o hers now. If only she would struggle! Yes, he was
certain now that her eyes were blue. But they looked at him with a
menace which chilled his ardor. He dropped the hand from the mask and
released her wrist.

"No, I haven't the courage. If I take that mask from your face, it will
be the end. And I do not want this ever to end. If you will not let me
see your face of your own free will, so be it. I shall see it some day,
mark me. Fate does not cross two paths in this manner without a
purpose." He stepped back slowly. "You do not understand the lure of
that mask."

"Perhaps I do. I am beginning to admire your self-control, Mr. Hillard;
I am beginning to admire it very much. But I am tired now, and I must
ask you to go."

"Once more, will you let me see your face?"

"No. If, as you say, fate intends for us to meet again, you will see it.
But I have my doubts. So it is my will to pass out of your life as
completely as though I had never entered it; from one fog into another.
No, I am not a happy woman; I am not happy in my friendships. Listen to
me," and her voice grew low and sweet. "Let me appeal to your
imagination. This light adventure shall be a souvenir for your old age.
One night Romance stepped into your life and out of it. Think! There
will always be the same charm, the same mystery, the same enchantment.
Knowing nothing of me, there will follow no disillusions, no
disenchantments; I shall always be Cinderella, or the Sleeping Beauty,
or what your fancy wills. Do you understand me?"

He nodded.

"Nothing," she proceeded, "nothing lasts so long in the recollection as
a pleasant mystery. In other days, in other times.... Well, on my side I
shall recall this night pleasantly. Without knowing it, you have given
me a new foothold in life. I did not believe that there lived a single
man who could keep to the letter of his bargain. Presently you will
forget the chagrin. Good night! And do not lean out of any more
windows," she added lightly.

"You are right," he said reluctantly. "Something to dream over in my old
age. And certainly I shall dream of it; a flash of sunlight in the
shadow."

Then slowly he reached down toward her wine-glass. She understood his
purpose and essayed to stop him.

"Do not deny me this little thing," he said.

She let her hand fall. He took the glass, held it against the light to
see where her lips had touched it. Carefully he poured out the wine from
the opposite side and kissed