g since we have
been here. Today it comes just in the nick: I can cover my dress with
your cloak, hiding my mask and turban under it; and so, when the music
is over, I may go straight to the ball."

Emilius muttered between his teeth as he went for the cloak to his
wardrobe, and then, forcing himself to put on an ironical smile, he
gave it to Roderick who was already on his legs.

"There, I'll leave you my Turkish dagger that I bought yesterday,"
said the mask, as he wrapt himself up: "Take care of it for me; it is
a bad habit, this carrying about toys of cold steel: one can never
tell what ill use may not be made of them, should a quarrel arise, or
any other knot that it is easier to cut than untie. We shall meet
again tomorrow; good bye; a pleasant evening to you." He did not wait
for an answer, but ran down stairs.

When Emilius was alone, he tried to forget his anger, and to look only
at the laughable side of his friend's behaviour. His eyes rested on
the shining, finely wrought dagger, and he said: "What must be the
feelings of a man who could thrust this sharp iron into the breast of
an enemy! but oh, what must be his who should hurt a beloved object
with it!"

He lockt it up, then gently folded back the window shutters, and lookt
across the narrow street. But no light was stirring; the opposite
house was quite dark; the dear form that dwelt in it, and that was
wont to appear there about this time engaged in divers household
affairs, seemed to be absent. 'Perhaps she may be at the ball,'
thought Emilius, little as it sorted with her retired way of life. Ere
long however a light came in: the little girl whom his beloved unknown
had about her, and with whom she used to pass a great part of the day
and of the evening, carried a candle through the room and closed the
shutters. A chink still let the light through, wide enough for
Emilius, where he stood, to overlook a part of the little room: and
there the happy youth would often stay till after midnight as if
charmed to the spot, watching every motion of her hand, every look of
her beloved face. It was a joy to see her teaching the child to read,
or giving her lessons in sewing and knitting. On inquiry he had learnt
that the little girl was a poor orphan, whom his fair maiden had
charitably taken into the house, to educate her.

Emiliuses friends could not conceive why he lived in this narrow
street, in this comfortless lodging, why he was so little to be seen