“Some say his nose is cut off,” remarked one of the young people.
“And others, again,” added a third, “say that he is the handsomest young fellow in the world; and that he has permitted himself to be seen in the faubourg, and by some persons with whom he has formed a friendship.”
“It would appear,” resumed the major, “that he does not wear his mask at all within his own establishment; but reports are very conflicting about his face. A young boatwoman, who was almost ill with curiosity, managed to induce him to remove the mask, and fell quite ill with fright at seeing a death’s head.”
“Certainly this Waldo must be the devil himself,” said Margaret, “if he can appear as a handsome young man or a frightful spectre. Young ladies, don’t you all want to see him?”
“Do you, Margaret?”
“Let’s all confess that we are wild to see him, and that at the same time we are terribly afraid!”
“They say he is coming here, do they not?” asked one of the young girls.
“He is here now, according to the latest accounts,” answered the major.
“What, really?” cried Margaret; “has he come already? Shall we see him? Is he in the ball-room now?”
“Oh,” said Cristiano, “that would be rather a difficult matter.”