The stranger having divested himself of his upper garments then put on
this horrible dress. When he had finished his revolting toilet, even to
the drawing on of the skull-cap, he surveyed himself in the mirror that
reflected as ghastly a figure of "Death," as Milton, Danté, or even
Gustav Doré, ever conceived.
He laughed sardonically, as he exclaimed: "Ah ha! they will not expect 'Death' to be a guest at their ball!"
Then over this grim costume he threw a large travelling cloak, and upon
his head he placed a broad-brimmed black felt hat. And now, being all
ready, he prepared to leave the room.
First he put out the light, and then he cautiously unlocked the door,
and, secure from observation himself, he looked out to see if the coast
was clear.
The passage was dark, but soon he saw a door on the opposite side open,
and two young men come out in masquerade dresses, and hasten, laughing
and talking, down the stairs. They were evidently on their way to the
mask ball.
The next instant, the door on the same side with his own opened, and a
lady and gentleman, both in black dominoes and masks, came out and
passed down stairs.
"Good!" said the stranger to himself. "If I am met at all, I shall be
mistaken for one of the invited guests of the ball, and pass out without
being recognized." And so saying, he softly drew the key from the inside
of the lock, and closed and locked the door, and taking the key with
him, glided down the stairs and out of the house, and took the road to
Black Hall.