Somehow Eric felt savage to-night, and he wondered whether it would not serve this man just right if he did get into trouble with some of the envious young beaux who followed him about as though only waiting a good chance to carry off his partner by force.
A traitor deserved such punishment.
“I’ll never believe in a man again,” said Eric to himself, filled with shame and disgust for his sex; “by Jove! they’re all alike, a miserable crowd of deceivers, every one.”
He forgot that he belonged to the same sex, and that his very indignation proved his words exaggerated, since he could not share in such evil plottings, and there must be others like him.
He wandered up and down.
Now and then he saw the couple, but much of the time they were lost to his view.
Darrell remained near the exit.
It was nearly twelve o’clock, when the order to unmask would be given.
Some who did not care to remain and be recognized were already flitting.
He believed those whom he watched would do likewise, and it was his desire to get outside at the same time to hear the directions given to the driver if any were uttered.