suspicion, each sprang furiously to this seat; each attained it at the same
moment, and each possessed himself of part at the same instant. As they happened
to be two elderly corpulent men, the younger cavaliers, under all the restraints
of the moment, the panic of the company, and the Landgrave's presence, could not
forbear laughing; and the more spirited amongst the young ladies caught the
infection.
    His Highness was little in a temper to brook this levity; and hastened to
relieve the joint occupants of the chair from the ridicule of their situation.
»Enough!« he exclaimed, »enough! all my friends are requested to resume the
situation most agreeable to them; my purpose is answered.« - The Prince was
himself standing with all his household, and, as a point of respect, all the
company rose. (»As you were,« whispered the young soldiers to their fair
companions.)
    Adorni now came forward. »It is known,« said he, »by trials more than
sufficient, that some intruder, with the worst intentions, has crept into this
honourable company. The ladies present will therefore have the goodness to
retire apart to the lower end of the saloon, whilst the noble cavaliers will
present themselves in succession to six officers of his Highness's household, to
whom they will privately communicate their names and quality.«
    This arrangement was complied with, not however without the exchange of a
few flying jests on the part of the younger cavaliers and their fair partners,
as they separated for the purpose. The cavaliers, who were rather more than five
hundred in number, went up as they were summoned by the number marked upon their
cards of admission, and, privately communicating with some one of the officers
appointed, were soon told off, and filed away to the right of the Landgrave,
waiting for the signal which should give them permission to rejoin their
parties.
    All had been now told off, within a score. These were clustered together in
a group; and in that group undoubtedly was The Masque. Every eye was converged
upon this small knot of cavaliers; each of the spectators, according to his
fancy, selected the one who came nearest in dress, or in personal appearance, to
his preconceptions of that mysterious agent. Not a word was uttered, not a
whisper; hardly a robe was heard to rustle, or a feather to wave.
    The twenty were rapidly reduced to twelve, these to six, the six to four -
three - two; the tale of the invited was complete, and one man remained