But if Peyrolles, propped against his tree, was too preoccupied to notice the not unnoticeable group, light-hearted Chavernay was more alert. Drifting, as every one drifted that night, again and again, towards the Fountain of Diana as the centre of festivity, he turned to Navailles and pointed to Gabrielle. "Who is that mask in the rose-colored domino? She seems to seek some one." Navailles laughed. "She goes about with two giants like some princess in a fairy tale." Nocé was prepared with an explanation. "It is Mademoiselle de Clermont, who is looking for me." Taranne pooh-poohed him. "Nonsense. It is Madame de Tessy, who is looking for me." "It might be Mademoiselle Nivelle, looking for me," Oriol suggested, fatuously. Choisy, Gironne, Albret, Montaubert--each in turn offered a possible name for the unknown. Chavernay would have none of their suggestions. "No, no. That is not any one we know. She is neither court lady nor a play actress; she is some goddess in disguise, and I am going to reveal divinity." Then he tripped daintily forward and intercepted Gabrielle and her companions as they accomplished their first tour of the pond. "Fair lady," said Chavernay, with a graceful bow, "are you looking for some one?" The large arm of Cocardasse was interposed between Chavernay and Gabrielle, and the large voice of Cocardasse counselled Chavernay: "Stand aside, little man." Quite indifferent to the counsels of the mighty mask, Chavernay persisted: "Fair lady, dismiss this monster and accept my arm." This time it was Passepoil's turn to intervene. "Out of the way!" he commanded, and gave Chavernay a little push. Instantly Chavernay's hot blood was in a flame, and he clapped his hand to his sword. "How dare you, fellow--" he began. But now Gabrielle, greatly alarmed at the prospect of a brawl in such a place, and perfectly recognizing the marquis, removed her mask from her face for a moment while she spoke: "Monsieur de Chavernay, you will let me pass." It was only for a moment, but it was long enough to give Chavernay time to recognize her, and he fell back with a respectful salutation. It was long enough, also, for Peyrolles, leaning against his tree and at last roused from saddened thoughts to contemplation of the outer world, to get a glimpse of the girl's face and to recognize its extraordinary resemblance to the dead duke. He gave a start of surprise. Was fortune playing into his hands, after all? Chavernay bowed. "Your pardon, lady; your path is free," he said, and stood aside while Gabrielle moved slowly forward with her escort on a second tour of the fountain. Navailles and the others had seen, indeed, the lady unmask, but were not near enough to descry her features. "Well," said Navailles, eagerly, to Chavernay--"well, who was the lady?" Chavernay answered, coolly: "I do not know." At this moment the lean form and yellow face of Monsieur de Peyrolles intruded itself into the group of Gonzague's friends.