At this moment the music for the quadrille struck up, and gentlemen began to select their partners. Two or three were coming towards Sybil and Beatrix. So with a parting caution to Beatrix to be careful, Sybil left the saloon.
She glided up to her chamber, where she was soon joined by Beatrix.
They began rapidly to take off their dresses, to exchange them.
“Oh, I have had so much amusement!” exclaimed Beatrix, laughing. “Everybody took me for you. And oh, I have received so many flattering compliments intended for you; and I have heard so much wholesome abuse of myself! That I was fast; that I was eccentric; that I was more than half-crazy; that I had a dreadful temper. And you?”
“I also received some sweet flattery intended for the pretty little Puritan maiden, and learned some bitter truths about myself,” answered Sybil.
“How hollow your voice is, Sybil! Bosh! who cares for such double-dealing wretches, who flatter us before our faces and abuse us behind our backs?” exclaimed Beatrix, as she quickly finished her Puritan toilet, and announced herself ready.
Sybil was also dressed, and they went down stairs and entered the drawing-room together.
The last quadrille before supper was over, the supper-rooms were thrown open, and the company were marching in.
Captain Pendleton hastened to meet Sybil, and another gentleman offered his arm to Beatrix, and thus escorted, they fell in the line of march with others.
As each couple passed into the supper-room, they took off their masks, and handed them to attendants, placed for that purpose, to the right and left of the door. Thus, when the company filled the rooms, every face was shown.