“Oh, yes, I know. And they stood opposite to us. So that we danced with them more than with any one else! And my own hand turned cold every time it had to touch his. What a ghastly mask!”
“Yes, indeed. I wonder any man should choose such a one,” added Lyon.
“Who is he? Who is that mask?”
“Indeed I do not know. Some one among our invited guests, of course. But he maintains his incognito so successfully, that even I, who have discovered most people in the room, have not been able to detect his identity. However, at supper all will unmask, and we shall see who he is.”
“Look, is he still near me?” inquired Rosa, shaking as if with an ague.
Mr. Berners turned his head, and then answered:
“Yes, just to your left.”
“Oh! please ask him to go away! I freeze and burn, all in one minute, while he is near!”
That was enough for Lyon Berners. He arose and went to Death, and said:
“Excuse me, friend. No offence is meant; but your rather ghastly costume is too much for the nerves of the lady who is with me. I do not ask you to withdraw to some other part of the room; but I ask you whether you will do so, or whether I shall take the lady away from her resting-place?”