He smiled, and shook his head. ‘To unmask would be to kill Romance, Letitia.’
She was doubtful. ‘Would it? But how shall I know you again if I do not see your face to-night?’
‘Ah, but will you want to know me again? Or will you not regret the perfect hour?’
‘No, I am sure I shall not. And of course I shall want to know you again. Shall you not want to know me?’
‘Always, but I have you in my dreams, Letitia.’
She blushed adorably. ‘Do you know, that is the very prettiest thing anyone has ever said to me,’ she confided. ‘But I would like – I mean, I do not want to live only in your dreams. Shan’t you wait upon my papa?’
The white teeth showed again in a smile of some mischief. ‘L’Inconnu never waits upon papa,’ he said. ‘You will remember me only as a Black Domino.’
Her face fell. ‘I shan’t see you again?’
‘Yes, you will see me – perhaps.’
‘And know you?’
He hesitated; then laughed, and stretched out his hand. ‘When you see that ring again, Letitia, you will know that I have come once more.’
She looked down at the ring on his little finger, a curious piece of wrought gold in a fantastic design. ‘Only by that?’
‘Only by that.’
‘But –’ she considered awhile. ‘You might forget to wear it,’ she pointed out.
‘I shall not forget.’
She sighed. ‘It is all so mysterious. I fear perhaps it is just a game, and I shan’t ever see you again.’
He quoted a Spanish proverb.
‘Oh, are you foreign?’ she exclaimed, as though that explained all.
‘No, child, but I have been much in foreign lands.’
‘How exciting!’ she said. ‘Tell me about it.’
But a large figure stood in the entrance to the alcove, and a pleasant voice said: ‘Mistress Pink Domino, will you give your hand to a Grey one?’
L’Inconnu came to his feet, and bowed gracefully. ‘I surrender you,’ he said. ‘But only for a little while.’
Sir Anthony held out his arm to Miss Grayson, and looked curiously at the Black Domino.
Miss Grayson went reluctantly, saying over her shoulder: ‘I believe you will disappear.’
‘I shall claim you again, be very sure.’
‘Who in the fiend’s name may that be?’ said Sir Anthony.
‘I don’t know, Tony. He is just called l’Inconnu, but he knows me and I have a feeling I have met him. You don’t know, either?’
‘I haven’t a notion, my dear. I am not quite sure that I approve of unknown gentlemen.’
Her eyes pleaded. ‘Oh, don’t, don’t tell Aunt, Tony!’ she begged. ‘Truly, I am not being indiscreet.’
‘You don’t contemplate an elopement with the mysterious stranger?’ he asked teasingly.