folly out of joint," said I,
rising. "And besides, we shall miss the best part of this dance."

She did not hesitate an instant. I led her to the floor, and we joined
the dancers. She was as light as a feather, a leaf, the down of the
thistle; mysterious as the Cumaean Sibyl; and I wondered who she might
be. The hand that lay on my sleeve was as white as milk, and the
filbert-shaped horn of the finger-tips was the tint of rose leaves.
_Was_ she connected with the ticket in my pocket? I tried to look into
her eyes, but in vain; nothing could I see but that wisp of golden hair
which occasionally brushed my chin as with a surreptitious caress. If
only I dared remain till the unmasking! I pressed her hand. There was
an answering pressure, but its tenderness was destroyed by the low
laughter that accompanied it.

"Don't be silly!" she whispered.

"How can I help it?"

"True; I forgot you were a fool in disguise."

"What has Romance done to you that you should turn on her with the
stuffed-club, Practicality?"

"She has never paid any particular attention to me; perhaps that is the
reason."

As we neared a corner I saw the Honorable Julius again. He stretched
forth his death's-head mask.

"Beware the ten of hearts!" he croaked.

Hang his impudence! . . . The Blue Domino turned her head with a jerk;
and instantly I felt a shiver run through her body. For a moment she
lost step. I was filled with wonder. In what manner could the ten of
hearts disturb _her_? I made up my mind to seek out the noble Roman
and learn just how much he knew about that disquieting card.

The music ceased.

"Now, run away with your benedictions," said the Blue Domino
breathlessly.

"Shall I see you again?"--eagerly.

"If you seek diligently." She paused for a moment, like a bird about
to take flight. "Positive, fool; comparative, fooler; superlative,
foolest!"

And I was left standing alone: What the deuce did she mean by that?

After all, there might be any number of blue dominoes in the land; and
it seemed scarcely credible that a guest at the Hunt Club would go to a
costumer's for an outfit. (I had gone to a costumer's, but my case was
altogether different. I was an impostor.) I hunted up _Imperator
Rex_. It was not long ere we came face to face, or, to speak
correctly, mask to mask.

"What do you know about the ten of hearts?" I began with directness.

"I am a shade; all things are known to me."

"You may