ey and I turned
and bowed. It was the Marquise de Vierle, wife of the French
Ambassador.

"How about her Masque to-night?" I asked; "will it be worth while?"

"It's very evident you are new to Dornlitz," Courtney observed--and
Lady Helen laughed.

"The Vierle Balls outrival even the Court functions," she explained.

"Are you going?" I asked her.

"I am, indeed."

"And you, Courtney?"

"I shall look in late."

I motioned to Moore. "Who is on duty to-night?" I asked.

"I am, sir."

"Could you manage two costumes for the Vierle Masque?"

"Quite readily, sir."

"Very good," I said. "And let them be as near alike as possible," I
added.

By this time the Field was almost deserted, and, at Lady Helen's
suggestion, Courtney and I turned our horses over to my orderly and
drove back with her.

"I suppose," said I, "that fancy dress is required to-night."

"It is absolutely _de rigueur_," said Courtney; "and there is no
unmasking."

"Really!" said I. "It promises very well."

"And it realizes all it promises--maybe, a bit more," Lady Helen
laughed.

"How shall I recognize you?" I asked.

She considered a moment. "I am to stay the night with the Marquise,
and we shall both wear white silk court gowns of the period of Henry of
Navarre. I'll also put a red rose in my hair."

"And I," said Courtney, "will be caparisoned in a plum velvet court
suit, a la Louis Quinze. You will know me easily by the awkward way I
handle the high red heels."

"As I don't know what Moore will provide for me," said I, "I will adopt
Lady Helen's rose; and, as I can't fasten it in my hair, I'll carry it
in my mouth."

"A good idea," said Courtney; "and I'll put one in my button hole."

XXI

THE BAL MASQUE

When Moore and I entered the French Embassy, that night, my own valet
could not have distinguished which was the Aide and which the Archduke.
By some means, which I did not bother to inquire, Moore had secured two
suits of black velvet, of the time of the Thirteenth Louis, which were
marvels in fit and style. We were of one height and very similar in
frame--there being but a few pounds difference in our weights--and,
with the long curls under the big hats with their flowing plumes, and
the black silk masks, we were as alike as twins. Even our swords were
similar--long, leather-sheathed rapiers with dead gold hilts.

Under my doublet I laced the steel vest Bernheim brought me. It and
one other were made