but the brilliant festivities of the city, the
splendid balls of the Court, and the magnificent receptions in the
houses of the nobility.

"The Palazzo della Torre takes the lead of all," said one. "There were
upwards of three thousand masks there this evening, I 'm told, and the
gardens were just as full as the _salons_."

"She is rich enough to afford it well," cried another. "I counted twenty
servants in white and gold liveries on the stairs alone."

"Were you there, then?" asked the youth, whom we may at once call by his
name of Massy.

"Yes, sir; a mask and a domino, such as you see yonder, are passports
everywhere for the next twenty-four hours; and though I 'm only a
courier, I have been chatting with duchesses, and exchanging smart
sayings with countesses, in almost every great house in Florence this
evening. The Pergola Theatre, too, is open, and all the boxes crowded
with visitors."

"You are a stranger, as I detect by your accent," said another, "and you
ought to have a look at a scene such as you'll never witness in your own
land."

"What would come of such freedoms with us, Billy?" whispered Massy.
"Would our great lords tolerate, even for a few hours, the association
with honest fellows of this stamp?"

"There would be danger in the attempt, anyhow," said Billy.

"What calumnies would be circulated, what slanderous tales would be sent
abroad, under cover of this secrecy! How many a coward stab would
be given in the shadow of that immunity! For one who would use the
privilege for mere amusement, how many would turn it to account for
private vengeance."

"Are you quite certain such accidents do not occur here?"

"That society tolerates the custom is the best answer to this. There may
be, for aught we know, many a cruel vengeance executed under favor of
this secrecy. Many may cover their faces to unmask their hearts; but,
after all, they continue to observe a habit which centuries back their
forefathers followed; and the inference fairly is, that it is not
baneful. For my own part, I am glad to have an opportunity of witnessing
these Saturnalia, and to-morrow I 'll buy a mask and a domino, Billy,
and so shall you too. Why should we not have a day's fooling, like the
rest?"

Billy shook his head and laughed, and they soon afterwards parted for
the night.

While young Massy slept soundly, not a dream disturbing the calmness
of his rest, Lord Glencore passed the night in a state of feverish
exci