monsieur, only a black domino!"

It was the loveliest laugh, Ryder was instantly aware, and the
loveliest voice in the world. Yes, and the loveliest eyes.

He forgot the crowd. He forgot the heat. He forgot--alas!--Jinny
Jeffries. He was aware of an intense exhilaration, a radiant sense
of well-being, and--at the music's beginning--of a small palm
pressed again to his, a light form within his arm ... of shy,
enchanting eyes out from the shrouding black.

"Do put that veil away," he youthfully entreated. "It's quite time.
The others are almost all unmasked."

Her glance about the room returned to him with mock plaintiveness.
She shook her head as they spun lightly about a corner.

"Perhaps, monsieur, I have an unfortunate nose."

"My nerves are strong."

"But why afflict them?" Prankishly her eyes sparkled up at him over
the black veil that made her a mystery. "Enjoy the present,
monsieur!"

"Are you enjoying it?"

Her lashes dropped, like black butterflies. She was a changeling of
a girl, veering from gayety to shyness.... Her gaze was now on her
wrist watch, a slender blaze of platinum and diamonds.