believes that she should be a member of the class of wealth and prestige. Though she has the beauty associated with the upper class, her financial status still places her as a member of the poverty class. Her actual placement in society does not stop Mathilde from having a desire for the finer things in life. Consequently, Mathilde's vanity gets the best of her and puts her in a position where one choice can ultimately determine the rest of her life. She can either tell the truth and be set free from all feelings of guilt, or keep a secret and pay for it by giving up years of her life. Mathilde keeps the secret about the necklace and sacrifices ten years of her life that changes her physically and mentally.
             Upon accepting an invitation to a ball, Mme. Loisel borrows a diamond necklace from her friend Mme. Forestier. To her misfortune Mathilde loses the necklace, which brings her to a crossroad that will determine her fate. Mathilde follows the advice of her husband and does not admit to Mme. Forestier that she has lost the necklace; instead, she and her husband buy a replacement necklace at a costly price of ten years of their lives.
             The choice not to confess about the loss changes Mathilde's physical appearance greatly. The once elegant and attractive girl grows old and tired. After years of doing her own chores such as washing floors and clothes, Mathilde's body has grown weary and she has lost the glow that once surrounded her. Mathilde does attempt to reminisce about her evening at the ball and how she was the center of attention; however, reality quickly sets in when she looks at herself in the mirror and sees a woman sta...