As he communed thus with himself, Chamoureau noticed a black domino, also walking alone, who had passed very close to him again and again within a few minutes, glancing constantly in his direction. It was a woman above middle height, very slender—too slender, in fact, because she was so everywhere; a few wisps of fair hair escaped from beneath her hood which came well over her forehead. The black mask was provided with a very ample barb; it was impossible to obtain a glimpse of any feature. The domino was simple and shabby, and the shoes were not elegant. But she was a lone woman, who had every appearance of being in quest of an adventure, and Chamoureau also pined for one.
"I will venture once more," he said to himself; "perhaps I shall have better luck this time!" and he approached the thin domino.
"It's very hot, is it not, lovely masker?"
"Yes, it's extremely warm here."
"Still, there are fewer people here than downstairs."
"True; it's much less crowded; it's more comfortable here."
"But I believe the heat ascends."
"Do you think so? it's quite possible; no doubt it does ascend."
"Otherwise it would be cooler here than downstairs."
"Oh! yes, of course; if it were cooler here——"