Johannes was aware of some one standing just behind him. He looked round; it was the well-known tall figure. The pale face was strangely lighted up by the glare, so that the eyes showed as large dark caverns. He was muttering softly to himself and pointed with one finger into the splendid ball-room.
'Look,' said Pluizer, 'he is seeking out some one.'
Johannes looked where the finger pointed, and he saw how the old lady who was speaking closed her eyes and put her hand to her head; and how a fair young girl paused in her slow walk, and stared before her with a slight shiver.
'How soon?' Pluizer asked of Death.
'That is my affair,' was the answer.
'I should like to show Johannes this same company once more,' said Pluizer with a grin and a wink, 'can I do it?'
'This evening?' asked Death.
'Why not?' said Pluizer. 'There, time and the hour are no more. What now is has always been, and what shall be, is now already.'
'I cannot go with you,' said Death. 'I have too much to do. But speak the name we both know and you can find the way without me.'
Then they went a little way along the deserted streets where the gas was flaring in the night wind, and the dark cold water plashed against the sides of the canals. The soft music grew fainter and fainter, and at last died away in the hush which lay over the town.