"I say, Miss Bo-Peep, you're clever, aren't you?" "Not so very; but when talking to a learned monk, I try to be as wise as I can. Oh, look at that stunning big man,--who is he?" "Looks like one of the patriarchs; but I guess he's meant for King Lear. See the wreath of flowers on his white hair." "Did Lear wear flowers? I thought he wore a crown." "Tut! tut! Little Bo-Peep, you must brush up your Shakespeare. Don't you know King Lear became a little troubled in his head, and adorned himself with a garland?" "Well, he's awfully picturesque," said Patty, quite undisturbed by her ignorance of the play, and looking admiringly at Lear's magnificent court robes of velvet and ermine, and his long, flowing white hair and beard, and the garland of flowers that lay loosely on the glistening white wig and trailed down behind. As they neared the picturesque figure, King Lear bowed low before Patty, and held out his hand for her dance card. It was the rule of the ball not to speak, but to indicate invitations by gestures. However, Patty had no reason to keep silent, as they were nearly all strangers, so she laughed, and spoke right out: "I'd gladly give you a dance, King Lear, but I haven't one left." With another courtly bow, King Lear still seemed to insist on his wish, and he took up her card, which she had tied to her crook by a narrow ribbon. With surprise he saw the whole second page blank, and pointed to it with an accusing gesture. "Ah, yes," returned Patty, smiling, "but those are for my friends after I know them. We unmask at supper-time, and then I shall use some discrimination in bestowing my dances. If you want one of those you must ask me for it after supper." King Lear bowed submissively to Patty's decree, and was about to move away, when a sudden thought struck him. He picked up Patty's card again, and indicated a space between the last dance and the supper. "Oh, I know what you mean," cried Patty. "You mean an 'extra.' But I don't think they'll have any. And, anyway, I never engage for extras. If they do have one, and you happen to be around, I'll give it to you;--that's all I can say." And then Patty's next partner came, and she danced away with him, leaving King Lear making his sweeping, impressive bows. "Who is he?" asked Patty, of Roger, who chanced to be her partner this time. "Don't know, I'm sure; but I know scarcely any of the people up here. They seem to be a fine crowd, though. Have you noticed the Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra? There she is now. Isn't she stunning?" Patty looked round, to see a tall, majestic woman, dressed as Zenobia. Her tiny mask hid only her eyes, and her beautiful, classic face well accorded with the character she had chosen. "She's beautiful!" declared Patty, with heartfelt admiration. "I wish I was big and stunning, Roger, instead of a little scrap of humanity."