e domino as a black one, Signor,
if you choose to keep your own secrets," observed Antonio.

"Very true," replied I, "give me my mask."

Enshrouding myself in the sky-blue domino, I went down the stairs, threw
myself into the carriage, and directed Carlo to drive to the palazzo of
the Marquesa.

In half an hour we arrived at the entrance-gates of the Marquesa's
superb country seat. From these gates to the palazzo, a sweep of
several hundred yards, the avenue though which the driver passed was
loaded with variegated lamps, hanging in graceful festoons from branch
to branch; and the notes of music from the vast entrance-hall of the
palazzo floated through the still air. When I arrived at the area in
front of the flight of marble steps which formed the entrance of the
palazzo, I was astonished at the magnificence, the good taste, and the
total disregard of expense which were exhibited. The palazzo itself
appeared like the fabric built of diamonds and precious stones by the
genii who obeyed the ring and lamp of Aladdin, so completely was its
marble front hidden with a mass of many-coloured lamps, the reflection
from whose galaxy of light rendered it bright as day for nearly one
hundred yards around; various mottoes and transparencies were arranged
in the walks nearest to the palazzo; and then all was dark, rendered
still darker from the contrast with the flood of light which poured to a
certain distance from the scene of festivity. Groups of characters and
dominos were walking to and fro in every direction; most of them
retracing their steps when they arrived at the sombre walks and alleys,
some few pairs only continuing their route where no listeners were to be
expected.

This is an animating scene, thought I, as the carriage stopped, and I am
not sorry that I have made one of the party. As soon as I had
descended, I walked up the flight of marble steps which led to the
spacious hall in which the major part of the company were collected.
The music had, for a moment, ceased to play; and finding that the
perfume of the exotics which decorated the hall was too powerful, I was
again descending the steps, when my hand was seized and warmly pressed
by one in a violet-coloured domino.

"I am so glad that you are come; we were afraid that you would not. I
will see you again directly," said the domino; and it then fell back
into the crowd and disappeared.

It immediately occurred to me that it was my friend Albert who