Suddenly a band of maskers emerged from the crowd, thrown from it like the spray from the crest of a wave, they surrounded Ragna, holding one another by the hand, forming a chain about her. One of them, a tall man disguised as Mephistopheles, stepped into the ring and the others capered about them, gibbering. "_Bella mascherina!_" squeaked the Mephisto. Ragna smiled at the challenge and the masker thus encouraged, came close to her. "_Ti conosco, mascherina!_" he said. Ragna shook her head laughingly. "Impossible!" "What, not recognise the most beautiful mouth in Rome! Già!" The man's tone was insolent. "Go away!" said Ragna. "Don't be rude, _mascherina_! I won't betray you--I can keep a secret as well as anyone!" "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 Mephisto by the collar dragged him back and flung him aside. The masker turned with an oath but seeing the height and strength of his assailant 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 amusement. 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.