"Aha!" There was mine ancient friend Julius. "Hail Caesar!"
He stopped.
"Shall I beware the Ides of March?" I asked jovially.
"Nay, my good Cassius; rather beware of the ten of hearts," said Caesar
in hollow tones, and he was gone.
The ten of hearts again! Hang the card! And then with a sigh of
relief I recollected that in all probability he, like Columbine, had
heard me call out the card to Hamilton. Still, the popularity of the
card was very disquieting. I wished it had been seven or five; there's
luck in odd numbers. . . . A Blue Domino! My heart leaped, and I
thought of the little ticket in my waistcoat pocket. A Blue Domino!
If, by chance, there should be a connection between her and the ticket!
She was sitting all alone in a corner near-by, partly screened by a pot
of orange-trees. I crossed over and sat down by her side. This might
prove an adventure worth while.
"What a beautiful night it is!" I said.
She turned, and I caught sight of a wisp of golden hair.
"That is very original," said she. "Who in the world would have
thought of passing comments on the weather at a masque! Prior to this
moment the men have been calling me all sorts of sentimental names."
"Oh, I am coming to that. I am even going to make love to you."
She folded her hands,--rather resignedly, I thought,--and the
rollicking comedy began.