B) a necklace

In the short story "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant, Mrs. Loisel borrows a necklace from her friend Mme Forestier to wear at a fancy event. The necklace appears to be made of diamonds, and Mrs. Loisel believes it will help her look more elegant and wealthy.

Mrs Loisel borrowed a necklace from Mme Forestier. She did not borrow a bracelet or a Venetian Cross. Therefore, the correct answer is (b) a necklace.

Explanation:
- In the short story "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant, Mrs Loisel borrows a necklace from her friend, Mme Forestier.
- The necklace holds significant importance in the story as it becomes the catalyst for the series of events that lead to the downfall of the Loisel family.

Importance of the Necklace:
- The necklace represents wealth, luxury, and social status. Mrs Loisel borrows the necklace because she wants to appear wealthy and elegant at a high-class event.
- The necklace symbolizes Mrs Loisel's desire to escape her middle-class life and be accepted among the wealthy elite.

Reason for Borrowing the Necklace:
- Mrs Loisel borrows the necklace from Mme Forestier because she does not own any expensive jewelry herself. She believes that wearing a beautiful necklace will enhance her appearance and make her feel confident and admired at the event.
- She wants to make a good impression and be envied by others.

Misfortune and Consequences:
- Mrs Loisel loses the necklace at the end of the event but decides not to tell Mme Forestier and her husband. To replace the lost necklace, they buy another one from a jeweler, which plunges them into debt.
- The couple works hard for ten years to repay the debt, living a life of poverty and hardship.
- It is only at the end of the story that Mrs Loisel confesses to Mme Forestier about the lost necklace and learns that it was not a valuable piece but a mere imitation.

Lesson and Moral:
- The story highlights the theme of materialism and the consequences of being driven by appearances.
- Mrs Loisel's obsession with wealth and status leads to her downfall and a life of suffering.
- The necklace serves as a symbol of the importance society places on external appearances and the dangers of not being content with one's own circumstances.

In conclusion, Mrs Loisel borrowed a necklace from Mme Forestier, which ultimately leads to a series of unfortunate events. It serves as a symbol of her desire for wealth and status, and the consequences of being driven by appearances.