“No,” said Hamilton, “I only returned here yesterday evening, and have heard nothing about it. Where is the ball?” “At the Museum. You are a member of the club, I believe—it is there you read the foreign newspapers, you know. I shall keep a waltz or galop for you.” “To-morrow, did you say? and I am invited to a private ball at Court! If it were only the day after!” “This all comes from cholera!” cried Madame Berger, in a tone of vexation. “Everything heaped together at the end of the carnival! There is to be a masquerade at the theatre on Monday; you said you wished to go to one; let us at least arrange something about that.” “Can you not promise to be of the party?” said Hamilton, turning to Hildegarde. “It will altogether depend upon papa,” she answered coldly, and then left the room without looking towards the speakers. “Come here, Crescenz,” said Madame Berger, “come here, and I will tell you how we can manage it: your mother intends to go some day or other to see her father. Why not on Monday, if Mr. Hamilton offers his sledge?” “Oh, she is so afraid of his horses, that nothing would tempt her to take them.” “Well, then, the Doctor must lend his old greys, for on Monday both she and your father must be out of the way. Don’t be so stupid as to say this to Hildegarde, however!” “Oh, mamma will never trust us with you alone,” said Crescenz. “I suspected as much, and have engaged old Lustig to go with us; she will do whatever we please, and I have promised to arrange a ‘bat’ for her like my own; we will all go as bats. Shall we be black or white?” “Which is the most becoming?” asked Crescenz. “Becoming! why, child, I do believe you don’t know what I mean. A bat as mask means a domino so arranged that one cannot see even the form of the head, the smallest lock of hair, or even quite know whether the person be a man or woman.” “I thought we should have had something pretty,” said Crescenz, disappointed, “such as Grecian costumes.” “You may dress yourself as a Greek or a Turk, if you like, but you may be recognised and tormented. For my part, I go to worry others, and have decided on a black domino—a complete capuchin; Mr. Hamilton and Madame Lustig the same; you and Hildegarde may of course arrange as you please.” “Oh, dear! I am afraid Hildegarde will not go without asking papa’s leave.” “Don’t say a word more about the matter to her; she will think we have forgotten it, and—when papa and mamma are gone, I will come and arrange everything.” “Oh, dear, how nice!” cried Crescenz, seating herself confidentially beside her friend, but a moment after she sprang up, assumed a dignified air, and walked towards the door. “You don’t mean to leave us, Cressy?” exclaimed Madame Berger, surprised. “I am going to tell mamma that you are here,” she replied, stiffly.