The steward is in there at
this moment, very good-natured, but not very sober. He says she
is pale and red-eyed, and not fit to be a shepherdess any longer,
and that, as she will not be missed now, she may go home if she
likes. We have got her an old cloak, and she is going to try and
slip through the rooms unobserved, to get downstairs and change
her dress. Don't speak to her, pray, or you will only make her
cry again; and what is worse, make the steward fancy--"
She stopped at that last word, and pointed suddenly over Fabio's
shoulder.
"The Yellow Mask!" she exclaimed. "Oh, sir, draw her away into
the ballroom, and give Nanina a chance of getting out!"
Fabio turned directly, and approached the Mask, who, as they
looked at each other, slowly retreated before him. The
waiting-woman, seeing the yellow figure retire, hastened back to
Nanina in the refreshment-room.
Slowly the masked woman retreated from one apartment to another
till she entered a corridor brilliantly lighted up and
beautifully ornamented with flowers. On the right hand this
corridor led to the ballroom; on the left to an ante-chamber at
the head of the palace staircase. The Yellow Mask went on a few
paces toward the left, then stopped. The bright eyes fixed
themselves as before on Fabio's face, but only for a moment. He
heard a light step behind him, and then he saw the eyes move.
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