“But then it is such a pretty name,” he pleaded. “Make me free of it for one night!”
“It is like an adventure,” she said. Behind the mask her eyes were like stars.
“An adventure, or a dream.” He led her out of the dance, away to an alcove behind great pots of flowers.
“Not a dream! Oh no, for then I should wake up, and I do not want to. I want to see your face at the unmasking.”
“You won’t see it, Letitia; I shall remain the Unknown.”
She sat down on the couch placed in the alcove. “But you will have to unmask, won’t you? Everyone must.”
He smiled, and shook his head. “To unmask would be to kill Romance, Letitia.”
She was doubtful. “Would it? But how shall I know you again if I do not see your face tonight?”
“Ah, but will you want to know me again? Or will you not regret the perfect hour?”
“No, I am sure I shall not. And of course I shall want to know you again. Shall you not want to know me?”