“No, sir; on the contrary, I am surprised that a woman like me should be worth so much.”
“You are worth more than that, as I will show you; but just now I want all your attention.”
“No; talk, on the contrary, of anything, it does not matter what, so that we seem occupied.”
They walked on among the various groups. In a minute or two, Oliva asked a question.
“Talk as much as you like, only do not ask questions at present,” said her companion, “for I cannot answer now; only, as you speak, disguise your voice, hold your head up, and scratch your neck with your fan.”
In a minute, they passed a highly perfumed group, in the center of which a very elegant-looking man was talking fast to three companions, who were listening respectfully.
“Who is that young man in that beautiful gray domino?” asked Oliva.
“M. le Comte d’Artois; but pray do not speak just now!” At this moment two other dominoes passed them, and stood in a place near, which was rather free from people.
“Lean on this pillar, countess,” said one of them in a low voice, but which was overheard by the blue domino, who started at its sound.
Then a yellow domino, passing through the crowd, came up to the blue one, and said, “It is he.”
“Very good,” replied the other, and the yellow domino vanished.
“Now, then,” said Oliva’s companion, turning to her, “we will begin to enjoy ourselves a little.”
“I hope so, for you have twice made me sad: first by taking away Beausire, and then by speaking of Gilbert.”
“I will be both Gilbert and Beausire to you,” said the unknown.
“I do not ask you to love me, remember; I only ask you to accept the life I offer you—that is, the accomplishment of all your desires, provided occasionally you give way to mine. Just now I have one.”
“That black domino that you see there is a German of my acquaintance, who refused to come to the ball with me, saying he was not well; and now he is here, and a lady with him.”
“I do not know. We will approach them; I will pretend that you are a German, and you must not speak, for fear of being found out. Now, pretend to point him out to me with the end of your fan.”
Oliva obeyed with a docility which charmed her companion.
The black domino, who had his back turned to them, did not see all this; but his companion did. “Take care, monseigneur,” said she; “there are two masks watching us.”