dsome and I said 'thank you.' I
mean I don't agree with you."

"Oh!" she answered.

But I would have been better satisfied if I could have seen her face.

"I wouldn't let the Valerians know it," she went on. "He is the
perfect double of the great national Hero."

"So I've heard."

"And it's no small item in his popularity."

"I didn't know he was popular," I said.--This was getting interesting.

"Really, monsieur, your ignorance of the very matters, which you should
know, would suggest you are an American diplomat."

"Your Ladyship is severe," I said.

"I meant to be--though there are exceptions; the present Ambassador is
one. He ranks with the best of his fellows."

"Now, that," said I, "I have heard."

She laughed. "Come, monsieur, lay aside this affected ignorance and
gossip a bit. Is the American to marry the Princess Royal?"

"I thought you were insisting, a moment since, that he had a wife," I
observed.

"Oh, that's of no consequence. It will be very easy to divorce her."

Here, doubtless, was the popular view of this matter; and it gave me
the shudders.

Then the swing of a waltz came from the house.

"Shall we dance?" I said.

She smiled. "Monsieur is bored--let us wait for my friends."

I protested; but she was firm. And, so, when the others came up, Moore
and I made our adieux.

When we were out of hearing, Moore handed me a bit of paper.

"This just reached me,'" he said.

It was from the Secret Police and read:

"S. is at Vierle Masque. She wears a gypsy dress of black and red. L.
is also at Masque--he and Count Bigler are dressed alike in white
satin. L. came last and his presence is unknown to the Vierles for he
avoided unmasking by personating Bigler."

"So, they were the White Twins," I remarked.

"You knew them?"

"I knew only Lotzen."

"Hence your advice to our quick-tempered companion--who was he?"

"I couldn't make him out," said Moore; "but he knew the women and was
their escort from the house."

"He seemed to be a bit sour about something."

"My companion said it was because the Blue Masque chose you."

"She was very charming," said I. "Who was she?"

"I knew neither his nor mine," said he evasively.

"But mine?" I insisted. "She of the sweet voice--which, Colonel, I
observed, you noted."

He hesitated an instant; then answered:

"Mademoiselle d'Essolde."

"Indeed!" I exclaimed. If rumor spoke truly, Mademoiselle d'Essolde
carried Moo