"We must see Elliston's masquerade first," said I.
"A very respectable exhibition, indeed," observed Bentinck.
"Oh! I never unmask, and nobody will find me out; but I've a natural turn for masquerading, and go I must."
King Allen put his long nose into the box, and his nose only. "Is Amy at home to-night?"
Fanny answered in the affirmative; adding, "But she is in her own box. Why do not you go to her to inquire?"
"Lord Lowther and some nasty Russians are with her," answered Allen.
"A ce soir, then," I said, kissing my hand to him, which was as much as to say, do not come in. He was kind enough to understand my hint.
Lord Molyneux shortly took his seat by my side, and I rated him about Mrs. Fitzroy.
"Remember Monday," said Fred Bentinck, as he left the box to make room for Mr. Napier and Colonel Parker, followed by the young Lord William Russell.
Lord Molyneux seemed to take pleasure in chatting with me, without desiring a nearer intimacy; and I was always very glad to see and laugh with his lordship. When he left me, Lord William began to whisper and stammer out something about the folly he was guilty of in coming to me as he did, and encouraging hopes which he knew would end in disappointment.