When Moore and I entered the French Embassy, that night, my own valet
could not have distinguished which was the Aide and which the Archduke.
By some means, which I did not bother to inquire, Moore had secured two
suits of black velvet, of the time of the Thirteenth Louis, which were
marvels in fit and style. We were of one height and very similar in
frame--there being but a few pounds difference in our weights--and,
with the long curls under the big hats with their flowing plumes, and
the black silk masks, we were as alike as twins. Even our swords were
similar--long, leather-sheathed rapiers with dead gold hilts.
Under my doublet I laced the steel vest Bernheim brought me. It and
one other were made by a famous Milan armorer three hundred years ago,
Bernheim said; and the two had been in his family ever since. And, so
far as he knew, there were no others like them in all Europe; not even
in the Museums. It was a wonderful piece of work, truly. The links
were small and yielding and so cunningly joined that it was as pliable
as knitted wool, and much less bulky. Indeed, when rolled into a ball,
it was no bigger than a man's fist. It looked quite too flimsy to
afford any protection; yet, when I saw it proof against a bullet fired
from a revolver and also turn repeated sword thrusts, I was, perforce,
convinced. And I was completely won when I donned it; it was like a
vest of silk. And I was well pleased it was so; for I was wearing it
simply to oblige good old Bernheim, who seemed so earnest about it. I
had no notion it would be of any service to me that night.
As everyone came masked, admission was, of course, only by card, after
which all were conducted singly to a small room where the mask was
removed and identification satisfactorily established by the
Ambassador's Secretary.
It chanced, when my turn came, that the Marquis de Vierle, himself, was
in the room; and, when he saw my face, his welcome was intensely
ardent. He apologized effusively that I had been received at the
regular entrance and, so, had been compelled to wait my turn for
identification--but, surely, my regrets had been noted.
I told him he was quite right--that I had regretted, and that the
apology was, really, due from me for coming, and that I had enjoyed
being pushed and jostled, once again, like an ordinary mortal. He
wanted to treat me with all the deference due me and I very firmly
declined. I told him, frankly, I was there to see and enjoy and not to
be seen nor to receive special attentions. I asked him, as a
particular favor, to tell no one of my presence and to permit me to
remain absolutely incog.; that, for this night, I was plain Armand
Dalberg and not a Royal Highness nor an Archduke.
The house was one of the largest in the Capital, standing in a park of
its own, on the edge of the inner town, and had been the residence of
the French Legation for a century. It had been improved and added to,
at various periods, until it had taken on about every known style of
architecture. And, as a result, there were queer passages and many
unexpected recesses. The furniture was as varied as the building; and
the tapestries and pictures and frescoes were rather famous. The
grounds, however, were the main attraction; they covered twenty acres
and were maintained exactly as originally laid out by a famous Italian
landscape artist--with immense trees and huge hedges and narrow walks
and wonderful vistas.
The Marquise de Vierle welcomed her guests alone in one of the small
reception rooms; everyone entering singly and unmasking--she, herself,
being as yet, in ordinary evening dress. She was a very handsome
woman, much younger than the Marquis, and of the very oldest French
Aristocracy--a _grande dame_ in bearing as well as in birth.
"Your Royal Highness does us great honor," she said, as I bowed over
her hand.
I answered her in suit, and we tossed the usual number of compliments
back and forth.
"Whom shall we bid join you at supper?" she asked.
"My dear Marquise," I protested, "you have your personal party
selected--doubtless invited; and my unexpected coming must not break
your arrangements. Let me wander about, and pay no more regard to me
than to your most ordinary guest."
But she declined to excuse me; insisting that she had made no choice,
except Lady Helen Radnor, who happened to be staying the night with
her. So, without being churlish, I could decline no longer.
"If your Ladyship will make the list very small, and, then, engage to
give me all your smiles I shall accept with pleasure," I said.
"I will promise both," she said. "Who attends you to-night?"
"My Aide, Colonel Moore."
"Suppose, then, we make it a party of eight and ask Lady Helen, the
Countess de Relde, Mademoiselle d'Essoldé and the American Ambassador."
"Charming!" I exclaimed; "charming!"
"And what hour will Your Highness be served?" she asked.
"At whatever hour Madame la Marquise fixes."
"Say, one o'clock, then--in the blue breakfast room; it is quiet and
retired."
I bowed again over her hand and was withdrawing, when the Marquise
stopped me.
"Would not Your Highness like to know some of the Masques?" she asked.
"Very much, indeed," said I.
"Then you will find a chair in the recess behind the curtains,
yonder--and, when you are tired, there is a door, which slides without
noise, opening into a private corridor leading to the Garden.
_Comprenez vous, Monsieur le Prince_?"
I laughed. "Perfectly," said I. "And I may have Colonel Moore with
me? There will be many faces I shall not know."
"He is without?" she asked.
"Yes--and costumed somewhat like myself."
She touched a bell; I held up my mask.
"Admit the gentleman in black velvet, like Monsieur," she ordered.
"Goodness!" she exclaimed, when Moore entered.
"Puzzle," said I. "Pick the Archduke."
"Impossible--and, if you two go around together, some of my guests will
think they are getting double vision very early in the evening."
From the recess, we could see all that entered and hear every word
said. And it struck me how very eloquent it was of the character of
the Marquise de Vierle that she should, deliberately, provide a
concealed audience while she greeted--alone--every man and woman of
Dornlitz Society. I must admit I rather enjoyed the experience--though
I very rarely guessed the face behind the mask. It is astonishing how
effectively an unusual costume disguises even those we know well.
Suddenly, the Marquis entered hurriedly.
"Do you know, Claire," he said, "that the American Archduke is here
to-night?"
Instantly I laid my hand on the sliding door. It was time for us to be
going. And the door refused to move. I looked at Moore, who shrugged
his shoulders. I could imagine the smile his mask concealed. But the
Marquise met the situation with a laugh.
"I do indeed--and I rather fancy you will find His Highness in yonder
recess," she said.