Part 24 (2/2)

”Go away!” repeated Ragna, her defiant feeling of a few moments earlier giving way to nervous apprehension. Why had she left the shelter of the wall, why exposed herself to the impertinence of half-tipsy maskers?

Impertinence,--her position of a young woman apparently alone at a masked ball invited it!

”You really want me to go away? Very well, my little dove,--when you have given me a kiss. A favour for a favour, you know!” He crooked his arm and minced nearer. The dancing circle of red imps burst into laughter.

Ragna turned and tried to break through the ring.

”No, you don't,” said Mephisto with a leer, laying his hand on her arm, ”not so fast, sweet one! You shall give me that little kiss first!”

Ragna, really frightened, threw herself away from her tormentor; he was clutching a fold of her domino and the fastenings at the neck gave way; he pulled it back baring her white shoulder and her fair head.

”Bella! Bella! give us each a kiss!” shrieked the imps, and Mephistopheles, leaning forward pressed his lips on the smooth shoulder nearest him.

At that moment a tall figure burst through the ring, scattering the imps right and left, and seizing the Mephis...o...b.. the collar dragged him back and flung him aside. The masker turned with an oath but seeing the height and strength of his a.s.sailant and realizing that discretion is sometimes the better part of valour, bowed low with a mocking laugh and disappeared into the crowd followed by his attendant demons in search of fresh amus.e.m.e.nt.

Ragna, clutching her domino about her, raised her eyes to her rescuer's face and uttered an involuntary exclamation:

”Count Angelescu! You here!”

”Mademoiselle Andersen!” he said, ”I had been watching you for some time, but I was not sure, there are so many black dominoes. Then when those devils--but never mind, since I have found you. Take my arm and let me get you out of this; I must talk to you and it is impossible here!”

It was quite true, he could hardly make himself heard above the din; the fun was fast and furious, pandemonium reigned.

She took his arm and he piloted her skilfully through the crowd and round the corridor to an empty box, where he set a chair for her with its back to the house, and closed the door. She paused a moment to rearrange her hood and sat down; Angelescu took a chair facing her.

There was a moment's embarra.s.sed silence, then Angelescu moistened his lips and began.

”I do not exactly know how to put what I have to say, it is very difficult for me. A certain person asked me to come here on his behalf--”

”Then you know--all?”

”Is it true?”

She bowed her head.

”It is?”

”Yes.”

A groan escaped him.

”Oh, the infernal blackguard! I would not believe it until I had heard it from your own lips. Oh, why was I not in time--I might have saved you! And now it is too late.”

Ragna was silent.

”But that is not the message I was told to deliver. He wishes to offer you compensation,--any sum you care to name.”

”Compensation! To me!” Ragna half rose from her chair.

”Wait! wait! I beg of you! It is an insult, I know that--but it is not from me, it is an order. I had to get it over! Oh, don't!”

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