“It is so reported,” replied Johan, “but the contrary is also asserted; and his lordship, as well as all the company, and the ladies particularly, are extremely anxious to know what they are to believe.”
“I certainly could not subject myself to the pain of gratifying such a misplaced desire as that. I prefer to supply you with evidence which will enable you to dissuade them.”
As he spoke, Christian, relying upon the dim light which he had provided, lifted his black silk mask, and, as it were precipitately, and with a kind of desperate effort, suffered the major-domo to behold, for a moment, a second mask of waxed cloth, so skilfully made that it bore every resemblance to an actual human face; without close examination by a strong light, no one would have suspected the cheat. And what a face was thus disclosed—flat-nosed, sallow, and horribly blemished by a great wine-colored birth-mark! Johan, in spite of his suspicious nature, was deceived, and could not refrain from an exclamation of disgust.
“I really beg your pardon, my dear friend,” he exclaimed, recovering himself, “you are much to be pitied; and yet, your talent and your wit are advantages which I envy you.”
The major-domo was himself so ugly that Christian could scarcely refrain from bursting into a laugh at the idea that he should consider himself so much handsomer than the mask.
“And now,” he said, after replacing the black mask, “tell me frankly why you were so anxious to know the extent of my ugliness.”
“Mon Dieu!” exclaimed Johan, after a moment’s hesitation, assuming a confiding air, “I’ll tell you. And, by the way, if you would help me to find out a certain secret—a foolish joke which more than one person here is interested in discovering, you would confer a great obligation—you know what I mean—an obligation that would be munificently rewarded by the master of the house. It’s a mere piece of pleasantry; there’s a bet about it.”
“I would like nothing better,” answered Christian, curious to hear the communication, whose nature, however, he anticipated; “what is it?”
“You are lodging at Stollborg, are you not?”
“Yes; you would not take me in here.”