"Then you will find a chair in the recess behind the curtains, yonder—and, when you are tired, there is a door, which slides without noise, opening into a private corridor leading to the Garden. Comprenez vous, Monsieur le Prince?"
I laughed. "Perfectly," said I. "And I may have Colonel Moore with me? There will be many faces I shall not know."
"He is without?" she asked.
"Yes—and costumed somewhat like myself."
She touched a bell; I held up my mask.
"Admit the gentleman in black velvet, like Monsieur," she ordered.
"Goodness!" she exclaimed, when Moore entered.
"Puzzle," said I. "Pick the Archduke."
"Impossible—and, if you two go around together, some of my guests will think they are getting double vision very early in the evening."
From the recess, we could see all that entered and hear every word said. And it struck me how very eloquent it was of the character of the Marquise de Vierle that she should, deliberately, provide a concealed audience while she greeted—alone—every man and woman of Dornlitz Society. I must admit I rather enjoyed the experience—though I very rarely guessed the face behind the mask. It is astonishing how effectively an unusual costume disguises even those we know well.