The female who had accompanied him was masked with extreme care; her hood so covered her, that it was impossible to see even her hair; her very full domino enveloped her figure, whilst large gloves and large shoes concealed her hands and feet, which otherwise are such certain evidences. The lady appeared agitated: the words which she several times tried to utter expired on her lips. M. de Morville first broke silence and said,-- "Madame, I received the letter which you were so obliging as to write to me, requesting me to be here and masked, with a signal and words of recognition. Your letter appeared so serious, that, in spite of the uneasiness with which my mother's health fills me, I am here at your bidding." M. de Morville could not continue. With a hand trembling from emotion, the domino unmasked herself with an effort. "Madame de Hansfeld!" exclaimed M. de Morville, in extreme astonishment. It was the princess. CHAPTER IV PAULA MONTI M. de Morville could scarcely believe his eyes. It was no illusion: he was really in the presence of Madame de Hansfeld. It would require the pencil of some great artist to depict the firmness, the decision of that queenly visage, as pale and as stern as a statue of antiquity--to describe that look, as piercing and as fascinating as that of the evil spirit of some German legend. It is but by invoking the resemblance of Cleopatra or Lady Macbeth (our readers must excuse the bold comparison), that an idea can be formed of the mixture of seductive loveliness and sombre majesty displayed in the countenance of the Venetian, Paula Monti, Princess de Hansfeld. Madame de Hansfeld had removed her mask. The hood of her domino projected a deep shadow on her forehead, whilst the rest of her face was strongly lighted up. Her eyes seemed to glow even more brightly than before from out of the chiaroscuro that enshrouded the upper part of her features. With the exception of this look, sparkling like a star in the dark sky, the physiognomy of Madame de Hansfeld was utterly without expression. The princess said in a firm and grave tone to M. de Morville,-- "I confide, monsieur, the secret of this interview fearlessly to your honour." "I will prove myself worthy of your confidence, madame." "I know it, but I required this certainty ere I risked the step to which unwittingly you have forced me." "I, madame?" "It is your conduct alone that has driven me to seek this interview." "For Heaven's sake, madame, explain yourself!" "It is now about two months since, monsieur, that you prayed your aunt, Madame de Lormoy, one of my intimate friends, to present you to me. I acceded with pleasure to this request. Some days afterwards, you informed Madame de Lormoy, that you would not, on any account, be presented to me." M. de Morville cast down his eyes, and replied,-- "It is true, madame."