Peyrolles pointed to the far end of the alley in which they were
standing. It was a dimmer alley than the others, for, in obedience to a
suggestion of Peyrolles, Oriol had been busily engaged in putting out the
lights. "At the end of this alley. He is waiting for you."
He offered her his arm as he spoke, and Gabrielle, believing indeed that
Lagardere had sent for her, accepted his guidance down the alley, and so
she disappeared from the noise and mirth and light and color of the
royal ball.
As the domino in pink and the dominos in black completed their third turn
round the Fountain of Diana, the domino in pink plucked off her mask,
and, looking up at her accompanying giants, showed to them, amazed, the
pretty, impudent, unfamiliar face of Cidalise. "May I ask, gentlemen, why
you follow me?" she said, merrily.
At the sight of her face, at the sound of her voice, at her question,
Cocardasse and Passepoil reeled as if they had been struck. Cidalise went
on: "I have many friends here, and no need for your company." Then she
laughed and ran away out of sight in a moment in the shifting crowd,
leaving Cocardasse and Passepoil staring at each other in staggered
amazement.
"The devil!" said Cocardasse.
"That's what I'm thinking," said Passepoil.