Cruel As The Grave

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.