But this change, instead of being satisfactory to Sybil, was simply
disgusting to her, who saw in it only the effect of her own presence,
inducing hypocrisy and deception in them. And the resolution that she
had formed was strengthened.
Meanwhile the only couple that was wanted to complete the quadrille now
came up, and the dance began.
Sybil noticed, in an absent-minded sort of a way, how very gracefully
her grim partner danced. And the thought passed carelessly through her
mind, that if in that most ghastly disguise his manner and address were
so elegant and polished, how very refined, how perfect they must be in
his plain dress. And she wondered and conjectured who, among her
numerous friends and acquaintances, this gentleman could be; and she
admired and marvelled at the tact and skill with which he so completely
and successfully concealed his identity.
She noticed too, in the superficial sort of manner in which she noticed
everything except the objects of her agonizing jealousy, that her
strange partner watched Rosa as closely as she herself watched Lyon--and
she even asked herself: "Does he know Rosa, and is he jealous?"
Meanwhile the mazy dance went merrily on, heying and setting, whirling
and twisting to the inspiring sound of music. And Sybil acted her part,
scarcely conscious that she did it, until the set was ended, and she was
led back to her seat by her partner, who, as he placed her in it, bowed
gracefully, thanked her for the honor she had done him, and inquired if
he could have the pleasure of bringing her a glass of water, lemonade,
or anything else.
But she politely declined all refreshment.
He then expressed a hope of having the honor of dancing with her again
during the evening, and with a final bow he withdrew.
But he did but make way for a succession of suitors, who, in low and
pleading tones, besought the honor of her hand in the waltz that was
about to begin. But to each of these in turn she excused herself, upon
the plea that she never waltzed.
Next she was besieged by candidates for the delight of dancing with her
in the quadrille that was immediately to follow the waltz. And she
mechanically bowed assent to the first applicant, and excused herself to
all others, upon the plea of her previous engagement.
That Sybil consented to dance at all, under the painful circumstances of
her position, was due to the instinctive courtesy of her nature, which
taught her, that on such an occasion as this, the hostess must not
indulge her private feelings, however importunate they might be, but
that she must mingle in the amusements of her guests; for she forgot
that a masquerade ball was different from all other entertainments in
this, that her masquerade dress put her on an equality with all her
guests, and emancipated her from all the duties of a hostess as long as
she should wear her mask.