"Well, I'll see, after this dance. Who is that black domino, pray?"
"That is more than I can tell you. He is the only man in the room whom I have not detected. He has not danced, nor spoken to any one, I think. I shall watch him closely and be near him when he unmasks."
"Yes, but that's rather uncertain. He may leave the room before then."
"That's very possible. He seems to be hovering near us. Suppose, after this dance, you draw him into conversation, and try to make him out? He seems to avoid me, and I am really very curious to know him."
"Very well, to gratify you, I will try to detect him; but my cousin—will you take that duty off my hands?"
"Yes, I will send a servant to inquire, and report the result to you."
"Thank you. How kind you always are! I should know that goodness of heart under twenty dominoes, and among a thousand people!"
My companion, bowing low, gave me a quick look from under the cowl of his monk's habit.
"You are too flattering," he said, and the dance ended.
The black domino was at my elbow, and nodding significantly to my partner, I turned abruptly to him, and said, still in imitation of Josephine's voice: