Chatting, we had circled about to the conservatory. A number of couples were there and, through the palms, I saw Elaine and Mephisto laughingly make their way.
As my spotted domino partner and I swung around again, I happened to catch another glimpse of the gray friar. He was not dancing, but walking, or rather stalking, about the edge of the room, gazing about as if searching for some one.
In the conservatory, Elaine and Mephisto had seated themselves in the breeze of an open window, somewhat in the shadow.
"You are Miss Dodge," he said earnestly.
"You knew me?" she laughed. "And you?"
He raised his mask, disclosing the handsome face and fascinating eyes of Del Mar.
"I hope you don't think I'm here in character," he laughed easily, as she started a bit.
"I—I—well, I didn't think it was you," she blurted out.
"Ah—then there is some one else you care more to dance with?"
"No—no one—no."