Cruel As The Grave

"Indeed, no; I have none. I am only nervous and hysterical, and

thoroughly ashamed of myself for being so," she answered, very

sincerely, for she was really thoroughly ashamed of her late jealousy,

and anxious to conceal it from her husband.

He looked at her so inquisitively, not to say so incredulously, that

she hastened to add; "This is really nothing but nervous irritability, dear Lyon. Do not

distress yourself about my moods."

"But I must, my darling. Whether their cause is mental or physical, real

or imaginary, I must trouble myself about your tears," answered Lyon

Berners, with grave tenderness.

"Then let it be about my next ones; not these that are past and gone.

And now to a pleasant topic. The ball that we are expected to give."

"Yes, dear, that is your affair. But I am ready to give you any

assistance in my power. Your cards, I believe, are all printed?"

"Yes; that was a happy idea to get the cards printed while we stopped in

New York."

"Now they only need filling up with names and dates."

"And the addition of one little word, Lyon."

"Well, and what is that?"

"Masks."

"MASKS!" echoed Mr. Berners, in surprise.

"MASKS," reiterated Mrs. Berners, with a smile.

"Why, my dear Sybil, what on earth do you mean?"

"Why, that our party shall be a masked, fancy-dress ball. That will be

something new in this old-fashioned neighborhood."

"Yes, and something startling to our old-fashioned neighbors," said Mr.

Berners, with a dubious shake of his head.

"So much the better. They need startling, and I intend to startle them."

"As you please, my dear, wayward Sybil. But when do you propose this

affair to come off?"

"On All-Hallow Eve."

"Good. All-Hallow Eve is the proper sort of an eldritch night for such

a piece of diablerie as a mask ball to be held," laughed Mr. Berners.

"But now, seriously, Lyon; do you really dislike or disapprove this

plan? If you do I will willingly modify it according to your judgment;

or even, if you wish it, I will willingly drop it altogether," she said,

very earnestly.

"My dear impetuous Sybil, you should make no such sacrifices, even if I

did dislike or disapprove your plan; but I do neither. I dare say I

shall enjoy the masquerade as much as any one; and that it will be very

popular and quite a success. But now, dear Sybil, let me hear what

fantastic shape you will assume at this witches' dance?"

"I will tell you, Lyon; but mind, you must keep the secret."

"Oh! inviolably," said Mr. Berners, with a laugh.

"Oh! I mean only that you must not speak of it outside the family,

because, you see, it is such a perfectly original character that if it

was known it would be taken by half a dozen people at least."