While D'Arbino was speaking, Fabio suddenly felt himself
shuddering again, and became conscious of a sound of low
breathing behind him.
He turned round instantly, and there, standing between them, and
peering down at them, was the Yellow Mask!
Fabio started up, and his friend followed his example. Again the
gleaming black eyes rested steadily on the young nobleman's face,
and again their look chilled him to the heart.
"Yellow Lady, do you know my friend?" exclaimed D'Arbino, with
mock solemnity.
There was no answer. The fatal eyes never moved from Fabio's
face.
"Yellow Lady," continued the other, "listen to the music. Will
you dance with me?"
The eyes looked away, and the figure glided slowly from the room.
"My dear count," said D'Arbino, "that woman seems to have quite
an effect on you. I declare she has left you paler than ever.
Come into the supper-room with me, and have some wine; you really
look as if you wanted it."
They went at once to the large refreshment-room. Nearly all the
guests had by this time begun to dance again. They had the whole
apartment, therefore, almost entirely to themselves.
Among the decorations of the room, which were not strictly in
accordance with genuine Arcadian simplicity, was a large
looking-glass, placed over a well-furnished sideboard. D'Arbino
led Fabio in this direction, exchanging greetings as he advanced
with a gentleman who stood near the glass looking into it, and
carelessly fanning himself with his mask.
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